The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 142

“What?”

Martin’s voice sounded disbelieving.

“Daniel, what do you mean? Emma is an excellent employee. She has delivered many successful projects for our firm. I can’t simply dismiss her without strong grounds.”

“The grounds are that she has been interfering in my personal affairs,” Daniel answered in a hard tone. “She’s been spreading false rumors about my family. Trying to damage our reputation by looking for a lawyer for a case that doesn’t exist.”

“Daniel, I don’t understand-”

“You don’t need to understand, Martin,” Daniel cut in. “You only need to do what I’m asking. Fire Emma Carter. Now.”

Martin drew a deep breath. “Daniel, I can’t do that. Emma has rights as an employee. There are procedures to follow. I can’t dismiss someone arbitrarily without a proper investigation—’

“Martin,” Daniel said in a dangerous tone. “Do you remember who helped your firm land a major contract with Waverly Corporation last year? Who recommended your firm to three large clients that now make up your primary revenue?”

Silence.

“I did all of that,” Daniel continued with confidence. “Because we’re friends. Because I wanted to help your business grow. And now I’m only asking one small thing in return. Fire one employee who is causing problems.”

“Daniel, this is not a small thing,” Martin said in a tense voice. “Emma has a family. She has bills to pay. I can’t destroy her life just because-”

“I don’t care!” Daniel snapped. “She’s been interfering in someone else’s marriage. And trying to separate me from my wife. That is reason enough for you to dismiss her.”

Martin went quiet for a long time.

“Martin,” Daniel said in a calmer but more dangerous tone. “If you don’t do this, I will withdraw every recommendation I’ve ever given on your behalf. I’ll contact every client I’ve introduced to you and let them know your firm cannot be trusted, because you employ people who like to meddle in their clients’ personal affairs.”

“Oh God Daniel, please don’t do this—”

“I will do it if you force my hand,” Daniel cut in. “Or you can save us both some time and do what I’m asking. The choice is yours.”

A suffocating silence fell over the line.

Daniel waited patiently. Knowing Martin was thinking hard.

Weighing the options. Calculating what he stood to gain and lose.

“All right,” Martin said at last in a defeated voice. “I’ll do it. But Daniel-”

“Good. I knew I could count on you.”

“Daniel, wait,” Martin said in a more serious tone. “As your friend, I have to say something. This is not the right

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way to have Alina.”

Daniel furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

“You shouldn’t be treating the person you love this way,” Martin answered. “If you truly love Alina, don’t treat her roughly. Don’t cut her off from every person who cares about her.”

Daniel felt fury rise to his head.

“You know nothing about my marriage, Martin. Don’t pretend to understand.”

“Maybe I don’t know the details,” Martin said calmly. “But I know one thing. True love is not built on force and fear. There’s an old saying: ‘If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it never was.

Martin paused for a moment before continuing.

“And there’s something else you should remember, Daniel. ‘A hand that grips too tightly will destroy what it’s trying to protect.’ Don’t let your own actions become your undoing. Don’t let it be that when you finally come to your senses, it’s already too late and Alina has truly been lost to you. Not just physically, but in her very soul.”

Daniel felt his jaw tighten.

“I didn’t ask for life advice, Martin. I asked you to do a simple job. Fire Emma Carter. That’s all.”

“Daniel-”

“Do what I asked or you’ll face the consequences alone,” Daniel cut in with a tone of finality. “I don’t have time to sit through your moral lecture.”

Daniel ended the call without waiting for Martin’s reply. He threw the phone onto the desk with a sharp motion.

Marcus was still standing in the corner of the room. Unmoving. Saying nothing.

Daniel stared out the window with a hardened jaw.

Martin’s words still echoed in his mind.

*A hand that grips too tightly will destroy what it’s trying to protect.*

Nonsense.

Daniel was not destroying Alina. He was protecting her. From the people who wanted to tear them apart. From harmful influences like Emma who left Alina confused.

“Marcus,” Daniel called without turning.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Increase surveillance on Emma Carter. I want to know everyone she contacts. Everywhere she goes. Everyone she meets. Report everything to me.”

“Understood, Sir.”

Marcus turned to leave but Daniel called to him again.

“One more thing.”

“Yes, Sir?”

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“Send flowers to Alina. Red roses. Two dozen. With a card that reads ‘For the wife I love.””

Marcus looked at Daniel with an expression of disbelief he quickly concealed.

“Yes, Sir. I’ll arrange it immediately.”

Daniel smiled thinly.

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“Now go. I have a great deal of work.”

Marcus left with quick steps.

Leaving Daniel alone in the study.

Daniel returned to his chair. He looked at the photo of Alina on his desk.

Their wedding photo from five years ago.

Alina looked beautiful in her wedding gown even though her eyes were vacant.

Daniel touched the photo with a gentle hand.

“Alina,” he whispered with a smile. “I will not stand idle if anyone tries to separate us. I will make them all surrender. And we will live happily forever. Together with our baby.”

Daniel set the photo back on the desk. Then he opened his laptop and began to work with a satisfied smile on his lips. Completely ignoring Martin’s advice that still faintly echoed somewhere in the back of his mind.

Elsewhere, Emma had just arrived at the office. She carried a thin thread of hope that perhaps today Adrian Lawson would reply to her email. And that he might be able to help Alina as soon as possible.

But the moment she walked through the entrance, Clara – the receptionist looked at her with an expression of sympathy that made Emma’s stomach drop.

“Emma,” Clara said quietly. “Mr. Martin asked you to come straight to his office when you arrived.”

Emma furrowed her brow. “Why? Is there an important meeting?”

Clara did not answer. She only shook her head with glistening eyes.

Emma felt a bad feeling crawl up her spine.

She walked toward Martin’s office with steps that grew slower with every meter.

Emma knocked on Martin’s door with a trembling hand.

“Come in.”

Martin sat at his desk with a weary face. His eyes were red as though he had not slept all night.

On his desk sat a thick folder and several official documents.

“Emma,” Martin greeted without a smile. “Sit down.”

Emma sat with her heart hammering.

“What’s wrong, Martin? Is there a problem with the Waverly project? I can revise

“This is not about a project,” Martin cut in with a heavy voice. “Emma, with a very heavy heart… I have to inform

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you that this firm can no longer employ you.

Emma’s world stopped turning.

“What?”

Martin pushed the folder toward Emma. “This is your official termination letter. Effective today. You will receive two months of compensation as per your contract. And a strong reference letter for your next position.”

Emma stared at the folder in disbelief.

“You’re… you’re firing me? Why? I’ve worked here five years! Every project I’ve handled has been successful! What

“This was not my decision,” Martin said in an exhausted voice. “Emma, you know how much I value your work. But there is… pressure from an important client. Pressure I cannot ignore.”

Emma felt the realization hit her like a punch to the stomach.

“Daniel Blackwood.”

Martin did not answer. But his expression was confirmation enough.

Emma stood with a forceful motion. Her chair scraped back.

“You’re letting him do this?! You’re letting him destroy my career because I was trying to help my friend?!”

“Emma, please-”

“THIS IS NOT FAIR!” Emma cried out in a trembling voice. “I haven’t done anything wrong! My work has been flawless! My clients are satisfied! But you’re firing me because you’re afraid of ONE person?!”

Martin stood as well. His face was full of regret.

“You’re right. This is not fair. But Emma, Daniel is not an ordinary person. He has the power to destroy this firm. He threatened to withdraw every recommendation he has ever given us. To contact every one of our major clients and tell them we cannot be trusted.”

Martin sat back down heavily.

“This firm has a hundred employees. A hundred families depending on the income from this place. I cannot put all of them at risk for one person. Even if that person is you.”

Emma felt tears filling her eyes.

“So I’m just collateral damage in Daniel’s power play?”

“I am deeply sorry,” Martin whispered. “Truly. If there were any other way

“No. You don’t need to do anything,” Emma cut in with a bitter voice. “I know you’re too afraid to stand up to him. So there’s nothing you can do to defend me.”

Emma took the folder from the desk with a rough motion.

“I’ll clear out my desk. And I won’t be coming back here.”

She turned toward the door.

“Emma,” Martin called. “I hope you understand”

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“I understand,” Emma said without turning back. “I understand that money and power always win. And people like me always end up as the casualties.”

Emma slammed the door and walked out of Martin’s office.

Her colleagues looked at her with sympathetic eyes. Some whispered among themselves. Everyone already knew.

Emma ignored them all. She walked to her desk and began packing her things with trembling hands.

A photo with Alina from their graduation. A mug that read “World’s Best Friend.” A notebook filled with project ideas.

Everything went into a cardboard box.

Five years of her life packed up in twenty minutes.

Clara came over with tears on her cheeks. She hugged Emma tightly.

“I can’t believe they did this to you,” Clara whispered.

“Believe it,” Emma said in a flat voice. “Daniel Blackwood can do whatever he wants. But nothing can stop me from always standing on Alina’s side,”

Emma picked up the box and walked out of the office for the last time.

Passing through the corridor that had once felt like a second home.

Now it felt like a prison that had just released her.

In the parking lot, Emma put the box in the boot of her car.

Then she sat in the driver’s seat with her hands gripping the steering wheel.

Emma did not cry. She only stared blankly ahead.

Emma’s phone started buzzing. Suddenly a flood of notifications poured in. A credit card bill. An electricity bill. An apartment bill.

All of them due this week, even though they had previously been scheduled at different times.

“Damn it!”

Emma swore in frustration. She knew exactly who was behind this string of misfortunes hitting her today.

“Daniel Blackwood. You’ve gone too far! You absolute bastard!”

Emma cursed under her breath, fully aware that Daniel was deliberately making her life miserable.

Emma sat in silence for a long while. Thinking.

With two months of compensation, she might be able to hold on for three months. Perhaps four if she was extremely careful.

But after that?

No job. No reference she could truly rely on, because everyone knew she had been dismissed because of Daniel Blackwood.

Who would hire someone who had become the enemy of the most powerful billionaire in the city?

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Emma opened her email on her phone. Hoping for a reply from Adrian Lawson.

But there was nothing. No reply at all.

Emma exhaled. It had been more than twelve hours since she sent the email, and Adrian had not responded.

Emma’s hands tightened into fists. Perhaps Adrian would not reply. Perhaps he was afraid of Daniel too. And perhaps Emma would have to face this fight alone.

Emma stared at the empty inbox with a hollow feeling.

“Forgive me, Alina,” she whispered to the stillness. “I’ve been trying to find help to get to you as soon as possible. But I’m not strong enough to fight Daniel.”

Emma’s tears finally fell. She wept alone inside the car. Pouring out the frustration of being powerless to help Alina who was still trapped. Weeping for herself and the job she had just lost.

“But I won’t give up,” Emma said as she wiped her tears. “I will keep fighting until I manage to save you, Alina.”

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AG NATURIS

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Flowers and Ashes

At lunchtime, Daniel sat in the private dining room of a luxury restaurant in the city center with a glass of wine in hand.

Dr. Lawrence Mitchell sat across from him with a pale face and trembling hands.

“Thank you for coming so quickly, Dr. Mitchell,” said Daniel with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Dr. Mitchell swallowed. “Mr. Blackwood, if this is about Mrs. Margaret-”

“Oh, this is indeed about my mother,” Daniel cut in as he sipped his wine. “And about the very… bold plan the two of you have been making.”

Dr. Mitchell felt the blood drain from his face.

“I don’t know what you-”

Daniel set his wine glass down with a sharp sound that made Dr. Mitchell flinch.

“Don’t play games with me, Doctor. I know everything. I know my mother contacted you. I know she asked you to evaluate Alina again, discreetly. I also know her plan to have my wife admitted to a psychiatric facility.”

Daniel leaned back in his chair with sharp eyes fixed on Dr. Mitchell.

“What I want to know is: why did you agree? Do you dare to defy me?”

“No, Sir.” Dr. Mitchell trembled. “I-I don’t dare get on the wrong side of you. It’s just that Mrs. Margaret was very persuasive. Sh-she-”

“She threatened you,” Daniel said flatly. “With the old malpractice case? Did you think I didn’t know about that?”

Daniel took a folder from the bag beside him. He tossed it onto the table.

Dr. Mitchell opened it with shaking hands.

Inside was a complete copy of the malpractice case from five years ago. The patient who had taken their own life. The family that had settled out of court. All the evidence that had never been brought before a judge.

“How did you -”

“I have resources far greater than my mother’s, Dr. Mitchell,” said Daniel with a cold smile. “And I can do things far worse than merely exposing an old case.”

Daniel leaned forward.

“I can make certain you lose your license. I can make certain no hospital or clinic will employ you. I can make certain your name becomes synonymous with medical negligence throughout this entire state.”

Dr. Mitchell felt cold sweat running down his back.

“Mr. Blackwood, please—”

“You can cooperate with me,” Daniel cut in in a softer but no less dangerous tone. “And I will make certain your old case stays buried. I’ll even provide a strong reference for your practice.”

Dr. Mitchell closed his eyes. He drew a trembling breath.

“What do you want me to do?”

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“Tell me every detail of my mother’s plan,” Daniel ordered. “All of it.”

Dr. Mitchell told him everything.

About the plan for a secret psychiatric evaluation and the recommendation for institutionalization. He also revealed that Margaret would arrange access without Daniel’s knowledge.

Daniel listened with a jaw that grew harder by the second.

His mother.

The woman who was supposed to support him.

Instead trying to destroy his marriage.

Trying to separate him from Alina.

“Thank you for your honesty,” said Daniel after Dr. Mitchell finished. “Now listen carefully. You will contact my mother today. You will tell her you cannot continue with this plan because the risk is too great. You will withdraw completely.”

“But Mrs. Margaret will-”

“Let me handle my mother,” Daniel cut in. “You only need to step back. And never go near my wife again. Do you understand?”

Dr. Mitchell nodded quickly. “Understood, Mr. Blackwood.”

“Good. Now go.”

Dr. Mitchell stood on trembling legs. He walked out of the private room with hurried steps.

The moment the door closed, Daniel picked up his phone. He pressed his mother’s contact with a forceful motion.

The line rang several times before being answered.

“Daniel?” Margaret’s voice sounded surprised. “What is it, calling in the middle of the day-”

“I know what you’ve been doing,” Daniel cut in with a voice cold as ice, “I know about Dr. Mitchell. And your plan to have Alina admitted to a psychiatric hospital.”

Silence on the other end.

“Daniel, I can explain-”

“NO!” Daniel snapped sharply. “There is no explanation that could justify what you tried to do! You were trying to take my wife from me! Trying to destroy my marriage!”

“I’m doing this for you and Junior!” Margaret’s voice rose. “For the future of our family! That woman is unstable! She is dangerous for you and Junior!”

“Alina is NOT dangerous!” Daniel shouted. “She only needs time and support! Not to be locked in a mental institution!”

“You can’t think clearly because of your obsession with her!” Margaret fired back. “You’re ruining everything for a woman who doesn’t even love you! Our family’s reputation is at stake! Why do you still defend her?!”

“THIS IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS, MOTHER!” Daniel snapped. “This is my marriage! My life! And you have no right to interfere in it!”

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“I am your mother-”

“You are not acting like a mother,” Daniel cut in with a voice shaking with fury. “You’re acting like a controller who cannot let go. Who cannot accept that I have my own life. My own wife. My own family.”

Margaret went quiet. Her breathing was audible and heavy on the other end.

“Daniel,” Margaret said in a calmer but still tense voice. “I only want what is best for you. For Junior. For our family.”

“If you truly want what is best,” Daniel said in a tone of finality. “You will stop interfering in my marriage. You will let me manage my own relationship. And you will never attempt anything like this again.”

“Daniel-”