Chapter 3

I was discharged from the hospital. Charlotte said she had a meeting at work, and after I shamelessly wheedled a goodbye kiss from my wife, she left in her heels, cool as ever.

That kiss had only brushed my forehead, but it was enough. I spent the whole ride grinning like an idiot and touching the spot over and over.

James was driving, and every now and then he'd sneak looks at me in the rearview mirror like I was some rare protected species.

"Mr. Carter," I said, putting away my silly grin.

"Yes! Mr. Grant!" He jolted so hard he nearly jerked the wheel.

"From now on, all my plans revolve around my wife first." I leaned back against the soft seat and gave orders lazily. "Find out what she likes and what she hates. I want a full detailed report."

"And send that pink Bugatti under my name to Angel's Haven. Say... it was donated by my wife, Charlotte Summers."

[Program Notification: Charlotte Summers has a hidden trait. She anonymously sponsors an orphanage. Angel's Haven is a place she donates to every month.]

I was giving her exactly what she liked. I wanted her to know I understood her and supported everything she cared about.

James's look in the mirror turned even weirder.

"Mr. Grant... you mean... Ms. Summers?" he asked carefully.

"Duh." I waved a hand impatiently. "Besides her, what other wife do I have?"

James went silent. The mood in the car turned heavy, and I could tell he wanted to say something but didn't dare.

"If you've got something to say, say it," I said with my eyes closed. "Don't choke on it."

James hesitated forever before finally speaking. "Mr. Grant, your engagement to Ms. Summers... it expires and gets dissolved next month. You personally ordered me to handle it before."

My eyes flew open. Break off the engagement? What kind of joke was that?

I had finally gotten my precious wife back. How the hell was I supposed to let her go?

"Cancel it," I said without hesitation. "Right now. Immediately. Cancel the whole thing. "Anyone who dares utter the words 'break off the engagement' will disappear from the face of the earth!"

There was an edge in my voice that left no room for argument. Maybe that was this body's old instinct kicking in.

James flinched and answered at once, "Yes, yes, yes. I'll take care of it right away."

"And one more thing," I added. "Stop calling me Mr. Grant. It sounds too distant. Call me boss."

"Got it, boss." James changed it immediately.

I nodded in satisfaction and closed my eyes again.

I was going to take it easy. That had been my ultimate goal ever since I came here, after working like a dog in my last life until I dropped dead at my desk.

In this life, I'd become the only heir to a top-tier wealthy family, with more money than I could spend and businesses too many to count. My parents had already gone off to travel the world, leaving me a business empire and one sentence: do whatever you want.

As for the company... with a workaholic king like James around, what did I need to worry about? All I had to do was watch the big picture, dump everything else on him, and live comfortably.

Working out, eating good food, brewing liquor... that was the life I was meant to live.

Oh, and now there was one more thing to add.

Spoiling my wife.

"Oh right," I said, remembering something. "What exactly happened the day I got into that car accident? Did you find out?"

James's expression turned a little strange.

"We did. That day... Miss Lane asked you to meet her at Westhill Park. On the way there, you swerved to avoid a stray cat that suddenly ran out and crashed into the guardrail."

Vivian Lane? That name sounded way too familiar.

[Program Notification: Vivian Lane, the original female lead of this story. On the surface, she's innocent and kind. In reality, she's manipulative and fake. In the original plot, you would fall for her at first sight, chase her like crazy, break off your engagement with Charlotte Summers for her, and in the end, she and the male lead would join forces to ruin your family.]

I was speechless.

Damn.

Seriously, damn.

So I wasn't rushing off to marry my wife. I was sprinting straight into my own grave. Thank God I lost my memory, and thank God the program pointed me in the right direction.

"Vivian Lane..." I let out a cold laugh. "What did she ask me out for?"

"She said... she'd made your favorite tiramisu herself and wanted to watch the stars with you." James's voice got quieter and quieter as he spoke.

I almost threw up. Tiramisu? Watching the stars?

[Program Notification: The host's original body is allergic to sweets and absolutely hates mosquitoes.]

"Heh."

I let out a dismissive snort.

This Vivian Lane chick was way too low-level. She didn't even know my basic likes and dislikes and thought she could win me over?

"James."

"Yes, boss."

"From now on, that woman named Vivian Lane is not allowed within 330 feet of me. If she calls, block her. If she texts, treat it like spam."

"Understood."

"Oh, and one more thing," I added lazily. "Find out who's been messing with Summers Corporation lately."

James froze for a second. "Boss, you mean..."

I curled my lips into a knowing smile.

"Gotta find myself some entertainment and help my wife blow off some steam, right?"

Anyone dared mess with my wife? I might want an easy life, but that didn't mean I was useless. Come at me if you want—touch my wife, and that's not happening.