Chapter 1

After being reborn, I took the initiative to sign the divorce agreement my wife, Janice Woods, had thrown at me.

The scandal of Janice's student, Kevin Hudson, had been exposed when applying for her doctoral program—accused of trading his body for a spot.

To help him get into the doctoral program smoothly and avoid the stigma of coveting a married woman, Janice came to me with the divorce agreement, pleading.

"Kevin's sister died to save me back then, and he's her only younger brother—I can't just abandon him. Ethan, can you stop being so insecure?" Said Janice.

Years ago, when they were on a scientific expedition in the mountains, Janice slipped and fell into a river.

In the bitter winter, Kevin's sister, Lily Hudson, jumped into the icy water, pushed her to the shore, but drowned after exhausting all her strength.

Lily had doted on her younger brother most, so ever since then, Janice had taken extraordinary care of Kevin.

In my previous life, when I found out she was sacrificing me to protect Kevin, I tore up the divorce agreement on the spot.

Later, I was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer.

I wanted to rest in peace, but Janice, upon hearing Kevin say, "Professor Lincoln can't be using his illness to morally blackmail you, right?" became convinced that I was faking my illness to gain sympathy.

She even spread rumors that I had committed academic fraud and harassed female students, ruining my reputation—all to find a good excuse for the divorce.

In despair, I ended my life.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the moment when Janice Woods was holding the divorce agreement and begging me to divorce her.

*****

"Ethan, let's tell everyone we've already agreed to divorce—we just put it off because of your research, okay?" I was staring distractedly at the ginkgo trees outside the window when Janice's voice, soft and mournful, pulled me back.

Just yesterday, the university forum had exploded with a scandal—Professor Woods from the Environmental Science Institute was having an inappropriate relationship with her graduate student, Kevin.

It claimed Janice had abused her authority to secure a PhD spot for Kevin, who was over a decade younger than her.

In my last life, when I first saw the expose, I'd thought the email screenshots and project fund flow records proved nothing. But when Janice slapped a divorce agreement in front of me, all that wishful thinking turned to bitter irony.

I'd confronted her about her relationship with Kevin. There were so many ways to clear things up, but she just threw me under the bus.

She'd wanted to tell everyone I'd cheated first, that I was impotent. That she'd been driven to divorce by loneliness and frustration.

"Ethan." Janice's voice snapped me back to the present. "Trust me, this is just a stopgap. Once the storm passes and the evaluation is over, we'll remarry."

I gazed at the document on the desk.

"Ethan, after this is done, I'll make it up to you," Janice added, softening her tone. She reached out, trying to take my hand. "You've always wanted to do a visiting fellowship at Midland Institute of Technology, right? I'll recommend you."

I said nothing. Behind her, Kevin had turned pale. "Professor Lincoln, please help me!" he begged. "My sister's gone—I have no one else to rely on. If Professor Woods falls because of this, my life will be ruined too. Please!"

As he spoke, he moved to kneel before me.

Janice stopped him at once, yanking him up and pulling him behind her. "What are you doing?" she snapped. "You're a man. Don't just kneel for anyone."

Her words were aimed at Kevin, but her eyes darted to me, sharp with annoyance. "I've already made up my mind. I expect you to cooperate at tomorrow's Academic Committee hearing. Otherwise—"

"I'll sign it." I cut her off, too tired to watch their little show.

Of course, I knew what she would say. In my last life, shortly after I refused to sign, I was framed for data falsification and sexual harassment of students.

In the end, I was expelled by the Academic Committee. Meanwhile, the real culprits had gone on to fame and success, promoted, publishing papers left and right.

Janice froze for a moment. She clearly hadn't expected me to agree so readily.

"I'll sign the divorce agreement, but I have one condition," I said, looking at her calmly.

Janice hesitated for a second, then nodded. "What is it?"

"Once I sign the agreement, we're even. No more ties."

A complicated look flashed across Janice's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. "Fine. Any other requests? You can still use all the lab resources."

I didn't answer. I picked up the pen, flipped to the last page of the agreement, and signed my name neatly.

"Aren't you going to read the terms?" Janice frowned.

I let out a soft laugh. "No need. It doesn't matter." I capped the pen and pushed the agreement toward her.

"Anything else?" My tone was flat, as if we were discussing someone else's business.

"We'll go to the court to finish all the paperwork tomorrow morning," said Janice.

I nodded.

Janice looked at me with a complicated expression, but in the end, she said nothing and turned to leave.

Kevin followed closely behind her. As he turned at the door, he suddenly stopped, glanced back at me, and a faint, mocking smile tugged at his lips. "I slept with your wife. Loser."