Chapter 2

Back in college, Tom was just a student council member, while I was the heiress of the Rodgers family. He was shy and clean-cut, nothing like those rich kids who were always chasing after me.

He used to say he loved how independent I was, how strong I acted. He even said women like me had real charm.

After graduation, I took over Vortex Group and helped him launch Baxter Group. Step by step, he worked his way up, turning from that timid, broke student into the CEO, Mr. Baxter.

Now, he said that I was too sharp-tongued for his taste.

That night, after the wedding reception ended and the guests had all left, Tom and I headed back to the villa.

The villa was a brand new, three-story detached house I'd just bought, and the deed was in my name.

As soon as we walked in, Tom shrugged off his suit jacket, tossed it onto the couch, and headed upstairs without even looking back.

"Stop," I said.

He paused, with his back to me.

I said, "Turn around."

Tom turned, his face expressionless. "What do you want now? I'm tired. Let's just call it a night."

I smirked and replied, "Tired? Funny, you looked full of energy when you were tying someone else's shoelaces."

His face darkened. "Leslie, what the hell do you want?"

I ignored him and had the butler lay out every pair of my lace-up shoes across the floor, one after another.

Tom frowned and asked, "What's this supposed to mean?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Don't you love tying shoelaces? Well, tonight you can tie every single one of mine."

Tom's eyes went wide. "Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm not crazy at all," I said, pointing at the line of shoes on the floor. "Start tying, one by one. You don't get to leave until every single pair is done. Since you love tying shoelaces so much, don't just do it for one person!"

Tom stood there, fists clenched tight.

I lounged on the couch, legs crossed, watching him.

Time passed, and the living room was so quiet you could hear the clock ticking on the wall.

Finally, Tom moved. He stepped toward the first pair of shoes, crouching down slowly.

He undid the laces, then laced them back up. After that, he stood and went to the next one.

I watched him, not even a ripple inside.

Back when he was trying to win me over, he used to tie my shoelaces too.

On the school playground, I was wearing sneakers, and he pointed out that my laces were loose. He crouched down and tied them for me. Back then, I really thought he was so attentive, so gentle.

Now, thinking about it, it was all just for show.

After tying the last pair, he stood up, his legs dead numb from crouching so long. He nearly lost his balance, grabbing the cabinet to steady himself.

Tom looked up at me. His eyes were red, but I couldn't tell whether it was from rage or something else. He said, "Leslie, you've gone too far."

I laughed and said, "Too far? Tom, did it ever cross your mind that you were going too far when you tied another woman's shoelaces?"

"She's just a student you sponsor! There's nothing between us!" he shot back.

"Nothing?" I stood up and walked right up to him. "If there's nothing, why did you throw me that attitude at our wedding, just for her?"

His mouth opened, but he couldn't get a single word out.

I ignored him and turned on my heel, heading upstairs.

As I rounded the corner of the stairs, I glanced back. He was still standing there, motionless, fists clenched tight.

After that night, Tom lay low for a few days.

But he just started leaving early and coming home late, making sure we barely saw each other.

I couldn't be bothered.

Vortex Group was racing for year-end numbers, and I was stuck in meetings till eight or nine every night. I had zero time or patience to play the cold shoulder game with him.

Before I knew it, the end of the month rolled around. It was my thirtieth birthday.

It was a Vortex Group tradition. Every year, they'd host a birthday dinner for me, inviting all the industry heavyweights and any boss hoping to rub shoulders with us.

On the surface, it was a birthday party, but in reality, it was just another business networking event.

This year was no different.

My assistant had ordered a pink couture gown from Moblein a month ahead of time. The birthday banquet was set at a five-star hotel downtown, and we'd reserved the entire ballroom.

I showed up at seven, and the entrance was already lined with luxury cars.

As soon as I stepped out, the hotel manager personally came over to greet me with respect. "Ms. Rodgers, happy birthday."

"Thanks." I nodded and headed in.

The ballroom was already packed with people, like Vortex Group's long-time clients, business partners, and a bunch of small-time bosses I barely recognized. As soon as they spotted me, they all raised their glasses in my direction.

"Ms. Rodgers, happy birthday!"

"Ms. Rodgers, you look gorgeous tonight!"

"Ms. Rodgers, that dress is perfect on you!"

I kept nodding and smiling as I made my way to the main table and sat down.

My assistant came over and whispered, "Ms. Rodgers, Mr. Baxter still hasn't shown up."

I checked the time, my brow furrowed a bit, and said, "Forget him. Let's get started."

With that, the birthday banquet got underway.

I went through round after round of toasts, forcing a smile so much my cheeks were starting to ache.

Halfway through the birthday banquet, a stir broke out at the entrance. I glanced over and saw Tom walk in.

He was in a dark gray suit, flashing his usual practiced social smile. Erika was clinging to his arm, dressed head-to-toe in a white gown.