Chapter 3

The commotion in the office drew a crowd of curious coworkers outside.

"Damn, who's that? She's such a badass!"

"They say she's Mr. Johnson's wife. What's happening inside?"

"Isn't it obvious? The wife just caught the mistress red-handed!"

"Oh, poor Allison."

"Poor her! But honestly, I love watching this. I just can't stand her usual fake act. She's such an angelic bitch."

"Still, Mr. Johnson's wife is just way too domineering. She starts throwing punches without hesitation. No wonder Mr. Johnson cheated on his wife. Allison is so much sweeter."

"Hey, what a scumbag you are. Say it louder and I'll punch you, too!"

Allison's face turned red with anger at the whispered gossip of her coworkers.

"Let me go!" she screamed, the usual aloofness in her demeanor completely gone. "Erwin will make you pay for this."

I tightened my grip. "Shh, you're so annoying. Weren't you much quieter back in high school, Allison?"

Hearing my words, Allison stopped struggling.

I smirked and said, "First, I'm not just your boss's wife. I'm a shareholder in this company. Strictly speaking, that makes me your boss, too.

"Second, as an assistant, you're supposed to be working during office hours, instead of hiding in here doing your nails. That's a serious violation of the employee handbook."

I grabbed Allison by the hair and forced her head back. She cried out in pain. I said, "Third, didn't anyone tell you? Homewreckers get wrecked."

Allison burst into tears, her voice trembling with rage. "Your husband abandoned you. If you can't even keep your own man, don't blame me for your failure.

"I'm not the other woman. Erwin loves me, not you. You're the one shamelessly clinging to him.

"Erwin, help me!"

I looked at her coldly.

Nowadays, homewreckers would even flaunt their shamelessness with pride. What a moral decline.

Judging by how desperate she was to take my place, I guessed she couldn't have traveled back through time. Otherwise, she'd at least wait to pocket that 165 thousand dollars before trying to push me out.

Allison struggled violently, and a pendant on a necklace slipped out from beneath her collar.

My breath caught in my throat as I recognized it instantly. With a snarl, I yanked the pendant off her neck.

The pendant was made of emerald, its surface smooth and lustrous.

Engraved upon it were a majestic tiger, a gentle sheep, and an elegant, mysterious serpent.

My father left the pendant for me.

He bought it during our family's visit to a church when I was a child.

The pendant happened to be engraved with our family's emblematic animals.

My father believed the pendant was destined for our family, so he brought it and always wore it, trusting it would keep our family safe.

Sadly, both my parents passed away when I was in high school, and the pendant was left for me.

After I married Erwin, he had a minor accident during a business trip. Worried about his safety, I gave him the pendant.

When I married him, I had no family of my own and nothing to give.

But he gave me a place to belong, a real home.

All I ever wanted was for him to be safe and well.

But now, the pendant was hanging around another woman's neck.

A bitter wave of emotions welled up in my chest, causing it to ache, and my gaze turned cold.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.

"What the hell is going on here?" Erwin demanded.

Hearing his voice, I turned around.

Erwin strode into the office, his brows knitted in a deep frown. He shot a quick glance at Allison and then turned to me with clear dissatisfaction.

Allison immediately shifted to a state of a fragile woman. It was a stark contrast to the raving madwoman she had been just moments ago.

"Erwin..." Allison whimpered pitifully.

She added, "Erwin... She said she was your wife. When she barged in... she started hitting me, calling me the other woman."

"Erwin... You know I'm not the other woman.

"It hurts so much. Erwin, make her let go of me!"

At that, Erwin's face darkened.

He snapped, "Noelle, let her go.

"Attacking someone without even asking for an explanation? What were you thinking?"

I glared at him. "What was I thinking? Obviously, I'm the lawful wife putting the other woman in her place."

Erwin choked on his words, his tone softening. "Look, please don't get the wrong idea. She's just my assistant."

I held up the pendant. "Oh, so Ms. Granger is a thief? A boss would never give his wife's belongings to his assistant, right? Unless she stole it."

Erwin was shocked at the sight of the pendant. Then he lowered his gaze guiltily.

Allison gazed up at Erwin with tearful doe eyes, putting on that pitiful look.

She sobbed, "Erwin, tell her. You gave me this pendant. You said it had been worn for years and that it carries blessings to keep me safe."

"You told me your wife wouldn't get angry. You said an orphan like her wouldn't dare divorce you."

Erwin snapped at Allison, "Shut up!"

With a grim look on his face, Erwin strode over and seized my wrist.

He muttered, "Let her go first. Don't make a scene here. I'll explain everything when we get home."

I shot Erwin an icy glare. "Get your hands off me."

Erwin paused and then growled, "Noelle, don't push your luck when I'm being civil!"

I glared at him. "Go on. Try me. Let's see if an orphan like me shows you any respect."

Erwin tightened his grip on my wrist, but I stared him down defiantly.

After a few tense seconds, he gradually released his hold.

What a coward.

I knew it. He wouldn't dare cross me until he got the money.

Allison began whimpering pitifully again.

Her face remained as beautiful as ever. However, beneath that meticulously crafted exterior lay nothing but selfishness, greed, and spite.

I sneered, "Oh, Allison. You were the golden girl who used to parade around with an entourage after marrying into wealth. Now, you're reduced to painting your nails in some small-time boss's office.

"How unpredictable life can be."

Erwin's expression shifted rapidly. His lips trembled as if he were struggling to speak.

I continued, "But Allison, even after rubbing shoulders with the rich, your taste remains as bad as ever."

Then I picked up Allison's nail polish and poured it deliberately over her hair.

"Your nails are truly hideous," I remarked.