Chapter 1
For our third anniversary, my wife, the brilliant and perpetually busy CEO, is finally taking a break from her empire to whisk me away to Baulau.
As we load our bags into the car bound for the airport, her special assistant calls, claiming an emergency merger that needs her immediate attention.
As we load our bags into the car bound for the airport, her special assistant calls, claiming an emergency merger that needs her immediate attention.
Before I can even form a protest, she switches to another car and speeds away.
I watch her disappear into the city traffic, wearing a cold smile.
As the company's largest shareholder, how is it that I've never heard of this acquisition?
*****
"Sir, are we still heading to the airport?" the driver asked.
"Turn around," I replied. "Take me to Summit Tower."
It was time to see what little game Jessica Foster thought she was playing.
The moment I stepped into the lobby, the receptionist moved to block me.
"I'm sorry, but Ms. Foster is extremely busy today. Without an appointment, no one gets through," she said.
I didn't waste my breath arguing. I just pulled out my phone and called Jessica directly.
Call after call went to voicemail.
Suddenly, the massive LED screen in the center of the lobby lit up, streaming a live feed straight from the penthouse banquet hall.
Jessica stood center stage, radiant.
She lifted a million‑dollar watch and fastened it onto the wrist of the handsome young man beside her.
Her sweet voice purred through the speakers. "Happy birthday, Andrew. You'll always be our favorite Prince Charming!"
The crowd erupted into thunderous applause and teasing shouts.
The camera zoomed in. I saw Andrew Chambers lean down and press a quick kiss to her cheek.
She didn't pull away. Instead, her cheeks flushed as she playfully covered her face, looking bashful and sweet, like a woman in love.
The crowd went wild, their teasing shouts echoing through the feed.
"Ms. Foster, you're totally playing favorites! We never get that kind of treatment!"
"Of course not! Andrew is her golden boy. No way the rest of us get those perks!"
"Andrew, make a wish! Wish that you and Ms. Foster finally make it official!"
Andrew was from the Chambers family.
He had only been an intern for three months, yet he was already the sun around which Jessica orbited.
So, the so-called "urgent merger" was just his birthday party.
I took a deep breath, swallowing the bitter taste rising in my throat.
"Please inform Jessica that her husband is waiting for her downstairs."
The receptionist let out a scornful laugh.
"Sir, stop it. Ms. Foster's fiancé, Mr. Chambers, is celebrating his birthday upstairs. If you're here to cause a scene, maybe pick another day."
I was done arguing. I started to push past her toward the elevators.
The elevator doors slid open with a ding.
A crowd emerged, surrounding Andrew as he strutted out like a proud cock.
"So, which shameless pretty boy is trying to get to my girl now?" he sneered, his eyes landing on me.
He jabbed a finger toward my face, nearly poking my eye out. "Michael Linwood, right?
"Jessica mentioned you. Said her mom found you as some hired hand from the countryside?"
The people around him erupted in mocking laughter.
"Oh my god, do kept men still exist? In those thrift‑store clothes? He thinks he can just walk into Foster Holdings and ask for Ms. Foster?"
"What a joke! He should check a mirror before he starts dreaming he's in her league."
Andrew practically doubled over laughing, covering his mouth.
"Look, man, don't get the wrong idea. Jessica's just got a soft heart. She threw you a few bucks here and there because she felt bad about you being stuck out in the sticks.
"But she's engaged to me now, and we're getting married next month. So do yourself a favor, and wake up from whatever fantasy you're living in."
I just stared him down coldly and pulled a creased document from my bag, slapping it flat on the reception desk in front of him.
"Mr. Chambers, take a good look. This is my marriage certificate with Jessica. We were married three years ago. Legally, I am her husband."
His smile snapped off. He snatched the certificate, glanced once, and barked a laugh.
He flung it at the floor. "Fake!
"Forging a marriage certificate to latch onto Jessica? That's low, even for you."
The jeers from the crowd grew louder.
I bent down to pick it up, but Andrew grabbed a cup of steaming coffee from the reception desk and hurled it straight at me.
The scalding liquid seared through my clothes, burning my skin.
I yelped, flinching from the pain.
Andrew shrieked, "Strip his clothes off!
"Let's see what else this shameless loser is hiding."
His two bodyguards moved in, their hands reaching for my shirt.
Just then, an icy voice cut through the noise from behind them.