Chapter 4

That day, I was dressed in a snow-white coat.

I had a fluffy hat pulled down over my head.

As soon as the show aired, my sweet, angel-faced persona rocketed straight to the trending charts.

Content creators started splicing together clips of all my walk-on parts from past dramas.

That night, my videos dominated every major streaming platform.

My degree from a top university got noticed as well.

Netizens were all saying, "How did we only just discover this hidden gem?"

I walked past the couch in silence.

I acted like I didn't even see Alexander.

Just as I set foot on the stairs, Alexander's cold voice cut through the air behind me.

Alexander said, "Honestly, sometimes I can't help but wonder—how did you get so good at charming everyone around you?

"From my grandpa to all those clueless fans watching online.

"Emma, is it true that anyone you want to impress just ends up falling for you without even trying?"

By the time he finished talking, I figured even Alexander probably couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or if he really meant it.

The year I married Alexander, the Grant family was a mess—stormy days all around, everyone at each other's throats.

I focused on the one calling all the shots: Alexander's grandfather, Leonard, the true powerhouse of the family.

Without fail, I showed up every single day to keep him entertained and make him laugh.

It wasn't some clever scheme—every Grant kid had played that card before.

But Leonard could always tell who was just putting on an act and who was actually sincere.

Whether it was them or the girlfriends they brought along, everyone approached him with an agenda.

But me? I loved Alexander, and that fondness naturally included his family, too.

I honestly treated his grandpa like my own.

Bit by bit, Leonard started spoiling me more than any of the other younger folks in the family.

Because of that, Alexander rose above the rest during the endless family power struggle.

Before we got married, I promised I'd be a good wife to him.

It was never just talk.

But I never thought that all the love and devotion I gave Alexander, holding nothing back, would someday become the very thing he'd use against me.

I didn't feel like getting into it with him, so I headed upstairs without looking back.

But Alexander didn't let me off that easily. His voice called out from behind, persistent as ever.

"Keep your distance from Charles," he warned.

He hesitated for a moment before adding, "Otherwise, I can't promise what I'll do, even if you're my wife."

*****

Job offers were coming in like a blizzard.

Vivian was grinning from ear to ear.

For a moment, I started to question everything I'd ever stood for.

I always thought I took pride in keeping my record spotless.

I never wanted to embarrass Alexander when our marriage got exposed.

I never took jobs just to chase clout or jump on the latest trend.

But when I actually got into it, I felt embarrassed by how naive I'd been.

I realized even a web drama that looked totally brainless at first could still have its own worth.

If I truly immersed myself in the role, dug into the character's heart, and kept refining everything with the director and scriptwriter, we could create something just as amazing as the big productions.

All those times I was stuck in minor roles, grinding away to sharpen my acting chops, were finally paying off big time.

Now, I could handle those kickass female leads like it was no big deal.

After wrapping up the shoot, I checked my phone and saw a message from Alexander.

It was just an address.

When I stepped out of the studio, sure enough, a Maybach was parked quietly by the curb.

Alexander's chauffeur saw me and immediately got out to open the door.

The party was at a private club out in the suburbs.

It had been almost two hours since I saw the message.

When I pushed open the door, Alexander was still sitting in his seat.

Sure enough, there was a girl right by his side.

But what really threw me for a loop was that the girl was still Sophie.

"Hey, Mrs. Grant, what's with that look?" someone piped up, obviously trying to stir the pot.

To my own shock, I wasn't angry at all. Honestly, it was almost scary how calm I felt.

It felt like every pair of eyes was following me as I walked straight up to Alexander.

Alexander looked completely at ease, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched me.

Sophie clung even tighter to Alexander's arm, determined to stake her claim right in front of me.

I snorted and shot a sarcastic look at the troublemaker who'd just stirred things up.

I said, "Oh, it's nothing. I'm honestly just shocked that Alexander is actually being loyal this time. That's got to be a first."

Alexander had paraded endless girls through these parties before, each one basically a placeholder.

But Sophie was the first one to get an encore performance.

Alexander's expression shifted, just a flicker, but I caught it.

Ryan Shaw, never one to back down, kept teasing.

He said, "Mrs. Grant, you and Sophie are both actresses, right? I bet you two trade secrets on how to keep Mr. Grant wrapped around your finger, don't you?"

The next second, I splashed an entire glass of red wine straight in his face.

The wine streamed down his face, dripping onto his neck and splattering his shirt.

He was a total mess.

"Emma, you're just a damn actress! How dare you treat me like this?" Ryan shouted.

He was so furious that his veins popped, jabbing his finger at me with shaking hands.

I locked eyes with him, my stare icy cold.

I said, "Maybe I'm just an actress, but I'm also the woman Alexander married fair and square—the official Mrs. Grant.

"So, are you humiliating me, Alexander, or the entire Grant Group?"

As soon as I said that, the whole room went dead silent.

After a few seconds, someone awkwardly tried to break the tension.

They grabbed Ryan and dragged him out of the private room.

I shot a glance at Alexander, and he was still staring me down, those shadowed eyes locked on mine, not a hint of emotion showing.

Before I knew it, everyone else had cleared out, leaving just me and Alexander alone in the room.

Alexander clapped his hands.

"Emma, you really went for the jugular tonight," he teased.

He was smiling, but his voice was icy cold.

He said, "All done with that good girl act? How many more surprises are you hiding from me?"

I didn't say a word.

The divorce agreement was almost ready.

Just a few more details, and then I'd finally hand it over to him.