Chapter 1

I had just unlocked my phone when a news alert popped up.

[Hottest CEO Reuben Read Shows Up at Charity Gala With His Beloved Wife, Donates Millions and Packs on the PDA.]

Thing is, I've never even been to a charity gala.

Me, full of curiosity, tapped the notification.

The video showed Reuben Read, usually the picture of cool composure, walking the red carpet with his secretary Isabel Horn, their fingers tightly intertwined. He even scooped her up and carried her down the stairs like a princess.

Even the host at the event couldn't help but exclaim, "Mr. Read and Mrs. Read are so madly in love. It's like they're still in the throes of a new romance. Honestly, everyone's envious."

Reuben didn't offer any explanation.

He just watched with a deep smile as Isabel flashed a playful peace sign at the camera.

My heart gave a sudden jolt.

It looked like Reuben was ready for a new Mrs. Read.

Isabel, the secretary, instantly shot to fame as the latest viral star online.

That night, her livestream was flooded with millions of viewers.

The chat was blowing up.

[Mrs. Read, I'm so curious. What's it really like being married to an alpha CEO? Can you give us the inside scoop?]

[Hope this isn't too bold, but Mr. Read always looks so put-together in his suits. What's he like when he's out of them?]

[You seriously don't know? The girls at his company have already spilled the tea. Mr. Read works out every single day after work. He's rocking eight-pack abs and that Adonis belt.]

[Whoa, Mrs. Read, come on, tell us. Are they really that nice to touch?]

Isabel blushed and nodded, replying bashfully, "They're really nice to touch."

The chat blew up again.

[Mrs. Read is so shy. She's such an adorable wifey, I can't handle it.]

[From now on, I'm officially shipping Mr. Read and his adorable wifey. Their love story is under my protection.]

[Mrs. Read, can you give us more behind-the-scenes on Mr. Read? He's so cold and mysterious, and with that gorgeous face, he never gives us any fan service. We're starving for more content.]

Last year, Reuben was invited to an international AI conference, and the company's official social media posted a video of his speech.

With his striking looks and calm, confident delivery, he instantly went viral online.

He collected a whole army of fangirls overnight.

Fans started lurking outside his office building, hoping to catch a glimpse of his everyday life.

That was why I pretty much avoided going to events with him. No way was I letting our private life turn into public entertainment and losing all my freedom.

Why would Reuben take Isabel to the charity gala instead of me?

Before I could even process it, Isabel started speaking up in the livestream.

Isabel said, "Mr. Read might look all cold and distant, but when it's just us, he's a total sweetheart.

"Every morning, he wakes me up with a good morning kiss and makes me breakfast. At lunch, he'll text to check if I've eaten, and every night, he brings home a bunch of my favorite roses. Honestly, every day feels like I'm living in a bubble of love and happiness."

The comments went wild with jokes and teasing.

[Wrapped up in love? That sounds way too suggestive.]

[That last comment's got everyone blushing. So, how many times does Mr. Read go at it every night?]

[Please, with those eight-pack abs and that Adonis belt, if it's not eight times, I'll change my username to backwards.]

[Mrs. Read, is Mr. Read just as caring and gentle when the lights go out?]

Isabel covered her face, cheeks burning bright.

"He's incredibly gentle, and he knows all my sweet spots. Being with him is pure bliss..." she murmured, her voice shy and soft.

"Oh, you're killing me. You naughty girls, asking me stuff like that," Isabel squealed.

I was seething inside.

Right on cue, Reuben sent me a message: [Honey, we've got a project test at the office tonight, so I'll be home late.]

[Don't wait up for me, just go to bed without me, okay?]

Was he really working late on that project, or was he busy going eight rounds with his new wifey tonight?

In the livestream, Isabel finally caved to the fans' nonstop teasing and started dishing out the juicy bedroom details with Reuben.

[Every night, he always takes his time getting cleaned up, says it's all for me, you know...]

I couldn't hold back anymore and typed in the chat.

[Isabel, you're just the secretary. Who do you think you are, acting like you're Mrs. Read?]

The chat went dead silent for a second.

But it didn't take long before the hate started pouring in.

[Who let this stray in? Did your owner lose you or something? Why are you yapping here for nothing?]

[The nerve of you, calling Mrs. Read by her actual name.]

[You'd better apologize to Mrs. Read right now. Mr. Read is a tech boss. If you keep bullying his wifey, he'll hunt you down by your ID and take you out.]

I didn't bother hiding anymore.

I said: [I'm the real Mrs. Read.]

[Isabel, show up at the office tomorrow morning to pack your stuff and get out. You're fired.]

Isabel's face flashed with fear, and just seconds later, she abruptly left the livestream.

Reuben didn't come home that night.

First thing the next morning, I burst into the office.

Reuben, looking exhausted, instantly lit up when he saw me. His tiredness vanished in a flash.

He pulled me into his office and hugged me tight, his voice lazy and teasing. "Honey, what brings you here so early?

"Did you miss me because I didn't come home last night? So you made a special trip just to see me?"

Every time I think about last night, I get pissed all over again.

Then I heard Isabel's voice coming from outside, and I immediately pushed Reuben aside.

"I'm going to handle her. Don't go anywhere. I'll be back to deal with you," I shot back.

Isabel's head dropped as soon as she saw me.

Her eyes were all puffy and red. She must've been bawling her eyes out last night.

Isabel's voice was barely a whisper. "Julia, you're here?"

"Let's go to the conference room. I'll explain everything to you," she said, her voice trembling.

I crossed my arms, my voice loud and clear. "Say whatever you need to say right here. Don't play the victim. No need for those puppy eyes, or people might think I'm bullying you.

"Don't call me Julia. From now on, it's Mrs. Read to you."

Isabel gave Reuben a pleading, tearful look.

Reuben explained in his usual calm, unhurried way.

"Honey, did you see the video from last night's charity gala?" he asked.

"Here's the thing. We've been swamped with testing the new product lately, and I totally forgot to let the organizers know you weren't coming. They had your seat and some interactive stuff all set up, so I ended up bringing Isabel with me," he said.

"With all those cameras around, I couldn't exactly let people think we're not on good terms, could I?" he added.