My husband, Adrian Sterling, came to pick me up. This man, usually so cold and composed, known for his professional boundaries. Actually let his new assistant sit in the passenger seat. I knew right then: this marriage was over. Chapter 1 That day, Adrian drove to pick me up. When I opened the passenger door, I froze. A young, pretty girl was sitting there, smiling sweetly at me. "Hi, Mrs. Sterling!" She greeted me politely. But she made no move to get out. I narrowed my eyes and looked at Adrian. He was on the phone, looking down, completely missing the tension. We were supposed to go to a private auction together. I had dressed up, looking forward to our date, only to find someone else in his passenger seat. "Hi, Mrs. Sterling! I'm Bella, Mr. Sterling's new assistant." The girl's smile was warm, revealing cute dimples. "I heard you guys were going to an auction tonight, so I begged Mr. Sterling to let me tag along and see the world. Don't worry, I won't disturb you two." My heart sank. I knew this cold, perfect man too well. He always kept his distance. He didn't let people in easily. We married for business, a strategic alliance between our families. But we chose each other. People joked I'd be living like a widow with such an icy husband. But after we got together... Adrian would hold me gently. In moments of passion, his eyes would redden with emotion. He said, "You are my wife. We are one. You are different from everyone else." Today, something had changed. Chapter 2 But I wasn't a doormat. I was Chloe Summer, and I never swallowed my anger. "Get out!" I kicked her out, cold and merciless. The girl froze. She didn't expect me to embarrass her right off the bat. Maybe my tone was too harsh. Bella looked lost. "I... I'm sorry, Mrs. Sterling." Her voice trembled with tears as she scrambled into the back seat. Adrian finished his call and looked over. He realized I was angry. A look of helplessness and indulgence crossed his face. He leaned over to buckle my seatbelt. Realizing the seat had been adjusted, I angrily moved it back. I fumed. "So annoying! Why does everyone think they can touch my seat!" The air in the car froze. The girl in the back was too scared to speak. Adrian frowned slightly. He suggested calmly. "If you're in a bad mood, let's just go home." In the rearview mirror, the woman was silently crying. I was fed up. "Bella, was it? I'm not in the mood anymore. Call an Uber. Mr. Sterling and I are going home." The girl went pale, looking weakly at Adrian. He didn't save her. She got out of the car, looking devastated. Chapter 3 Adrian would never embarrass me in public. He knew how to control his emotions. So he suggested going home. Whatever happens, solve it at home. That was our unspoken rule. "She's just a college grad entering the workforce. Why be so hard on her?" Adrian pulled me into his arms. "First time." Adrian was confused. "What?" "In all these years, this is the first time you let another woman sit in your passenger seat." He didn't expect that to be the issue. Everyone knew how perfect Adrian was. Countless women liked him. But he kept himself clean. He walked through the garden but let no leaf stick to him. Adrian smiled faintly, rubbing my hair. "I can't believe you're jealous." He leaned down and kissed me, his nose brushing my cheek. "She's just my subordinate. That's all. "There will never be anything between her and me." Adrian cupped my face, looking into my eyes. His voice was deep, promising. Chapter 4 A woman's intuition is rarely wrong. Even though I'd only met Bella once. I knew she wanted Adrian. I thought my initial warning was enough. But the next day, the necklace that should have been my gift was around her neck. Adrian's chief of staff, Helen, sent me a photo and a screenshot. In the photo, a diamond crescent moon necklace hung on Bella's pale neck, making her look even more delicate. Her eyes were red, but she was smiling. She must have cried last night and received a "comfort gift." The screenshot was Bella's Instagram story: [The boss said girls should be strong even when wronged! Wiping my tears. Yes, sir, my Boss!] A few "fighting" emojis. And a picture of the necklace in its box. My blood ran cold. I hate to admit it, but she got to me. It felt disgusting, like a mosquito splattered on my favorite white silk scarf. I wanted to drive my yellow Ferrari at 100 mph and slap her face. But looking at my hand, I realized fighting a low-level "pick-me" girl was beneath me. I called my sales associate at Hermes, Wendy. Wendy sounded thrilled. "Mrs. Sterling, don't worry! I'll empty the store if I have to. I'll get everything to you today!" So, before the workday ended. Every female assistant and executive office staff member at Sterling Group HQ—46 women in total—received a gift from the CEO's wife. A Hermes necklace worth $15,000. It wasn't the $200,000 auction piece, but the quantity made a statement. Helen handled it smoothly. She required everyone to post on Instagram with the caption: [The boss's wife says every girl deserves better! Fist pump. Yes, ma'am, my Boss's Wife!] The girls were happy to comply. As assistants, they were the gossip hub of the company. Who wouldn't want to post a gift from the CEO's wife? Some smart ones added: [The boss's wife knows how to play!] Their individual influence might be small, but their collective gossip power was terrifying. Within 30 minutes, the whole company knew I gave everyone a Hermes necklace. As for why, the rumor mill was already churning. Bella turned pale. She felt humiliated. Red-eyed, she hid in the bathroom to take off the diamond necklace. Two colleagues walked in to touch up their makeup and snickered when they saw her. Bella felt ashamed. She lowered her head, rushed out of the bathroom, leaving the laughter behind. Her cheeks burned. She put the necklace back in the box. And returned it to Adrian, untouched.
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