In the third year of our marriage, my husband’s college-student mistress was diagnosed with "cancer." The man who had never believed in a higher power actually went to a historic cathedral, kneeling at every step to pray and light a candle for her. The incident went completely viral, making national headlines. He called me to explain: "It was her dying wish. I couldn't refuse the kid." I looked down, smiled, and hung up the phone. Then, I went back to tangling the sheets with the rebellious, untamable heir of the Vance empire. 1 That night, I was curled up on the sofa reading a script when my agent, Valerie, FaceTimed me. She looked furious. "Stella, your husband and his little pet canary are trending on X." My finger paused on the script. I frowned in displeasure. Oliver cheating wasn't exactly breaking news, but this was the first time it had trended so publicly. Valerie forwarded me a video, her face dark. "The girl he's keeping on the side, Bella, apparently got diagnosed with cancer and only has a few months to live. Oliver somehow heard that St. Patrick's Cathedral is miraculous, so he went there personally to pray for her. Now every media outlet is reporting on it. The PR team is having a hard time suppressing the trending tags." I tapped on the video Valerie sent. It was filmed from a bystander's perspective. In the video, the usually immaculate, suit-clad man was kneeling reverently, praying with absolute devotion before carefully placing a blessed silver pendant around the neck of the petite girl beside him. Watching this, I remembered the time I asked Oliver to come with me to church for a holiday service. He had exuded nothing but impatience. He didn't even bother looking up from his stack of documents, his tone ice-cold: "I don't believe in any of that nonsense. Find someone else to go with you." I tossed the script aside and leaned back into the sofa. I thought about how Oliver and I had gotten to this point. We grew up together as childhood sweethearts. When I first entered the entertainment industry, a sleazy director got me drunk and tried to grope me. Oliver, who was negotiating a business deal in the VIP room next door, got a frantic call from Valerie and kicked the door down. I heard later that the director had to be carried out on a stretcher. When that story hit the internet, the romance between Oliver and me skyrocketed to the top of the trending charts. #StellaSterlingHarassed,OliverGrantFliesIntoARage #StellaAndOliverPowerCouple #ChildhoodSweetheartsToSoulmates Back then, I never imagined Oliver would ever change. And I certainly never imagined he would bring another woman right in front of my face. That day, all my dignity and pride were shattered. I screamed hysterically, "Who is she?!" Bella was petite, looking soft and fragile. Hearing my voice, she hid behind Oliver in terror. The man gently patted her head, signaling her not to be afraid. "Stella, maybe we should both try seeing younger people." I understood exactly what he meant. My heart plummeted to the absolute bottom. "So, you cheated? And you’re trying to make it sound noble?!" Oliver frowned, disliking my phrasing. "It's an open marriage. We can both play the field. You'll enjoy it." Crying, I launched myself at him, hitting him with my fists. Oliver didn't dodge or flinch. He just stared at me for a few seconds, frowning. "Take some time to calm down." He grabbed Bella's hand and walked toward the door. I grabbed the crystal vase next to me and hurled it at them. Oliver only glanced back at me once before leaving without a second of hesitation. From the beginning, when he first started seeing women on the side, he would at least remember to change his clothes before coming home. Later on, he didn't even care if there were lipstick stains on his shirt collar. 2 "Sister, I'm done showering. Have you finished reading your script?" A gentle, incredibly attractive male voice drifted from the bedroom. I snapped back to reality, instinctively looking at my phone screen. Valerie had clearly heard it. I met her probing, shocked gaze. I took a deep breath and spoke slowly, "Oliver isn't the only one who stepped out. I cheated too." Valerie's expression looked as if she had just been struck by lightning. She was petrified. A few seconds later, a barrage of questions hit me: "When did this happen?!" "Who is he?!" "Are you two seriously dating, or is it just a fling?!" I was struggling with how to explain it to her when Wesley Vance walked out of the bedroom, shirtless. Droplets of water clung to his sculpted torso, trailing slowly down his abs to his waistline. Valerie's jaw dropped to the floor. "M-Mr. Vance?!" I quickly threw out a, "I'll explain another day!" and hung up. 3 Wesley pinned me against the sofa, his burning skin pressing against mine. "Sister, when are you getting a divorce? That trashy couple is trending online, which proves he doesn't care about you at all. Everything Oliver can give you, I can give you too. Divorce him, please?" "Be good. Let's not talk about that right now. Kiss me." Wesley flushed red from his ears to his neck. His lips crushed against mine, deepening the kiss relentlessly. Outside the window, a heavy rain suddenly began to pour, the raindrops drumming against the glass. Inside, shadows intertwined. A sudden, urgent ringtone interrupted us. Glancing at the caller ID, my tone was flat. "What do you want?" As soon as I spoke, I realized how husky my voice was. On the other end, Oliver paused. "Is it a convenient time to talk?" Wesley, hearing that it was him, lightly bit my earlobe, eliciting an ambiguous sound from my throat. Noticing his petty little move, I smiled. "Pour me a glass of water." Wesley glared at my phone, huffed twice in annoyance, and deliberately made a loud clatter as he walked to the kitchen. I shook my head. His temper was getting bigger by the day. Hearing the noise on my end fade, Oliver stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking. "I won't be coming home for a while. I'm staying at the hospital to keep Bella company." I was annoyed. Was it really worth a phone call just to tell me this garbage? Too lazy to argue, I impatiently gave an "Mhm." "Bella’s final wish is for me to get her a blessed pendant. You know I couldn't refuse. She’s just a young girl looking for romance. She posted it online, and I know it caused some negative PR for you, but please don't hold it against her. Two of the top luxury brands—Eastwood and Carberry—have agreed to make you their exclusive global ambassador for the next five years." I felt like I was listening to a joke. "You're trying to buy my silence with sponsorships?" "Aren't you thinking a little too highly of yourself? Grant Corp has skyrocketed over the past two years. Do you honestly not know how much of that was due to my industry connections?" "Have you spent so much time with that naive little girl that you’ve become 'naive' too?" I heavily emphasized the word 'naive'. Normally, the conversation would end right here. Oliver would get angry out of humiliation and hang up. But today, he clearly had more to say. "That guy just now... is he your new boyfriend? His voice sounded familiar. Do I know him?" "Oliver." I cut him off. "You're crossing a line. You set the rules—we don't ask about each other's private lives." I hung up the phone. Wesley walked back in right on cue. With that ridiculously handsome face, he didn't say a word, just quietly waited for me to finish the water before picking up right where we left off. 4 The next morning, I threw off the covers and stepped out of bed. The moment my feet hit the floor, my legs gave out, and I nearly fell to my knees. Thinking about Wesley calling me "Sister" over and over last night, my face flushed hot. After washing up, I saw a bowl of pork and century egg congee and a veggie-cheese omelet on the dining table. I took a spoonful. It tasted amazing. I picked up my phone and called Oliver first to confirm he was at the office. Then, I dialed my lawyer. "Attorney Hayes, remember that divorce case I asked you to look into? Prepare the paperwork. We're heading to Grant Corp shortly." "Understood, Miss Sterling." He paused. "You mentioned before that this case wasn't urgent. Did something change?" "You saw the trending news yesterday, right? When an opportunity delivers itself to your doorstep, you take it." Grant Corp, 38th floor. "Stella, post a tweet saying you went to the cathedral with us yesterday, but you rested in the car. Say you and Bella are close friends and that the internet rumors are false." "Do you speak without using your brain now?" I took a sip of the coffee in front of me. Anyone could hear the mockery dripping from my voice. He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Stop being unreasonable. If Grant Corp's stock drops, we both lose." "Watch your phrasing. We don't lose. I am the victim." Oliver stretched his legs out. "I know you felt wronged by this. We agreed to an open marriage, but I went too far this time and didn't consider your public image. You didn't accept my compensation offer, so I'll be more careful next time." "Let's get a divorce." Oliver frowned, confusion in his eyes. "Divorce? Just because I got Bella a pendant?" He suddenly laughed, pulled an identical silver pendant from his pocket, and placed it in front of me. "I promise the trending drama won't happen again. As for Bella, don't hold a grudge against her. She's just a kid, and you're a grown woman." I sneered and introduced the man beside me. "This is my attorney. My terms for the divorce are 20% of Grant Corp's shares, plus a 70/30 split of all our joint assets. 70 for me, 30 for you." The usually arrogant, composed Oliver completely dropped his smile after hearing my demands. "Bella only has two months left to live, and you're forcing me to abandon her at a time like this?" "Don't flatter yourself. If you don't understand English, I can have Grant Corp's legal team and translation department come in to explain it to you." He didn't speak. A minute passed. "Stella, are you serious?" "Out of all the women, why are you relentlessly targeting Bella?" "Don't even think about the divorce. It's impossible!" His refusal was exactly what I expected. I replied, "Right now, the entire internet is waiting for me to respond to your scandal with Bella. If you refuse the divorce and my terms, just sit back and watch Grant Corp's stock hit rock bottom." Oliver flew into a rage, but within seconds, he forced himself to calm down. "Mutual destruction does you no good. Don't forget, you have a man on the side too." "True. Unfortunately, you don't have proof. But I do have high-def photos of you and Bella passionately kissing in underground parking lots, plus the receipts for every piece of real estate, jewelry, and luxury item you've bought her. Once those go public, your flawless CEO persona will crumble, and the stock will tank. Sure, it'll impact me a bit, but I couldn't care less." I glanced at Attorney Hayes, who immediately produced a thick stack of photos. Every angle of Oliver and Bella you could imagine. The veins on Oliver's forehead bulged. "Stella! You really are something. You've been preparing this for a long time." I leaned lazily back in my chair, offering a faint smile. "So? Are we divorcing, or not?" "We're divorcing!" 5 On the day of the divorce, the usually gloomy, rainy city suddenly cleared up. The paperwork was processed quickly. I slipped the official divorce decree into my designer bag. Walking out of the courthouse lobby, Oliver stared at me with ice-cold eyes. I knew he wasn't going to swallow this loss easily. "Stella, how are you going to explain this divorce to your father?" I frowned. "A good ex-husband should act like he's dead. Don't worry about my business." He laughed bitterly. "Fine. I just hope Richard doesn't call me complaining." He heavily emphasized my father's name. "If you block him, you won't get his calls." "Sister, why are you talking like that? I grew up without a father. You have no idea how much I envy your family. Why don't you cherish it?" Bella, who had been lingering near Oliver, eagerly ran over when she saw us walk out. I sneered. "You don't need to envy me anymore. My family is yours now." Bella bit her lower lip, unsure if it was out of embarrassment or anger. Oliver shielded her behind him. "She's sick. Is it really necessary to talk to her like that? Forget it, let's not argue. You need to post a public statement immediately saying we had an amicable split and that Bella was not the other woman." "I can do that." That was one of Oliver's conditions for the divorce. In exchange, I had bumped the 20% of shares up to 23%. A very fair trade. After posting the tweet, Oliver turned to leave. Just before walking away, he offered some cynical advice: "Stella, don't let some random guy on the outside sweet-talk you into losing your mind. Do they actually love you, or do they just want your money?" As soon as the words left his mouth, an imposing black Maybach pulled up aggressively right in front of us. I watched Wesley step out of the car. The black dress shirt made him look even more untamed and arrogant. He walked toward me carrying a massive bouquet of red roses. "Sister, did you really divorce him for me?" My eyebrow twitched. How did this become about him? But I didn't deny it. He pulled me into a deep, passionate kiss, completely ignoring the people around us. Oliver recognized the familiar voice from the phone call the other night. "Stella! Since when have you been hooking up with Wesley Vance?!" Hearing his outburst, Wesley finally let me go. "Oliver, I really have to thank you. So, I brought a gift for you today too." Oliver tried to refuse. Wesley didn't give him the chance. He unlocked his phone. "The guy who filmed the video of you two at the cathedral? That was me." Oliver's face darkened, his jaw tight, his eyes like ice. "You two set me up?" I was shocked. I honestly had no idea Wesley filmed that video. "If I didn't set you up, how could I get to be with Stella?" Oliver narrowed his eyes. "Very well! Stella, you better watch your back!" "What is wrong with you? Just because you tell me to watch my back, I have to? What, you think your face is more intimidating than anyone else's?" I got into Wesley's car. Under Oliver's furious and Bella's utterly confused gazes, we sped away. 6 On the drive back, my dad called and demanded I get my ass home immediately. As soon as I hung up, Valerie called. I answered, and before I could speak, she fired off like a machine gun: "You divorced Mr. Grant?! What do you mean 'amicable split'?! What kind of deal did you make with him?! And what the hell is going on between you and Mr. Vance?! Explain everything right now! You disappear for days, you refuse to post on social media, and when you finally do, it's a bombshell divorce statement! Do you know how many sponsors are blowing up my phone right now?! If we don't handle this PR nightmare, you won't get a single endorsement for the next six months!" "We're divorced. It's amicable enough. I got what I wanted, and Oliver paid a heavy price." I deliberately skipped the question about Wesley. Valerie had been in the entertainment industry for years. She was sharper than anyone. "Then what is going on with you and Mr. Vance?" Seeing I couldn't avoid it, I sighed. "It's a long story. It's complicated. Just don't ask." I hung up. The car had mysteriously parked outside my family's house. Wesley stared at me with pure grievance in his eyes. "Sister, you're divorced now. Do I still not deserve to be your official boyfriend?" I reached out and ruffled his perfectly styled hair. "Be good. Go home for now." I got out of the car. As soon as I walked into the living room, a porcelain teacup was hurled directly at me. The atmosphere in the house was incredibly tense. The maids kept their heads down, pretending to work, but secretly glancing my way. "You ungrateful brat! Who gave you permission to get a divorce?!" I looked at my biological father, Richard Thorne, who had thrown the cup. He pointed a trembling finger at me, unleashing a barrage of scolding. Thinking about the massive portfolio of assets I now held, I offered a faint smile. "It's my own marriage. Why the hell do I need your permission to end it?" Richard pointed at me in utter disbelief. "Y-You... what did you say?! Say that to my face again!" "I said, whether I divorce or not has absolutely nothing to do with you." My voice dropped lower, turning icy. The living room fell into a heavy silence. The first to break it was Martha. Years ago, Richard and Martha had an affair while he was still married to my mom. After putting my mom in the hospital with rage, he even went to her hospital bed to demand a divorce. Just two weeks after my mother passed away, Richard moved Martha into our house, bringing along a younger sister, Mia, who was only two months younger than me. "Stella, what kind of way is that to speak? Your father is just looking out for you. Apologize to him immediately. Tearing the family apart like this is embarrassing." I ignored her. Martha offered an awkward, strained smile. She paused, then cut to the chase. "Stella, you divorced Oliver. What kind of settlement did he give you?" "Ah. So that's the real reason you demanded I come home so urgently, isn't it?" Richard’s face was cold. "All you do is play around in Hollywood. Do you even know what's happening to the family? The company is facing a severe cash flow crisis. Transfer the settlement money to the company immediately to tide us over. I'll pay you back later." Martha chimed in, playing the perfect supporting role. "Exactly. You've been so busy filming, we didn't want to burden you with these annoying family issues. Your father has been working himself to the bone these past few years. It breaks my heart to see." Watching her fake crocodile tears made me sick. "Since you feel so bad for him, why don't you hand total control of the company over to me? I'll give you a generous monthly stipend so you can comfortably enjoy your retirement." Martha's face changed. She replied stiffly, "Stella loves to joke. You're doing so well in the entertainment industry, how could you just quit?" "I'm not joking. This time, I am officially retiring from the entertainment industry to take over my grandfather's company." My grandfather's company. Those words clearly triggered Richard. Back in the day, he was a poor man who married into my mother's wealthy family. He endured countless eye-rolls and insults. Over the years, he gradually seized complete control of the company and rebranded it as Thorne Group. He had probably convinced himself he built it from scratch. "You insolent brat! Get out of my house!" Richard pointed at the door, panting heavily in sheer rage. "Don't get so worked up. You wouldn't want to have a stroke and never wake up." He tried to say something else, but Martha grabbed his arm. "The doctor said you can't get angry! I'll talk to Stella. I'll handle her." The two of them completely ignored my presence, exchanging meaningful looks. Martha turned to me, looking incredibly distressed. "Stella, you know how your father is. Bark is worse than his bite. He cares about you deeply. The company is truly facing a massive hurdle this time. You have spare cash. As his daughter, you should help him out. We heard Oliver also gave you shares in Grant Corp. You clearly don't care about managing a business. Why don't you transfer those shares to your father? After we pass away, all this money will go to you and your sister anyway." I felt like I was listening to the funniest joke in the world. "My mother only had one daughter. Where the hell did I get a sister?" "Every cent the Thorne family currently holds was left to me by my grandfather and my mother. What does it have to do with you?" "You've lived in this house for so long, you've actually forgotten your place as a homewrecker, haven't you?" The anger Richard had just suppressed flared up again. I cut him off before he could speak. "I'll give you three days to move out of my house. Otherwise, I'm calling the police and reporting you for trespassing." I checked the time on my watch, turned, and walked away. I completely ignored the furious curses and the sound of breaking porcelain crashing against the floor behind me.
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