I served three years in prison for my wife Juliet, and when I got out, all I received was a one-dollar bonus. Just as I thought there must be some mistake, I noticed my male colleague Collins had received a check. That evening, I scrolled through Collins's Instagram and saw him showing off a check: 【My girlfriend is the most generous boss in all of America! She gave me a hundred million dollar bonus!】 Many people left comments expressing envy and congratulating him on finding such an outstanding girlfriend. Not only did Juliet fail to explain, she was eager to distance herself from me: "You just got out of prison. It's not appropriate to make our relationship public. Call me 'boss' in front of others." Then she turned around and liked Collins's Instagram post. I took a deep breath and called her archrival. "From now on, I'm working for you." "You were willing to spend three years in prison for Juliet's career, so why do you suddenly want to work for me?" "I remember she promised you over and over that when you got out, she'd give you the department manager position. Are you sure you don't want it anymore?" I rubbed the one-dollar bill over and over, unable to hold back a bitter laugh. "Yeah, I don't want it anymore." The moment I said it, Juliet suddenly appeared in front of me, asking suspiciously: "Don't want what?" I hung up the phone calmly and told her the truth: "The department manager position." At my words, a flash of light appeared in her complicated expression, as if she was relieved. "Perfect. I was planning to give it to Collins anyway. You can start as a clerk." Hearing this, I couldn't help but frown. I had endured three years behind bars for Juliet's company. She had promised me over and over that when I got out, this position would be mine and mine alone. But who could have imagined that in the end, I'd become just a lowly errand boy. At this very moment, Juliet broke the promise she'd made three years ago with her own mouth. But I couldn't see even a trace of guilt in her eyes. My eyes burned hot, and an unstoppable stabbing pain flooded my heart. Seeing that I remained silent, Juliet pulled an agreement from her briefcase and tossed it on the table. She said casually, "This is a secret marriage agreement. Consider it for the company's sake." The four words "Secret Marriage Agreement" stabbed painfully at my eyes. Three years ago, the day before I went to prison, Juliet and I got our marriage license. The only belief that sustained me through it all was the thought of a happy married life after my release. But now I had become something she was ashamed to speak of, something she even wanted to erase from existence. I mocked myself silently, and without thinking, I grabbed the pen at hand. Juliet suddenly turned her head, watching my hand about to sign, her brow furrowing. How could he, who used to be desperate to announce this marriage to the world, suddenly be so decisive? She instinctively pressed down on my wrist, saying something incomprehensible: "You're not even going to think about it?" I didn't lift my eyes and immediately signed. Having gotten the secret marriage agreement as she wished, she fell inexplicably silent for a moment. After a while, she cleared her throat, her voice becoming gentle: "Taylor, don't worry. Once the company stabilizes, I'll definitely compensate you properly." I gave a perfunctory "mm-hmm," and just then the company group chat lit up. Collins had become the company's first department manager, and all the employees were congratulating him. 【You've been by Miss Juliet's side these past three years, we've all seen it. You truly deserve this position!】 【I think Collins is department manager today, but tomorrow he'll probably be Juliet's husband, right? We better start sucking up to you now.】 Right after, Collins sent a dog emoji, tacitly accepting everything. 【I still think Taylor is the lucky one. Three years in prison and he still gets to be a clerk at the company. Juliet really values him!】 Knowing the truth, he was obviously mocking me. I couldn't bear to keep looking at the screen, but inadvertently saw Juliet staring at her phone. The smile at the corner of her mouth was a tenderness I'd never seen before. It made me wonder whether she was hiding our marriage for the company's sake, or for Collins's sake.
To fulfill the secret marriage contract, Juliet moved from the master bedroom to the guest room. Besides that, she made things crystal clear: I wasn't allowed to ride in the same car with her. I wasn't allowed to talk to her at the company, could only call her "boss." And the relationship between her and Collins was just an act—I wasn't allowed to make a big deal out of it. After giving her instructions, Juliet disappeared for three days. It wasn't until I took a day off for a fever that she bothered to call me: "Taking time off after just a few days of work—isn't that a bit dramatic?" "You'll have to go to the hospital yourself. I'm still on a business trip, no time to take you." It was the expected result. I answered groggily with a "mm-hmm." But the moment I finished speaking, a familiar male voice came through the phone: "Juliet, come help me tie my necktie!" Although Juliet hung up quickly, I still heard her hurried footsteps rushing over. Opening Collins's Instagram again, I saw he'd changed his profile picture to a photo with Juliet. I remembered when we were dating, I always pestered her to post couple photos of us on Instagram. But she always had countless reasons to refuse me: Troublesome, childish, tacky... For some reason, she went crazy sending me messages and calling me. I only replied with one line: 【Right now is my rest time. Please understand, boss.】 After finishing my IV, I returned to the company. My colleagues were as indifferent as ever, piling work all over my desk. Probably in their minds, I was just a lucky guy taken in by Juliet after getting out of prison, so I should bear more responsibility. I adjusted my mood and packed all the couple's items from the storage cabinet into a black garbage bag. If I'd known earlier they'd never see the light of day, I wouldn't have worked so hard to bring them to the company. I was about to go throw them away when Juliet came back unexpectedly. Before I could react, she furiously dragged me all the way to the stairwell. Juliet saw the garbage bag in my hand, her face darkening: "You have time to pack up trash but no time to return my calls?" The strong smell of men's cologne on her made me involuntarily step back, saying indifferently: "I sent a message back." At these words, Juliet seemed to ignite like a flame, demanding: "Why did you call me 'boss' in the text?" What was the difference between on the phone and in reality? She was the one who told me to do it, so why was she unhappy when I did? Seeing that I had no intention of explaining, she let out a cold laugh: "You know I don't like petty men. You'd better not turn into someone I hate." With that, she snatched the bag from my hand and threw it forcefully on the ground. In the resounding crash that echoed through the stairwell, she strode away. Looking at the shattered couple's photo and matching mugs, my heart trembled. Just like our years of feelings would eventually shatter into pieces. I cleaned up the fragments and called a lawyer to draft a divorce agreement. After getting the document, I went to the print room to make a copy. Just as I'd psyched myself up and was about to knock on the door, Juliet opened it first. Meeting her cold gaze, I calmly handed over the document: "Sign it when you have time." But Juliet didn't even glance at it, flipping straight to the last page and signing. Then she handed it back casually and instructed: "Come with me to a business dinner later. Be smart about it—remember to drink with the clients." I was puzzled. Juliet's alcohol tolerance was exceptional, so why would she need me to drink with clients? Before I could ask, I saw Collins emerge smugly from behind her: "You're so thoughtful! You even remembered I have a cold and can't drink!"
Collins sprawled casually next to Juliet, his arm draped directly around her shoulder. Seeing me, he complained with a furrowed brow: "Juliet just makes such a big fuss. It's just a cold, but she won't let me drink or even come to work. If I hadn't begged her, she wouldn't have brought me to this dinner." Hearing him say this, Juliet affectionately tapped his nose. "I don't care what you say, but don't complain when it's time to take your medicine." The two people in front of me were clearly a couple in love. Her gentleness and consideration were unfamiliar to me. I clutched the divorce agreement in my hand, feeling inexplicably relieved. Arriving at the restaurant, Juliet exchanged pleasantries with the business partners for a while. Then she stepped back and began introducing everyone. "This is Collins, our company's department manager." When introducing me, the partner's boss frowned slightly. "I remember very clearly that this gentleman went to prison for debt default. Miss Juliet, you're truly loyal and righteous." Juliet's nerves tightened. She glanced at me, then smiled apologetically in acknowledgment. During the project discussion, Juliet and Collins sat close together. She kept giving me looks, signaling me to proactively block drinks for Collins. During the meal, someone noticed their intimate behavior and couldn't help but tease: "Miss Juliet and Mr. Collins look so well-matched. I wonder if Miss Juliet is married?" As soon as the words fell, Juliet looked at me, a flash of hesitation in her eyes. The next second, we said almost in unison: "No." Though we gave the same answer, she whipped her head around to stare at me in shock. When the partners went to the restroom, she sent me a message: "It's all just an act. Don't take it to heart." Juliet was talking about acting, but I was telling the truth. After all, she'd already signed the divorce agreement. I glanced at the message and turned my phone screen down. Seeing this, Juliet, sitting across from me, was about to stand up when I turned and headed to the restroom. Coming out of the stall, I ran into Collins. He stood with his arms crossed, clearly in a victor's stance. "Taylor, you're truly pathetic as a man. Being despised by your wife to this extent—if I were you, I'd be too ashamed to show my face." I washed my hands on my own, saying indifferently: "That's none of Mr. Collins's concern." After drying my hands, I prepared to leave. But Collins flashed over to block my path, looking me up and down. "How come Juliet's husband is still wearing rags?" "Oh, I forgot—Juliet probably spent all her money buying me luxury custom pieces. Sorry about that." The expensive designer brands on him seemed to constantly remind me of the difference between one dollar and one hundred million. Instantly, the bitterness that had been building in my heart exploded, and I fled in panic. Returning to the private room, I grabbed my things to leave. Juliet hurried forward to stop me, her tone gentle: "Don't leave yet. I'll drive you home in a bit." I was about to refuse when Collins suddenly burst in looking panicked. Instantly drawing everyone's attention. Juliet immediately let go of me and ran over to ask what had happened. Collins frantically searched through his bag, then patted down all his pockets. Then he cried out in alarm: "My custom watch is missing!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, everyone in the private room started helping Collins look for the watch. While searching, he kept muttering: "This is a birthday gift Miss Juliet gave me, worth over thirty million! I really don't want to lose it!" Though I didn't know what game he was playing, I just wanted to leave immediately. But just as I reached the door, Collins reached out to stop me. "Taylor, let me check your bag too. Otherwise you won't be free of suspicion either." Whether or not I'd stolen his watch, I knew the truth myself. "I'm tired. Mr. Collins can look for it himself." Seeing me insist on leaving, Collins actually grabbed my bag directly. In the struggle, the contents of my bag spilled all over the floor. And among the scattered items, there really was a watch. I stared at the watch in shock, then met Collins's provocative gaze. "Why are you framing me?" Turning around, I found everyone behind me looking at me with contempt. Especially Juliet—she was frowning, her eyes full of disgust toward me. I instinctively tried to explain to her: "I didn't take this!" But my explanation seemed so pale and powerless in the face of the glaring "evidence." Then Collins picked up the watch and began to act aggrieved: "This watch is very important to me. How could Taylor steal it?" "I thought Taylor had reformed in prison, but I didn't expect him to still be willing to do anything for money. I won't dare work with you anymore..." Collins's few words made everyone present look uncomfortable. The partner's boss broke the awkward silence first, saying sternly: "Miss Juliet, let's call off this collaboration!" With those words, he left the private room angrily with his people. I wanted to chase after them to explain, but received a solid slap from Juliet. Meeting my disbelieving gaze, there was no regret in her eyes. "I never imagined you were this kind of money-grubbing person!" "I brought you here, not to have you steal things!" Juliet's one sentence completely convicted me. Didn't she know what kind of person I was? Had she also forgotten why I went to prison? Looking at the fury in her eyes, I knew she would never believe me. I could only smile bitterly and hand over my phone. "Then call the police." She looked down at the phone, then frowned up at me, but made no move. The long stare seemed to let me see clearly the woman before me. After a while, Juliet snorted coldly, "Unreasonable!" The woman turned around, helped Collins put on the watch, and gently coaxed him away. In the private room, only I remained, along with the mess on the floor. I picked up my scattered belongings and headed to the airport without hesitation. Late night at the departure hall. I'd planned to write my resignation, but received Juliet's termination notice first. Her words carried anger: 【Don't come to the company anymore. Stay home and reflect on yourself!】 Seeing her absurd demand, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Without thinking, I took a photo of the divorce agreement both of us had signed and sent it over. With accompanying text: 【Juliet, I wish you and Collins eternal happiness!】 【But first you need to get the divorce certificate with me, or I'll report you for bigamy.】 After I sent this message, Juliet on the other end began frantically calling me like crazy.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "NovelMaster" app ? search for "388171", and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster