On the day of the UN Summit, I noticed a new smartwatch on my husband's wrist. Julian claimed it was a gift from Chloe—a device to monitor his heart rate—mocking me for not being as "caring" as his high school sweetheart. I found it suspicious. During his lunch break, I secretly checked it and discovered a sophisticated spyware bug hidden in the casing. In a panic, I reported it to the Bureau, using my hard-earned ten-year promotion to cover for his "negligence." Chloe became a federal fugitive. During her escape, she died in a fiery car wreck. Julian pretended to grieve the right way, telling me she deserved it while becoming the "perfect" husband. But it was a trap. During a high-stakes meeting, he leaked my classified translation files, framing me as a foreign asset. "Clara, you're the one who planted that bug," he hissed as the feds dragged me away. "You were just jealous of Chloe. You wanted her dead!" I'll never forget the cold fury in his eyes as he tied me to the back of his car and dragged me across the asphalt for miles. "Go to hell and beg Chloe for forgiveness!" When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Chloe gave him that watch. This time, I didn't say a word. I simply signed the divorce papers. --- "Clara, can you stop being so uptight? You think Chloe would actually hurt me?" Julian's irritated voice snapped me back from the shock of waking up in the past. Our argument caught the attention of our team members. "Team Lead, that smartwatch on your wrist—didn't you report it?" One sharp-eyed translator spotted the device and tried to help. Julian's jaw tightened. "It's a personal gift. I don't need to report personal items." "But that's against Bureau proto—" He cut them off with a glare. "I'm the team lead on this assignment. If there's a problem, I'll handle it." The translator glanced at me, helpless. I lowered my eyes. Last time, I'd been terrified he'd make a career-ending mistake. So I'd checked that watch behind his back, found the bug, and traded my decade-long shot at promotion to save his skin. All I got in return was his insane revenge. I'd never forget the feeling of asphalt tearing my flesh as he dragged me behind his car for miles. A flash of hatred crossed my eyes. "Team Lead knows what he's doing," I said coolly. "We don't need to micromanage him." Julian's expression softened slightly. Then Chloe appeared, dragging her suitcase, breathless and theatrical. "Julian, take me with you! I haven't been abroad in forever." The translator didn't hesitate. "No. You're contract staff. You're not cleared for an assignment this sensitive." "The delegation list was approved by the Director personally. Even Team Lead can't add or remove personnel." Chloe's eyes immediately filled with tears, weaponized and ready. "Julian, I didn't realize you had so little authority as team lead." "And why does your team check with your wife before answering? I didn't know Clara was running this operation." Julian's face flushed red. "Who's the team lead here, me or Clara? You all listen to her so well—maybe I should request a staff replacement!" No one dared speak. He softened his tone just slightly. "Chloe's contract staff, which means she needs learning opportunities to advance. That's why she's coming with us." "That violates protocol," I said. My voice was flat, cynical. Julian's expression hardened. He stared at me, eyes full of undisguised fury and warning. "I know you're jealous of Chloe, but don't bring personal feelings into work." "Anyone who disagrees can remove themselves from this assignment." The team's faces paled. This was a career-making opportunity. No one wanted to lose it. Julian swept his gaze across the room, arrogant. "If you don't want out, shut up. Or pack your things and get the hell out of the Translation Bureau." I swallowed my anger and said nothing. Julian, this time I won't interfere. Let's see how this plays out for you.
After we landed in New York, everyone spent the evening prepping for tomorrow's summit. Everyone except Chloe. "Julian, I've never been to New York! Can you take me sightseeing?" Right in front of me, she wrapped herself around his arm without shame. "There's a dress I can only get here. Come shopping with me? I'll wear it for you tonight." I frowned. "We have work to do." She rolled her eyes, voice dripping with contempt. "You have all these people. Why does the team lead need to be involved?" "Julian's one of the primary translators tomorrow. His work can't have errors. If you two want to fool around, wait until after the summit." Chloe immediately turned to Julian with a wounded expression. "I just wanted to buy a dress. I didn't mean to interfere with work. Does Clara have to humiliate me like this?" "I know she didn't want me to come. Fine, I'll buy a ticket home right now!" She made a show of heading for the door. Julian pulled her into his arms, then turned his fury on me. "People with dirty minds see everything as dirty! Clara, if you bully Chloe again, you're out of tomorrow's summit!" Several team members who liked me looked ready to explode, but I stopped them. Because I knew—the more Julian and Chloe played these games now, the worse their ending would be after the summit. Julian still had some sense of self-preservation. He didn't abandon the prep work to take Chloe shopping—just promised to go after we finished. Chloe was dissatisfied but agreed. Then she started targeting me. At dinner, she complained she couldn't eat "white people food" and demanded I cook her congee. When I refused, she ran to Julian. He used both his authority as team lead and husband to force me to play maid. By the time I delivered the congee to the hotel room, she was wearing my pajamas, curled against Julian's chest watching TV. When she saw me, her smile turned triumphant and vicious. "Thanks so much, Clara." "Oh, I forgot to pack pajamas, so Julian gave me yours. You don't mind, right?" "These are so ugly though. No wonder Julian's not interested in you. When we get home, I'll buy you some pajamas Julian actually likes!" I forced down the rage bubbling in my chest. "Keep them." I handed over the bowl. She tilted her head, lips curving into a meaningful smile. "Julian says you're a great cook. I've been dying to try it." She stood and took the bowl. Her voice dropped to a whisper only I could hear. "Bitch, you've been blocking my Bureau application, haven't you? Then I'll just steal Julian from you instead. Fair trade." The next second, the bowl crashed to the floor. Most of the scalding congee splashed on me, but she screamed like she'd been murdered. "Julian, it's so hot! If Clara didn't want to cook for me, fine, but why did she have to burn me on purpose!" Then Julian's hand connected with my face. "Clara, when did you become this vicious? Apologize to Chloe. Now!" I'd had enough. I glared at them both, then stormed out of the room. Looking at the mess covering my clothes and my scalded, reddening arm, my hatred for Julian reached its peak.
When I arrived at the team briefing after cleaning up, everyone looked uncomfortable. "What happened?" They exchanged awkward glances. "We went to get Team Lead for the meeting, but Chloe was in there... He said he's busy and canceled tonight's briefing." Someone muttered under their breath, "This is ridiculous. Pre-mission briefings are Bureau protocol. How can he just cancel? And with you here, his wife, he just—" I dug my nails into my palm to keep my expression neutral. "I'll check on him." I pushed open Julian's door to the sound of Chloe's girlish laughter. She sat on his lap, one hand hooked around his neck, posing for her phone camera with exaggerated coyness. When she saw me, her smile widened. "Clara, don't misunderstand. Julian and I are just really close siblings." Julian gave me a dismissive glance, letting Chloe continue her performance on his lap. "Don't act superior just because you've been at the Bureau longer. If you want to keep this marriage, apologize to Chloe." "And when we get back, talk to the Director. Get Chloe's contract-to-permanent transfer approved." I wanted to slap them both and scream "I'm divorcing you!" But rationality won over rage. Not yet. Not the right time. I clenched my fists until my knuckles went white. "The Bureau isn't my family business. The Director isn't my father. I can't just get contract staff promoted on a whim." Julian laughed coldly. "You got that commendation last week, didn't you? Trade your medal for a permanent position slot. Should be easy for you." I took several deep breaths. Don't engage with garbage people. "I came to tell you we're having the team briefing. Everyone's waiting for you." Before Julian could respond, Chloe cut in irritably. "Are you all useless? It's just a briefing. Why does Julian need to attend personally? Did you all get into the Bureau through connections and backdoor deals?" Her hands started wandering across Julian's body. "Julian promised to spend tonight with me. He can't break his word. I prepared several sexy costumes!" Julian's eyes filled with lust. Whatever professionalism he had evaporated. He looked at me coldly. "Get out. Do I need to throw you out? You're killing the mood. I don't know what my mother saw in you when she picked you as a daughter-in-law." He scooped up Chloe and headed for the bedroom. Soon, obscene sounds of laughter and moaning filled the suite. The sounds stabbed into me like needles. Once, Julian and I had been sweet together. But everything beautiful ended the moment Chloe appeared. Last time, I thought he'd just been deceived by her. After waking up in the past, I finally understood—this was the real Julian.
Maybe satisfaction made him magnanimous. The next morning, Julian looked refreshed and energized. Chloe walked with a slight wobble but looked at me with undisguised smugness. "Julian, I'm not official delegation, so I won't go to the venue and cause problems. I'll wait at the hotel. Do your best!" Julian's expression was sickeningly indulgent. "Our Chloe is so understanding. Unlike some people who only know how to ruin the mood." He shot me a pointed look. I laughed silently. Was it consideration? Or guilt? Julian, you have no idea what's coming. Because of the summit's high security classification, all attendees underwent a final security screening before entering the venue. My team members and I passed through smoothly. Julian didn't. The metal detector wouldn't stop beeping. Security pulled him aside. "Please wait, sir. We need to conduct an additional search. Your cooperation is required." The security officer's tone left no room for argument. Other delegates stared with curiosity. Julian's face flushed. "I'm the Translation Team Lead. You think I'd violate protocol?" He waved his ID at the officer, but they weren't impressed. "I'm sorry, sir. Regardless of your position, you must comply with our screening. Please remove all items from your person and place them in this tray." "Comply?" Julian's eyes went cold. He turned to me. "Clara, you're deputy team lead. Handle this." I shrugged helplessly. "Sorry, Team Lead. I can't help with this. But if you haven't violated protocol, just let them search. I'm sure the truth will speak for itself." The other team members nodded in agreement. Julian's eyes turned bloodshot. "Clara, kicking someone when they're down? You're really something. When we get back, I'll make sure you regret this." I ignored his threat and followed security with my team to the screening room. As Julian's colleagues, our belongings would be re-screened as well. The results came quickly. The security supervisor walked to Julian with the smartwatch, expression deadly serious. "Mr. Smith, we detected a micro-surveillance device in your smartwatch. Your summit credentials are revoked. You need to come with us to Homeland Security for questioning."
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