1 Learning that my wife was once again celebrating another man's birthday, my heart sank, and I stood on the edge, contemplating taking my own life. The moment I looked up, countless messages materialized in the air. 【Don't do it, big brother! In the future, that woman will be crawling back to you like a dog!】 【If you die now, you'll miss the moment she realizes her mistake!】 【If you don't believe it, in two minutes your wife will text you, telling you to prepare a bath for her return!】 Skeptical, I waited, and indeed, two minutes later, I received a text from my wife. I believed these messages were here to help me reclaim my marriage. So, when my wife returned, I followed their instructions, opening the door with a suggestive red mark on my neck. … The click of the lock sounded, I took a deep breath and opened the door. Evelyn Gardner was supporting a heavily intoxicated Brandon Thorne, her clothes smelling of smoke and alcohol. Her face, habitually cold, prepared to offer an explanation. "He drank too much, I…" "I have plans tonight." I cut her off before she could speak, my tone soft and calm, interrupting her prepared excuse. She froze. I stepped aside, offering a gentle smile. "Get him settled. Take a shower and get some rest. Don't worry about the house; the cleaning service will handle it tomorrow." This string of kind, understanding words, devoid of anger or argument, left her completely stunned. Evelyn’s gaze finally shifted from her initial shock, landing on me. For the first time, she scrutinized me as if I were a stranger. My black shirt, unbuttoned, showcased my well-defined chest and abs, and… the glaring red mark on my neck. Her face instantly darkened. "What is that on your neck?!" Evelyn’s voice held a tremor I hadn't heard in ages. I instinctively raised a hand to cover it, my eyes darting away, feigning a touch of panic. "Nothing, probably… a mosquito bite." Without another glance at her icy face, I picked up my phone from the sofa, and, in my crocodile-leather shoes, walked directly past her. "Where are you going?!" Her voice, thick with suppressed anger, came from behind me. I didn’t look back, leaving her only with a dashing, confident silhouette. Once outside, the evening breeze sent a shiver through me. I leaned against the wall, my heart pounding. "Messages, did… did I do that right?" Instantly, a dense swarm of messages surrounded me again. 【Yes! Absolutely! You are my god, big brother!】 【Did you see the shock on that woman's face? I'm ecstatic!】 【You used to be too desperate in love, spoiling her until she had no idea how good she had it! Making her think you'd never leave!】 【Remember, good men get a badge of honor, bad men get everything!】 I thought of Evelyn's expression moments ago—both furious and incredulous—a rare sign of concern I hadn't seen on her face in ages. I became even more convinced that the messages were right. 【Go all out! Big brother, go to a nightclub! Let her not find you!】 A nightclub? I’m such an introvert; I’ve never been to a place like that. But the messages felt like countless hands, pushing me forward. Deafening music, hazy, flashing lights, a swirling mass of bodies on the dance floor. I sat stiffly in a corner, holding a drink for ages without taking a sip. 【Don't be scared, big brother! You're so handsome, be confident!】 【Sway to the rhythm! Let yourself go!】 Inspired by the messages and the surrounding atmosphere, I, as if possessed, stepped onto the dance floor. My movements were stiff at first, but slowly, I immersed myself in the music, discovering for the first time how exhilarating dancing could be. When I’d had enough fun, I returned to my booth and finally picked up my silenced phone. The screen blared: Missed Calls (27) Evelyn Gardner. My wife, who had been distant for an entire year, had called me twenty-seven times?! After all, it used to be me desperately calling her, trying to find out where she was. 【Ignore her! Let her hang! Let her taste what it's like not to be able to find someone!】 Obediently, I tucked my phone back into my pocket, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. Wife, it’s not that I don’t want to answer; it’s that I need you… to fall in love with me again. You’ll understand, won't you? I partied all night. The next morning, I returned home, exhausted and hungover. The living room light was on. Evelyn sat on the sofa, her eyes bloodshot, empty wine bottles strewn around her feet. Seeing me, she lunged forward, grabbing my wrist, her voice hoarse. "Where were you?!" I smelled the lingering scent of Brandon’s cigarette smoke on her. Seeing my silence, her face was filled with disbelief. "You weren't like this before! You never stayed out all night!" I raised my eyes, blinking innocently. "What's wrong with staying out all night?" "Evelyn, we're both adults. Who doesn't have their own life?" Evelyn was speechless, blocked by my words. In her bloodshot eyes, for the first time, appeared an unfamiliar unease and a hint of panic. "Isn't that what you used to tell me?" I tilted my head, smiling purely and harmlessly. "You said you were busy, you said you had to entertain, you said… adults need their own space." I returned her dismissive words, verbatim. In truth, my heart was pounding, my palms sweating with nerves. 【Hold steady! Big brother! Don't break character! You are now the mighty Nicholas Thorne!】 【Yes! Fight magic with magic! So satisfying!】 The messages gave me endless confidence. Just then, the master bedroom door clicked open. Brandon Thorne emerged, wearing a black silk robe, rubbing his sleepy eyes, walking out languidly. That robe was my favorite one. In the past, this scene would have driven me to furious madness, leading to an immediate fight. 【The main man is here! High alert! Remember, whoever loses their temper first loses!】 I took a deep breath. Calm. Calmness was the greatest weapon. Brandon saw me, feigning surprise as he covered his mouth, saying in a sickly sweet, breathy voice, "Oh, Nicholas is back? I'm so sorry, I drank too much last night, and Evelyn was afraid I'd stain my clothes, so… she just found one of your pajamas for me. You don't mind, do you?" Evelyn's face was also extremely unnatural, and she awkwardly explained, "His clothes were dirty, I just grabbed something." "Mind?" I chuckled, walking directly up to Brandon, my tone full of reproach, but directed at Evelyn. "How could you give Brandon my old, worn clothes to wear? That's just so thoughtless." I took Brandon's hand, affectionately leading him toward the walk-in closet. Under their shocked gaze, I pulled out a brand new green pajama set from the cabinet and handed it to him. "This one is new, never worn. It suits your skin tone. Go put it on, it looks great." 【What the hell! Top-tier infuriating behavior! This is killing him with kindness!】 【Brandon's face has gone green; he thought he was provoking, but big brother just treated him like he was scavenging old clothes! And made him wear green clothes, I'm dying of laughter hahahahaha!】 I ignored their petrified expressions, turned back to my room, changed into a custom-tailored suit, and grabbed some documents, preparing to leave. Passing through the living room, I casually retrieved a crocodile-skin box from the safe in the entryway. "Where are you going?! What are you taking?!" Evelyn finally reacted, grabbing my wrist. I immediately slapped her hand away and opened the box. Inside lay a dazzling sapphire watch. "Oh, this." I held it up, my tone intimate yet with a hint of chiding. "Remember that 'collectible Patek Philippe watch' you bought for eight million the year we got married? It's… the set you wanted to give Brandon, but never did." Evelyn's pupils constricted sharply. I looked apologetically at Brandon. "Sorry, Brandon, it's not that Nicholas is stingy and won't give it to you. It's just that Mr. Williams from the Quantum Group, who wants to partner with Gardner Enterprises, also likes sapphire dial watches. I'm meeting Mr. Williams for dinner today and plan to give this to him to discuss the project." "Are you insane?!" Evelyn asked in disbelief, her voice trembling. "Have you forgotten how much you cherished this watch?! You wouldn't even let me touch it back then!" "I've had a change of heart." I looked at her earnestly, my eyes clear. "It's just a watch. It'll just collect dust sitting there. It needs to serve a greater purpose, doesn't it?" I smiled, closed the box, and patted her shoulder. "You two rest well at home. I'm leaving." With that, I walked out in my leather shoes, not looking back. The moment I got into the car and closed the door, I hugged the crocodile-skin box, my heart aching. After all, this had once been the most precious proof of my wife's love for me. To give it away like this, to say I wasn't reluctant was certainly a lie. 【Don't be sad, big brother! Nothing ventured, nothing gained!】 【If that Quantum project goes through, it could bring at least half a billion in profit to Gardner Enterprises! Won't it be great to sit back and collect your share as a shareholder?】 【Think bigger picture! You used a piece of jewelry she sullied, and in return gained career and wealth. More importantly, she'll see you in a completely new light!】 I looked at the messages, took a deep breath, and nodded vigorously. The messages were right. I needed to think bigger. Sacrificing an external item for my career was worth it. When I gave the "sapphire watch" to Mr. Williams, the surprise in his eyes almost spilled over. As expected, the Quantum Group's collaboration project with Gardner Enterprises was quickly finalized, and I was personally designated as the project liaison by Mr. Williams. In the days that followed, I was constantly busy. I plunged into the corporate world, which I had been away from for three years, absorbing everything like a sponge. Meetings, reports, social engagements… my schedule was packed. 【Go, big brother! Let her see how charming you are when you're serious about your career!】 【Yes! Ignore her! Women will only slow down your money-making!】 The messages were my strongest support. I could feel Evelyn's gaze constantly lingering on me, scrutinizing, and with a complex emotion I couldn't decipher. But I had no time to respond. First, the messages forbade it. Second, I genuinely was very busy. On the night of the celebration banquet, as the project lead, I naturally had to attend with Evelyn. I had a top stylist do my hair, then changed into a custom-tailored white suit. When I stepped out, Evelyn, who was sitting nearby drinking bubble tea, clearly gasped the moment she saw me, her eyes filled with undisguised admiration. I secretly gloated, but my expression remained as cold as ice, merely asking, "Ready to go?" She blinked nervously a few times, then silently approached and linked her arm through mine. Just as we were about to leave, a sickly sweet voice chirped from nearby. "Evelyn, Nicholas, where are you going?" Brandon Thorne appeared from nowhere, holding a glass of dark purple juice. He stumbled, lunging straight for me! The cold liquid splattered all over my white suit, quickly spreading into a large, glaring stain. "Oh! I'm so sorry! So sorry, Nicholas!" Brandon immediately apologized in a panic, his eyes welling up with tears instantly. "I didn't mean to… I slipped… What can we do? Tonight's celebration is so important, and you don't have clothes to wear. You can't let Evelyn go alone, can you…" He apologized, yet every word was an insinuation. Evelyn was initially shocked, then looked at my ruined suit, a flicker of hesitation on her face. She was silent for a few seconds, then actually spoke. "How about… Nicholas, you go home and change. There's no time left, I'll take Brandon to the venue?" 【Don't agree! Absolutely not!】 【That vile woman! She actually dared to say it! Can't she still see through this idiot's tricks?!】 【Big brother, if you listen to her, all your efforts will be wasted! She'll immediately revert you back to that pathetic doormat she could summon and dismiss at will!】 I looked down at Evelyn's hesitant yet somewhat entitled face, and without hesitation, swung my hand, delivering a sharp slap.
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