Chapter 1 At our high school reunion, our former class beauty was basking in the limelight when someone popped the question: "Sophie, we're all pushing thirty, and most of us are hitched. Why are you still single?" Sophie smiled faintly. "People get stuck on the ones they couldn't have in their youth and waste their lives. I'm just... not willing to settle." Her gaze drifted toward Julian, who was sitting right next to me. Her eyes were heavy with meaning. The table instantly erupted in teasing: "You're talking about Julian, aren't you?" "You two were my favorite couple back then! I was so bummed when Chloe snatched him up." "Chloe just took advantage of the situation. You met Julian first." Amidst the noise, I nudged the man beside me and whispered: "Hubby, they're saying I stole you. What's your take?" "Chloe, you and Julian are married?!" Gasps echoed around the table. Sophie jerked her head up, her eyes locking onto Julian with disbelief. A few classmates laughed awkwardly. "Why didn't you tell anyone? We're old friends, that's cold!" "Yeah... unless Julian didn't want to?" "When Sophie went abroad, he was heartbroken for ages. Heard he almost spiraled into depression." "So it makes sense he settled for Chloe." "Why are you defending Chloe? Everyone knows Sophie was just too poor back then, and Chloe took advantage..." I ignored the gossip and put some of Julian's favorite dishes onto his plate. After all, we dated for three years and have been married for two. Not every high school sweetheart story gets a sequel just because the ex comes back. Besides, Julian and I grew up together. I made him come tonight; otherwise, Sophie wouldn't even have had the chance to see him. But Julian, sitting beside me, remained silent. I glanced at him. He was staring intensely at Sophie, not touching the food I gave him. The atmosphere cooled. I put down my chopsticks. He couldn't... still be hung up on her, right? I almost forgot. In high school, Julian's love for Sophie was legendary. Back then, Sophie was so poor she sometimes couldn't afford lunch. Julian tried to help, but she pushed him away coldly, pointing at his nose and shouting: "You're just like them, looking down on people from your high horse!" Eventually, she was moved by his persistence, and they got together. But in our sophomore year of college, Sophie left a breakup letter and went abroad. The letter said: "I don't deserve you. I don't want to hold you back." Julian chased her to the airport, only to see her plane taking off. He cried his heart out and fell into a deep depression. It's true. I took advantage of his lowest point. I opened the door he had locked and pulled him back from the edge. "She doesn't want you, but I do. What do you like about her? Being poor? I can change that." From that day on, I lived as a shadow of Sophie. My family's business survived only because of the Jiang family's support. When the Jiang family arranged our marriage, I was ready to step aside. But he hugged me tight. That night, he cried and begged me to love him, not to abandon him too. "If you leave too, I'll die." I sighed and touched his face. "Julian, no one dies from a breakup." "But I love you." "What about Sophie?" He tightened his grip on my waist and kissed me. "I hate her. From now on, I only want Chloe." The next morning, the Jiang family accepted me as their daughter-in-law. People whispered behind my back. They called me shameless, a schemer. They said the Wen family was bankrupt and I seduced Julian to save it. They were all waiting for me to get divorced, waiting to laugh at me. But for five years, Julian and I only got better. More in love. Until now—seeing the way he looked at Sophie. My heart clenched. "Hilarious. I don't dumpster dive." Julian's words froze the smile on Sophie's face. "I married Chloe because I love her. Who hasn't met a few trashy people in their youth? Don't throw dirt on my wife." His tone shifted to mockery: "And Miss Xia, you went abroad and this is it? You opened a company? Do you even have a million in assets? Do you have ten employees?" Sophie's smile vanished completely. Julian grabbed my hand, his voice softening: "Babe, I told you I didn't want to come. Why bother with these people?" "You're right," I whispered back. "Whoever you scold deserves it." The room was dead silent. The reunion ended shortly after. The classmates who were gossiping came over to apologize, wishing us a long life together. Sophie sat there, head down, unmoving. But as Julian walked out the door, he looked back. Regret and sadness made that woman look years older in just a few hours. I felt Julian's hand on my waist tighten. Then he looked forward, smiling as if nothing happened, and got into the car with me. But back home, the incident gnawed at me. I put down my bag, my voice dry. "Julian, if you want to get back with Sophie, we can divorce..." Before I could finish, he pushed me onto the sofa, his hand on my neck. He silenced me with a finger, tracing down my collarbone. His cold, handsome face made my breath hitch. "Stop talking nonsense..." He leaned in, his breath warm. "Let me carry you to the bedroom, okay? I want you." Chapter 2 He kissed me. We tangled all the way to the bedroom. For a moment, I almost forgot the unhappiness. Just as I smiled, Julian's phone rang. I answered instinctively. Soft breathing came from the other end. Sophie's voice was drunk and broken: "Julian... couldn't you have waited a little longer? It's only been five years..." "You call me trash, but you don't know... I've always loved only you." I was silent for a moment. "Sophie, it's 3 AM." "My husband just fell asleep from exhaustion. Do you need me to wake him up?" Silence on the other end, then the call cut off. I looked at Julian, sleeping beside me, frowning. His lashes trembled, lips pressed into a thin line, like he was having a nightmare. I lay down in his arms, closed my eyes, and tried not to think. I woke up less than two hours later. The bed beside me was empty. Where did Julian go in the middle of the night? Hearing voices outside, I worried about intruders. I ran to the door barefoot and cracked it open. Seeing the living room, I felt cold, like I was standing on ice. Sophie was sitting on the sofa, looking pitiful, pulling at Julian's sleeve. "I'm sorry, Julian. I regret it. Can't you give me another chance?" Julian pulled his sleeve back coldly, calling someone on Sophie's phone. "Come get your girlfriend. Don't let her drunkenly harass people at their homes in the middle of the night!" Soon, footsteps approached. I opened the crack wider and recognized the man. It was Ethan Fu—he lived in the same villa district. The only son of Shanghai's biggest tourism developer. His family was even wealthier than the Jiangs. Seeing his red-rimmed eyes, I sighed. Sophie must have saved a country in her past life. Poor as a teenager, but a rich heir paved her way in high school. Now, a little gilding abroad, and the "Prince of Shanghai" is frantic over her. People really are different. I didn't go out to witness the drama. I closed the door. My phone buzzed with a message from my best friend: [That bitch Sophie got drunk at a bar and cried about loving Julian to the camera! The video is online!] [Disgusting woman. She's pushing thirty, her career is failing, and seeing you and Julian happy made her regret it!] I interrupted her rage and sent a photo of my living room: [Sophie seems to have a boyfriend. It's Ethan Fu.] [WTF! Does that woman have a stupid-ray or something? Is Ethan blind?!] Hearing the noise outside fade, I snuck back into bed. But the next morning, arguing woke me up. I opened the door to find Julian's parents sitting on the sofa, faces grim. They must have seen the trending topic. "Get Sophie out of Shanghai!" Julian's father demanded. "That video of her crying in the bar is a disgrace! Shareholders are asking questions!" "She abandoned you to go abroad! Julian, don't be stupid. She's using these dirty tricks to ruin your marriage!" "If you don't handle this cleanly, don't blame the Jiang Group for blacklisting her officially!" His father stormed out. Julian stood there, fists clenched, eyes red. He turned and saw me. "Wifey?" Panic flashed in his eyes. "The trending topic has nothing to do with me. And Sophie is engaged to Ethan. I don't know why she's doing this." "I'll handle it." Julian had gradually taken over the Jiang Group. This incident seemed to spark a rivalry with the Fu family. He dragged me into couple endorsements to boost the company's image and quietly stole business from the Fu family to force Ethan to send Sophie away. Until a month later. We were leaving a club after a gathering. Julian and I opened the door, and Sophie stumbled out from the end of the hallway. She wore a white dress, disheveled, scratches on her face. "Julian, save me! Help me..." It was déjà vu. It took me back five years. Sophie in high school was like a wild begonia in barren soil, stubborn and proud. That's why Julian fell for her. She grabbed Julian's sleeve with all her strength. Seeing me, she stiffened, lowered her head, and backed away. "Ms... Ms. Wen, I didn't mean to. I'll leave Shanghai immediately. I'll never..." A tear fell from her eye. She clenched her fist. "I'll never appear in front of Julian again." Then she turned and limped toward the exit. Watching her lonely figure, I was confused. I didn't expect Sophie to be manipulative enough to stage this scene to frame me. Her acting was so real, as if I really had sent people to teach her a lesson. She seemed to be asking Julian for help, but she was painting me as a vicious villain. But she was Ethan's fiancée. The Wen family couldn't afford to offend the Fu family. I forced a sarcastic smile and looked at Julian. He was expressionless. I couldn't read him. "I heard the Jiang Group blacklisted her. Her company is going bankrupt. She's been begging everywhere." Julian held my hand, smiling coldly. "None of my business." Chapter 3 In the car, I probed again. "Julian, about what just happened... do you think I did it?" He pulled me into his arms. "I believe you. It wasn't you." I nodded. The Fu family was too powerful. I wasn't that stupid. And Julian witnessed how hard I worked to save the Wen family from bankruptcy. He should know how much I cherish our life now. But the next day, 500 million was transferred out of my account! Wen Corp was about to go public. That 500 million was life or death! I called Julian. No answer. Frantic, I drove to his office. Pushing open the door, I saw Sophie sitting there crying, her wounds freshly bandaged. Julian sat next to her, looking up at me. "500 million was taken from my account. Was it..." Even though I guessed, I wanted him to admit it. "It was me." "Why?" Julian's eyes were cold. "Sophie's company owed 500 million. I paid it for her." Sophie looked up in shock, checking her phone for the repayment notification. The assistants looked at each other. I stared at Julian, confused. He tightened his grip on Sophie's hand, protecting her. "Chloe, you owe her this!" He threw a stack of documents on the table. Photos scattered. First photo: Sophie being stepped on in the club, her white dress dirty, eyes unfocused. Second photo: Someone pulling her hair, forcing her mouth open, seemingly feeding her something. Third photo: Pure terror on her face, collar torn, revealing her collarbone and bra. There were also two signed confessions. Two thugs admitted I hired them to "teach Sophie a lesson." And a check with my signature. "Chloe, didn't I tell you?! I said I'd listen to Mom and Dad and negotiate with the Fu family to send her away! Why did you use such dirty methods to humiliate her?!" Julian's voice roared with anger. "Luckily she escaped! She suffered such humiliation and only asked for 500 million in compensation. It's cheap for an ungrateful, vicious woman like you!" I looked up at Julian, my blood freezing. "So last night you hugged me and said you believed me, then turned around and collected evidence to convict me?" Julian stood up. "Chloe, this time, you went too far!" I almost lost it. I laughed sarcastically, stepping back and pointing at Sophie. "Her fiancée is Ethan Fu! Touch her? Who in Shanghai dares to touch her? Julian, do you really think I'm that stupid? She obviously set me up!" "Julian..." Sophie tugged his sleeve, eyes red. "Ethan... never planned to marry me. I was just a pawn for him to rebel against his family..." Julian swayed. Then he grabbed her hand and looked at me with disgust. "Chloe, you probably knew Ethan wouldn't stand up for her, right? So you dared to use such vicious means! You make me sick!" The absurdity made me laugh in anger. "Julian! We've known each other twenty years, married for five! Someone frames me, and you don't even give me a chance to explain? You just sentence me to death?!" "The evidence is solid! How can you deny it!" Julian raised his hand to slap me. Slap! My head turned from the force. The commotion drew employees. The door was crowded. Whispers became audible. [Omg, Ms. Wen hired thugs... playing dirty?] [Couldn't tell. Ruthless social climber!] [But they're married. Mr. Jiang is entangled with his ex. Any woman would be jealous. Just had her beaten up a bit.] The comments got nastier. Someone reminded them: Julian and I were the married couple! Suddenly, Sophie struggled to stand up. She grabbed Julian and shouted at the door: "My business with Julian has nothing to do with anyone else! I was wrong! It's all my fault! Blame me!" Julian froze. Slowly, he held her hand, eyes reddening. That look... like he had recovered a lost treasure. In that moment, I understood. His insults at the reunion, his defense of me—it was all to spite Sophie. He wanted to make her regret, make her jealous, make her chase him. He was always smart. He got what he wanted. I laughed at myself. "Julian, you could have just told me." "I said long ago, if you choose her, we can divor—" "Divorce?!" A man's surprised, excited voice interrupted from the doorway. We all turned. Chapter 4 Ethan stood in the doorway. He glanced at me, then quickly looked away. His fiancée was holding hands with my husband, yet he was suppressing a smile. "You're really divorcing?" He realized his reaction was too eager and awkwardly clenched his lighter. "Cough... sorry. Just surprised." I looked away and addressed Julian. "Since Mr. Fu is here, let's clear the air. Julian, return the 500 million, and I'll sign the divorce papers immediately." "As for Mr. Fu, even though Sophie says she's just a pawn, given the situation, do you have any objections?" Ethan walked to my side. He hesitated, then said: "Chloe, if I give you 500 million, can I watch you sign the divorce papers?" Silence. "Ethan, are you sick?" Julian frowned. Employees whispered: [What's with Mr. Fu? Likes watching divorces? Rich people are weird.] [No way. Fiancée stolen by a rival. This must be revenge. You steal my girl, I steal your wife...] [That works?] It made sense. I turned around. Ethan was sneaking glances at Sophie. He wanted to use Julian's tactic. Since I helped Julian, I didn't mind helping him. "Thank you, Mr. Fu. I can go to your office to sign the contract later. Once Wen Corp survives this, I will repay this favor." Ethan nodded and walked away. I: "..." "Congratulations, Mr. Jiang, Miss Xia. The unreachable love of your youth is finally fulfilled. You both won." For years, Julian hid this deep love. He almost fooled me. But now, it was time to end it completely.
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