The All-Purpose Wife

I am the perfect wife, cultivated by the Sterling family specifically for Julian Sterling. Julian loathes me. He distances himself from me. He thinks I'm just a useless vase, a trophy wife. Little does he know, "All-Purpose" is literal. I am the Michelin-star chef who cooks his favorite meals. I am the secretary who handles every detail of his business. I am the mysterious fighter who took down ten men to save him when he was kidnapped. Even his online confidante, his "soulmate," is just me playing a role. "No one understands me better than you. I want to meet you, babe." When I received that message, my hand trembled. I decided to move up my departure date. 1 When I went downstairs, Julian was having breakfast at the dining table with his best friend, Zach. "Morning, sis-in-law. Just waking up?" I smiled, tacitly accepting the jab. Zach glanced at Julian teasingly. "Look at you, wearing her out like that." Julian let out a dismissive snort. We've been married for two years, but no one knows we've never slept together. Julian resents this marriage arranged by his grandfather. He doesn't know my background. We have no emotional foundation. He thinks I'm a talentless gold digger who used dirty tricks to marry him. So, he despises me. In two years, the number of times we've spoken can be counted on one hand. Julian took a sip of the abalone porridge and frowned slightly. "The porridge tastes off today." I was pouring water at the island counter and exchanged a look with the butler. The butler quickly interjected, "The head chef is sick these past two days, sir. We have a replacement." Zach, unconvinced, took several large gulps. "It tastes fine to me. Julian, you're too picky. A chef who meets your standards must be a god. Let me borrow them for a couple of banquets sometime." "Dream on," Julian said, wiping his hands slowly. "Grandfather found the chef. Even I haven't seen them. They just send the food over at mealtimes." The ligature marks on his wrists still hadn't faded. The purple and blue bruising was shocking to see. Zach winced looking at it. "Did they catch the guys who kidnapped you?" "They caught the kidnappers," Julian said, his gaze deepening as he thought of something. "But they haven't found that person yet." A week ago, Julian returned from a business trip. He was tailed and kidnapped on the way back from the airport in the middle of the night. It was premeditated. The gang executed a precise plan, snatching Julian and vanishing from all surveillance cameras instantly. The kidnapping shocked the entire city. The heir to the Sterling empire, taken. Half the business world stayed up all night. Grandfather Sterling remained calm. He made one phone call, then told everyone to wait. The police couldn't find Julian. But a mysterious figure did. Riding a motorcycle, leading a highly trained team, this person raided the kidnappers' den at night, rescued Julian, and dropped him off at the gates of the Sterling estate at dawn without saying a word, disappearing into the morning mist with the roar of an engine. "Who does that? Doesn't want money, doesn't want fame. Is he Batman?" Zach asked. "It was a woman," Julian said. "What?!" Zach's eyes widened. I slowed my steps on the stairs. Julian's voice was low. "When she brought me back, my arms were around her waist. It was slender but strong. And her helmet hid long hair. I'm certain she's a woman." "Did you see her face?" "No. I only saw a small red mole behind her ear." ... I subconsciously touched the back of my ear and closed my bedroom door. The first time I met Julian was at the old Sterling manor. It was New Year's Eve. After giving out red envelopes to the younger generation, Grandfather Sterling gave Julian a special gift. "Meet Chloe. Your future All-Purpose Wife." Julian stood there, stunned. That day, he threw a massive tantrum. He smashed dishes, overturned tables, but ultimately bowed to Grandfather Sterling's financial power. I stood aside, silent the whole time. Julian probably never paid attention to the words "All-Purpose." He hated me. He ignored me. He thought I was just a useless vase. He didn't know "All-Purpose" was literal. I am the chef who suits his taste buds perfectly. I am the secretary who manages his work flawlessly. I am the mysterious fighter who took down ten men to save him. ... I was born in a remote village. My biological parents sold me to traffickers when I was five. The Sterling family's charity saved me. Grandfather Sterling picked me out of a group of children. He gave me food, clothes, and training in every skill imaginable, all centered around Julian. Julian grew up studying abroad. He looks rebellious, but he has zero romantic experience and no guard against women. The moment he returned, business rivals tried to use honey traps on him. From maids to secretaries, plants were everywhere. So, I stepped in. My mission was to eliminate all threats around Julian. Once he securely held the position of Sterling heir, I would vacate the position of Mrs. Sterling. Then, Grandfather Sterling would send me abroad to study, and I would be free for the rest of my life. To repay the Sterling family's kindness, I valued Julian's life more than my own. Unexpectedly, Julian misunderstood my dedication. "SpongeBob, I've decided to divorce her as soon as possible." "I thought she married me for money. But I'm realizing something is wrong. She seems to have fallen in love with me." "If she falls deeper, she won't leave easily. I've thought about it, and I need to propose a divorce now." Julian sent these messages under the username "PatrickStar." I sat by the window, smoking a cigarette in silence. Then I replied: "What did she do to give you that idea?" Julian would never dream that his online soulmate, SpongeBob, was also me. 2 I realized I could block the women around him physically, but I couldn't stop online threats. To save trouble, I created a perfect online persona to keep his standards high so he wouldn't look at anyone else. He thought I was a once-in-a-lifetime soulmate. I knew every book he read, every movie he watched, every place he visited. Our hobbies and values matched perfectly. I've studied Julian for so long. This was easy for me. Even my username was designed to match his. Thanks to this identity, he told me everything, saving me a lot of trouble. "She gets jealous. Last time at the manor, a neighbor's sister I played with as a kid asked for my number. My wife glared her away." Oh god. That woman just rented the mansion next door. She's three years older than him and clearly hunting him. Only Julian would believe she's just a "neighbor's sister." "Every time we eat, she steals glances at me. She thinks I don't see it." Okay, that's on me. I'm a perfectionist with my cooking. Every time Julian eats my food, I can't help but check his reaction. I'll reflect on that. "Recently, I had an accident. She stayed by my bedside in the hospital for a day and a night." I fell silent. I saved him from the kidnappers and got injured myself. We were treated in the same hospital, and he saw me. To cover my tracks, I lied and said I had been watching over him the whole time. "It seems your wife really loves you," I typed, feeling nauseous. Whatever he wants to think. Step one of playing the perfect online friend: Unconditional validation. Julian replied quickly: "I'm just worried. She loves me so much, even if I ask for a divorce, she won't agree." "You never know until you try. Maybe she'll agree immediately." "SpongeBob, you're adorably naive. Have you never been in a relationship?" ... Thinking about the expression on Julian's face as he typed that gave me goosebumps. "Many women see love as their whole life. They won't give up easily." I typed furiously: "Idiot. You don't know women. Stop talking nonsense." This was how we interacted online. The harder I roasted him, the happier he was. He said this was the kind of friend he wanted. "What if?" My heart started to race. After the kidnapping, Grandfather Sterling promised to send me abroad in two months. I was planning to find a way to divorce Julian. If he brought it up first, that would be perfect. "Want to make a bet?" "Bet on what?" "If she agrees to divorce, I'll give you any gift you want. If she refuses, can I meet you?" I stared at the last few words. Julian's next message came through. "No one understands me better than you. I've wanted to meet you for a long time, babe." My hand shook. What does he mean? SpongeBob is SpongeBob. Why "babe"? Is he doing this on purpose? I thought for a moment and typed "Okay." I was definitely going to agree to the divorce. Then we'd part ways, and all my identities would vanish from his life. I didn't care what he was thinking. As for the gift... I needed to think about what to fleece him for as a parting gift. Julian moved fast. Three days later, divorce papers were placed in front of me. "The compensation is clearly outlined. Take a look. If you have other demands, speak up." He looked calm, fully prepared. The alimony was tempting, but I'd just return it to Grandfather Sterling anyway. I glanced at it briefly, frowned, and wiped the corner of my eye. Seeing my expression, Julian spoke as if he expected this. "Crying is useless. I won't change my mind. Instead of being sad, think about what else you want." "Oh, no. An eyelash fell in my eye." I finished wiping my eye and held out my hand. "Pen?" Julian froze. It took him a while to speak. "You agree?" He tapped his long fingers on the desk, sneering. "If you're trying to act cool to get my attention, save it. I'm serious." Impatiently, I took a pen from the drawer myself. Just as I was about to sign, Grandfather Sterling called. I stepped away to answer. "Chloe, this wasn't a normal kidnapping. Someone was pulling the strings. I need you to find out who. After the investigation is closed, I will personally arrange your divorce." When I put the pen down, I clearly saw the contempt in Julian's eyes. "If you don't agree, why pretend to be so free and easy just now? Such hypocrisy." I grabbed my dress, holding back an eye roll. "I can't divorce right now." "Save it. I will get this divorce." Julian pushed the papers toward me. "Tell me your demands soon. Signing is good for both of us. Don't make me hate you more." He got up and left. I saw him type something on his phone. My alt account pinged. "SpongeBob, looks like you need to schedule a time to meet me." 3 Since Julian started managing the group with Grandfather Sterling, he's been so busy he has to schedule meals with his friends weeks in advance. But when it comes to meeting his online friend, he's got all the time in the world. "Any time works. Up to you." "Location? Just send a pin, I'll be there." "Busy? No problem, I can pick you up from your office." I stalled for days until Julian started getting suspicious. Helplessly, I hired a small-time actress online for a high price. To meet him in my place. We agreed on the phone: five thousand dollars for one meal. But the moment the actress, Layla, saw Julian, things spiraled out of control. "PatrickStar? I didn't expect someone with such a cute username to have this kind of... vibe." In the restaurant. Layla rested her chin on her hand, eyes glued to Julian. Honestly, it was my first time seeing Julian like this too. No stiff suit, no haute couture. He wore a regular bomber jacket, hair unstyled. He looked like a fresh college grad. He looked down and smiled. "What kind of vibe?" I was sitting a few tables away, coaching Layla through an earpiece. "Don't initiate topics. Just nod, smile, and bluff your way through." Layla paused, ignoring me. She pretended to adjust her clothes, pulling her collar down to show cleavage, and crossed her legs, extending a long, pale leg into the aisle. "A very... seductive vibe." She leaned closer to Julian with every word. Visibly, Julian frowned slightly. "SpongeBob?" "Mmhmm?" "You're different from online." "Is it because I'm so beautiful in person that you can't handle it?" ... Layla was lost in her own performance, oblivious to the world. I took advantage of her bathroom break, put on sunglasses and a mask, and intercepted her. I warned her to stop improvising. Layla looked me up and down and scoffed. "You don't dare meet him because you're ugly, right? Lady, if you're ugly, don't online date. Just let me have him." She transferred my five thousand back, plus another five thousand. "Consider this a transfer fee." The heir to the Sterling Group, sold for five grand. If Julian knew, he'd explode. I blocked Layla's path. "You saw him. He's handsome." "So? You want to meet him yourself? Can that face under the mask be seen?" "I mean... you have to pay more." "..." Layla looked at me with disdain and reluctantly transferred another two thousand. "Fine. Enjoy your date. Hope you guys get married." Selling an identity I couldn't take with me? Nice. I hummed a tune and walked out. While washing my hands, I heard Layla's excited voice from a stall. "Girl, you won't believe it! I caught a big fish! He dresses plain, but that watch on his wrist is worth five million! Definitely a hidden billionaire. I just Googled him—he's the heir to Sterling Group! I'm latching on. Watch me marry into money!" Layla had good eyes. I hadn't even noticed the watch. I turned my head and saw the five-million-dollar watch. Looking up, Julian stood like a statue at the bathroom entrance. Face pale, lips tight, visible shock and disappointment. He didn't even glance at me. He turned and strode away before Layla came out. Uh oh. My husband just got his heart broken. 4 "It was all fake. Everything was fake." "I thought she was different. Different from other women. I looked forward to meeting her so much. How could it be like this?" "SpongeBob... why are you like this?" ... Julian and Zach got wasted. The kidnapping threat wasn't fully resolved, so for safety, I went to pick him up myself. Zach helped him into the car. "I've never seen Julian like this. He won't tell me what happened." "It's fine. Heartbreak is like that. He'll be fine in a few days." Zach paused. "Heartbreak?" I didn't elaborate. "Thanks for your help. I'll take him home." "Wait." Zach blocked the car door, reaching out to fix my collar that had flipped inside. "I'm kind of envious of Julian. Gets drunk and has a gentle, beautiful wife to take him home. Drive safe, sis-in-law." I frowned. Zach's bold move felt offensive. I gave him a cold look. " knowing his tolerance is low, you still let him drink this much. You call yourself a best friend?" Zach chuckled, looking down. Then he shrugged. "If he didn't get drunk, how would you come pick him up?" Weirdo. I ignored him and drove Julian home. Neither of us liked having people around, so the staff were gone at night. I struggled to get Julian into bed, fed him some hangover soup, and was about to take off his coat when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me close. Looking at Julian's face inches from mine, I froze. "SpongeBob." "I'm not. You're mistaken." I tried to push him away, but he didn't budge. "Do you remember? The first year we met, the New Year's gift you sent me?" That was also the first year of our marriage. New Year's at the Sterling house is lively, but cold. Uncles and aunts feigned concern while picking at his faults. Cousins scrambled to please the grandfather. Compared to them, Julian, whose parents died early, seemed awkward and silent. Julian left the gathering early. He came home to see me, a forced wife, and went into his study without a word. At the same time, I got a message from Grandfather Sterling: "Julian is hurting. Chloe, it's New Year's. Make him happy." Chloe couldn't make Julian happy. SpongeBob could. So I bought a talking plushie, recorded a "Happy New Year" message, and pretended it was a delivery to his office. Late at night, Julian ran to the office without hesitation. He came back with the plushie, smiling. "I was so happy then." "Since my parents died, I never received a New Year's gift prepared with genuine care." I felt a pang of sympathy. Before I could react, Julian's face changed. He pinned me to the bed, furious. "But why are you so fake too?!" My wrist hurt. I frowned and slapped him. "What are you doing?!" Julian's head snapped to the side. He buried his face in my neck, repeating "Why?" I couldn't push him off. When I finally broke free, he still gripped my wrist tight. Exhausted, I slept on the edge of the bed. The next morning, I opened my eyes to see Julian fully dressed, standing by the bed looking down at me. His eyes were full of disgust. "Is this your tactic?" ? "You don't want a divorce, so you can't wait to climb into my bed? Don't think I don't know what you're plotting." Julian leaned down, gripping my chin. "I will never acknowledge you as my wife. You disgust me." I slapped his hand away. "Are you sick?" Forget roasting him; we barely spoke in two years. Julian was taken aback. Unfortunately, I have morning grumpiness. Seeing Julian picking a fight first thing in the morning pissed me off. "If your last name wasn't Sterling, I wouldn't have anything to do with you." Julian sneered. "Admit it? You only married me because I'm the heir." True enough. I didn't argue. I just gave him a timeline. "Don't worry. Maximum one week. I will divorce you." "You better keep your word." His attitude made me want to see him suffer. So I asked deliberately: "You drank so much yesterday. Something sad happen?" "..." "I saw you wearing clothes you don't usually wear, and you ordered flowers. Meeting someone important? Why were you unhappy after meeting them?" "..." SLAM. Julian stormed out. I lay in bed, laughing after twisting the knife. Then I checked my phone. New intel: "Kidnapping case leads found."

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