Chapter 3

Before I could pick up the marriage certificate, Ethan stepped on my wrist and sneered.

"See? Mine is the real marriage certificate. You slept with my wife, pretended to be her husband, and now you're still questioning my identity? I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

His heel dug into my wrist, sending pain shooting through me until my ears rang.

The others pulled out batons and struck me across the back. I immediately doubled over.

"Stop!" I shouted.

"You don't even know what happened. How could you hit me like that?"

I then declared, "I'm the director of Nova Group. Anyone who lays a hand on me will be sued. Every one of you will be held legally responsible!"

For a moment, the entire area fell silent.

Then everyone burst out laughing.

"First, you claim you're Ms. Stewart's husband, and now you're a company director? Do you ever think before you lie?"

"Nova Group is one of the biggest companies in Riverton! You think just anyone can be a director?"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"Nova Group belongs to my wife. I've never heard of a director with your name."

He then announced, "Don't worry, everyone. I'll stay right here and keep watch. Anyone who beats this homewrecker badly enough, I'll have my wife give you a job."

The crowd immediately surged toward me.

"Nova Group only hires overseas graduates and top university talent. They pay millions a year!"

"Who cares? He's a homewrecker. I hate scumbags who go after married women!"

Someone grabbed me by the hair and yanked my head back, pinching and twisting my flesh as they cursed at me.

I groaned in pain, convinced I was about to be trampled by the mob.

Then a team of airport security guards rushed over, blowing their whistles and forcing the crowd apart.

"What's going on here? Nova Group has a VIP arriving today! Clear out immediately!"

The crowd quickly dispersed, and a few people helped me back to my feet.

Ethan folded his arms and glared at the guards, impatiently tapping his foot.

"You're kicking me out? Do you even know who I am?"

The head of security, Nathan Gunn, stepped forward respectfully.

"Sir, we received word that a VIP from Nova Group is arriving on one of our flights today. We've been instructed to increase security and prevent any crowding."

Ethan scoffed and lazily poked Nathan in the chest with his baton.

"Nova Group? That would be me. I'm Ms. Stewart's husband."

He held his marriage certificate right in front of Nathan's face.

"Look carefully. I'm the one you're supposed to be protecting. And isn't Ocean Airlines part of our group too?

"Even a loyal dog knows its owner. If you can't recognize yours, maybe I should have you fired."

Nathan stumbled backward from the jab, his lips pressed tightly together, anger boiling.

Even so, he kept his men between Ethan and me.

Ethan sneered and snapped his fingers impatiently.

"If you're so determined to play the hero, why don't you take a few hits for him?"

While they argued, I quietly slipped away and called Lauren.

Ethan had been confident from the very beginning. If his marriage certificate was real, then I was the one who had been deceived.

But when I called, all I got was a busy signal.

Ethan watched me with a mocking smile.

"What? Calling for backup? Still trying to get Lauren?"

He kicked toward me with a sneer, then looked down at me with cold disdain.

"My wife told me she'd answer my call no matter what. I'll make sure you finally give up, homewrecker."