Chapter 6

"Yeah, I got lucky. I was able to acquire the company through the help of my uncle's friend," Roxy said. She propped her arms on the table and her big expressive eyes looked at Shawn meaningfully.

This girl did not bother to hide her intent at all.

Shawn met her gaze for five seconds before ultimately conceding defeat.

He reached for a book as well and said, "You're the company's legal owner, so you must manage the company's direction. Since you have projects, make sure to do them well. You can't slack off with a newly acquired company. Make sure you get all the accounts and taxes right. Don't get caught in a trap. Business is business; don't trust the relationships you build too much."

"Hehe, Mr. Holt, are you concerned for me?"

Roxy's eyes sparkled. She couldn't help but reach out to pinch Shawn's face.

"Stop it."

Shawn's expression remained neutral as he gently pushed her arms away.

However, Roxy seized the chance to grab Shawn's hand. She said excitedly, "Mr. Holt, I didn't have a boyfriend the whole time I was in college. You know how I feel about you. Your wife's not good enough for you. You should divorce her. I…"

"Roxy."

Shawn withdrew his hand, his tone becoming more serious. "Some things should remain unsaid so that we can still be friends."

Roxy's expression dimmed.

"What do you mean my wife's not good enough for me?" Shawn suddenly asked.

Roxy looked at him and hesitated.

Seeing her wanting to say something but holding back, Shawn felt unexplainably unsettled. Forcing himself to stay calm, he said gently, "Don't be afraid. Just say it."

"Okay, then I'll say it. Don't be mad. First, let me clarify that this information is all hearsay. I don't know if it's true."

Roxy carefully examined his expression, and when she saw him nod, she slowly began, "Your wife is quite famous in Southsky's high society. I'm sure you know this too."

After all, Crystal had a stunning face and figure, and she was also the president of a billion-dollar company. It was hard for her not to be famous. Crystal was the dream woman of countless men in Southsky.

"After I bought the company, my uncle helped me set up a dinner. I heard them talking about your wife at the dinner. They said..."

Roxy hesitated again. Shawn's heart raced. He didn't want to know, he wanted to run away, but he felt compelled to hear the truth. He forced a calm face and urged, "Go on."

"They said your wife is promiscuous and fools around a lot! She… was seen entering a hotel with a big shot and was even seen dancing with him at a party."

Shawn's heart ached. An indescribable pain shot through him. He tightened his fists, veins bulging.

Roxy wouldn't lie to him. He knew that.

Thinking of what he'd seen yesterday, Shawn felt a mix of emotions. It was as if the corner of a perfect painting had been torn, revealing its filthy side.

Crystal, are you really that kind of person?

All these years, were you just pretending?

He didn't know what he should do if Roxy was telling the truth. His family would surely fall apart.

"Mr. Holt, are you… are you alright?" Roxy asked, her hand covering his clenched fists, a concerned look on her face.

Shawn forced a smile despite his inner turmoil and said, "I'm fine. Roxy, why don't you head home? I'll buy you a meal sometime."

Roxy was worried, but she had enough tact to know she shouldn't stay. She had to give him some space. Biting her lip, she gently said, "Don't worry, Mr. Holt, things will get better. No matter what happens, at least… at least you have me."

After saying that, she left the library, looking back every few steps.

Shawn sat in a daze, lost in thought.

The library was getting more crowded.

The ringing of his phone startled him. He realized that an hour had passed.

Looking at the word "Wife" on the screen, Shawn felt a pang in his heart. He didn't know if the information was true, but there was no smoke without fire...

After taking a deep breath, he answered the phone. "Hello."

"Honey, have you reached school yet?"

"I've been here for a while. I ran into Roxy today."

"You should speak to me in a more gentle tone! Isn't that the girl who has a crush on you? Hehehe, looks like she hasn't given up yet. Too bad you're my husband, so she doesn't stand a chance!"

Shawn didn't know what to say so he fell silent.

He was a very rational person. He knew how Roxy felt about him. He kept his distance and didn't hide it from his wife.

"Hello? Hello? Why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you… like her?" Crystal was shocked. She could sense that something was wrong with Shawn, so her voice sounded anxious.

"No way. You're overthinking it," Shawn replied flatly.

"Mm-hmm, I knew it. I'm not working late tonight. Can you cook dinner for me? It's been a while since I've had your cooking."

"Sure."

"Okay, I have to go to a meeting. See you tonight, bye."

"Wait!" Shawn called out without thinking.

"What's wrong, honey? You're acting weird today," Crystal asked, confused.

Shawn took a deep breath and asked calmly, "You... you're not hiding anything from me, are you? You've never cheated on me, right?"

He couldn't help it. He had to ask.

He couldn't pretend to be loving while secretly searching for evidence of her infidelity.

When she heard that, Crystal's face turned ashen, as if she was frightened.

After a moment, she said softly, "Honey, are you still angry about what happened yesterday? That was an accident, I swear. I'm sorry, I failed to consider how it would make you feel. I promise it won't happen again. You have to believe me."

"Okay."

Shawn didn't ask anything else. He hung up.

Then, he stood up and walked out of the library.

Back in the car, the look in his eyes changed.

Before, his eyes were limpid and determined.

Now, they were sharp and steady!

His aura changed, from subdued to striking!

"Crystal, you lied to me again. I'm your husband, so I know you. You're independent, strong, and a bit willful. You consider yesterday's issue over. When I brought it up again, you wouldn't be so cautious if you were innocent. If you had nothing to hide, you would question me and make me apologize to you. But you didn't. You even apologized to me. That's not like you. Therefore, you're lying! You're testing me. You're hiding something. Something... you don't want me to know about."

Shawn said to himself in the car, his eyes reddening, tears welling up.

Why are you lying? What are you hiding?

There was only one possibility: it was something dirty and shameful. If it was exposed, it would defile their love and defile their marriage.

That's why Crystal didn't dare to let him know, why she was so fearful and cautious.

Shawn took a deep breath, his eyes hardening with resolve. He'd made up his mind and was ready to put his plan into action.

He wasn't going to look for the truth.

The path he chose was to become powerful.

If, one day, he became the richest man in Southsky, he'd crush that so-called big shot under his feet.

Then, the truth would be laid before him, and all would become clear!