4

Our wedding anniversary was approaching at the end of the month, and we had already decided to celebrate it with a dinner party.

But this wasn't just any ordinary party.

Prominent business figures would be in attendance and this would be a crucial opportunity for the Chancers Corporation.

In the past couple of years, rapid advancements in technology had posed a significant challenge to leading companies.

Among them, the Chancers Corporation had been slow to innovate and felt the impact the most.

I had been working tirelessly with my team to create a new product, eagerly awaiting its official launch at the party.

This was the best chance for the Chancers Corporation to secure investments and support.

At this critical juncture, there was no room for surprises, whether internally at Chancers or from the investors.

I repeatedly stressed to Linda that her presence was crucial.

We needed to ensure not only the new product's commercial value but also send a message to potential partners, showing the harmony between the CEO of Chancers and her husband.

This was the only way to prevent any scandals that might affect the stock market.

However, Linda seemed to regard it as just another event, something she could attend or skip at will.

So when Melvin pretended to be ill and begged her to accompany him, she didn't hesitate.

I also knew very well that she had another reason for agreeing – to teach me a lesson for the unhappiness I had caused her that day.

Numbly, I stared at the countless unanswered calls on my phone.

The business partner beside me had a visibly unpleasant expression, and mocking glances from the people around us were directed at me.

Just then, a message popped up.

"Lewis, Linda is here with me."

The next moment, a photo appeared on the party's big screen.

The two individuals in the photo looked intimately close.

Linda leaned on Melvin's shoulder, the lipstick looking patchy, and her cheeks flushed.

Just one photo.

That single photo shattered the illusion of harmony and success that we had worked so hard to create.

No one would bet on a company that could fail at any moment.

The surrounding discussions grew louder, and the noise became overwhelming.

I felt a buzzing in my head, unable to make out any distinct voices. The overhead lights were blinding, the clinking of glasses and laughter echoed around me.

There was a moment when I couldn't distinguish between dream and reality.

It wasn't until later, when the night grew deeper and the stars began to twinkle, that people started to disperse one by one.