Chapter 4

Haley let out a satisfied laugh.

"That's more like it. What obstacle can't a man get over?"

Callum forced a bitter smile but didn't say anything. Looking down, he quietly thought about finding a lawyer over the next few days to draw up the divorce papers.

He completely failed to notice that while driving, Haley kept sneaking glances at him.

Sensing the mood getting heavy, she spoke up again.

"Do you remember university? You used to bring me food all the time."

Callum replied flatly, "I was bringing them for Victoria. You were her best friend back then, so you just happened to get them too."

The moment he thought back to those years, the pain in his heart only got worse.

People always say campus love is the purest, happiest, and most unforgettable kind of romance.

But now, looking back, it all felt painfully ironic.

Back then, Callum bought breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Victoria every single day. Because he wanted the people around her to think well of him, he always bought food for anyone close to her as well.

Haley gave a helpless smile.

"So I was just an extra? You really don't know how to say nice things. You're about to get divorced, and you still don't know how to sweet-talk other women."

Then she continued, "Back when you were with Victoria, you pinched pennies, worked part-time jobs, and spent all your money on her. Was it really worth it?"

Callum fell silent.

Was it worth it?

Looking at it now, maybe it wasn't.

But at the time, everything he did was for their future together. He just wanted to give her the best he could, even if those things were nothing special to someone like Victoria.

Still, as an orphan, those were the best things he had to offer.

He studied like crazy and, after graduation, landed a six-figure salary job thanks to his outstanding abilities. Yet in the end, for Victoria's career, he willingly quit and became a full-time househusband.

Callum glanced at Haley and spoke evenly.

"What's the point of talking about that now? Life doesn't give you do-overs. The only thing I can do now is cut my losses while I still can."

Haley looked at him deeply, then said in a half-joking tone.

"I'm honestly jealous of Victoria. She found a guy like you and still didn't know how to treasure him."

…

Meanwhile, inside a private hospital room at Noriava Hospital.

Victoria had booked a single VIP room for Julian and was personally looking after him.

His face was bruised black and blue, swollen in several places. Lying on the hospital bed, he winced in pain every time he moved.

He honestly hadn't expected Callum to dare hit him so ruthlessly, completely ignoring the consequences.

After all, without Victoria, Callum was just some ordinary guy.

Meanwhile, he himself was the heir of the Hayes Group. Crushing someone like Callum would be a piece of cake.

Victoria gently cleaned the wounds on his face.

"Julian, I'm really sorry. I didn't expect Callum to act like he'd swallowed dynamite today. He completely ignored my feelings and actually beat you like this."

Julian forced a smile and shook his head.

"It's okay. I brought this on myself. It's my fault for making you two argue."

As he spoke, he suddenly slapped himself and looked miserable with guilt.

"This is all my fault! Victoria, I won't contact you anymore. That way, you and Callum won't fight over me again."

Victoria immediately frowned.

"Julian, what are you talking about? You're my childhood friend. To me, you're practically family. We grew up together. How could I just cut you off?"

Julian sighed helplessly, pretending to feel torn.

"But… I'm worried your marriage might suffer because of me…"

Victoria cut him off directly.

"This has nothing to do with you. It's entirely Callum's problem. He's always so aggressive and unreasonable. I've been unhappy with him for a long time. His possessiveness is ridiculous!"

Then she said confidently, "If there was really something going on between you and me, it would've happened ages ago. How could I even end up marrying him?"

Hearing that, Julian smiled happily and grabbed her hand.

"Victoria, you're so good to me."

Victoria instinctively wanted to pull her hand away.

But when she saw the smile on Julian's face and all the bruises covering him, she hesitated for a moment before finally leaving her hand in his.

Instead, she spoke gently.

"Don't worry. I'll handle this. That's just how his temper is, but he loves me a lot. As long as I smooth things over a little, he won't stay mad."

A confident smile appeared on her face.

"I'll make him come apologize to you in person. After that, you two will get along just fine."

Julian's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

Victoria nodded.

"Of course. Whenever I'm upset, he always admits he's wrong. It's always been like that. Callum can't live without me. Once he realizes he might lose me, he'll apologize right away."

In her eyes, controlling Callum was as easy as controlling a toy.

After all, they had been together for seven years. They had fought countless times, yet every single time, Callum had ultimately been the one to back down first.

Later, when she got home, she planned to casually apologize and then make him kneel and admit he was wrong. Otherwise, he'd just keep getting more and more out of line.

Victoria glanced at the time and figured it was getting late. After all, tonight was their wedding night. Not going home really didn't seem right. She couldn't exactly leave her husband alone in an empty house all night.

But Julian seemed to read her mind. Suddenly, he frowned and put on a painful expression.

Alarmed, Victoria quickly asked, "Julian, what's wrong?"

His lips turned pale as he weakly shook his head.

"I'm fine. It's getting late, Victoria. You should go home. Tonight's your wedding night—you shouldn't waste your time here because of me. Even though I really want you to stay with me… I can take care of myself…"

He coughed painfully several times.

Seeing this, Victoria's heart immediately softened.

"It's okay. I'll stay here with you tonight."

Julian spoke weakly, "But tonight's your wedding night…"

Victoria shook her head.

"He's the one who beat you up. Consider this his punishment for ruining our wedding night. It's fine. I'll stay here and take care of you tonight."

A flicker of triumph crossed Julian's lips before he quickly hid it, replacing it with gratitude.

"Victoria, you're exactly the same as when we were kids… always looking out for me."

Victoria smiled gently.

"We grew up together. You've always been like a little brother to me, so of course I'll protect you."

Tonight, she had no intention of going home.

In her mind, by tomorrow, Callum would definitely regret what he had done tonight and realize he was wrong.

What she didn't know was that Callum felt no regret at all.

At that very moment, he was already following Haley into the hottest nightclub in Noriava City.

…

Meanwhile, at the nightclub, colorful lights and the smell of alcohol mixed together under the thunderous beat of heavy bass. Bodies moved in the private booths while the clink of glasses blended with the blaring music.

On the dance floor, women in skimpy outfits and caked-on makeup wrapped themselves around chrome poles, dancing like there was no tomorrow.

For a brief moment, the atmosphere let Callum forget the pain of Victoria's betrayal, especially since Haley had gone ahead and arranged for five gorgeous women to dance right in front of him. Their ultra-tight mini skirts rode up every time they moved, flashing teasing glimpses of skin.

But even with all those women around, only one person sat next to him—Haley.

The neckline of her dress was cut dangerously low. Every time she leaned in to whisper in Callum's ear, he caught a view of the tempting curves beneath, like she was practically begging him to look.

Callum noticed, but he didn't say a word.

If she wanted to show off, he wasn't about to play the noble gentleman.

A seductive gleam flickered in Haley's eyes. Her cheeks were flushed red from the alcohol, making her look even more irresistible.

With a teasing smile, she breathed into his ear, "Callum… have you ever thought about having a one-night stand with me? I've never slept with any other guy before."