Chapter 1

The sound of shattering glass cut through the private lounge, silencing the laughter and noise instantly.

Embarrassed, Lewis Carter, the man who had demanded a kiss sneered darkly. "Ethan Graves, what’s this? You get a kiss, but I don’t? What, is Victoria your wife or something?"

Victoria Hale glanced at Ethan with pleading, pitiful eyes.

The air grew so tense that everyone seemed to hold their breath. After all, everyone knew that Ethan Graves was long since married and famously henpecked.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Ethan didn’t even spare me a glance. He simply reached out and took Victoria’s hand.

A quick-witted employee shouted, "Damn, so it’s true? Ms. Hale is your wife? No wonder! It would take a powerhouse like her to land a guy like you."

Ethan said nothing. Victoria blushed, leaning shyly against his chest.

As the one who’d started all this, Lewis wore a look of disbelief before breaking into loud laughter. "Alright, you sly bastard. Guess you pulled it off. If nobody knew, then no harm done."

Ethan laughed along, claiming he’d just gotten carried away earlier. Soon enough, the two men clasped hands, and a multimillion-dollar contract was finalized and signed.

With business wrapped up, the higher-ups at the table began teasing Ethan and Victoria.

Some even joked that since they’d missed the wedding, they should make it up tonight with a toast shared between the bride and the groom.

Quickly regaining her composure, Victoria slipped right back into her element as the queen of the dinner table. She nodded confidently, then pointed straight at me. "Maya, bring us the wine."

I caught the fleeting triumph in her eyes and couldn’t shake the suspicion that she’d known about my marriage all along. She was doing this on purpose.

Alas, I was just a lowly employee, and Ethan clearly had no intention of standing up for me.

I swallowed my humiliation, telling myself this was just business, a mere act to keep the deal alive.

Still, I couldn’t stop the involuntary tremors of anger running through my body as I carried over the wine for their toast.

No sooner had they finished than the crowd roared again, "Kiss! Kiss!"

Victoria tilted her face up, closing her eyes.

Standing just behind Ethan, I whispered desperately, "Enough. Even if this is just for show, you’ve gone too far. I’m furious."

How foolish of me to think Ethan might care about whether I was upset.

Without the slightest hesitation, he kissed her. Furthermore, it wasn’t a polite peck. It was hungry and reckless, as if the two of them might combust right there in front of everyone.

Lewis popped a bottle of champagne, laughing boisterously. "Now that’s passion. Alright, that’s enough for tonight. Let’s all clear out before these two start trying for kids."

The room erupted in knowing laughter.

My head spun while my stomach roiled. Through the haze, someone tugged me toward the door. "Can’t you read the room? Get out already."

I instinctively pulled away, only to meet Ethan’s disappointed eyes.

"Why can’t you be more like Victoria and be more understanding?"