Chapter 1

We had been in love for eight years, building the company together from nothing.

But now, he wanted to spend a week in a romantic relationship with his terminally ill childhood sweetheart — right before our wedding.

Even though I hadn't agreed, he chose to leave me behind.

Leaving me to keep the company running, to make their love story possible.

Early on the fourth morning, I received a payment invoice for fifty million.

The night before, Alexander had spent ten million at an auction on an antique tiara.

And he wanted to set off a grand fireworks display for her — one that would last the entire night...

He was also going to host a wedding on a Hawaiian island.

I stared at the invoices one by one, my mind drifting.

I had originally chosen Hawaii as the venue for our wedding.

But Alexander had refused, saying Hawaii wasn't convenient for handling company affairs.

"A church in New York is more practical. We can go straight to the office after the ceremony."

And now he was going to rent out an entire island just for Lily.

Looking at those invoices, I replied calmly: [Payment denied.]

I didn't expect Alexander to return to the company the very next day.

I had just set down the documents I'd finished organizing when he walked in, carrying a cup of coffee.

"I went out of my way to get you your favorite — iced, no sugar."

I took it with a hint of confusion. It was true — I loved this flavor.

But he only ever bought it for me when he was trying to coax me, to get me to give in.

I nodded, then looked up and caught sight of the necklace around Lily's neck — the antique necklace I had specifically purchased for my own collection.

I didn't take the coffee. I replied flatly:

"Company funds aren't meant for you to spoil your lover with."

"I'm so sorry — it's all my fault. I've caused you two to fight."

Lily stammered nervously from the side, trying to mediate.

"Alexander, I'm just a dying woman. A little hardship doesn't matter to me. Hurry up and apologize to Joanna."

She spoke in a deliberately soft, affected voice, faking sweetness to sound pitiful.

Lily caught my gaze and immediately shrank behind Alexander in fear.

Alexander stepped in front of her, like a knight guarding his princess.

Then he turned back and gazed at Lily adoringly:

"You deserve all of this. Of course I'm going to give it to you."

Lily nestled obediently against his shoulder, looking up at him with anticipation.

"Alexander, I'm already more than satisfied. It feels like a beautiful dream. I don't need any of this."

Then Alexander picked up the financial statements from my desk and crossed out budgets from several projects.

I tried to stop him, grabbing his arm:

"You're only doing a seven-day romance, yet you want to rent out an entire Hawaiian island for a wedding — and even divert company investments. What about me?"

Alexander shook off my hand and signed the transfer approval.

"You two are different. You'll be my real wife someday, but all I can give Lily is a ceremony. I don't want to half-ass it."

When he saw that I still wouldn't agree, Lily spoke up, her voice trembling with tears.

"It's okay. Just being able to put on a wedding dress for you is enough. These seven days feel like stolen happiness."

As she spoke, she took off the necklace from her neck.

"These should all go back to Joanna. She's your real wife. I..."

Alexander held her hand down, stepped behind her, and fastened the necklace back on.

Then he signed his name on several invoices.

I pointed at the projects whose budgets he had slashed and gave him one last warning:

"Think carefully. If funding is cut off on these projects, we'll have to pay massive breach-of-contract penalties."

He moved my hand aside, his tone calm.

"I'm leaving the company in your hands. It won't have any problems."

"Be good. We'll get married when we get back."

He flashed a smile and left with Lily.

As Lily turned around, she stuck her tongue out at me provocatively, her eyes full of smugness.

I casually swept the coffee on the desk into the trash.

I immediately called finance to halt the payment, but they replied helplessly:

"The CEO said this invoice needs to be paid immediately, and he won't take your instructions."

I pushed down the emotions rising inside me and sent an email to the shareholders.

[Shareholders' meeting in three days.]