Chapter 1

I was boiling with rage and about to lash out when Geoffrey started kissing Valerie right in front of me.

The two of them kissed as if they couldn't bear to part.

When they finally pulled apart, Valerie nestled in Geoffrey's arms and looked at me with lingering desire and provocation.

"Are you deaf? Is pouring a drink such an ordeal for you?"

Geoffrey simply held her, straightening his disheveled suit collar.

"Kayla Bennett, don't make me say it twice. Tomorrow is the day Terrell Group goes public and rings the bell. Valerie and Jennifer are coming with me to meet Mr. Anthony Carr, the person in charge at White Hill Capital.

"Can you bear the responsibility if you upset them and it affects their performance tomorrow?"

I looked at the man in front of me and almost wanted to laugh.

My great-grandfather, Russell Bennett, joined the army when he was young. His unit was scattered by the enemy, and when he was on the verge of starving to death, a member of the Terrell family shared half a potato with him. That was the only reason Great-Grandpa made it out alive.

Since then, my family had never forgotten the debt of gratitude we owed to the Terrell family.

When we finally found the Terrell family's descendants, Geoffrey was just the small-time boss of a 20-person company on the verge of bankruptcy due to poor management.

Without any hesitation, I injected capital into the company and single-handedly lifted him from a down-and-out nobody to the most prominent CEO in Hallford.

And to repay that debt of gratitude, I followed Great-Grandpa's dying wish and married Geoffrey for three years.

Yet now, here he was, trampling me underfoot for the sake of two mistresses.

Even though I was seething beneath the surface, I replied in a calm voice, "Geoffrey, I am your wife, not your waitress."

Geoffrey, however, let out a scornful laugh.

"Wife? Have you made any money or solved any problems? You have neither Valerie's way with words nor Jennifer's brains. Apart from cooking and cleaning, what else can you do? If my grandfather hadn't forced me to marry you, do you think I would have ever wanted to be with you?"

He waved his hand impatiently.

"If you don't want to pour the drinks, then get lost and go pay the bill. After that, start the air conditioning in the car and drive the three of us to the presidential suite. What are you standing there for? Get moving—unless you're waiting for a divorce."

The man who was my husband in name only was actually asking me to drive him and other women to a hotel.

Geoffrey seemed to have no idea that three years ago, when Great-Grandpa was on his deathbed, it was his grandfather, Dean Terrell, who knelt before Great-Grandpa, begging me to marry Geoffrey.

Back then, Great-Grandpa knew that Geoffreey wasn't particularly capable. He lay in the hospital bed, mulling it over for three whole days, and only on the brink of death did he finally agree to let me marry down to repay the debt of gratitude and to support Geoffrey for three years.

"If after three years Geoffrey still can't get his act together, then we will have done all we can in good conscience."

I'd originally figured that even if Geoffrey lacked real ability, as long as he knew his place and stayed in line, I wouldn't mind securing him a life of comfort and privilege.

But now the realization dawned on me that one could never polish a turd.

I walked over to the trash can and threw the chicken soup in, container and all.

Geoffrey's eyes widened in fury.

"How dare you destroy things in my presence? Kayla, who exactly do you think you're giving attitude to? Try me—I'll divorce you on the spot and leave you penniless!"

Valerie chimed in from the sidelines, fanning the flames.

"Geoffrey is the one about to rise to fame and fortune, so what are you putting on airs for? Did you really think money could be transmitted through sex?

"Geoffrey, why not send her off to work as a hostess in some bottom-tier club? That'll put a stop to her thinking she can boss you around every day."

"No. Grandpa chose her to be my wife, after all. If I send her away, how am I supposed to answer him?" Geoffrey paused to catch his breath, his eyes dripping with contempt. "I'll write off what just happened as you not knowing any better.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll go home, make me a hangover drink, and wait for me on your knees at the door. I might just forgive your little outburst today and continue letting a freeloader like you hang around."

"That won't be necessary," I replied. "I'm clearly beneath you, so there's no point in troubling you to keep me around just to be an eyesore."

Geoffrey froze for a moment.

"Kayla, what's that supposed to mean? Spare me the passive-aggressive act."

Ignoring him, I turned around and unlatched the door. Then, I strode out.

Once downstairs, I called my assistant, Peter Rowe.

"Get the divorce papers and Terrell Group equity transfer agreement ready and send them to Terrell Tower. And replace the bell-ringer for tomorrow."

Peter paused, taken aback.

"Ms. Bennett, who should I replace them with?"