Chapter 3

Ignoring a furious Kathy, I turned and started to leave.

I had only taken a few steps when she rushed up and grabbed my arm, her voice low. "Simon, you won't even take my money? What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to burn this bridge for good?"

I looked at her. "Since we broke up a long time ago, we should keep our distance. I don't want my wife to get the wrong idea."

An image of my fiercely protective wife flashed through my mind. Rhea would never tolerate another woman getting this close.

But Kathy clearly misunderstood. She glanced smugly at Nate, who was standing nearby, thinking she had seen through my game of playing hard to get.

"In three days, our group's CEO is hosting a top-tier welcome banquet for the representative from the Weyland Group. I was originally planning to take you and show you what a real high-society circle looks like. But on one condition, you have to get rid of that shabby outfit. I can't be seen with you looking like that."

Before she could finish, I cut her off. "No, thank you."

Being rejected so bluntly again, Kathy's face turned ugly. The hand she had raised stiffly fell back to her side. I could almost hear her grinding her teeth.

"Simon, you've certainly grown a temper, but you still have that cheap, unrefined air about you. It's probably for the best that you don't go. I'll take Nate instead."

Nate's eyes lit up at the prospect of attending such a high-profile banquet. He took Kathy's arm, pledging his loyalty.

"Kathy, don't worry. I'll be on my best behavior. I absolutely won't embarrass you at an event like that."

I had zero interest in their third-rate soap opera. I shook her hand off and walked away, leaving them with one last sentence. "I hope you're all still smiling in three days."

Stepping out of the airport terminal and breathing in the cool, fresh air, my mood finally began to lift.

Five years ago, facing an arranged business marriage forced upon me by my family, I made one last desperate attempt.

I ran to Kathy, my girlfriend of seven years, and begged her to marry me first. As long as we were legally married, my family would be powerless.

Kathy readily agreed. But when I arrived at City Hall, full of hope, I found her standing beside her childhood friend, Nate.

"Nate's son needed legal papers. The only way was for me to marry Nate."

"As soon as the boy's situation is settled, I'll file for divorce and marry you. It will only be a month at most. It's all for the child, so don't overthink it."

Watching Kathy and Nate walk hand in hand into the registry office, my heart died completely for our relationship. That same night, I signed the marriage agreement.

A month later, I had a wedding of the century and became Rhea's husband. In our first year of marriage, we welcomed our eldest son.

Recently, my wife found out she was pregnant with our second child.

If it weren't for her wanting me to take the opportunity to visit my parents and share the good news, I would never have set foot in this city again, let alone run into Kathy and her cronies.

Three days later, I arrived at the welcome banquet alone.

Thanks to the exclusive black card Rhea had arranged for me, I breezed through security. I had cleaned myself up a bit but was still wearing a simple suit.

The moment Kathy saw me, her eyes lit up, and a satisfied smile played on her lips. "So you do want me back after all."

"But if you're trying to win me back by playing hard to get, you could have at least dressed for the occasion. This is a complete embarrassment."

I completely ignored her arrogant tirade and walked straight past her, heading towards the VIP head table at the far end of the hall.

I had only taken two steps when Kathy rushed to block my path. "Simon, did you not hear me talking to you? Our company's seats are over here. Where do you think you're going?"

I forcefully shook off her hand, my voice calm. "That's your seat. My seat is over there."

Following my gaze, Kathy looked towards the most prestigious and heavily guarded head table in the entire ballroom. Her face instantly turned incredibly pale.

Nate, who had been holding court with a glass of champagne among other rich kids, noticed the commotion and pointed at me, shouting, "Simon, how did you get in here?! Did you steal someone's invitation?! Security! And how dare you show up here wearing that fake watch and embarrass yourself?!"

His sharp voice cut through the noise, drawing everyone's attention.