Chapter 1

When Valerie came out of the pool, I had just hung up.

The still-rippling waves in the pool made it clear how heated their earlier act was.

She glanced at me briefly. A flicker of unease crossed her face. She did not dare look at me directly, yet she forced herself to feign aloofness.

“Claude, it was just a game. Don’t make such a big deal out of it.”

When my gaze fell on her chest, which was covered in red marks, she gave an awkward light cough.

“I was just going with the flow to finish the game’s task.”

“Oh, is that right?” I could not help but sneer. “Was the pool too small for the two of you to have your fun?”

Valerie bit her lower lip and glared at me.

“That’s enough! Don’t make a scene here for no reason. Cyrus is my apprentice. As his senior, what’s wrong with helping him finish the task?”

She seemed about to say more when Cyrus walked over, wrapped in a towel.

“Mr. Everest, don’t worry about it. We never even had direct contact. Valerie still respects you.”

He held a condom up and looked at me mockingly as he said, “Go ahead. Inspect it if you’re so paranoid.”

In the next moment, Valerie snatched the condom from him.

She said in a shrill voice, “Why would he care whether I respect him? At most, he cares about whether I’m clean. Claude, I’ll just sleep with you later. You can get your turn too, okay?”

Cyrus laughed smugly. His laughter echoed around the pool area.

When I saw the disgust written all over her face, my heart grew cold.

Six years ago, she was the one who knelt in front of me and begged for funding for her family’s hospital.

At that time, she was drenched from the rain and looked utterly miserable. Yet I was deeply drawn to the quiet dignity she carried within her.

I poured all my resources into making her the hospital’s second-in-command.

Then, I realized that not every heart was worth my kindness and affection.

She dared to openly betray me with Cyrus because she knew I was madly in love with her.

I always thought her kindness toward Cyrus was simply her way of appreciating his talent.

I never expected them to get together right under my nose.

“Claude, just stop it, okay? When is your macho act ever going to end?”

I let out a sneer and took out my phone.

She snatched it from me and smashed it on the floor.

“Tomorrow’s hospital donation event will be packed with reporters. Everyone knows you’re donating as my fiance. Are you sure you want to pick a fight with me right now?”

“Fiance?”

Valerie pursed her lips.

“You are my fiance. You have to—”

I cut her off. “When you and Cyrus were being intimate in my car, did you think of me as your fiance?”

I adjusted my sleeves casually and spoke each word deliberately. I said, “Enough. My family doesn’t take handouts. And I’m not about to have some woman who keeps a boy toy on the side as the lady of the house.”

Valerie’s face turned red from embarrassment at my words. She was about to lash out when Cyrus interrupted.

“Claude, a piece of trash like you doesn’t deserve to marry Valerie.”

He held Valerie tightly in his arms and kissed her deeply.

He then said provocatively, “I’m the only one who’s truly right for Valerie.”

Watching this shameless pair made me feel nauseous.

“That’s disgusting!”

Cyrus fixed his gaze on me and said, “My love for Valerie is pure and innocent, unlike yours. All you do is use her. Your love for her is disgusting and horrid!”

I could no longer hold back. I raised my hand and slapped him.

Valerie yelled, “Claude, have you lost your mind? Why did you hit him? Apologize to Cyrus right now!”

Cyrus covered his face and glared at me with pure hatred. “You dare humiliate me like this? Fine. Want to bet whether I’ll ruin your wedding?”

With that, he turned and stormed off.