Chapter 3

Mackenzie stormed over to me in a rage, instantly flying off the handle. "Thomas Quinlan! What right did you have to revoke my shares without consulting me?"

I responded without urgency once she finished her outburst. "You're merely a figurehead for this company. You seem to have forgotten your actual role and status, so I felt obligated to bring it to your attention."

Mackenzie glared at me, gritting her teeth. "It's my company! You're the one who needs to get out of here, Thomas!"

Just as Mackenzie said that, all the shareholders inside the room erupted into laughter.

I laughed so hard that I could barely stand upright. "Your company? What part of the company's operations have you ever managed? You haven't touched a single thing here, from the team to the actual deals.

"Your sole purpose was giving a short speech at the company's annual gala. You really got lost in that dream of being the CEO, didn't you?"

Mackenzie's face fell instantly. "How could you say that to me? Have you lost your mind? You're turning us into a complete joke in front of everyone!"

I scoffed. "You clearly don't care about your reputation, so I see no reason to care about mine. Plus, we've got someone way better lined up to step in after you leave."

I lightly clapped my hands after saying that, and a tall, attractive woman entered through the door. "Is this the trophy wife you've been keeping by your side?"

Mackenzie immediately bristled at the insult. "Who are you calling a trophy wife? I'm the CEO of this company!"

That woman scoffed and laughed right in her face. "Haven't you had enough of playing pretend yet, or do you simply refuse to wake up from your fantasy?"

I fixed my eyes on Mackenzie and said, "I'd like you to meet Scarlett Rutter, my junior from Stanwood University. She comes from three generations of major business moguls in her family. Do you really think you're better suited for this job than her, Mackenzie?"

Mackenzie stamped her feet in anger. "You can't do that! I'm your wife! You should be helping me, not some outsider!"

I just shrugged and asked, "Is there anyone in this company who is aware of our relationship? You're my wife, yet you still went to a hotel with another man. You really think I'm just going to sit back and take that?"

Mackenzie went dead silent, caught entirely off guard. "How did you know that?"

I raised my phone slightly and said, "It's usually a good idea not to share your phone passcode with strangers so recklessly."

Mackenzie was completely struck silent. She stormed out of the office, flushing bright red with humiliation.

But I knew Mackenzie well enough to know she would never give up so easily.

I had just arrived at the underground parking lot after work that night when I got jump-scared by Mackenzie, who was crouching in front of my car.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded.

Mackenzie scrambled to her feet and grabbed my sleeve, putting on a sweet act. "I know I was totally out of line this morning, Thomas. I swear I won't ever do it again, so please don't be mad at me anymore."

I couldn't help but be amused at how fast she switched gears. It had barely been a few hours, yet she was acting like a totally different person.

I calmly pulled my arm away and said, "I believe I've already made myself clear—there's nothing more to discuss between us."

Mackenzie had never seen this indifferent side of me before. She quickly moved in front of me and held out her hands. "I know you're mad at me because of what happened with Colin. I swear I'll never contact him from now on, alright?"

After saying that, she took out her phone and deleted all of Colin's contact information in front of me.

She thought she was off the hook after noticing my silence. "I was only treating him well because he's family, Thomas. I did it because I love you. How was I supposed to know you'd lose your mind, strip my stock, and wreck me like this? I'm so heartbroken, Thomas."

She wrapped her arms around me and leaned in, nuzzling her face right against mine.

I held her while taking in the familiar scent of her perfume, feeling completely unmoved.

I had given her everything because I wanted a happy marriage. I could have tolerated it if she had merely hugged Colin, but they had already slept in the same hotel room.

I wasn't going to sit back and endure being cheated on. It was time to pull the plug on this marriage.