Chapter 1

The grand ballroom of Carter Group's headquarters glittered beneath crystal chandeliers, every inch of the luxurious venue screaming wealth and success.

Champagne flowed like water.

Reporters moved from table to table, cameras flashing without pause as the nation's most influential business leaders gathered to celebrate Carter Group's rise to the number one corporation in the country.

On the giant LED screen at the center of the hall, bold golden words illuminated the room.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CARTER GROUP—THE NATION'S NEW NUMBER ONE ENTERPRISE.

Thunderous applause erupted.

"Mr. Carter truly is a business genius."

"Five years. He built an empire in only five years."

"They're calling him the youngest business legend in the country."

Every compliment was directed at one man.

Damien Carter.

Standing confidently on the stage in a perfectly tailored black suit, Damien accepted the praise with the calm arrogance of someone who believed he had earned every word.

Not a single person noticed the woman quietly standing near the back of the ballroom.

Sophia Bennett.

His wife.

She wore an elegant silver evening gown that was beautiful but simple compared to the glamorous women surrounding the city's elite. Her long chestnut hair cascaded over one shoulder, and the smile on her face carried a mixture of exhaustion and pride.

She had not slept in almost forty-eight hours.

Just yesterday, she had personally finalized the overseas acquisition that secured Carter Group's position as the nation's number one company.

The negotiation had lasted sixteen straight hours. She hadn't even gone home afterward, instead, she'd rushed here.

Because today was supposed to be different.

Today Damien would finally acknowledge everything she had done.

Five years.

Five years of sacrificing her own dreams. Five years of working anonymously while Damien stood in the spotlight.

Every successful investment. Every brilliant expansion strategy. Every emergency that nearly bankrupted the company.

She had solved them all quietly, without asking for recognition.

Because she loved him.

When Carter Group nearly collapsed during its first year, Sophia secretly sold the last pieces of jewelry left by her late mother to provide the cash Damien desperately needed.

When competitors stole confidential information, she worked three days without sleep to redesign the company's entire development strategy.

When investors pulled out, she traveled overseas under another executive's name to convince new partners to sign with Carter Group.

Even tonight's celebration… It existed because of her.

Yet no one knew.

Damien had once told her gently, "You're my wife. I don't want the business world attacking you. Stay behind me, and I'll protect you."

She had believed him, so she remained invisible as the perfect wife, and the silent partner.

Sophia's phone vibrated.

She smiled as she opened Damien's message.

HUBBY: Come to the stage after my speech. I have something important to announce.

Her heartbeat quickened. Her fingers tightened around the phone.

Something important.

Could this finally be it?

Was he finally going to introduce her as the woman who had built this empire beside him?

She lowered her gaze, unable to stop smiling.

Maybe every sacrifice was worth it. The applause slowly died down as Damien stepped toward the microphone.

"I want to thank everyone for attending tonight." His deep voice echoed throughout the ballroom. "Carter Group wouldn't be standing where it is today without all of you."

Another wave of applause.

He continued speaking about the company's achievements, future expansion plans, and upcoming international projects.

Sophia listened quietly.

Then his eyes found hers.

He smiled.

It was the same gentle smile that had made her fall in love with him years ago.

Her heart softened instantly.

"There's one more thing," Damien said. "I'd like everyone to witness an important moment in my life."

The guests exchanged curious glances.

Damien raised his hand toward Sophia. "Sophia."

She froze.

"Come here."

Warm applause erupted again as everyone assumed he was finally introducing his wife.

A few women smiled enviously.

"So she's Mrs. Carter."

"She's beautiful."

"She's been so private all these years."

Sophia slowly walked toward the stage. Every step felt surreal. Her eyes shimmered with emotion.

She stopped beside Damien.

He looked at her for several long seconds before reaching into the inside pocket of his suit jacket.

Her heart pounded.

Was it a ring?

A gift?

A public confession of love?

Instead… He handed her a thin brown envelope.

Her smile faltered. The ballroom became strangely quiet.

Sophia looked down.

Across the front of the document, two bold words greeted her.

DIVORCE AGREEMENT.

The world stopped.

She stared blankly, unable to breathe or think. Her fingers trembled as she slowly opened the envelope.

Every page confirmed the impossible.

It wasn't a joke or a mistake. Damien wanted a divorce tonight in front of everyone.

She slowly lifted her head. Her voice barely existed. "...Damien?"

His expression remained indifferent. "I've already signed."

The words struck harder than a slap.

"I've transferred several villas, luxury cars, and one hundred million dollars to your name."

His tone was calm. "It's enough for you to live comfortably."

Sophia blinked. "What... are you talking about?"

He looked directly into her eyes. "I want a divorce."

Silence swallowed the ballroom. Even the reporters stopped taking photographs.

Sophia laughed weakly. "You... you're joking."

"I'm not!” Damien cut in sharply.

"You said..." Her throat tightened. "You said we'd celebrate together."

"We are." His answer was cold enough to freeze the room. "This is the celebration."

Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

Five years.

Five years together.

Was this what they had become?

She searched his face desperately, looking for hesitation, regret or anything to tell her it was a prank. But there was nothing. His face held no expression.

"You've always been a good wife," Damien continued. "But I never loved you."

Those words shattered something deep inside her.

"I tried… I truly did, but feelings can't be forced."

Her eyes slowly filled with tears. "Then... Why marry me?"

Damien remained silent for a moment, then he replied. "Because I pitied you."

Every head turned toward the ballroom stage.