Chapter 1

Julia's Point of View

"Mr. Garrison, here is Starlight Group's acquisition contract. I've already signed it," I said calmly as I gently pushed the folder to Chuck Garrison.

Chuck glanced at the cover of the folder before looking up at me. "Julia, I'm sure you're aware that everything you've accomplished is all thanks to me."

He didn't hesitate for even a second before he signed the contract.

"See you in three months at the usual place," he said coldly. "You know that I don't break my promises."

I knew that Chuck was making up excuses to appease me when he claimed that he was only giving Starlight Group to Rebecca Kerry for three months.

In the past, I would tearfully ask why Chuck always took Rebecca's side. However, this time, I simply lowered my head and picked up the contract he had just signed.

"I've already emailed you the company's handover checklist for the past few years."

Chuck frowned when he realized that I was reacting differently than usual.

Chuck was notorious within the finance circle for being a cold-blooded president. He had fallen in love with me at first sight back then and openly pursued me for two years before I married him.

At that time, I truly believed that we would spend the rest of our lives together happily.

However, everything changed when Rebecca returned to the country. Chuck cheated on me with her over and over again, turning me into the laughingstock of the finance circle.

As Chuck watched me turn around without any hesitation to leave, he said hoarsely, "Two months is fine too. I—"

"There's no need. Three months is fine," I said.

My compliance that day had clearly thrown Chuck off his course. After all, the last time he brought up acquiring Starlight Group, the two of us had argued in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows until the early morning.

"Becca needs the company more than you do," he had said, which ended up being the straw that broke the camel's back.

Chuck seemed to realize something as he took in my calm demeanor. "You're not just pretending to cooperate before forcing me to concede to you by invoking a non-compete clause, are you?" he demanded icily.

"When did you become such a despicable person, Julia? Go ahead and try. See if there's anyone in the finance circle who has the guts to go up against me."

I knew that Chuck was blatantly threatening me. I hadn't agreed when he tried to acquire Starlight Group from me last time. The following day, when I reported for work at a rival company, he cornered me by imposing astronomical penalty fees for breaching my contract.

I had no choice but to return to Garrison Group, and as always, I had to use my company's funds to clean up Rebecca's mess.

That night, when I entered his office after spending the entire night working on the proposal, I saw Chuck kneeling before Rebecca and massaging her sprained ankle.

I had thrown the proposal right in his face, and he had retaliated by grabbing my wrist, hissing, "Don't embarrass yourself too much, Julia."

Rebecca had hidden herself in Chuck's embrace, sobbing quietly.

We hadn't kept our voices down during the argument, which drew the attention of many passersby. Everyone knew that I was Chuck's wife and began criticizing Rebecca.

I didn't expect Chuck to order me to remove my work ID on the spot before announcing to all the employees, "Ms. York will be taking a leave of absence from today onward."

From that day forth, the employees always saw Chuck and Rebecca together. It didn't take long before the news spread to the rest of the finance circle.

In Chuck's heart, Rebecca was someone he needed to protect, whereas I was nothing more than a disposable tool that could be replaced at any time.

However, he was overthinking this time.

"Don't worry, Mr. Garrison," I said calmly. "I won't be showing my face in front of you or Ms. Kerry any longer."

He stared at me unblinkingly. When I turned around and grabbed the door handle, he suddenly raised his voice and said, "Three months later, on the 20th at the usual place. I'll give you the compensation I promised you."

My fingers trembled slightly around the door handle.

What a coincidence—my flight to Sormina was also on the 20th.