Chapter 4

"Even? What's that supposed to mean, Ethan?" Olivia questioned.

Meeting her eyes, I slowly ran my thumb over the surface of the cufflinks.

"An eight-million-dollar pair of cufflinks, Olivia. I hope you keep up the good work," I said.

Bennett Group's new product launch was right around the corner.

Wesley's compensation was certainly generous.

I guess I had just been too naive. I was a businessman myself, yet I was still foolishly holding out hope for something as worthless as love.

I got up to leave, but Olivia chased right after me.

"Ethan, what do you mean by even? What are you talking about? Explain yourself!"

I opened my hand, flashing the eight-million-dollar cufflinks. The fog in my head finally cleared, leaving me stone-cold sober.

"The black opals are stunning. Do me a favor and tell your dad that next time, I'd prefer cash."

Her face darkened.

"Do you seriously have to frame a genuine gift from Dad as some sort of payoff?" she hissed. "Ever since we tied the knot, I've kept my distance from Damien. Can you at least stop talking dirty in front of my parents?"

Her voice dropped into a furious whisper. "Last night was just a game. I didn't actually cheat on you!"

At the entrance of the Bennett residence, Damien stood there with the puppy in his arms, looking frantic.

"Olivia, help! Something's wrong with Livie. I think she's going into shock from being hit! I already let you go so you could be with him. Can't you guys at least leave me with the dog?"

The soles of my leather shoes clicked sharply against the marble floors as I closed the distance between us.

"Let her go? What, were you planning on having Olivia with you around the clock? Or were you hoping she'd personally breed you a kid to keep you company?" I questioned. "Please, go on. I'm all ears. If you can cough up eight million dollars yourself, maybe I, as her legal husband, will actually consider approving your application."

"Ethan!" Olivia shrieked. "How can you say that at a moment like this? Livie is a living creature!"

She snatched the dog into her arms, ran to the car, and started the engine.

Damien scrambled after her, ripping the passenger door open and turning back to shoot me a glance.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he silently mouthed, "You're no match even for a dog."

The Bennett residence was out in the deep suburbs.

Because I had to play the part of the doting husband when we arrived, I hadn't driven my own car.

Now that Olivia had taken the car and left, I had two choices. I could either go back inside and play the victim for Wesley, or I could find my own way back.

The black opal felt cold in my palm, serving as a cold reminder that playing the victim would only work if the timing was right.

If throwing a fit didn't yield anything tangible, there was no point in putting on a worthless show of emotions.

After thinking it over, I called my childhood friend, who was still single.

It didn't take long for her flashy sports car to pull into the driveway.

I frowned. "Did you really have to bring this one?"

"What? Pink is festive," Serena Sutton replied. "We're celebrating you finally cutting that toxic woman loose."

I didn't respond.

Serena pulled a slim cigarette from her pack and offered it to me. "Stop being so uptight. If you hadn't completely given up on her, you never would've let me come pick you up."

When I didn't reach for it, she casually lit it herself and slipped it between my lips.

Seeing me furrow my brows, she gently pressed her index finger against my mouth. "Since you're officially done with her, this doesn't count as crossing the line."

Serena let out a soft laugh. "I told you. There aren't many women in high society like me who keep their noses clean and only stay close to you."

As the smoke hit my lungs, a smile broke across my face.

"Alright, fair point. Consider this my thank you. Take me back, and help me sort through all the projects tied to the Bennetts."

Her face lit up with excitement. "Sure thing!"

That night, I returned to the drinking parties I had kept myself away from.