Chapter 2

It felt like a bomb had gone off in my head, and my mind went completely blank.

Ian's name burned into me like a red-hot branding iron.

Ten years of feelings… Ten years of affection…

The gentle way he'd made his vow while embracing me. "You're the only woman in my world," he'd said.

The times he rushed home to hug me the moment he returned from a business trip…

Could it all have been fake?

A huge sense of betrayal and humiliation flooded over me like a tide. My hands and feet turned icy cold, and even breathing became difficult.

Upon noticing my ashen complexion, Jessica's smile grew even more triumphant. "What's wrong? Stunned? Have you now realized what a huge joke you've made of yourself? How dare you impersonate Ian's wife?

"Are you even worthy? You're a penniless wretch who can't even afford decent clothes, and you dare covet my man? Take a long look in the mirror before barking up the wrong tree!"

The surrounding mocking laughter felt like countless needles piercing every inch of my skin.

No, I wouldn't believe it! I had to ask him myself!

With trembling hands, I pulled my phone from the pocket of my shorts, found the number I knew by heart, and pressed call.

I wanted him to come. I wanted him to tell this woman, in front of everyone else, who his real wife was!

The dial tone beeped steadily from the phone. It rang once, then twice, then three times…

I felt my heart sink bit by bit with each sound, seemingly plunging into the endless abyss.

Ian always answered my calls instantly. Whether in a meeting or a negotiation, he would pick up immediately, even if just to tell me he was unavailable.

Jessica clicked her tongue and crossed her arms, looking down at me sarcastically. "Can't keep up the act anymore, right? Should I lend you a power bank for your phone?"

The security guards and onlooking guests wore even more mocking expressions on their faces.

"I told you she was faking it. She can't even get through to him on the phone."

"She probably just saved a fake number and is putting on a show for us."

Just as I was feeling despair, Jessica gracefully took out her own phone from her branded handbag.

"Take a good look at what the real owner of the hotel looks like," she said mockingly.

She lightly tapped the screen, dialed a number, then smugly pressed the speakerphone button.

It rang only once before the call connected instantly.

The deep, magnetic voice of a man rang out clearly through the speaker. "Hey, Jessie. What's up?"

My body stiffened abruptly. This voice…

Jessica immediately switched to a coquettish tone and complained into the phone, "Honey, there's someone at the hotel bullying me! There's this crazy woman who's dressed in rags, insisting she's the owner of the hotel. I told her to get lost, but she won't. What should I do?"

The man on the other end of the line chuckled softly. In a doting tone that carried unquestionable authority, he said, "Who dared to bully my dear Jessie? She's just some lunatic who came out of nowhere. Why bother with her?"

He paused, then his voice turned cold and merciless. "Since she's refusing to leave and even dares to impersonate you, teach her a lesson. Let her know that The Crown Imperial isn't a place for just any stray to run wild. Handle it as you see fit. If anything happens, I've got your back."

"Okay, honey! Love you!"

Jessica blew a kiss into the phone and hung up, thoroughly satisfied. She waved her phone and looked down smugly at me.

"Did you hear that? That's how Ian treats me! And you? You're just a joke!"

I ignored her taunts and stood stunned in place.

It was wrong. That voice was wrong!

It sounded very similar, but it definitely wasn't Ian's!

I had shared a bed with Ian for ten years. I knew the rhythm of his every breath and the content of every word he said in his sleep.

His voice was unique to him alone, containing a certain cold quality to it.

It was unlike the man on the phone, who, despite deliberate imitation, had an undisguised frivolity in his inflection.

What on earth was going on?