Chapter 2: She Has Become Defiant

Herbert Leopold gave Juliet Shaw a cold glance, then tugged at his shirt and glanced at his phone without answering it.

"Remember to come to the company's Mid-Autumn Festival banquet."

"I know," Juliet Shaw replied indifferently.

Herbert Leopold's displeasure intensified; her indifference made him uncomfortable.

After putting on his clothes, Herbert Leopold looked at her with a detached gaze, said nothing more, and left the room directly.

***

Juliet Shaw drove back to the university, where she saw a sight that would be etched in her memory forever: a striking couple. The man was tall and well-built, and the girl radiated youthful energy.

If it weren't for those anonymous messages, she would never have known that this seemingly innocent girl was actually devious:

[Teacher, don't blame Mr. Boswell, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have fallen in love with him.]

[Teacher, he said you were like a dead fish in bed. I can teach you a few things.]

[Teacher, he was so fierce last night... He even carried me to the window...]

Teacher... Teacher...

Debby Kathleen, her student, and the woman who had an affair with her husband, Herbert Leopold.

She had not only slept with her husband but was also deeply loved and pampered by her boyfriend. Poor Juliet Shaw, already pregnant, was driven to premature labor in a fit of rage. During childbirth, she suffered from amniotic fluid embolism and was in critical condition for a day and a night. All her blood had to be replaced to save her life, but she lost the baby and was left unable to conceive ever again.

As Juliet Shaw's gaze fell on the handsome face of the boy beside Debby Kathleen, an idea suddenly struck her.

If Debby Kathleen could take her husband, why couldn't she seduce Debby Kathleen's boyfriend?

Swapping partners was always considered a taboo, but she could certainly play the "husband swap" game.

***

Today, Juliet Shaw had a literary project seminar that lasted from morning until afternoon. After the meeting, as she was packing up her things, a tall, sturdy man walked in.

"Madam, President Lu sent me to pick you up."

Juliet Shaw paused, surprised. Herbert Leopold had sent someone to pick her up? This wasn't how it happened in her previous life.

"Teacher, here, coffee." Debby Kathleen ran in, out of breath, and placed an iced Americano in front of Juliet Shaw.

"Teacher, I heard there's a Mid-Autumn Festival banquet at the Leopold Corporation tonight. Can you take me with you?"

Her words were exactly the same as in her previous life.

Juliet Shaw finished packing her notebook and picked up her water bottle. She turned to the driver and said, "You'll need to wait for me a bit."

"Yes, Madam."

"Teacher, then I..."

"Do you know anyone at the Leopold Corporation?" Juliet Shaw suddenly asked.

"Uh... I know you, Teacher. I've never been to a company banquet before, and the Leopold Corporation is the top company in J City. I want to go and broaden my horizons."

Debby Kathleen spoke without any embarrassment, even adopting a cute, playful tone.

Juliet Shaw felt a sudden urge to laugh, wondering how she had tolerated Debby Kathleen's thick skin and lack of tact in her previous life.

She tapped her fingers on the table, as if in thought, and then tilted her head.

"I'm afraid it won't be convenient. The Leopold Corporation's banquet isn't open to just anyone."

With these words, Juliet Shaw watched as Debby Kathleen's expression hardened. The word "outsider" made her eyes redden, and she dug her nails into her palm.

Juliet Shaw was satisfied to see her looking so defeated.

Juliet Shaw and the driver left the meeting room one after the other.

Debby Kathleen watched Juliet Shaw's retreating figure with a blank expression, her hands clenched into fists.

After a moment, she smiled faintly, her eyes filled with determination and confidence.

"Teacher, men aren't objects. Holding them too tightly is useless."