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Home / Imagination Short Story / Cheating Penalty: I Get Twice the Rewards / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of Cheating Penalty: I Get Twice the Rewards: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

11 Chapters

Chapter 1

By my second year with Michael Nelson, he had started coming home later and later. He would always say that work kept him busy.But when I helped him with his dirty laundry, I would always catch whiffs of perfume from his clothes.I never used perfume.When I questioned him about it, he snapped impatiently, "It must've gotten on me by accident somehow. Don't be so paranoid."I was only half-convinced by him, but I didn't ask any further.This continued until a trip I took to the shopping mall. On the way back, I passed a fine-dining restaurant.Through the window, I saw Michael and another woman sitting side by side, all cozy and intimate. He fed her a piece of steak, and she fed him a bite of foie gras.They looked like such a loving couple.I was dumbstruck. I didn't know what to do. What shocked me the most was the fact that the woman was Ivy Lewis, my good friend.My hands clenched around my shopping bags until my nails dug into my palms.It was Valentine's Day. I'd speci

Chapter 2

The next day, I called Ivy and invited her to go shopping with me at the biggest mall in the city.It had been a while since we last met. Ivy showed up all decked out in a flashy outfit, like a peacock showing off its feathers, which was a rare sight for her.That eye-catching red dress she wore was from the latest collection released by a famous brand. It was completely at odds with her usual taste in clothing, which leaned toward a sweet, dainty aesthetic.I pretended to admire her outfit. "This dress is a new release! I haven't even bought it yet. Did your boyfriend give it to you?"On Valentine's Day, she uploaded a vague screenshot of the money Michael had transferred to her on social media. All of her friends thought she'd found a boyfriend, and she didn't deny it.Smiling smugly, Ivy replied, "That's right. My boyfriend dotes on me a lot. He buys me everything I want.""When are you going to introduce him to me? I'll help you figure out if he's a good guy," I said.Her do

Chapter 3

Michael obviously had double standards, and I was the sucker."These are just some birthday gifts I got for a friend," I explained to him.Immediately, his expression relaxed, and he asked, seemingly casually, "Which friend? Is it Ivy?"I looked up at him. "How did you know that her birthday's coming up?"Michael's eyes flashed with unease as he laughed and brushed me off, saying, "I was just guessing. I think you mentioned it before."I snorted to myself. I'd never told Michael about Ivy's birthday before. He didn't even remember my birthday, but he sure did remember his girlfriend's friend's birthday.It was truly a joke.I didn't bother pressing any further. Pointing at one of the bags, I asked, "Do you think she'll like that color?"He glanced at it before answering, "It looks nice. She'll like white.""It's a little expensive, though," I said with feigned vexation."How is it expensive? After all, it's a gift for Ivy," Michael blurted.I snorted again as I recalled what

Chapter 4

Michael's eyes gleamed, and his tone softened as he said to me, "I'm only doing this so that I can give you a better life, Rowena. Besides, why are we still separating our assets anyway? We're already engaged, aren't we? We're basically family now."Talk to your father and tell him to invest in my company. It definitely has a bright future."Ever since I started dating Michael, my quality of life had gone downhill. I bought way fewer bags and clothes. I rarely got to eat out, too.It wasn't like either of us was hurting for money, but he kept telling me to save.Yet, here he was claiming that he wanted to give me a better life. I'd already be counting my blessings if my quality of life didn't get any worse.Still, I faked a smile and agreed to it, which finally brought a smile to Michael's face, too. By some miracle, he even said that he'd take me out for a meal tomorrow, and that I could pick any restaurant I wanted.Hah!I had to check whether the sun would rise from the west

Chapter 5

Even after quite some time had passed, I didn't get a response from Ivy.On the other side of the table, Michael was digging into his five-figure steak dinner as well, but judging by his expression, it probably tasted like cardboard to him.I almost laughed at the sight of that, so I excused myself to use the restroom.When I got back, Michael's expression was finally back to normal. He would even toss out cheesy lines at me from time to time, though he still looked pained when he had to pay the bill.Not long after we got home, he received another phone call. He told me that he needed to go to the office and get some work done.Ivy was just as easily riled up as she'd always been.Pretending to be considerate, I told Michael to hurry back to work and to drive safely. Once he left, I pulled out an audio recorder.To gather evidence of Michael cheating on me with Ivy, I had deliberately left an audio recorder in my handbag and stepped away from the table to go to the restroom, cr

Chapter 6

As soon as we entered the Dixon residence, Ivy's eyes started roaming all over the place. She looked positively thrilled.Seth came up to us with a glass of champagne. He was dressed in a tailored suit and wore a dashing smile."Who's this gorgeous lady beside you, Rowena? Shouldn't you introduce her to me?" he asked.Smiling faintly, I said, "This is my college friend, Ivy Lewis. Ivy, this is my friend, Seth Dixon."Seth politely shook Ivy's hand before asking, "And does Ms. Lewis here have a boyfriend?"Glancing at Ivy, I was just about to answer when Ivy beat me to it. "Nope. I'm still single," she said before smiling shyly at him.Once the party started, Seth invited Ivy to join him for the first dance.The spotlight fell on them—a handsome man dancing with a pretty woman. They looked like the lead couple in a romance film.Smiling radiantly, Ivy leaned her head on Seth's shoulder, her eyes bright with delight.After the dance, Seth's friends crowded around her. They compl

Chapter 7

"My dad said he'll consider it, so you just need to wait a little longer," I replied to Michael.That was a lie, of course. I didn't even bring it up with Dad.I surreptitiously moved the piece of steak Michael had given me to the side of the plate.Looking a little disappointed, Michael was just about to speak when he got a notification on his phone. After looking at it, he instinctively blurted, "Asking for money again."His tone was laced with both annoyance and exasperation.Smiling faintly, I asked, "Who's asking for money?"Eyes flickering evasively, Michael replied, "Just a client."Looking at Michael, I recalled Seth telling me about a gathering that was taking place that night. He'd asked me to attend, so I said, "There's going to be a cocktail party tonight. You might be able to find a few investors. Do you want to go?"Michael perked up at once. His eyes gleamed as he quickly said yes.I took a sip of red wine, my lips curling. It looked like I'd be in for an entert

Chapter 8

After hearing what Ivy said, Michael finally replied, "Oh, alright. I trust you, but you must help me convince Seth to invest in my company.""Of course!" Ivy said as she smiled sweetly. Her eyes flickered before she added, "Give me a bit more money, Mikey. I want to buy some emerald jewelry to make a good impression on Mrs. Dixon, hoping the family will accept me."Michael scratched his head, looking rather conflicted."I don't know why I've been so unlucky lately, but I lost around two to three million dollars from my stock investments. The company's business hasn't been going too well, either. I've lost quite a bit there, too. That's why I've been desperately trying to find someone to invest in the company."I don't have much cash right now. I really can't give you any."However, Ivy refused to give up. Pouting, she said, "Don't you have a house in the city center?"Michael frowned and said nothing."You need to take risks to win big, Mikey," Ivy gently cajoled him. "As long

Chapter 9

"How long has it been since you last came to see me, huh?" Michael snapped. "You wouldn't have come here today if I hadn't insisted on it. Besides, I really don't have any more money.""You don't have any money?" Ivy repeated in dissatisfaction. "Don't give me that nonsense. Do you think I'm as easily fooled as that dumb Rowena?""It's true. Ivy, you have to convince Seth to invest in my company. Otherwise, I'll be going bankrupt."Sneering, Ivy replied, "Sure, but first, you have to give me some money, then I'll talk to him.""You—" Michael was so angry that he couldn't speak.I purposely made a commotion outside. Both of them turned toward the door, visibly panicked when they saw me.By the time I entered the living room, Michael had swiftly regained his composure. "Ivy came to see you, Rowena, but you weren't home.""That's right! I came to invite you out for a meal," Ivy chimed in after swiftly catching his drift."Oh? Is that so?" I remarked. I smiled faintly before waving

Chapter 10

When I arrived at Michael's company, he was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window with his back toward the door. He was also on the phone with someone, and the conversation didn't seem to be going too well."I really need the money urgently, Ivy. Sell off all the luxury goods I bought for you before, and get back that pair of emerald bracelets, too."Why not? That was my money in the first place! You used my money to win over another man!"Don't be so heartless, Ivy, or I'll make sure you regret it!"Hello? Hello?"It seemed like the call had been cut off from the other end. Michael punched the glass in anger.When I knocked on the door, he turned around. Smiling, I said happily, "Ivy's having an engagement party this weekend. Let's attend it together."Michael hadn't managed to hide the fury in his eyes, and when he heard the news, he didn't know how he should react. Was it joy or rage?Either way, I thought it was pretty hilarious to see his expression twist and contort t

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