Chapter 3

The next morning, I was woken by noises from the kitchen.

Pushing open the guest room door, I saw Chloe's back as she bustled around the kitchen.

I froze.

Three years. This was the first time I'd seen her cook.

I stood there for a long time. Then the doorbell rang.

Through the peephole, I saw Liam standing outside, impatiently ringing the bell.

I took a deep breath, gripped the doorknob, and opened the door.

"Well, if it isn't the kept man,"

He looked me up and down, sneering,

"Up so early, going to serve some sugar mama?"

Before I could speak, he walked straight into the kitchen, embracing Chloe from behind.

"Chloe, what are you making?"

"Breakfast for you," Chloe's voice was uncharacteristically gentle.

I stood there, my stomach suddenly churning.

Her first time cooking was for Liam.

I put on my jacket, turning to leave.

But Chloe called out to me.

"Alex, eat breakfast before you go."

I paused.

Staring at the breakfast on the table, I suddenly remembered when we first started dating.

Back then, I was just a poor student, but she didn't mind.

I remember the first birthday gift I gave her was a green dress, which I'd saved up for three months working part-time.

But after she saw the price tag, she insisted on returning it.

She smiled and said:

"You are the best gift heaven sent me. Don't ever waste money on me again."

Back then, I secretly swore that I would earn a lot of money and give her a happy life.

But now, the woman who once cared for me had even forgotten I was allergic to eggs.

"I'm allergic to eggs," I said calmly.

Chloe's face instantly flushed, about to explain.

But I didn't stop, walking straight out.

At ten AM, I was in my office, processing documents, when a sharp pain flared in my stomach.

Just as I pulled open a drawer to find my stomach medicine, the door pushed open.

Liam walked in and kicked my desk.

"Hey, kept man, Chloe wants to see you."

I looked up at him, my gaze falling on the ID badge on his chest.

On Liam's first day back in the country, Chloe had made him President's Assistant.

A year ago, my mom asked me to arrange for a relative to join the company, but Chloe had repeatedly declined.

"What does she want?" I asked calmly.

"How should I know?" Liam rolled his eyes.

"Anyway, she said to come now."

I endured the stomach pain and walked towards Chloe's CEO office.

Although I had initially founded this company, I had gifted all my shares to Chloe.

Pushing open the door, Chloe sat at her desk.

"Sit," she said without looking up.

I didn't sit, just stood and watched her: "What is it?"

She finally looked up, her eyes cold: "The video situation has gotten too big. The company's stock price is affected."

"So?"

"So," she pushed a document across, "the board has decided for you to take some time off."

I picked up the document. It was a suspension notice.

"Suspension?" I laughed. "What's the reason?"

"Too much public pressure," she frowned, looking very impatient: "You need to lay low."

I stared at her, suddenly feeling my stomach ache even more.

She had sent the videos to Liam, and Liam had posted them on TikTok.

Now, she wanted me to pay for their mistake?!

"Okay, fine," I nodded. "I accept the suspension."

As I turned to leave, she suddenly called out: "Wait."

"Something else?"

She hesitated,

"Why don't you take a trip to Greece, clear your head."

Greece.

A place I had always wanted to go.

When we got married, she said she wanted to honeymoon in Greece.

But at that time, the company was just starting, and I hoped we'd go once it stabilized.

Later, when the company was stable, she said she didn't want to go anymore.

Now, she suddenly brought up our missed honeymoon.

I looked at her and suddenly smiled.

"What? You want to get rid of me, afraid I'll cause trouble at the company? Or are you afraid I'll get in the way of you and Liam's little romance?"

"You..."

"Don't worry," I cut her off. "I won't bother you."

Because it wasn't worth it.

The moment I closed the door, I heard something shatter inside.