Chapter 1

I went to prison for my husband’s company for three years.

The day I was released, he gave his mistress a one-million-dollar bonus—and handed me a one-dollar check.

He said it was for the company’s image.

Our marriage had to stay secret.

I couldn’t ride in his car, couldn’t acknowledge him at work, and could only call him “Boss.”

The department manager position he once promised me was given to her instead.

At a charity gala, he even allowed her to frame me for stealing a three-million-dollar diamond ring.

So I signed the divorce papers and walked straight into the arms of his most hated rival.

By the time he begged me to come back, I no longer needed him.

I spent three years in prison to protect my husband Alexander’s company.

The day I was released, the company held its grand opening.

As Alexander’s wife, I stood beside him at the ceremony and received a bonus envelope.

Inside was a single dollar.

At first, I thought there had been a mistake.

Then I noticed the woman next to me—Chloe, Alexander’s assistant.

She opened her envelope as well.

It also contained one dollar.

Relieved, I told myself it must be a symbolic gesture for the opening.

I pushed the doubt aside and stayed with Alexander until the ceremony ended.

That night, I was scrolling through social media when I saw Chloe’s post on Instagram.

She had uploaded a photo of a check.

“Congrats on the grand opening, boss!

One million dollars—so generous!”

The comments were filled with congratulations and teasing.

Everyone was praising her and hinting at her special relationship with “the boss.”

I went to Alexander for an explanation.

Instead of denying it, he distanced himself from me at once.

“You just got out of prison,” he said calmly.

“It’s not appropriate to make our relationship public right now. For the company’s sake, our marriage stays secret. At work, just call me ‘Boss.’”

A moment later, he liked Chloe’s post.

I wiped away my tears, took out the one-dollar bill, and dialed his business rival.

“I’ll come work for you.”

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.

“You were willing to go to prison for Alexander’s company,” he said.

“And now you want to leave? Didn’t he promise you the department manager position when you got out?”

I stared at the dollar in my hand and let out a bitter laugh.

"Mm, I don't want it anymore."

Just as I said that, Alexander suddenly appeared in front of me, asking suspiciously:

"What don't you want?"

I calmly hung up the phone and told the truth:

"The department manager position."

Hearing this, a flash of relief crossed the man's complex expression.

"Good. I was planning to give it to Chloe anyway. You can start as a clerk for now."

Hearing these words, I couldn't help but frown.

Back then, I endured three years behind bars for Alexander’s company.

He had repeatedly promised me that when I got out, the position would be mine and mine alone.

Who would have thought that in the end, I'd become nothing more than a lowly office worker.

At this moment, Alexander was breaking the promise he made three years ago with his own mouth.

But I couldn't see a hint of guilt in his eyes.

My eyes burned as an unstoppable pain flooded my heart.

Seeing I didn’t respond, Alexander took out a contract from his briefcase and tossed it on the coffee table.

He said nonchalantly: "This is a secret marriage agreement, for the sake of the company."

The words "Secret Marriage Agreement" stung my eyes badly.

Three years ago, the day before I went to prison, Alexander and I got our marriage certificate.

The only thing that kept me going was the thought of a happy married life after my release.

But now, I had become something he was ashamed to mention.

He even wanted me to disappear without a trace.

I laughed bitterly to myself, picked up the pen without a second thought.

Alexander suddenly turned his head, frowning as he watched me about to sign.

She who once couldn’t wait to announce this marriage to the world, how could she suddenly be so decisive?

He instinctively grabbed my wrist, his words puzzling:

"You're not even going to think about it?"

I didn't even look up, signing immediately.

Getting the secret marriage agreement as he wished, he fell oddly silent for a moment.

After a while, he cleared his throat, his voice turning gentle:

"Olivia, don't worry. Once the company stabilizes, I'll definitely make it up to you properly."

I responded with a noncommittal "mm", just as the company WhatsApp group lit up.

Chloe had become the company’s first department manager, with all the employees offering congratulations.

"You've been by the boss’s side these past three years, we've all seen it. This position is well-deserved!"

"I think Chloe will be the boss’s wife soon, right? We'll have to get on your good side from now on."

Immediately after, Chloe sent a shy emoji, tacitly accepting everything.

"I still think Olivia is luckier. She went to prison for three years and can still be a clerk at the company. The boss really spoils her!"

Knowing the truth, she was clearly mocking me.

I struggled to look away from the screen, inadvertently catching Alexander staring at his phone.

The smile on his lips was a tenderness I had never seen before.

It made me wonder.

Was his secret marriage to me really for the company, or was it for Chloe?