Chapter 1

My wife’s male assistant claimed he had chronic poor circulation, which meant the air conditioning had to be set to a sweltering eighty-six degrees Fahrenheit even in the middle of a blazing summer.

Otherwise, he was prone to catching cold.

He also had a strict, non-negotiable rule: no one was permitted to eat in the office, ever, because the mixture of food smells was too much for his delicate senses.

The employees were practically suffering from heatstroke, forced to hug their takeout containers and eat their lunch huddled miserably in the bathroom stalls.

They complained repeatedly, yet my wife, Sloane Merritt, was not only indifferent to their plight.

She actually chuckled and handed the assistant, Jasper Jeffrey, total jurisdiction over the entire office.

“Jasper is a meticulous, high-vibration guy. He has sophisticated tastes, and it’s good for all of you to have him around to break your bad habits.”

With her blatant encouragement,

Jasper Jeffrey became a miniature tyrant, micro-managing everything from the thermostat to lunch breaks.

The entire office simmered with resentment, and many longtime, loyal employees resigned.

I couldn’t stand by and watch the corporate culture rot. After discussing it with Sloane multiple times to no avail, I took executive action and suspended the male assistant for three days.

Sloane didn’t say anything to my face. She acted as if nothing had happened.

But a few months later, the small company my father had set up for me was intentionally sabotaged into bankruptcy.

I went to find Sloane, but overheard her talking to her friends first.

“Sloane, I have to say, you are brutal. That’s your father-in-law’s business, and you just tanked it?”

She gave a soft, dismissive scoff.

“My father-in-law means nothing. He only has himself to blame after Christopher forced Jasper into suspension. He cried and was depressed for days. I was heartbroken for him. Bankruptcy is exactly what they deserve.”

“Once Christopher Vaughn realizes he’s a low-status man, let’s see if he still has the nerve to throw his ‘rich boy’ weight around in front of Jasper.”

I froze, a cold laugh catching in my throat.

The thing she didn’t know?

The bankrupt company was just one negligible operation out of the thousands of holdings my father managed.

Getting Sloane Merritt run out of Westport and watching her entire empire crumble would require no more than a simple flick of my wrist.

1

“A guy like Christopher Vaughn? He’s spoiled, coddled, and completely out of touch.”

“Now that his dad’s company is bankrupt, what face does he have left to lord over Jasper?”

Sloane drew on her cigarette and let out a light, cynical laugh.

She proudly pulled out her phone and flaunted the stack of missed calls to her friends.

“He’s been out of contact for a single morning and Christopher has already left me nine missed calls.”

“With his father’s business in trouble, he has no choice but to come to me for help.”

“Poor darling. Unfortunately, Jasper is still upset, so I plan to let Christopher stew for a few more days.”

The hand I had raised to push the door open stiffened in mid-air.

I never, ever would have thought.

Sloane, the woman who had been utterly compliant and affectionate with me for five years of marriage, had a face like this hiding underneath.

The voices from inside the private lounge continued to ring out.

“Sloane, I mean, Christopher is a literal unicorn of a man. If you don’t cherish him, aren’t you afraid some other woman will swoop in and steal him? You’ll regret it.”

Another woman chimed in, laughing.

“Regret what?”

“Christopher might be an undeniable hunk, but you’re a woman—don’t you know how women operate?”

“Even if it’s the finest delicacy, you get sick of the same dish every day.”

“You haven’t heard my girl Sloane’s assistant talk. His voice is pure velvet. He melts your bones.”

Sloane kicked her friend’s chair.

“I’m warning you, Jasper is innocent and pure; don’t get any ideas about him.”

“I keep him by my side as my assistant and mentor him like a younger brother. I didn’t hire him for you vultures to try and steal him.”

When she spoke about Jasper Jeffrey, Sloane’s tone softened considerably.

It was as if he were some rare and precious jewel—too fragile to hold tight, too precious to let go.

A deep, chilling emptiness settled in my gut.

I remembered when we were first in love, Sloane was exactly this way with me.

Crossing the street, she always insisted I walk on the inside, away from traffic.

Once, when we were nearly in a car accident, she was ready to use her body as a shield to buy me an extra second of survival.

Five years of marriage. She was compliant, affectionate, and we never had a single serious argument.

Everyone envied me—my privileged background and my amazing, loyal wife.

Even I believed my luck was astronomical; that I’d found the one, my soulmate, in my first serious relationship.

But now, I realized that Sloane Merritt was rotten to the core.

I raised my gaze, cold and hard, and watched through the crack of the door as Sloane pulled out her phone to show everyone the wallpaper on her screen.

It was a provocative headshot of Jasper Jeffrey, wearing a sheer, deconstructed suit.

“You guys just don’t know how wonderful Jasper is. He’s so innocent, so thoughtful, so kind.”

“It’s not just that his voice melts your bones; if he just looks at me, I’d give him my life without a second thought.”

The cloyingly sentimental words were met with a wave of mocking laughter.

“Hold on, Sloane, are you telling me you’re a pure-love warrior? Has your male assistant hung you on a string for an entire year, and you still haven’t even touched his hand?”

“You don’t understand anything,” Sloane scoffed softly, her voice still impossibly tender.

“My sweet Jasper said he wants to wait until his twentieth birthday, book a luxurious hotel suite, and formally give himself to me.”

“But I don’t think about it like that.”

“As long as he’s by my side, as long as I can open my eyes and see him, that’s enough.”

“Just seeing him smile, forget bankrupting my father-in-law’s business.”

“I’d be willing to make Christopher get on his knees and wash Jasper’s feet.”

A true, pure-love warrior.

I gave a silent, bitter laugh, threw the door open, and walked straight into the room.

2

The sudden noise of the door swinging open plunged the air into absolute silence.

Seeing it was me, Sloane instantly stood up.

“What is it, baby?”

Her body immediately tensed up, terrified that I had overheard her conversation.

“When did you get here?”

Sloane searched my eyes, asking cautiously.

“I was just talking business with the girls. Did you… did you hear anything?”

I put on a performance of shocked innocence. “Hear what? What were you guys talking about?”

Seeing that my expression didn’t look feigned, Sloane let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Oh, nothing much. Just some commercial strategy stuff. They said it had to be confidential since we signed the NDA, so it’s good you didn’t hear it, baby.”

I looked at her face, which was a picture of sincerity, as if the cruel words from moments ago had never crossed her lips.

It was true, then—some people really do have two faces.

Her hypocrisy was so profound it was terrifying, even to her own husband.

“But anyway, what brings you here?” Sloane asked, her face morphing into one of concern.

“I couldn’t get ahold of you,” I said, shaking my phone.

“I figured you might be at your usual spot, so I came looking for you.”

“My dad’s company went under.”

I looked directly into her eyes, deciding to play along with the narrative.

“Sloane, this bankruptcy was sabotage—someone set a trap for us on purpose.”

“I don’t understand the business side of things, but can you help my dad?”

I exaggerated for effect, adding the final, manipulative touch.

“This whole thing has destroyed him. He’s an old man, and he aged ten years overnight. He can’t sleep a wink.”

I saw Sloane look down, and a brief, unmistakable smirk—a look of wicked pleasure—flashed across her lips.

But when she looked up again,

She was all earnest concern and comfort.

“Don’t worry, baby. Your wife is here. We’ll solve any problem that comes our way.”

The friends sitting nearby exchanged meaningful glances, giving me pitying, knowing looks.

In that instant, I understood everything.

At gatherings in the past, they would occasionally look at me with that same, profound pity.

I had never thought much of it, assuming it was just a silly joke or a girls-in-the-know thing.

Now I realized that Sloane and Jasper’s affair.

They had all known about it, and I was the only fool kept in the dark.

Sloane promised sincerely, assuring me repeatedly.

“Baby, your wife is here. You don’t need to worry about your father’s company. I’ll handle everything.”

She dotingly ruffled the hair on my forehead.

Then she gently flicked my nose.

“You must be exhausted these past few days. I’ll drive you home so you can get some rest.”

I nodded, lowering my gaze to hide the churning emotions inside me.

I used to find these little gestures endearing.

I thought I was the luckiest husband in the world.

But now, knowing she had performed the same routine countless times for Jasper Jeffrey.

Knowing she had so proudly boasted to her friends:

“My sweet Jasper said he wants to wait until his twentieth birthday, book a luxurious hotel suite, and formally give himself to me.”

The thought made me sick. My stomach twisted into knots.

Sloane personally drove me back to our matrimonial villa.

I remained silent on the drive, not chattering endlessly as I used to.

Sloane noticed my quietness, but assumed it was because I was distraught over my father’s company.

She kept her hands on the wheel, eyes focused on the road, offering me comfort.

“Chris, don’t be too upset. A company going bankrupt is normal. Even if things are difficult, you still have me, right?”

I gave a cold scoff.

Yes. If it wasn’t for you.

My father’s company wouldn’t be bankrupt.

It was only a small venture anyway, one my father had intended for me to practice with. Its failure was negligible.

Before we got married, I was afraid my father’s reputation was too ostentatious, and I wanted to respect Sloane's pride as a self-made businesswoman, so I insisted he keep the family wealth low-key.

To the outside world, this one small company was all we had.

Now, I felt a terrible sense of relief.

I was glad I hadn’t shared all the family’s wealth with Sloane.

Otherwise, it would all have become a tool for her to buy a smile from her male assistant.

After a long silence, as we were about to get out of the car, Sloane, as always, thoughtfully reached over to open my door.

She extended a hand to help me, and I suddenly looked up and asked her.

“Sloane Merritt.”

“Did I do something wrong?”

3

Sloane completely froze, looking up at me in stunned confusion.

“Chris, what are you talking about?”

I simply stared into her eyes, and suddenly my nose felt raw, and my eyes stung.

I remembered three months ago.

The male assistant, Jasper Jeffrey, claimed he had poor circulation, demanding the office AC be set to eighty-six degrees.

Otherwise, he was prone to catching cold.

He forbade everyone from eating in the office because the smells were "unacceptable."

The employees were practically in tears, hot and miserable, eating their box lunches in the bathroom.

They complained repeatedly, yet Sloane was utterly unmoved.

She even chuckled, happily handing the assistant complete control of the office.

“Jasper is a delicate soul who values his comforts. Letting him lead you will help you all break your bad habits.”

With her tacit permission,

Jasper Jeffrey became more outrageous, micromanaging every tiny detail.

The office was a toxic environment, full of grievances, and many senior staff quit.

A number of employees pleaded with me.

“Chris, you’re the VP! Can’t you talk to Sloane?”

“If Jasper keeps managing this way, we won’t be able to stay.”

I couldn’t stand it. After discussing it with Sloane multiple times to no avail,

I used my authority to suspend the male assistant for three days.

Jasper was furious. He blocked me at the office door after hours, a look of outright arrogance on his face.

“Christopher Vaughn, who the hell do you think you are to suspend me?”

“Sloane didn’t say anything. What gives you the right?”

I looked at the casual shorts he wore—a stark contrast to the company’s formal dress code.

And the small butterfly tattoo intentionally visible on his collarbone.

I leaned against the doorframe, my gaze turning icy.

Sloane had always hated employees who dressed provocatively in the workplace.

Yet, for him, she consistently turned a blind eye.

Now, an assistant was addressing me by my full name, his words loaded with malice.

“I am the Vice President. I have the authority to deal with any employee who violates company rules and disrupts team operations.”

“Assistant Jeffrey, since you took over office management, the employee turnover rate is thirty percent in three months, and the complaint rate is one hundred percent. Do you think that’s ‘competent’?”

Jasper sneered.

“They’re just weak and can’t handle a little heat. What office doesn’t prioritize wellness and comfort now? I was helping them cultivate better lifestyle habits! And you,”

He took a step closer, his eyes challenging me with an invisible insolence.

“Are you just jealous that Sloane cares about me?”

“Are you trying to stir up trouble for me on purpose?”

His warm breath hit my face, making my stomach churn with disgust.

“Jasper Jeffrey, I advise you to remember your position and stop craving things you shouldn’t touch.”

I looked him up and down.

“And as for that outfit, if you don’t want the job, you can quit now.”

A three-day suspension was barely a slap on the wrist.

But Jasper, intent on pushing my buttons, persisted.

“So what? Sloane hasn’t said anything! What right do you have to lecture me?”

He deliberately pulled the collar of his shirt lower, exposing his collarbone and shoulder.

“Christopher Vaughn, are you jealous that Sloane and I are close? I’m younger than you, after all. A married man five years in, constantly worried about his wife cheating—you guys are the ones with the biggest insecurity complex.”

“What did you say?”

I clenched my fist, barely believing my ears.

How could an assistant be so presumptuous?

“I called you a cuckold.”

Jasper deliberately smiled, goading me further.

“Sloane told me that if you weren’t still slightly useful, she would have divorced you ages ago.”

“Why do you think she gave me control of the office? Because I’m younger than you. I understand her better than you do!”

I was stunned, thinking Jasper was a delusional nobody, overstepping his bounds.

I never thought he actually had a foundation to be so brazen.

My thoughts snapped back to the present. Sloane looked at me with deep concern, even pulling me into a hug.

“Baby, what dark thoughts are you having? Why would you have done anything wrong?”

“You mean, I haven’t done anything wrong? Is that what you’re saying?”

Sloane hesitated for a beat, but kept smiling.

“Absolutely. I’m standing by you one hundred percent, and so is every dime in my bank account.”

Sloane delivered the familiar sweet words.

But this time, I looked up, calm and collected, and spoke.

“Alright. Since you agree that I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Then fire Jasper Jeffrey. I don’t like him.”

4

A flicker of panic crossed Sloane’s eyes, quickly replaced by a look of distress, her brow furrowed.

“Baby, I’ll grant you any wish you have.”

“But this one, I can’t do.”

“Jasper has been my assistant for a year. He’s put in time and effort.”

“More importantly, he hasn’t done anything wrong. Just firing him like that—it wouldn’t be right, would it?”

I stared into Sloane’s eyes, watching the manufactured conflict there.

I suddenly remembered how many times I had seen this exact expression.

Jasper demanded the summer AC be set to eighty-six degrees, and the office was seething with complaints.

Frank, who had been with the company for fifteen years, collapsed in the office two months ago.

He was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with heatstroke. He was still in recovery.

We were about to close a massive contract—a client we had courted for six months—but Jasper tossed the samples into the trash because he “thought they looked cheap.”

I had to personally take apology gifts to the client’s office to beg for their forgiveness and barely managed to salvage the deal.

I had told Sloane about all these things.

But every time, she would smile and say.

“Jasper is young and inexperienced. It’s his first assistant role. We have to give the new generation a chance.”

“Chris, have you forgotten how I got started, building this from the ground up?”

I once believed she was truly an empathetic leader, showing grace to a new employee.

Now I knew her favor was so skewed it was pathological.

It was revolting.

I was done playing along.

I chuckled, nodding. “You have a point.”

“Also, one more thing.”

“I’ve had a change of heart. Since you’ve managed the company so meticulously, there’s no reason for me to be there.”

I offered my resignation, announcing I would take some time off.

Sloane was delighted, hugging me from behind in surprise.

“Chris, you finally came around.”

“I’ve always said being a full-time husband is the best job. No sun, no stress, just relaxing at home.”

“You just focus on getting us ready to start a family. Leave the money-making to your wife.”

That night, Sloane was so happy she personally cooked a magnificent dinner.

As she spent two hours dawdling in the kitchen.

I didn’t miss the sound of her hushed, sweet-nothings phone call with Jasper Jeffrey.

She was so sloppy.

But I had always believed in mutual trust, and I had never suspected a thing.

Three days passed quickly.

Sloane received a call, discussed a collaboration with a serious expression, grabbed her jacket, and started for the door.

“Chris, I have an important dinner engagement tonight. Go to bed early. Don’t wait up for me.”

“Sloane Merritt.”

Just as she reached the door, I called her name in a level voice.

“Are you lying to me?”

Her eyes flickered away, but she maintained a look of deep sincerity.

“How could I ever lie to you, sweet boy?”

She didn’t know that I had already seen through her deception.

She lied without hesitation.

And she had wasted the last chance I was prepared to give her.

“I guess not. You love me too much to lie.”

I reached out to straighten the collar of her jacket.

My expression was calm.

“Alright. You go on then.”

Sloane breathed a sigh of relief and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead.

“I’ll come home as soon as the deal is closed.”

I laughed internally.

Did that lie not make her blush at all?

I had known for hours.

Sloane, you won’t be coming home tonight.

Because tonight was Jasper Jeffrey’s twentieth birthday.

Sloane had promised him a grand celebration.

She had even pre-booked a hotel suite that cost thousands of dollars a night.

Just an hour ago.

I had a hacker infiltrate Sloane’s work computer.

I saw the synced chat logs.

A message from Jasper Jeffrey.

“My darling Sloane-Boss, which of these designer sheer camisoles do you think looks better?”

“Whichever one you like, I’ll wear it for my birthday night.”

Sloane had playfully replied with the second option.

So much for an "important dinner engagement."

She was walking with such a spring in her step because she was going to a date.

Soon after.

The private investigator sent me synced video footage.

Sloane was carrying a massive teddy bear, presenting it to Jasper, and taking him to a candlelight dinner to celebrate his birthday.

“Happy birthday! May my assistant, Jasper, always be happy. May you be happy in life, and happy tonight!”

They laughed and joked, their bodies close and intimate.

The moment they blew out the candles on the cake.

They kissed, swept up in the emotion of the moment.

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat, turned away, and sent a single text message to a secure number.

“Preparation complete. The timing is perfect.”

Thirty minutes later.

Sloane had just finished showering, wrapped in a towel.

She was holding a half-undressed Jasper Jeffrey, ready to admire his sheer lingerie and move on to more intimate activities.

Just then, her phone rang.

Sloane swore under her breath, answering with irritation, only to be met with the assistant’s frantic voice.

“Sloane! It’s bad!”

“Someone leaked company secrets! Our rival reported us to the authorities. Our investors are pulling out left and right. Our cash flow is gone, and all our assets have been frozen!”