Chapter 1

When I returned from my business trip, I found my slippers still damp.

I asked my wife Selena if we'd had any visitors.

She paused for a moment, then smiled and answered:

"How could that be? You know I'm terrible at socializing. I just stayed home alone all weekend."

I smiled noncommittally.

When she went out shopping, I carefully checked every corner of the house.

Someone had used the razor in the bathroom. The robe in the closet had been worn.

Most egregious of all, an entire box of condoms was missing from the nightstand.

Two days. Twelve condoms.

Seemed like the guy had quite the stamina.

I suppressed my rage and pulled out my phone to message the property manager:

"Pull all surveillance footage from the past two days. Remember, this stays between us!"

The next day when I got to the office, the surveillance email was already waiting in my inbox.

I clicked it open and dragged the progress bar.

The footage was clear, the timestamps precise.

Starting three days ago, a man had indeed been frequently entering and leaving my home.

The last recording stopped one hour before I arrived home:

The elevator doors opened. He walked out with his arm around Selena's waist. Outside the closed entrance door, they kissed passionately, unable to tear themselves apart.

Selena's hand even slipped inside his coat, with an initiative and fervor I'd never seen from her.

I recognized him immediately.

Gavin Sterling, Selena's newly hired assistant.

I'd seen his resume. Twenty-five years old, just back from studying in Europe.

Six-foot-two, great physique, handsome face.

The video froze on the image of him lowering his head to kiss Selena's neck.

A knock sounded at the door just then.

The door opened, and in walked Gavin himself.

He wore a perfectly tailored light gray suit that accentuated his height and long legs.

His hair was impeccably styled, and his eyes carried the undisguised sharp energy of youth, even a hint of lazy arrogance.

He held a file folder in his hands.

"Mr. Carter. Ms. Hayes asked me to bring over this year-end bonus confirmation list. It needs your signature."

He walked to my desk and set down the folder.

I looked up at him.

He remained completely composed, even smiling at me. That smile carried some indescribable meaning.

Usually with these kinds of documents, when Selena delivered them or had the secretary bring them, I'd basically scan the total amount and sign off.

But today, I reached out, took the folder, and opened it.

I flipped through page by page. The bonus amounts ranged from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands, consistent with the company's performance this year.

When I turned to the last page, my movement stopped.

Gavin's name read:

Year-end bonus: one million dollars, plus a complimentary car.

My gaze lingered on those numbers for two seconds before I looked up.

Gavin.

"Mr. Carter, is there a problem?"

He inquired, his tone still polite, but with a hint of impatience.

"Ms. Hayes is waiting for me."

I said nothing more and signed my name.

"Thank you, Mr. Carter."

He took back the folder I handed him, flipped through to confirm the signature, and closed it.

Just as he turned around, I clearly saw his lips move rapidly a few times.

No sound, but the mouth shape distinctly formed three words:

"Old bastard."