Justin's new secretary drove him home late at night.

"Hey, Genevieve, Justin had too much to drink while trying to protect me from the wine. Would you mind taking care of him for me?"

She wore Justin's tailored suit jacket over her shoulders, her defiant gaze clear and unwavering.

Justin leaned against her, slightly tipsy, a faint lipstick stain visible on his white shirt.

Suddenly, it hit me.

I had taught Justin how to climb to the top.

I never taught him how to fall gracefully.

---

I woke up in the middle of the night to find Justin still hadn’t come home.

This was unexpected; my eyes slowly opened, emerging from the fog of sleep.

In three years of marriage, this had never happened before.

I picked up my phone to call him. The line kept ringing until it automatically hung up—no answer.

I called the driver, Mathias, who informed me that Justin had sent him home around 6 PM. Justin had a work engagement and drove himself.

Unable to sleep, I threw on a robe and went downstairs to the living room to go over the company's quarterly financial report.

As the clock approached 2 AM, I heard noises at the front door.

A soft, sweet voice reached my ears.

"Mr. Hawkins, easy there; you're nearly crushing me."

I turned to see two figures wrapped around each other.

Justin, clearly drunk, leaning heavily on the shoulders of a young woman.

Her cheeks were flushed, fresh and delicate like a ripe berry.

Upon seeing me, the young woman quickly straightened up, yet her hand remained on Justin's waist.

"Hello, Genevieve. I'm Justin's new secretary, Makenna.

He took me out for a work dinner tonight. He drank too much for my sake. Could you please ensure he's alright?"

"Genevieve, you might not know, but when Justin drinks too much, he holds on to me and gets a bit irritable. Please, be understanding and don't hold it against him."

With arms crossed, I scrutinized her.

Barely in her twenties with an innocent face, yet her eyes revealed unapologetic ambition.

Justin's tailored suit jacket was draped over her shoulders, failing to hide the cheap, ill-fitting white dress beneath.

Her gaze toward me was insolent, clear, unafraid, and foolish.

I almost wanted to laugh.

I turned to look at Justin, noting the lipstick mark on his shirt—the same shade as Makenna's lipstick.

My expression hardened as I called out coldly:

"Justin."

Justin looked up at me, reaching out instinctively.

"Genevieve, I've got such a headache..."

I stepped back, causing him to stumble and nearly fall.

Makenna quickly moved forward and caught him, shooting me a look of disapproval.

"Genevieve, you live in luxury, spending large sums. As his wife, why don't you appreciate how hard Justin works?

"Without his efforts, could you enjoy this life of comfort?

"I really feel for Justin."

I met her gaze with an indifferent expression. She took a few steps back, still clinging to my husband.

"Makenna Perkins, is it? May I ask, on what basis and with what authority are you feeling sorry for my husband?"

Makenna's face flushed, and her neck stiffened, leaving her unable to reply.

Turning away, I addressed Frederick:

"Frederick, the gentleman has had too much to drink. Could you bring some coffee to help him sober up?"

Frederick, who had been standing by, stepped forward at my direction and separated Justin from Makenna.

A servant brought the coffee, spilling a bit on Justin's face.

Amidst Makenna's shriek, Justin gradually came to himself.

He rose unsteadily, reaching toward me with urgency.

"Genevieve, let me explain."

Justin edged closer but stopped short, wary of the coffee stains on him.

"Genevieve, I've done nothing to betray you."

I raised an eyebrow:

"Nothing yet? Or haven't had the opportunity?"

Makenna suddenly wedged herself between Justin and me.

Her cheeks were flushed, eyes glistening with unshed tears, her voice thick with emotion:

"Justin, when the clients pressured me to drink tonight, you promised me a promotion tomorrow.

"Is that something you need to discuss with Genevieve first?"

Justin's expression hardened.

Tears spilled from Makenna's eyes like a broken string of pearls.

She covered her face and crouched down slowly.

"I'm sorry, Justin. I know I've crossed a line. But I just want to make it in this city."

Justin was silent for a moment.

I knew he was likely recalling his own struggles in earlier days.

As expected, he gently reached out to pat her head.

"This is a minor decision. I'll handle it.

"For now, go back; I'll sort out the promotion tomorrow."

Makenna smiled through her tears, shot me a triumphant look, and rose to leave.

I stopped her.

"Makenna Perkins, is it?

"A bit of advice.

"Justin's white shirt can bear only my lipstick.

"And the blood of our adversaries."

Once Makenna left, Frederick dismissed the servants, and the lively chatter of the living room instantly faded, leaving only me and Justin. I sank back onto the couch without showing any emotion, picking up the financial report.

Justin rubbed his forehead in frustration. "Genevieve, you're too sensitive. Makenna is just a secretary, and our relationship is purely professional."

I ignored him.

Justin knelt in front of me. "Genevieve, I'll never forget that without you, I might have never left that small town. You supported my education, taught me about the world, and single-handedly helped me become the CEO at Orion Enterprises. How could I ever betray you? I never will."

I set the report aside, silently observing him. Justin is the man I chose. I funded his education and, as he began to excel, kept him close, patiently imparting the wisdom my mother taught me.

Although I am a capital heir with a focus on profit, I've invested more patience in Justin than anyone else. At this moment, his carefully styled hair lay damp and limp, having been wet with water. He had just embraced another woman in front of me, yet claimed he would never wrong me. He still holds the CEO position at Orion, and every move affects the entire company. I hope he's wise enough to weigh the pros and cons.

"Justin, I taught you that lies and secrets should never enter the home."

The clock hands pointed to three as I rose and headed upstairs. Behind me, Justin's voice followed:

"Genevieve, don't you want my explanation?"

I paused on the staircase, not turning back.

"Justin, Makenna's conduct isn't sufficient for the role of executive secretary. I disagree with promoting her. I suggest transferring her away from the core of the company. She hasn't earned our trust."

Perhaps emboldened by the effects of the whiskey, Justin indulged in a rare moment of defiance. He shouted at me:

"Genevieve, from the day I met you, you've always been so high and mighty, sure of your victory. You're always composed, always able to step outside your emotions to handle everything. Have you ever panicked? Ever been afraid? Ever truly given yourself? I sometimes wonder, if I were to die one day, would you first weigh the benefits and losses, rather than mourn my death?"

I stood on the stairs for a long while, long enough for Justin to slump to the ground, muttering: "I knew it, I knew it, I'll never be as important to you as money."

I turned, looking down at him from the top of the stairs. "Without money, how could I have pulled you out of that small town? Don't accept my help only to turn around and question my decisions."