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."

Justin had slept in the guest room, and by the time I rose the next morning, he had already left for work. As I ate breakfast, I automatically checked the company’s internal email system. The latest email was from the executive office, announcing, with Justin Hawkins' approval, the immediate appointment of Makenna Perkins as his Executive Assistant.

My hand, holding the glass of milk, froze in mid-air as I stared at the bold, highlighted words "Executive Assistant" for what felt like an eternity. I hurled the glass, watching it shatter across the floor. The man I had trusted had ultimately betrayed me. The shards scattered across the floor mirrored how I once thought Justin and I were unbreakable, now reduced to fragments.

I was fuming.

Just then, a message popped up on WhatsApp from Cora Harrison, the Group’s Vice President. I opened the attachment; it was a screenshot of Makenna's latest Instagram post. She was sitting in Justin’s office chair, taking a selfie with the vague outline of Justin brewing coffee in the background. The caption read:

"Seated in the boss's chair, sipping the coffee he made, and absolutely swooning."

Justin was the first to like it.

Cora’s next message arrived quickly: "Justin’s really grown a backbone."

I lit a cigarette, ready to reply to Cora, when a contact request appeared. It was a forwarded profile from Justin, the applicant being Makenna Perkins. I raised an eyebrow. It seemed not only had Justin become audacious, but this newcomer too.

I accepted the request, and Makenna’s messages began flooding in one after the other.

"Hello, Ms. Russell. Pleased to officially meet you. I’m Justin’s Executive Assistant, Makenna Perkins."

"Justin mentioned I should keep you updated on his daily schedule."

"When Justin arrived at the office today, he seemed in a foul mood. I accompanied him to the old district for some croissants, and he finally smiled."

"Justin said croissants used to be his favorite food. Since being with you, he’s only been able to enjoy gourmet dishes, but he hasn't been happy at all."

"Ms. Russell, you’re used to the finer things in life. I can replace you and offer Justin a taste of simple pleasures."

The messages kept coming, my phone buzzing non-stop. My previously calm mood began to simmer once more.

In my world, things fall into two categories: what I want and what I don’t want. “Being taken away” was never even a consideration.

I grabbed my phone, called in Frederick, and headed to the company.