James stayed at a hotel for several consecutive days.

From the moment Sean stepped into the home he shared with Wendy, James no longer wanted to return to that house.

At dawn, he instructed his driver to take him to the law firm.

While waiting at a traffic light, he opened Sean’s livestream.

During the livestream, Sean accidentally revealed the kiss marks on his neck.

“I’m about to have a wedding with my wife. I’ll stream it live for everyone when the time comes,” he announced, his face flushed with excitement as he shared the good news with his fans.

‘His wife... If Wendy’s his wife, then who is my wife?’ wondered James.

James turned his head to look at the rain streaks drifting past the car window.

Jelaston was a city of frequent rain.

It had also been raining on the day he and Wendy registered their marriage.

Carl Jackson had served as the Bundred family’s lawyer for a lifetime and had practically watched James and Wendy grow up.

“James, are you sure you want to divorce Wendy? I’ve vaguely heard about what she’s been up to outside, but divorce is a serious matter…” Carl sighed and asked.

“Is it really necessary to go this far? The Bundred family has treated you well since you were a child, and Wendy has always been good to you too. You two had such a good relationship when you were young.

"Mr. Bundred raised you personally to groom you. He brought you under his wing, taught you himself, and you excelled in everything—always ranking first in every subject, advancing from the University of Northela all the way to the Warden Business School. You fell in love, got married, and Mr. Bundred brought you into the Bundred Group, offering you a bright future…”

As Carl spoke about the past, James felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart.

It was true that Wendy’s father had shown him great kindness, bringing him out of a remote mountain village and transforming his life.

The love and grudges, the sweetness and pain between him and Wendy, were all intricately intertwined in his heart.

Tears slid down his cheeks.

Family ties, romantic love.

His entanglement with Wendy was too deep.

Making the decision to divorce her was like cutting out half of his soul, a pain as sharp as scraping flesh off his bones.

“Uncle Carl, she’s planning to have a child with that man. They’re even going to hold a wedding.”

Overwhelmed, he pressed his hand to his heart, unable to keep his emotions in check anymore.

“I’m a man… I can’t hold on any longer. I don’t know how to keep going…”

For years, he had clung to the hope that Wendy wasn’t serious with those men, that she would eventually come home.

It was this hope that had sustained him year after year.

But now, he was on the verge of collapse, teetering on the edge of the cliff.

“You’ve had a hard time too.” Carl sighed. “When Mr. Bundred was critically ill, those relatives of the Bundred family couldn’t wait to tear the Bundred Group apart. If it hadn’t been for you, the Bundred Group might have been in danger long ago… And now Wendy has gone this far with other men...”

James moved his lips slightly and gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile.

He placed the documents on the desk. “If Wendy is willing to sign the divorce papers, that’ll be the fastest way to settle this. If she’s unwilling, you have enough evidence of us living separately for over two years to file for divorce.”

James lowered his eyes. “Uncle Carl, please do me a favor. Please hand her the divorce papers after I’m gone.”

In the past, he had been hopelessly infatuated, ruled by his emotions.

Without the shackles of love, what influence could Wendy possibly have over him anymore?

Once the memory-erasure operation was done, he would completely let go of the past and start a new life.

“Please adjust the share transfer allocation yet again,” said James, his face pale. “As for the Bundred Group’s shares, I don’t want any of them.”

He had made up his mind long ago. Since he had decided to leave, he would repay all the kindness the Bundred family had shown him.

The Bundred family had supported him for 20 years, giving him a life-changing opportunity.

He had preserved the Bundred family’s business and would return all the shares as repayment for their kindness.

In the end, he still came out ahead.

Thanks to the education he had received over the years, he had developed many skills.

He had also managed to save some assets to rely on.

As for Wendy…

“All you're doing now is managing the Bundred Group for my child.” Sean’s words echoed in his ears. “Wendy cares about me and would always tip me on my livestream channel. All the money belongs only to me. Me and my child will both have a bright future ahead of us.”

Since she had been heartless toward him, why should he continue degrading himself?

James returned to the company, preparing to sort through his assets.

Unexpectedly, he ran into Wendy in the office.

“Why weren’t you at work during the day? Where did you go?” Wendy frowned. “I’ve been waiting for you all morning.”

James replied calmly, “Do you need something?”

“James, you don’t need to act like this. And don’t blame me for being with Sean. Look at yourself—are you even a man? You can’t have a child with me. All you know is burying yourself in work, and you don’t know how to make me happy. You don’t provide any emotional value.”

Wendy spoke with righteous indignation. “Sean is different from you. He’s liked me for years and has never interfered in my marriage. He’s so handsome, understanding, and even willing to let his child call you ‘Dad’ in the future. What more could you possibly want?”

Seeing James remain silent, she laughed mockingly and shook her head. “James, don’t be so jealous. Sean is foolishly selfless. He doesn’t even hope to get a marriage certificate with me. He’s no threat to you. You will always be the head of the Bundred family, the father of my future child. No one can take your place. You’re a smart man. You’ve always been rational.”

Wendy spoke confidently, her tone softening into a coquettish lilt.

It had been years since she last used that tone with him, and now she did it for another man.

James chuckled bitterly. ‘Wendy, you truly are hopelessly in love with Sean.’

Just as he was about to respond, Wendy’s phone suddenly rang.

It was Sean.

She hesitated for a moment, then silenced the call, intending to continue placating James.

But just a few seconds later, the phone rang again.

Unable to resist, Wendy answered while walking toward the door.

“Sean, it’s me…”

As her figure disappeared through the doorway, James finally bent over, unable to hold himself up anymore.

His expression was calm to the point of indifference, yet it exuded a profound sense of helplessness.

Before Wendy’s father passed away, he had left James numerous properties and estates.

James meticulously organized all of them and handed them to Carl, asking him to assist in transferring ownership.

He returned everything to Wendy.

After completing these tasks, he sat in the empty room, staring at the drizzling rain outside.

Before he knew it, night had fallen.

It was raining.

Suddenly, his phone screen lit up.

Sean had sent a few photos along with two messages.

In the photos, Sean and Wendy’s faces were flushed with happiness, radiating joy.

“James, Wendy accompanied me to Hallea to check out wedding venues. Wendy asked for the Bundred family’s private jet to fly us. You’re not mad, right?”

James forced a wry smile.

In the past, he might have felt angry and hurt.

But now, having decided to divorce Wendy, he was beyond being provoked.

Only 20 days were left.

What was there to care about anymore?

He raised his hand, typed a few words on his phone, and tapped send.

“Choose carefully. Make sure you an expensive venue.”

When Wendy and Sean returned, it was already a week later.

The day they came back, James happened to be at home.

The sound of laughter and playful banter echoed as Sean planted a kiss on Wendy's face.

“Honey, I really like the wedding rings you chose.”

Under the crystal chandelier, the sparkling diamond ring radiated brilliantly.

“Oh, James is home too.”

Standing in the living room, Sean looked surprised.

After a brief hesitation, he pulled a box out of his bag. “James, I got you a gift as well. Look, I picked this out myself. Do you like it?”

James suddenly felt disgusted.

He and Wendy weren’t even officially divorced yet, but the shameless homewrecker dared to stride into his home with such audacity.

And now, he had the gall to act as though he were a master handing down rewards to a servant.

“No need, keep it for yourself,” James replied curtly, rejecting the gift as he turned and headed upstairs.

“Honey, is James mad at me?”

Wendy quickly coaxed him in a soft voice. “He’s just got that strange temper. Don’t mind him…”

Holding his vibrating phone, James quickened his pace, closing the door and taking a deep breath.

It was Carl calling.

“James, I’ve prepared the documents for the property and share transfers. All you need to do is sign them when the time comes…”

“Alright.”

James exhaled deeply and hung up.

“You should’ve returned those shares to Wendy a long time ago.”

Sean’s voice suddenly came from outside the door. At some point, he had been eavesdropping on the conversation.

“You’re incapable of giving Wendy a child. When you’re old, you’ll have to rely on my son. So, hand over the shares now and make a good impression. Maybe I’ll let my child give you a little more pocket money in the future.” He chuckled softly, leaning closer to James’s ear. “James, those who adapt to the times are wise.”

James sneered. “Save your provocations. Don’t waste your schemes on me. Stay calm and go be the groom.”

As James turned to leave, Sean’s gentle expression twisted into something strange.

The next moment, the sound of shattering glass rang out.

A powerful force shoved James suddenly.

“Ah—” A sharp scream sounded.

James tumbled down the stairs.

“Watch out!”

Hearing the commotion, Wendy rushed over from the side. Out of instinct, she pulled Sean to safety, holding him tightly.

Bang!

With a loud crash, James landed hard at the bottom of the staircase.

Blood gushed from his leg and arm, quickly soaking his clothes.

Lying on his back, James felt his vision go dark, the pain made it difficult to breathe.

“James!” Seeing James’s pitiful state, Wendy instinctively let go of Sean and called out to him. “Are you okay?”

Her face flashed with panic. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”

The pain in James’s leg was excruciating, and every movement was a struggle.

“Wendy, my leg hurts. Help me…”

He tried to speak but was interrupted by a choked sob.

“Wendy… I just wanted to give James a gift, but he tried to hit me with a vase… My face hurts so much. Do you think it’ll affect the wedding?”

Wendy’s eyes widened in shock, glaring at James with fury.

“James, are you insane? Sean is a livestreamer, and you tried to smash his face with a vase? I always thought you were just cold-blooded. I didn’t realize you were this vicious!”

Seeing Sean holding his head, pale-faced, Wendy’s anger boiled over. She stormed down the stairs and kicked James hard several times.

“You bastard! You can’t give me a child, and you won’t let anyone else give me one either! If something happens to Sean, you’re done for!”

One of her kicks landed squarely on James’s front, causing him to cough up a mouthful of blood.

Wendy, however, turned a blind eye, gently helping Sean to his feet.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take you to the hospital right now.”

Before leaving, she paused at the door. “You’d better pray his head is okay.”

Even after the two disappeared out the door, James lay motionless at the bottom of the staircase.

He stared blankly at the dazzling crystal chandelier above, his eyes trembling slightly.

He wasn’t sure how long he remained there before tears began streaming freely from the corners of his eyes.