I arrived at work early the next morning. I had just walked through the door when I noticed everyone throwing mocking glances my way.

"Didn't the gold digger say she was going to resign yesterday? Why is she still here like a fool?"

"I know, right? I mean, she was acting all high and mighty yesterday. I almost thought the haughty Ms. Reed looked down on working alongside us."

I wasn't going to reason with the ignorant. I simply didn't have the energy to engage with their nonsense.

It was then that Yvonne emerged from his office. She immediately adopted a deeply patronizing and authoritative tone, asking, "You actually showed up, huh, Leslie? You see, I told you all that youngsters these days need restraints and should humble themselves to learn from others."

She then turned to the other employees and said, "You guys should really learn from Leslie's example!"

The others were aware that Yvonne was Shawn's current favorite and key confidante. They deeply resented her air of authority, but they still offered her superficial agreement and feigned compliance.

Having soaked up the approving glances from the other employees, Yvonne turned her attention to me and patted my shoulder with a show of concern, saying, "I've already taken the liberty of getting Mr. Jacobson's approval for me to supervise you, Leslie.

"I'll be taking you under my wing from now on, pushing you onto bigger projects and hopefully boosting you up that career ladder of yours."

I didn't even bother sparing her a glance. I picked up my cup and took a slow sip of my coffee. "It won't be necessary. What could you possibly offer when you're just a mere assistant? I'm also handing in my resignation today, so there's absolutely no need for you to inconvenience yourself."

In that instant, everyone broke into murmurs of surprise. There were some who burst out laughing as well.

"That's truly impressive, Leslie! I take back all the negative things I thought about you!"

There were some who murmured, "Holy shit! Did you see Yvonne's expression? She's flushed one second and drained of color the next! That sight is incredibly gratifying!"

Someone even exclaimed in delight, "I already hated coming to work, but I especially hated Yvonne's pretentious attitude. That putdown was absolutely satisfying!"

Yvonne was thoroughly defeated by my remarks, leaving her visibly upset and struggling for a comeback. She glared at me, pinning me with a furious look.

I paid her no mind, taking my time to methodically pack up my personal items.

Upon seeing that she couldn't get a reaction from me, Yvonne left in a fit of anger and went straight into Shawn's office.

It wasn't long before Shawn strode out and approached me, fixing me with a stern, frigid glare.

However, I barely acknowledged him.

I picked up the box once my things were almost entirely packed, intending to walk out of the office. "You're blocking my way, so please step aside."

Shawn cocked a brow, stating coldly, "I couldn't care less about you resigning, since Jacobson Group doesn't need someone like you here. I'll need you to apologize to Yvonne before you leave, though."

I asked in confusion, "Why should I apologize to her?"

"Yvonne made a generous offer to mentor you toward a promotion, only for you to give her that disrespectful, languid response. How dare you not apologize to her for that, Leslie?" Shawn's voice gained a sharp, demanding edge, causing the tension in the workspace to solidify immediately.

I had no desire to argue with him further, knowing it would be a waste of time. Hence, I simply turned and offered Yvonne a quick apology.

I tried to turn to leave, but Shawn relentlessly blocked my way, barking, "What kind of pathetic apology was that, Leslie?"

Yvonne also moved closer and chimed in, saying, "You can't be so reckless at such a young age, Leslie. You should strive for more composure."

"You can shove that composure of yours up your ass!" I immediately snapped, having reached the absolute end of my patience facing these two deranged people.

I then forcefully shoved Yvonne aside. I used very little force, but she still staggered dramatically and fell onto the floor, wearing a visibly pained expression.

"How dare you, Leslie!" Shawn immediately snapped, rushing forward. He then slapped me hard across the face, sending a searing pain across my cheek.

He then violently shoved me away, dismissing me as if I were utterly inconsequential. He moved to help Yvonne—who was clearly putting on a show—his entire demeanor radiating anxiety.

"Are you alright, Yvonne? Did you take a bad fall? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"

I truly questioned my standing in Shawn's life at this moment.

I had never once witnessed him make such a worried expression, despite being married to him for eight years.

I even broke my leg while saving him from an oncoming car once, yet he didn't express an ounce of worry, only insulting me and implying that the injury was my deserved punishment.

Yet now, Yvonne had merely staged a minor fall, and Shawn was frantic enough to immediately dial the emergency line. Perhaps he genuinely had feelings for Yvonne.

I had no desire to dwell on that anymore, though. "I'll have my lawyer deliver the divorce agreement tomorrow morning, so let's call it a day and go our separate ways, Shawn."

I simply walked out of the office after saying that, not once looking back.

I felt the cool breeze around me as soon as I stepped outside, making me shiver as I walked.

All of a sudden, I felt a void inside, as if I had suddenly been left without a home.

Unbothered, Shawn returned home utterly intoxicated that night, stumbling in well after midnight.

"Let's do it in the bathroom tonight, Yvonne…"

I had just opened the door when Shawn stumbled and collapsed into my embrace, the heavy, obnoxious scent of perfume immediately assaulting my senses.

I felt nothing but utter nausea when he pressed his lips to my neck. I instantly pushed him away with considerable force.

Having no one to lean on, Shawn staggered before hitting the floor. He then whined loudly, asking, "Why did you push me away, Yvonne? Do you no longer care for me since you're with child now?"

He sounded injured and deeply heartbroken. "You can't do this to me! You still have to love me more than you love him, even if he is my son!"

I thought my ears were failing me. "W-What? What did you just say, Shawn?"

"I'm talking about our baby, Yvonne. You surely haven't forgotten that night we spent…" Shawn mumbled, trailing off in his drunken recollection.

I had assumed Shawn had lost all ability to provoke me while in such a state.

Yet, in that instant, I completely lost all reason. I gripped his collar tightly and questioned him like a madwoman.

"I have always wanted a baby while we were married over the years, yet you always claimed that a baby would derail your career. I foolishly believed your excuses this whole time!

"How could you just turn around and knock Yvonne up? You made a complete fool out of me, Shawn! How could you even live with yourself?"

Shawn offered no response whatsoever. He was too far gone, completely out of it while under the influence of alcohol.

I was the only one in the entire living room, whispering, sobbing, and repeatedly demanding an answer to the same question.

Shawn had collapsed and was already sound asleep on the floor by now.

I, on the other hand, had gradually calmed down, my voice raw from all the sobbing.

It was then that Shawn's phone pinged with two incoming messages. I happened to catch sight of my name on the screen. I immediately unlocked the phone to read the messages.

Shawn had sent, "You don't have to be afraid of Leslie. I'll simply tell her that the baby was adopted once he's born, and she'll surely raise the baby for us, Yvonne."

Yvonne replied, "You shouldn't divorce Leslie for now, then. Otherwise, we'll have no one to raise the baby. If not, we could always have an abortion. I really can't be bothered with raising a child."

I wiped away my tears after reading the messages and let out a chilling, humorless laugh. "I gave you my all for eight years. I helped you secure your business and boost your standing. Is this how you're going to repay me? By betraying and conspiring to deceive me? Your easy life is coming to an end, Shawn!"

That very night, I gathered all my belongings and left the home that belonged to Shawn and me.

I would never set foot here again. I was resolved to let that place serve as the tomb for my naive and ridiculous love.

I drove straight back to my parents' place that night, arriving to the heartwarming sight of my parents, who had kept the house lit up while waiting for my arrival.

"Why are you all by yourself, Leslie? Where’s Shawn?" Mom peered around while asking, confirming that I was indeed the only person stepping out of the car.

I let out a deep sigh, my eyes reflecting undeniable weariness. "I'm divorcing Shawn, Mom."

"Huh?" Mom and Dad were both visibly astonished.

Dad quickly composed himself, saying, "It's probably for the best that you're getting divorced. I could always see the greed and opportunism in that man's eyes, so maintaining a long-term relationship with someone like him was only ever going to hurt you."

I married Shawn despite Mom and Dad's strong objections back then, foolishly believing in the depth of our relationship.

I only realized now that I had been deliberately deceiving myself all along.

"You should hurry up and come in, Leslie. I'll make you some lasagna," Mom said. She then led me into the house, and soon after, I was enjoying a serving of steaming lasagna.

Dad asked, "It must be incredibly exhausting managing all those companies, right?"

I replied, "It wasn't that bad, Dad."

I deliberately concealed my true identity to protect Shawn's strong, competitive ego all these years.

He simply saw me as a woman who was exceptionally capable of acquiring business contacts. He remained utterly unaware that those connections he valued so highly were, in fact, properties belonging to the Reed family.

I was perfectly willing to let the Reed family incur minor losses through our collaborations, all in order to boost his performance. I did it all just to help him fulfill his aggressive and competitive professional aspirations.

That said, I no longer needed to tolerate his ever-growing ego since he had betrayed me. I fully intended to watch him try to fend for himself in the brutal business world now that his primary support was gone.

…

It was the following day, and Shawn didn't even pay any mind to my absence, assuming that I would throw a fit for two days and then return home.

However, he was briefly taken aback upon reaching the company and being handed the divorce agreement.

"I'll sign those damn papers, then! I'm sure she wouldn't actually have the nerve to go through with the divorce, though!"

In the afternoon, Reed Group sent out an impromptu announcement, ordering all top executives to congregate in Bridgeport for an emergency meeting.

Meanwhile, I was enjoying a peaceful afternoon, leisurely settled in a cafe near the Reed residence, sipping coffee while listening to a high-end property agent detail available luxury villas.

Oscar was sitting right across from me.

I asked, "Are any of the villas to your liking? I'll pay the full amount for you right now, and the deed can be transferred to you as early as tomorrow."

"Have you finally figured things out and become generous enough to spend money on me, Ms. Reed?" Oscar teased.

I playfully punched him on the shoulder, saying, "You ought to give it a break. Have I ever skimped on you, Oscar?"

Oscar pouted slightly, brushing off my comment with a look of indifference. "Have you really made up your mind about divorcing Shawn?"

I hummed in assent.

Oscar exclaimed, "That's wonderful! You should definitely consider me once you're single, Leslie!"

"Huh?"

I was still pondering Oscar's remark when my phone suddenly rang.

The voice on the other end said, "What the hell are you playing at, Leslie?"