Paisley didn't feel like putting up with Olivia' nonsense anymore.

In her past life, she had let things slide for her mom's sake - look where that got her.

"You hit me? Aren't you scared - " Olivia didn't get to finish before Paisley cut her off coldly.

"Scared of what? You gonna run crying to Dad?" Paisley scoffed, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don't forget, Olivia, all the wedding gifts from the Harringtons? Dad used that money to save his sinking company. And now? I'm Clive's wife. Think he's gonna risk ticking me off over your tantrum?"

She bent down, picked up the necklace her grandfather had left her, then stared them both down with a frosty expression she never used to show.

Olivia was momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected to actually get slapped. Back then, she'd done way worse to Paisley, and the girl had always taken it.

"Sure, you married rich. But your mom's still living with us," Olivia sneered, clearly trying to guilt-trip her.

But Paisley just laughed lightly, turning her head as if completely unbothered. "Yeah? She chose to stay there, didn't she? If she wants to stick around and let you treat her like dirt, that's on her. I won't interfere. Just don't go too far and break the law - you're free to do whatever."

As Paisley walked out, Sophia's eyes welled up with tears. She genuinely felt like raising this daughter was all for nothing. How could she have brought up someone so heartless?

Not that Paisley cared. She wasn't trying to figure out what anyone thought anymore. Not her mom, not anyone. All she wanted was a moment of peace.

But the second she stepped out the villa gate, she spotted Clive's driver waiting for her at the curb.

"Madam, Mr. Harrington sent me to escort you to the office," the driver, Wade, said politely.

"Seriously? What the hell," she muttered under her breath.

So that man really expected her to show up at his company? And right under the nose of his beloved Tiffany Evans?

Did he think she wouldn't set the place on fire in sheer frustration?

Alright then, Clive. You sure know how to push buttons, huh?

Climbing into the car, Paisley noticed Sophia suddenly rushing out as if trying to say something to her. She didn't bother looking back.

Wade simply started the car and drove off.

Once they got to the building, Wade didn't go in with her.

Instead, Paisley got stopped at the front desk.

"I'm sorry, miss. Without an appointment, you can't see Mr. Harrington," the receptionist said politely, eyes cool and professional.

Whether the girl genuinely didn't recognize Paisley or was just playing dumb, she couldn't be bothered to figure it out. Truth be told, she didn't want to be here anyway.

She had just turned to leave when she spotted someone she'd recognize anywhere - Tiffany, Clive's one and only dream girl.

Yeah, she remembered Tiffany. That woman was the definition of soft-spoken beauty, a real heartbreaker with a reputation for being capable and charming.

Word was that Tiffany and Clive had known each other for years, and their relationship had always been a bit more than just friendship.

Clearly, Clive liked her. Otherwise, there's no way Tiffany would've tried crashing his wedding in such a dramatic, cinematic fashion.

Paisley still remembered that day - Tiffany crying, clutching Clive's arm like it was life or death. And Clive had actually left with her in front of everyone.

To this day, she didn't know how he'd soothed Tiffany enough to get her to leave. But when Clive had come back, he hadn't looked happy.

Looking back, Paisley figured they must've been playing some kind of act.

After that, she'd finally decided to leave with Ethan and walk out of that entire mess.

"Miss Hughes, right? Mr. Harrington's in a meeting. I'll take you up," Tiffany said smoothly, deliberately using "Miss Hughes" instead of "Mrs. Harrington."

Tiffany looked perfectly put-together, arms full of files - classic capable career woman vibes.

Paisley felt a headache coming on. She came to the company hoping to see Clive, but instead, ran straight into his precious first love.

Instead of heading to Clive's office, Tiffany took her straight into the conference room.

"Would you like some coffee, Miss Hughes? Mr. Harrington's still in a meeting, and his office is empty right now, so I brought you here. Hope that's okay with you."

Paisley got the message loud and clear - oh, so this was her way of marking territory?

Basically, without Clive around, even as his wife, Paisley wasn't welcome in his office. She was an outsider.

"Thanks." Paisley smiled politely. Since she was already here, she might as well get down to business.

Like pissing off Clive's old flame to push him into a divorce.

She took a moment to gather her thoughts, took a sip of coffee, then said casually, "You're Tiffany, right? Cute name. Fits you. You probably know who I am and what I'm here for, don't you?"

Tiffany blinked, clearly caught off guard by how blunt she was.

Paisley chuckled and went on, "You crashed my wedding. Surely you didn't think I came here just to chat over coffee, right?"

Even sitting in a random conference room, she carried herself like a queen. Confident, unfazed. She didn't come to play nice, after all.

Tiffany hesitated for a long moment, then finally muttered in a sheepish voice, "Miss Hughes, I'm sorry..."

Wow.

She legit apologized. That was practically a confession, right?

Paisley wasn't sure if Clive was worth the mess, but Tiffany? She seemed head over heels. Otherwise, why would she sign up to be the other woman?

"Sorry doesn't mean much." Paisley smiled and set her coffee down. "How about this - how much do you want to leave my husband alone?"

Sure enough, Tiffany looked like she just got slapped. Eyes wide, mouth slightly open. Yep, money talk really hits these 'true love' types where it hurts.

Her voice rose slightly as she stared at Paisley in shock. "Miss Hughes, are you trying to insult me?"

Insult? Yep.

Paisley nodded. "I literally asked you to name a price. What did you think that meant? What - two, maybe three million to walk away? Take the cash, and I'll promise to leave you alone. But you'd better keep your word."

Tiffany looked devastated. She frowned, bit her lip, then murmured, "I'm sorry, Miss Hughes. I get that it was wrong to crash the wedding. I really do. But you can't just disrespect what Clive and I have."

Now that's more like it.

If Tiffany had taken the money and bounced, Paisley might've actually lost a bit of respect for her.

As she saw Clive approaching from the other side of the room, Paisley seized the golden opportunity. Clasping Tiffany's wrist tightly, she leaned in and said, "Let me make this crystal clear - Clive is my husband. You, the side chick, will never be anything more. So either walk away now, or I'll have someone help you out the door."

Paisley figured she'd already crossed a line with what she said - surely Clive would blow up this time.

Then they could finally have a clean break. She could go live her life without the shadow of being "Mrs. Harrington" ruining everything she wanted to try.

As expected, Clive strode in with a dark face and pushed the door open. His first words: "Who exactly do you want to kick out?"

Yup, he was pissed.

Paisley told herself to calm down - if she got kicked out for this, all the better. Goal achieved, right? No point stressing over mere formalities.

Tiffany, standing off to the side, clearly knew how to read the room. Seeing Clive's grim expression, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Clive, don't get mad. Miss Hughes didn't mean it like that... She's probably just upset."

Paisley looked at Tiffany, all soft-spoken and delicate - classic first love material. Playing the long game, no doubt.

Clive furrowed his brows, silent for a beat, then asked in return, "Oh? Upset? What for?"

What for?

Tiffany was clearly caught off guard. It took her a second before she replied, "Maybe... she's jealous?"

As soon as Tiffany got that out, Paisley clearly saw Clive actually smile.

Wait, he smiled?

Then he threw out, "Come with me to my office."

Seriously? That's not how this was supposed to go. The guy was just all doom and thunder - looked like he was about to erupt. She was ready to get rained on.

Now... one "she's jealous" and suddenly it's all sunshine again?

What kind of logic was that?

"Patrick ordered takeout from Velvet & Ash. You're really not coming?" Clive had only dropped by to grab her for lunch - and found her and Tiffany mid showdown instead.

And honestly? The fact that Paisley might be jealous kind of made his day.

"You're the best, babe. Thanks, hubbie." Paisley glanced at Tiffany, then brazenly walked past her and planted a kiss right on Clive's cheek.

Hang in there, Paisley. Don't blow your cover.

Because seriously, if Clive had a thing for Tiffany and actually cared about her, there's no way he'd just let her take this kind of hit, right?

But next thing Paisley knew, Clive took her hand - and didn't let go. Fingers interlocked - they left the conference room together.

Once inside the office, Paisley switched right into her dramatic mode. Munching down on the Velvet & Ash food, she threw out, "Clive, don't think that bribing me with fancy lunch earns you a pass. That sneaky little fox of yours? I'm not letting her off that easy, got it? I'm not exactly a pushover. If you won't sign those divorce papers, fine. We'll just keep dragging this out. Let's see who gives in first - your sweet little fox or stubborn old me."

Clive didn't say a word, just kept eating.

To Paisley, that silence meant only one thing - he felt guilty.

So he's still pushing this act, huh? For Granddad Harrington's sake?

"You divorce me, and I can keep up appearances around your grandpa. I'll even keep pretending for a while," she added, figuring she'd cleared every single hurdle.

But Clive's face just got darker.

"Why are you making this so hard for yourself? Eat your food. You're Mrs. Harrington now. You always will be. You really wanna keep fighting me?" His tone was low, but there was a threat buried underneath.

That made Paisley's head ache.

She wasn't in Clive's league, not really. If she kept testing him, who knew? Maybe he'd lock her up again just like before. And that... wasn't just a scare tactic.

But what - he wouldn't even give his first love a real title?