After breakfast, Paisley was planning to swing by her place. Her cold-as-ice mom had been texting non-stop, nagging her to come back.

But Clive insisted she go to the office with him. Said he had a manager role lined up for her there.

"I've got stuff to handle this morning. I'll head over later," Paisley tossed back without even glancing his way, already gearing up to head home.

Then, right before he left, Clive just straight-up planted a kiss on her cheek. Paisley stiffened, eyeing him like he'd grown another head.

What the heck was that about? Playing both sides now?

Clive, totally unfazed by her guarded vibe, looked smitten. "Gotta get a goodbye kiss from my wife before leaving. Pretty sure today's gonna be a money-maker."

Sweet talker, huh.

Once he left, Paisley grabbed a cab and went back to her mom's. Only her mom and Olivia were home, and the second she walked in, she saw the usual scene - her mom fawning over Olivia like she was royalty.

"Olivia, drink your milk - I've reheated it three times. You have a weak stomach, you can't skip breakfast." Sophia Green was hovering like a maid, cup in hand.

Paisley didn't even bother reacting and headed into the living room. "You wanted to see me?"

Her voice was steady, but watching that scene still stung.

"Oh? Look who's back. Mrs. Harrington graces us with her presence," Olivia sneered, sauntering over with that milk like she owned the place.

Paisley didn't even blink at her. Just gave Olivia a cool once-over. She came for one thing - her grandpa's necklace. She'd left in a rush after the wedding and didn't bring it.

So she just shot Olivia a dismissive look and headed upstairs.

That set Olivia off. She shrieked, "There's no room for you upstairs anymore! Your stuff's already been dumped in the storage. Why would someone married off bother coming back anyway?"

Sure enough, Paisley checked the room - empty.

She sighed and went down to grab the necklace from the storage room. Just as she picked it up, Olivia smacked it out of her hand.

"Acting like you're hot stuff for some cheap necklace? Please. You trashy little lovechild, don't get cocky." Olivia hissed, venom dripping from every word.

Paisley turned her eyes to Sophia.

As expected, even after bending over backwards for Olivia, Sophia still couldn't earn her respect. All that bootlicking for nothing.

"What're you looking at her for? You think she's gonna back you up?" Olivia had been bullying Paisley for years and was even more brazen now.

Sophia quickly jumped in with her usual excuse. "Paisley, just let it go, okay? Don't argue with your sister, she didn't mean it. Don't make her upset."

Paisley wasn't shocked. Sophia spent years trying to become Mrs. Hughes, begging for approval, only to get kicked out by her granddad. She'd squatted in the Hughes' house ever since, nameless and unwanted.

If it hadn't been for Grandpa leaving stocks in Paisley's name before he died, chances were she wouldn't even have had a right to this house.

But that was all in the past.

Today, she was here to make one thing clear - Paisley wasn't the pushover she used to be.

So when her slap landed, loud and unapologetic, Olivia's head snapped to the side like a broken doll.

Eyes wide, lips trembling, she looked like she'd seen a ghost - one that remembered every dirty little thing she did.

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."