Jolie graduated from the country's top Academy of Sciences. Within just three years of entering the field, she had already become a core member of several major national research projects. She had led multiple teams, and even won a National Science and Technology Progress Award.

Her mentor always said her mind was sharp and she could see angles no one else could.

Five years ago, she suddenly submitted her resignation. Her mentor tried everything to keep her, but nothing worked.

Because she met Kaden. Back then, he was just a clueless young guy trying to start a company.

He had no connections, no backing, and was hitting walls everywhere. It was Jolie who used her network to help him find opportunities.

Later, when his business finally took off, he started pursuing her.

He once told her he liked a wife who could quietly support him without making a fuss. So Jolie resigned from her high-paying research job and became a full-time homemaker, giving him a life with zero distractions.

For the first three years of their marriage, he treated her well. But in the last two years, everything changed.

More business dinners. More late nights. And more perfume on him that wasn't hers.

Recently, things belonging to other women kept showing up on him—lipsticks, eyebrow pencils, perfume bottles, stockings, even underwear…

The first time she confronted him, he panicked. "I'm sorry, Jolie. I was drunk. But you have to trust me, nothing happened."

He cried. He even got on his knees.

And she softened. She believed him.

Until she caught him with his new secretary, Larry, kissing in the break room, she confronted him again.

His attitude flipped completely, turning into the cold indifference he showed her now.

"It was just a kiss. It's not like we slept together. Jolie, no one's taking your spot as Mrs. Knight. Isn't that enough? Without me, you wouldn't be living this comfortable life anyway."

He truly believed she was just an ordinary woman who depended on him to live well.

He had no idea how much Jolie had done for him in the last five years.

Five years—such a short time. He had already rotted. And she was done.

"Kaden, I helped lift you up. I can just as easily drag you back down."

When Jolie walked out of the study with the divorce papers, Kaden was putting on his coat, ready to leave.

She stepped in front of him. "It's late. You're going out?"

"Something came up with Larry, I'm stopping by."

He paused, as if trying to explain, then quickly decided it wasn't worth the effort.

"You're not gonna get mad again, are you?"

"No. I just need a signature on a document."

"What document?" he asked, reaching for it. Before she could answer, his phone buzzed again. He picked up. "I'm coming. Just wait a little longer, okay? Be good."

While sweet-talking the person on the other end, he grabbed a pen and signed the papers Jolie handed him without even looking.

After hanging up, he snapped impatiently, "Don't spend so much. My money doesn't grow on trees. At least Larry helps me with work. What do you even do?"

The front door slammed shut behind him. Jolie looked down at the signed divorce papers and let out a soft laugh.

"Kaden, you really are ridiculous. As for who can actually help you at work, you'll find out soon enough."

Kaden never came home that night.

Early the next morning, Jolie took the signed divorce papers to the family court.

When she walked out, a string of Facebook notifications lit up her phone.

All from Larry Morgan.

The photos showed Kaden naked beside her.

Larry, on the other hand, was holding her chest up proudly and flashing a victory sign at the camera.

"Mrs. Knight, your husband was incredible last night. He had me the whole night. He has never been that obsessed with you, has he?" she texted.

Before Jolie could respond, another photo arrived.

This time, Larry stood in the middle of a pile of gifts, and every single box was decorated with lily motifs.

So it was true. That necklace from last night really had been bought for Larry.

"Mr. Knight bought me so many gifts. I knew yesterday was your fifth anniversary, so I made sure he brought something home for you. Do you like the lily necklace, Mrs. Knight?"

Faced with the provocation, Jolie let out a cold laugh and drove straight to the nearest luxury boutique.

"Bring me your most expensive handbag."

"The most expensive one? Miss, that one is… over five hundred thousand."

"Swipe my card. I'll take five. Have them packaged and sent to my car."

Realizing a massive sale had just walked in, the staff hurried to pack up five handbags and personally carried them out to Jolie's car.

By the time Jolie arrived at the company, Larry was already showing off her gifts.

"Wow, Ms. Morgan, these are beautiful. Who gave them to you?"

"My boyfriend." Larry replied as she lifted her chin, raising the bag in her hand. "And this bag—three hundred grand. He took me to pick it out yesterday."

"Three hundred thousand? That's insane! I'm so jealous. Who's your boyfriend? Bring him out sometime!"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Larry's face. "He… he's busy. Very busy."

"Oh? Very busy? So busy he can't show his face? Or is he just hiding from someone?" Jolie said as she walked in. Larry's expression instantly darkened.

"Mrs. Knight," she greeted.

"Hi, everyone. Christmas is coming up, so I brought presents for all of you."

Jolie ignored Larry completely, pulling out the handbags and handing them to each of the female employees one by one.

By the time she reached Larry, her hands were empty.

The employees glanced up nervously. "Mrs. Knight… Ms. Morgan doesn't get one?"

Larry let out a disdainful little laugh. "It's fine. I don't care. I have something better, anyway. The gifts couldn't possibly cost more than three hundred grand."

Her words had barely dropped when someone screamed.

"Oh my god, Mrs. Knight really gave us such expensive bags?!"

"I've seen this one in fashion magazines! It's the newest model. It's worth over five hundred thousand!"

"For real? That expensive? Mrs. Knight, thank you so much!"

"Mr. Knight is blessed to have a wife like you!"

"That's impossible!" Larry's face shifted sharply. "Jolie, you did this on purpose! Just because Mr. Knight gave me a luxurious bag, you intentionally bought something pricier to disgust me!"

"What? Ms. Morgan's bag was from Mr. Knight?"

"I knew those two were hooking up! You didn't believe me…"

Whispers spread through the office. Jolie stared at Larry, stepping closer and closer.

"Who started this? A few gifts make you so proud? If Kaden can afford it, so can I."

"You? Please. It's all Mr. Knight's money. You're just a housewife. Where would you get that kind of cash? When Mr. Knight comes in later, I'm going to make sure he teaches you a lesson—"

Before she could finish, Jolie lifted her hand and slapped her hard.

The force sent Larry stumbling, nearly collapsing onto a chair.

"Ah! You hit me!"

Larry was furious, clutching her cheek and crying.

Jolie sneered. "And what if I did? Plenty of witnesses here saw you seducing my husband. Ms. Morgan, don't you know being a mistress is shameful?"

"So what? Being a mistress isn't illegal!"

She barely got the last word out before Jolie slapped her again.

"Ah! You hit me again! Jolie, I'll fight you!"

Larry lunged forward, but froze when she suddenly spotted Kaden stepping out of the elevator.

Her eyes widened. She instantly dropped to the floor, clutching her swollen cheek, crying dramatically.

"Mrs. Knight, I swear I never meant to ruin your marriage! I just love Mr. Knight too much, please don't hate me…"

"Larry!"

Kaden's face instantly darkened when he saw the scene.

He hurried over, lifting the fallen Larry and shielding her behind him before looking up at Jolie.

"Jolie, what do you think you're doing?"

Jolie's expression remained almost unreadable in the face of his furious question.

"Can't you tell? Just teaching the mistress a lesson."

"What proof do you have that she's a mistress?"

Just as he said this, Jolie opened her bag and emptied everything inside.

Lipsticks, perfume, earrings, sunglasses, stockings, even worn underwear…

Ninety-nine items in total. Not one more, not one less.

"Proof enough, Mr. Knight?"

"Oh my god… this Larry, she's way too arrogant. Daring to provoke Mrs. Knight with all this?"

"Isn't it because Mr. Knight spoils her? Otherwise, how could she dare so many times? Mrs. Knight is way prettier than Ms. Morgan. Why can't he see that?"

"Men, they think the stuff outside is always better."

The employees whispered among themselves, and Kaden's face grew darker by the second.

"Enough of this. Everyone's watching. If you have something to say, let's talk in my office."

"No need, I don't have time."

Jolie was the type to act immediately when angered.

Now that it was over, she didn't want to look at either of them again.

She turned to leave, but Kaden blocked her path. "You're just going to walk away? Jolie, did you just slap Larry twice?"

"Yes, so what?"

Kaden's expression darkened. "Why?"

Jolie let out a bitter laugh. "Why? She's your mistress. Slapping her twice is already being generous."

"Apologize," Kaden demanded.

Jolie stared at him stubbornly. "No!"

"When did you get so defiant? Jolie, don't forget, you're just a housewife. Without me, you're nothing! Five years living the high life, and now you've got a big head?"

"Got a big head?"

Even though she had decided to divorce him and claimed not to care anymore, Jolie's heart still ached when he shielded someone else and belittled her.

"Who's really acting superior, me or you? Kaden, haven't you said you'd protect me forever?"

"I said I'd protect you forever, but that doesn't mean if you did something wrong, I can't punish you."

"How do you plan to punish me?"

Jolie stared at him, fearless.

She wanted to see how far he would go for Larry.

Before she could finish speaking, he grabbed Larry's hand and slapped her across the face.

Smack! The sound echoed loudly.

Not only Jolie, but even the employees froze.

"Oh my god… Mr. Knight actually hit Mrs. Knight?"

"Just five years, and look at what they've become. I remember Mr. Knight used to never let his wife shed a single tear… and now he's hitting her himself."

"A new fling can't beat an old love. A woman still needs to take care of herself, you know. Is the allure of someone new worth more than the loyalty of a devoted partner? Mr. Knight's done with her, clearly."

The slap completely shattered the last trace of love Jolie had left for him.

Blood trickled from her mouth. She looked up at him, expressionless.

"Kaden, you really are something."

"Mrs. Knight, don't be mad. Mr. Knight didn't mean it, I didn't mean it. Here, let me wipe it off for you."

Larry grabbed a napkin from the table, intending to wipe the blood from her lips. Jolie hadn't had time to dodge before she heard her mutter in a barely audible voice, "Slapping you is just the first step, Jolie. Just wait, I'll ruin you."

"Shut up!"

Completely enraged, Jolie yanked Larry by her hair.

"Ah! That hurts!" Larry cried, tilting her head in pain. "Mrs. Knight, please calm down!"

"Jolie!" Kaden shouted.

Seeing her dare to touch Larry again, he shoved Jolie to the floor.

Her palms and knees scraped, blood spreading, and yet the pain cut through her like fire.

"I warned you. You touch her again, and you're pushing your luck."

His cold warning echoed above her. Jolie slowly lifted her head to look at him, tears slipping down anyway.

"Kaden, you're really heartless."

She rose from the floor, dragging her wounded leg, one step at a time, toward the exit.

"Jolie..."

Realizing he had gone too far, Kaden tried to follow.

"Ouch, it hurts so much."

Larry's cries came behind, and he immediately stopped and turned to her. "What's wrong?"

"My face, it really hurts…"

"I'll take you to the hospital."