"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."

Jolie couldn't remember how she got home that day. All she knew was that when she arrived, she had no strength left in her body.

Suddenly, stabbing pain shot through her lower abdomen. She thought it was just a stomach ache and took some medicine, but the pain didn't subside.

She tried to get to the hospital, but after a few steps, she felt something flow between her legs.

"Oh my god, Mrs. Knight! What's happening?!"

The maid was terrified when she saw Jolie's pants stained with blood.

Jolie looked down and saw the bright red blood pooling beneath her.

Panic set in. "Call Kaden! Now!"

"Right, right! I'll call him immediately!"

The maid dialed Kaden. The call connected quickly. "Sir… Mrs. Knight—"

"I don't have time for her today. Tell her not to bother me."

"But… it looks like she's having a miscarriage—"

The phone clicked as he hung up. Jolie's body went limp, collapsing to the floor. The pain in her abdomen made it hard to breathe.

The maid rushed over to support her.

"Mrs. Knight, I'll take you to the hospital immediately. Don't be afraid!"

"Kaden…" Thinking of that call, Jolie clutched her stomach and let out a bitter laugh. "I… hate you…"

Her consciousness faded, and she could no longer hold on and passed out.

When she woke up, it was already two days later.

Kaden was sitting by her bedside, his eyes red and swollen.

He hadn't slept a wink in two days, just staying there, watching over her, hoping she would wake up soon.

"Jolie, you're awake? How do you feel? Does it still hurt?"

He held her hand tightly, as if afraid she would disappear the next second.

Jolie yanked her hand free and turned her face away. She didn't want to look at him.

"Jolie, the doctor says you lost the baby because of the stress you've been bottling up. I'm sorry. If I had known sooner, I wouldn't have treated you so badly. But why didn't you tell me?"

So she had been pregnant.

Jolie blinked, but tears still sliding down her cheeks.

No wonder her period hadn't come this month. She had thought it was from being too angry recently.

But maybe it was for the best. The baby was gone, and she was leaving Kaden anyway.

"We're still young. There will be other children."

Kaden said it lightly, but his words were like a knife, stabbing repeatedly at her heart.

"Yes… there will be other children," Jolie said with a faint smile. But they wouldn't be Kaden's.

"Good, I'm glad you understand. By the way, Larry's at the door. She wants to see you."

Larry stepped in cautiously, holding a bouquet of carnations. "Sorry, Mrs. Knight. I didn't know you were pregnant. If I had known, I wouldn't have sent those messages to provoke you, I was just being childish."

Jolie smiled at her fake, innocent face.

Knowing full well she could never be a mother, Larry still brought a bouquet of carnations on purpose.

This woman was truly poisonous.

But Kaden seemed blind to it all.

"Leave. I want to rest."

"I know you're upset," Larry continued, refusing to leave and sniffling softly.

"But don't be too sad. You only lost one child. I'm carrying Mr. Knight's baby. Why don't we wait until the baby is born, and I'll make you the godmother?"

"You're pregnant?"

Kaden's face lit up with joy as he grabbed Larry's hand. "When did this happen?"

"Just now, I felt so nauseous I almost threw up, so I asked a doctor to run some tests."

Larry pulled out an ultrasound report. "I'm three months along, Kaden. This is our baby!"

"That's amazing, Larry! I'm going to be a dad!"

Kaden lifted her off the ground and spun her around, completely oblivious to Jolie's shattered expression.

Jolie grabbed the fruit tray from the bedside table and hurled it at the two of them.

"Get out of here!"

"Jolie!"

Kaden shielded Larry instinctively, snapping at Jolie without thinking.

"I know you're upset, but Larry's been nothing but considerate. She's even offering to make you the kid's godmother. Isn't that enough?" Forget it, you're in a bad mood. I'm not going to argue. Just get some rest. I'll come back in a few days."

With that, he gently led Larry out. "You're pregnant now. You need proper rest. Let me drive you home."

Larry pouted, her lips painted red. "Why go home?"

"So you can pack a few things and move in with me. You're all by yourself. I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone."

As the two of them walked away, Jolie's tears finally broke free.

Kaden had already made a home with another woman, and she had nothing left to hold on to.

Her phone buzzed. Her mentor was calling.

"Jolie, are you ready? Your documents have all been approved. They're expecting you to join the team on time."

Glancing at the date, Jolie realized how quickly seven days had passed. It was time.

"I'm ready, Professor. I'll meet you at the airport."

When she got home, she packed her luggage swiftly, preparing to leave.

Housekeeper Helen sensed something was wrong but didn't dare stop her. She kept dialing Kaden.

The moment the call connected and she mentioned "Jolie," Kaden's voice turned impatient. "What is she doing now? Helen, I'll deal with her later. I have more important things to do right now. Just tidy up the guest room. I'm bringing Larry home."

Jolie heard every word clearly.

Helen looked awkward. "Ma'am..."

"Just do what he said. And actually, don't bother with the guest room, clean the master bedroom. Tell Kaden I've figured everything out. I wish him and Larry a lifetime of happiness. After all, trash belongs with trash."

With that, Jolie dragged her suitcase out of the villa without looking back.

A three-year closed research project was more than enough to drown out the pain of these past days.

"Kaden, this is really goodbye."

Outside the villa, a black Cavenne pulled up.

The window lowered halfway, revealing an outrageously handsome face.

"Jolie. Get in."

Jolie froze. "I didn't expect it to be you."

"Who else would it be? My dad and the others are already waiting at the airport. Three years with zero contact with the outside world—can you handle that?"

Jolie's voice was steady. "I can."

He lifted an eyebrow, placed her suitcase inside, and drove off with her.

The scenery shifted rapidly outside the window. Jolie glanced down at the wedding ring on her hand.

Kaden had taken her to buy it the day he proposed, even engraving their names on the inside.

She used to treasure it. Now she didn't want it anymore.

She slipped off the diamond ring, took a photo, and posted it on a reselling site.

"Selling what once was love. Starting bid: $1. First come, first served."

Minutes later, the ring was sold.

Her love with Kaden ended there as well.