Chris's satisfaction deepened, a faint curve tugging at his lips as his eyes lingered on Hailey with quiet amusement. "Calm down. Someone with such pitiful judgment—someone who can't even tell a pebble from a pearl—is hardly qualified to be my rival, let alone worth my effort to scheme against."

Hailey was caught completely off guard, leaving her momentarily stunned.

A pebble and a pearl? His disdain for Kieran seemed to run deep.

Rising from his seat, Chris let his shadow stretch across the room, the warm light outlining his broad frame.

Hailey found herself standing inside that shadow, compelled to tilt her chin upward to meet his composed gaze.

"Ms. Bennett," he said, his voice low and measured. "Go home and think about it. By tomorrow, I'm confident you'll give me an answer that satisfies us both."

She could only nod, the words settling heavily in her chest.

Even after returning home, Hailey's thoughts refused to settle. Chris's proposal felt like a puzzle she couldn't piece together, its edges sharp with hidden implications.

She couldn't let desperation over her mother's treatment push her into a decision she might regret.

Determined to quiet her mind, she turned her focus to packing, folding clothes with slow, deliberate movements as the echo of his voice lingered in her ears.

After three years in this house, her life fit neatly into a single twenty-inch suitcase—a depressing reminder of how little she truly possessed.

Her decision about the divorce was final. If Kieran refused to sign, she would take him to court without a second thought.

The phone beside her buzzed repeatedly, screen lighting up with new notifications.

Curious, she reached for it, only to see the trending feed flash with updates.

Before she could read further, the door burst open with a violent crack. Kieran strode in, his expression thunderous, fury shadowing his sharp features.

"What the hell is going on between you and Chris?" he demanded, his voice tight with accusation.

Hailey's brows drew together. "Why does that concern you?"

A cruel smirk tugged at Kieran's lips as his gaze swept over her with open contempt. "So that's it, huh? Now I understand your sudden rush for a divorce—you've found yourself another man. Hailey, you're still the same gullible fool. Do you really believe you can handle a man like Chris?"

In Grosford, Chris had a reputation carved in stone: cold-blooded, calculating, and impossible to outmaneuver.

Once he locked onto something, it was only a matter of time before it was his.

Kieran had always prided himself on his strength, yet every clash with Chris had ended in humiliation.

Hailey's expression turned cold, her voice laced with malice. "If you're hallucinating, get professional help. Stop projecting your twisted fantasies onto me."

He actually thought she was cheating? The accusation hit her like a slap. Even after years of marriage, he still didn't trust her.

That fight at the hospital had been her breaking point. From then on, she'd stopped clinging to any illusion of love between them. Yet hearing his accusations now made her ache with bitter clarity—how could she have ever fallen for a man like this?

Kieran's eyes turned dangerous, the shadows in them deepening as he stared her down.

"Hailey, I never realized just how deceitful you were." He yanked out his phone, the screen glowing with headlines that made her pulse jump.

"Malinda Fletcher Involved in Plagiarism, Stripped of Championship Title."

"True Winner of Photography Contest Revealed: Hailey Bennett."

A faint spark of disbelief flickered through Hailey's eyes. So this was the "gift" Chris had mentioned earlier. The satisfaction that came with it was sharp, almost vindicating.

Grinding his teeth, Kieran forced out, "If you really have nothing to do with him, why would he help you? Hailey, I'm giving you ten minutes to explain. Malinda's just starting her career—she can't afford to have it destroyed over this."

A bitter laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Straightening, Hailey met his gaze head-on, her tone icy and precise. "What exactly do you expect me to explain? That the work I created was stolen from me and credited to someone else? And now that the truth's out, the thief gets to play the victim while I'm told to protect her reputation?"

He regarded her with a cold, indifferent stare. "You've got the talent Malinda only dreams of. No matter what she puts out, your work will always outshine hers. You can always produce better work, but she can't. So why are you still holding on to this?"

The level of nonsense in his words had Hailey on the edge of laughing in his face. "Let her fall—she earned it. Stealing someone else's work comes with consequences."

She reached for her suitcase. "Expect me at the courthouse by nine tomorrow morning. I want the divorce finalized before the day is out."

Never in a million days had she imagined the man she once loved could turn so repulsive. Staying another second felt impossible.

But when she stepped forward, a sudden, crushing hand clamped around her wrist.

The coldness in his gaze matched the iron grip as he held her fast. "Enough of this bullshit. Admit to the public that you are the real thief, or you'll fucking regret it."

With a sharp twist she freed her arm as though shrugging off a leash. "Who do you think you are? Back when I loved you, you felt like treasure; now you're nothing but garbage."

The finality in her voice left her gaze icy and impenetrable.

A sharp ache twisted through Kieran's chest before his phone started to ring. He answered without hesitation.

"Kieran…" Malinda's broken voice trembled through the line. "I'm completely terrified. Everywhere I look online, there's hate—people calling me names, even wishing me dead. I can't look at it anymore. Maybe… maybe it'd be easier if I just disappeared. Forgive me, Kieran, I just can't do this by your side any longer…"

His blood ran cold. Gripping the phone tightly, he strode toward the door, tension tightening every muscle in his body.

"Tell me where you are," he ordered, voice low but urgent. "I'll come get you right now. I won't let this get any worse."

Hailey stood motionless, a storm of emotions flickering behind her eyes.

Kieran had always been distant, almost mechanical in his restraint. In three years of marriage, she had never seen him show real emotion.

Yet now, worry bled openly across his face, his eyes clouded with panic, his hurried steps betraying a turmoil she'd never thought him capable of.

As the rumble of his car faded down the driveway, the lingering noise echoed in her ears. With her lashes trembling, she let her eyes slide shut.

For a long time, she had clung to the belief that if she kept pouring her heart into him, even a heart made of ice would eventually melt.

Only now did the truth finally settle in. The problem wasn't Kieran's aloofness; the cruel reality was that he had never harbored any love for her at all.

When it came to choosing between her and Malinda, his devotion and his disregard drew a painfully clear line.

Biting back the ache in her chest, she curved her lips into a bitter smile and walked out, the wheels of her suitcase rattling softly behind her.

Even though the Bennett family had collapsed into bankruptcy, she still owned a modest apartment she had bought before the marriage.

That night, exhaustion finally dragged her under, and she slept more peacefully than she had in years.

At first light the next morning, she woke up, reached for her phone, and dialed Chris's number. "Do you have time now, Mr. Fuller? I'd like to meet and talk about the studio."

On the other end of the line, Chris sounded almost buoyant. "Come straight to my office."

"Okay, I'll head over now."

Hailey swapped her outfit for something simple and comfortable, then hailed a cab straight to the Fuller Group headquarters.

During the ride, she couldn't stop herself from scrolling through her phone, checking for any updates on the plagiarism scandal surrounding Malinda.

As expected, every article about the photography contest had vanished overnight, wiped clean as if it had never existed.

Even Malinda's smear campaigns were gone, buried beneath an expensive wave of damage control.

The trending topic had already surpassed a hundred million views before it was pulled. Kieran undoubtedly paid an astronomical sum to bury it without a trace.

Hailey's grip on her phone tightened, her knuckles whitening as frustration simmered beneath her calm exterior.

When the cab rolled to a stop outside the glass tower, an assistant stood waiting by the entrance. "Ms. Bennett, Mr. Fuller is expecting you in the executive office."

Offering a brief nod, Hailey replied, "Thank you."

She rode the elevator up to the eighty-eighth floor, its ascent smooth and silent.

The door to the executive office was open, and Hailey knocked on the door. "Mr. Fuller."

Chris barely glanced up from the stack of documents before him, a faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Come in."

Hailey stepped inside, her gaze sweeping across the minimalist office.

The sleek black-and-white décor radiated quiet authority, softened by the expanse of the giant floor-to-ceiling window. Through the window, the city stretched endlessly below—a blur of motion and light that made her feel as though she were standing above the world itself.

In this empire of steel and ambition, Chris Fuller was undeniably its ruler.

A soft clink drew her attention back as a cup settled onto the table before her. She looked up to find his steady eyes fixed on her, amusement flickering in their depths.

"Seems my little gift pleased you, Ms. Bennett," he said.

Her shoulders eased, tension melting slightly, though confusion lingered in her gaze. "Mr. Fuller," she asked carefully. "Why are you helping me?"

Kieran's reach extended into every corner of Grosford, and without Chris's interference, her name would have been erased without a trace.

That was exactly why Kieran had dared to hand her work to Malinda—he never expected anyone powerful enough to stop him.

Yet Chris had changed the game entirely.

Leaning back in his chair, Chris rested one arm on the table, his fingers tapping a slow rhythm against the polished surface. Sunlight caught the gold ring on his pinky, sending a warm glint across the room.

Hailey's gaze lingered on it for a moment—it looked oddly familiar, though she couldn't remember where she had seen it before.

"I've always respected genuine talent," he noted evenly, his tone calm but firm. "What I can't stand are cheap tricks. Credit belongs to those who earn it."

Lips drawn in a tight line, Hailey paused for a breath before speaking with quiet sincerity. "Thank you, Mr. Fuller, for everything you've done. If there's ever anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask."

The corners of Chris's mouth lifted ever so slightly, his eyes glinting with quiet satisfaction. "Alright. I'll hold you to that."

With an easy motion, he slid a document across the desk. "The PSA's schedule is pretty tight. I'm wondering when you can officially start. This here's the shareholding agreement—look it over. If anything seems off, don't hesitate to bring it up."

"Okay." Hailey took the papers, her eyes skimming through the neatly printed lines.

The terms were remarkably generous—far beyond what she'd expected. Once the PSA wrapped, she'd still retain full independence.

A flicker of conflicted emotion crossed Hailey's eyes before she steadied herself and met his gaze. "Mr. Fuller, your offer is more than fair," she began. "But I'd like to ask for one additional favor."

One of Chris's brows rose, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "Go ahead."

"I'll soon be filing for divorce," she admitted, her tone low but firm. "I heard your legal team is the most capable in Grosford."

Watching his expression, she quickly added, "Of course, I'll cover all the fees myself—no matter the amount."

Determination underlined her voice. She was ready to pay any price for her freedom.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but the glimmer in Chris's eyes seemed to deepen with amusement.

"They will deliver a result that satisfies you," he replied smoothly.

Relief loosened the tension in her shoulders. Hailey picked up the pen, her signature flowing swiftly across the page. "Thank you, Mr. Fuller. I'll give my best to every task you assign."

She slid the signed contract back across the desk.

Chris took it with a measured glance, the corners of his mouth curving faintly. His signature had already been scrawled across the page—bold, decisive strokes that commanded attention.

Hailey's name followed below, her handwriting elegant and precise, a graceful contrast that somehow looked perfectly balanced beside his.

After a brief pause, Chris closed the folder with a soft thud. "Alright."

Hailey inclined her head and remarked, "Then I'll begin tomorrow. Please have someone send me the PSA's requirements."

"Will do."

Chris had barely finished his sentence when Hailey's phone lit up with a sudden ring.

Kieran's name flashed across the screen. Her expression tightened as she turned off her phone.

"Mr. Fuller," she said evenly, rising to her feet. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

He gave a brief nod. Once she stepped out, Chris pressed the intercom and called the assistant.

"Didn't Kieran express interest in a new project recently? Raise our offer and take it from him," he ordered.

"Understood, Mr. Fuller."

Leaving the desk, Chris moved to the window, city lights glittering beneath him like scattered jewels. His thumb brushed the gold band on his pinky as a faint, determined smile curved his lips.

He'd waited long enough for Hailey—this time, he wasn't letting her slip away.

…

Back at her apartment, Hailey switched her phone back on. Missed-call notifications filled the screen—Kieran had called dozens of times.

When it started ringing again, she let out an exasperated sigh and finally answered.

His voice exploded through the speaker, raw with fury. "Where the hell have you been? Why didn't you answer my calls?"

Calm and unshaken, Hailey spoke with the chill of someone who'd already made up her mind. "My whereabouts aren't your concern. The only thing left between us is the divorce."

She glanced at her watch and added briskly, "It's ten o'clock. Let's get it done today."

A dry, hollow chuckle slipped from Kieran. "You're that eager to toss me aside and spread your legs for Chris?"

"I don't sink to your level," she retorted, her voice cutting like ice. "I've tried to end this with some shred of grace. If you won't finalize it today, I'll take it to court tomorrow."

Her arrangement with Chris had always been her contingency plan.

Without missing a beat, Kieran fired back, every word laced with cutting intent. "Fine, we'll divorce—but not before you come to the hospital and apologize to Malinda in person. If it weren't for you, she wouldn't have slit her wrists."

Hailey froze for a moment, piecing everything together.

So that was why Kieran had rushed out yesterday—Malinda's so-called suicide attempt.

Her grip on the phone tightened. "What does that have to do with me? I haven't done a damn thing wrong."

"Hailey!" Kieran's tone cut through the line like a blade, cold and brimming with fury. "You destroyed Malinda's life—took everything from her! If you hadn't lied to me back then, she'd be the one standing beside me today. So what if she stole your work? Consider it payback for what you did."

Rage surged through her chest. Once upon a time, he hadn't been gentle, but at least he'd shown a trace of warmth—an illusion she now realized had never been real.

That facade shattered the moment Malinda appeared, claiming she had been the one who pulled him from the wreck years ago.

From that lie onward, this marriage unraveled.

Kieran saw her as a sham—a greedy opportunist who had stolen someone else's glory.

"For the last time, I was the one who saved you," she said, forcing her voice to stay even. "If you're determined to overlook the holes in her story, that's on you. But leave me out of your delusions."

Drawing a slow, steady breath, she sharply warned, "And if you refuse to sign the divorce papers today, don't accuse me of being ruthless later. I've got plenty of proof of your affairs. Imagine what would happen if that leaked while Riley Group's stocks are still climbing..."

Throwing threats like it was nothing? She'd learned how to play that game too.

Years of secrecy had made her an unwilling witness to countless moments between Kieran and Malinda—intimate glances, whispered exchanges, the kind of chemistry even paparazzi joked made them soulmates.

But what would happen if the world learned Kieran was already married?

"Are you out of your goddamn mind, threatening me like that?" His voice bristled with wrath. "Nothing ever happened between Malinda and me—we never took it that far."

"Is that how you justify it now? You think emotional cheating doesn't count?" Whatever calm Hailey had left was thinning fast, slipping through her like sand. "Cherish whatever dignity you have left in this marriage. If this turns into a scandal, you'll be the one ruined."

Without another word, she ended the call and deleted every trace of him from her phone.

She had always imagined that the day she let go of Kieran would be agonizing—but instead, the weight lifting off her chest brought an unexpected calm, as if she had finally set down a burden she'd carried too long.

On the other end, Kieran's face darkened, the lines around his mouth tightening until his expression looked carved from shadow.

Even through the phone, he could sense Hailey's indifference—sharp, clipped, and laced with the same coldness she'd shown him the night before.

Gone was the tenderness that had once flickered in her eyes. Now there was only frost and distance, a chill that hadn't existed in the three years they'd been married.

The woman who had schemed her way into his life by claiming Malinda's credit now dared to demand a divorce?

A low, humorless laugh escaped him as his eyes narrowed.

He'd make sure Hailey found out exactly what the hell it cost to go against him.

All day, Hailey waited for any word from Kieran about the divorce, but her phone stayed silent.

Still, with Chris's formidable legal team backing her, she felt little worry and headed to the Fuller Group right on schedule.

That morning, she chose a simple, clean look—light sweater, slim jeans, and her camera bag slung over one shoulder.

At the reception area, the assistant greeted her with a polite smile.

"Good morning, Ms. Bennett. Here are the requirements and reference materials for the craft film shoot. Mr. Fuller's still in a meeting, so you may need to wait a bit."

Hailey eased back into the sofa, the faint scent of fresh coffee lingering in the air.

"Sure," she murmured, flipping through the stack of documents the assistant had just handed over.

The proposal for Chris's public service film painted a stark picture—the unforgiving reality of children struggling in the remote mountain regions.

Despite years of donations and relief efforts from countless benefactors, the aid barely scratched the surface. Their lives remained bound by poverty and isolation.

But Chris's intent went far beyond charity. His vision was to reveal the area's untapped potential, drawing in investors who could create long-term change instead of fleeting sympathy.

That idea piqued Hailey's interest. It was a clever, unconventional approach.

She had just finished reviewing the materials when the sound of footsteps drew her attention. Chris approached, his jacket still crisp from the meeting, a faint trace of cologne following him.

"Done looking through the materials?" His tone was relaxed but expectant. "If anything feels off, or you have suggestions, now's the time."

Hailey thought for a moment, tapping the papers lightly against her knee. "I do have a few ideas for the shoot," she said thoughtfully. "But I'll need to visit the site first. It'll help me refine the concept."

"That works," Chris replied, his gaze dropping briefly to meet hers. "This project carries a lot of weight for the company's image, so I'll be personally supervising the entire production."

She gave a subtle nod. "Alright then, let's head out."

"Okay."

Only once they were on the road did Hailey realize how far they were going—their destination lay in a remote mountain village more than four hours away from the city.

Midway through the trip, the paved highway gave way to a narrow, uneven dirt path worn down by countless travelers.

Vehicles couldn't pass through, so the crew had to haul the supplies on foot.

The ground was slick from a heavy rain the night before, each step sinking into the soft mud.

Hailey trudged carefully but still slipped on a loose stone, pitching sideways.

"Careful!" Chris reached out instinctively, catching her around the waist and pulling her against him.

For a fleeting moment, she was close enough to catch the faint, cool trace of mint clinging to him.