"Where's Ansel?" Odessa asked, her voice laced with fury.

Sydney let out a mocking chuckle. "Shouldn't you be the one to know? You're his wife, after all. Or maybe… he just doesn't want to see you right now."

Without raising her voice, the poison threaded through her words was enough to make heads turn.

Many of the longtime employees recognized Odessa, their expressions shifting the moment she entered the room.

Ansel had long upheld the illusion of a faithful husband. But now, the familiar tension between wife and mistress was on full display for everyone to see.

To make things worse, a few employees recalled that Sydney had once been a struggling student who Odessa personally supported. The memory only deepened the curiosity etched across their faces.

"Well, Odessa, since you have no idea what Ansel's doing, let me fill you in. He's taking a nap. I was keeping him company, but one of my girlfriends invited me to go shopping, so I stepped out."

As Sydney spoke, her fingers lightly traced her necklace. Odessa couldn't help but notice the kiss marks along the edge of her neckline.

"Look, Odessa, if you don't have anything important to say, you should go. Ansel doesn't want to see you right now. If that changes, I'll be sure to let you know."

Odessa could feel the eyes of everyone on her, each one like a needle pricking at her composure. Her anger surged without warning, and she slapped Sydney hard across the face.

After a moment of silence, gasps and murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.

Sydney stood dazed, her head tilted to one side as she stared blankly at the floor.

As clarity slowly returned, she spotted a figure just at the edge of her vision. All of a sudden, she collapsed to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. "Odessa, it's all my fault! Please, don't be mad at Ansel anymore!"

Odessa hadn't expected such a reaction. Just as she was about to accuse Sydney of putting on an act, a tall figure pushed through the crowd.

"Sydney!"

It was Ansel.

"Ansel, I—" Odessa began.

But before she could finish, Ansel shoved her roughly.

"Odessa, stop this madness! This is an office! Wasn't making a scene at home enough? Do you want everyone to see you like this?"

Odessa staggered backward and collapsed onto the floor. A groan slipped from her lips as her face turned pale.

Ansel didn't even look at her. He hurried to Sydney's side, gently cupping her face. "Does it hurt?"

Tears slipped down Sydney's cheeks. "It does... I need you to blow on it to make it better."

Ansel softly blew on the injured spot, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I warned you to stay away from her, didn't I?"

Curled up in his arms, Sydney shook her head. "Ansel, don't blame Odessa. It's my fault. I must've upset her by accident."

Ansel lifted her carefully and turned to the crowd gathered around them. "Why are you all just standing there?" he barked. "Get back to work!"

At his terse command, the crowd broke apart in an instant.

His gaze then shifted to Odessa, still seated on the floor. His cold stare was unlike anything she had ever encountered.

When their eyes met, a sudden chill ran through her. She had never imagined Ansel could look at her with such disdain.

The warmth and tenderness they once shared now felt like a cruel, bitter illusion.

Without another word, Ansel stepped forward and hauled her to her feet. His grip was unyielding, devoid of any mercy.

"Let's take this to the office," he said flatly.

Odessa stumbled, nearly twisting her ankle as he pulled her along. She yanked her hand, trying desperately to break free. "No, let's talk here."

"Odessa, my patience isn't endless!" Ansel snapped. "I'm honestly so disappointed in you. You're acting like a total shrew."

"A shrew?"

Odessa's body trembled, a bitter smile touching her lips before fading away. Tears quietly traced down her cheeks.

"I never imagined hearing those words from you. So, you think I'm disgraceful, huh?

"When you were running wild like that, did you ever wonder how it would all end?"

"That's enough!" Ansel's voice thundered through the room. "What do you want from me? What will it take for you to stop?"

Without hesitation, Odessa pulled out the divorce papers. "I want a divorce!"

Odessa's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to bring the entire lobby to a standstill.

One by one, curious faces emerged, all eyes drawn to the tense moment unfolding. Every gaze settled firmly on Odessa.

She tightened her grip on the divorce papers, but her eyes remained unwavering and determined.

Ansel's expression hardened. His fists clenched tightly as he spat, "Odessa, must you really do this?"

She held his stare, wiping away a tear. "No matter how many times you ask, my answer won't change. Just sign the papers. Let's finally be done with each other."

Ansel said nothing. His cold eyes bore into her, the air around him thickening with tension.

From the sidelines, Sydney's heart soared, bursting like fireworks lighting up the night sky.

She didn't hesitate to stoke the fire. Gripping Ansel's collar, she looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes. "Ansel, please… put me down. This is all my fault. Don't fight with Odessa because of me."

Sydney's sobs scraped at Odessa's patience, but she met them with a cold, unwavering smile. "Come on, Mr. Halberg, just sign it. Your little princess needs you."

Hearing her say "Mr. Halberg" pushed Ansel over the edge. His face darkened, and a bitter laugh slipped out. "Fine, Odessa. So you want a divorce that badly, huh? Don't expect me to take it back when you come running!"

Odessa closed her eyes. "I won't regret this," she declared firmly.

"Great. Then let's get divorced!" Ansel snapped.

Without hesitation, he set Sydney down and yanked the papers from Odessa's hands, his fists clenched tight with tension.

His cold voice cut through Odessa like a blade. Tears brimmed at the edge of her eyes, but she swallowed them down.

She gave the receptionist a strained smile and said, "Could I borrow a pen, please? Thank you."

"Sure… no problem."

As the receptionist handed Odessa the pen, Ansel's eyes shifted to her.

He said nothing, but the fire simmering in his bloodshot eyes was unmistakable. Startled, the receptionist quickly withdrew her hand, her voice trembling. "Sorry… I don't have a pen."

Just as Odessa moved to find one herself, a fountain pen slipped from Sydney's purse and clattered onto the floor.

"Ah! I'm so sorry! It just slipped right out!" Sydney exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with panic.

But despite her unease, she remained rooted in place, not reaching down to pick it up.

Odessa didn't hesitate. She grabbed the pen and pressed it into Ansel's hands, her voice cold and relentless. "Sign it."

Every eye was fixed on him. It was painfully clear to everyone that he didn't want a divorce. His earlier outburst was simply his wounded pride lashing out in desperation.

But that no longer mattered. The line had been crossed.

Ansel's gaze darkened as he stared at the pen, fury twisting his features. In a swift motion, he snatched it from Odessa's hand and tossed it into the trash. He turned to Sydney and shouted, "Who told you to bring that pen out?"

Tears welled in Sydney's eyes. "You said you had an important meeting today… I just thought you might need it."

For a brief moment, Ansel's heart softened. He took a deep breath and turned back to Odessa, his face shadowed like storm clouds. Without a word, he tore the divorce agreement to shreds.

"Alright. We can proceed with the divorce, but this agreement is riddled with problems. I'll have my lawyer draw up a proper version and inform you when it's ready."

Odessa saw straight through his excuse. She shook her head, her voice sharp and unwavering. "Then have your lawyer come now. I don't want a single cent from you. I'll walk away with nothing. I just want to end our marriage as soon as possible."

Ansel seized her wrist, dragging her close. His bloodshot eyes burned with desperation as he hissed, "Odessa, do you even realize what you're saying? How do you expect to survive without me? Have you ever stopped to think about that?"

Tears welled in Odessa's eyes, dampening her long lashes. The sorrow in her gaze surged like a rising tide, threatening to drown everything.

She leaned in, voice barely above a whisper. "I told you… I've already died. I only have five days left."

Odessa's words hung heavily in the air. A moment later, the silence shattered, like ice cracking under sudden pressure.

Ansel shoved her hard, rage bursting forth. "How many times are you going to make up lies like this?"

Odessa stumbled, nearly losing her balance. She lowered her gaze and offered a bitter smile. "You never believe me. But I guess that's fair… the trust between us disappeared long ago."

Ansel glared at her, his whole body trembling with rage, yet he remained silent.

In the blink of an eye, he regained control, a mocking smile curling on his lips. "Fine. If that's what you want… I'll divorce you on the sixth day."

Without looking back, he grabbed Sydney's hand and started to walk away.

"Ansel, please! You have to believe me!"

Odessa rushed after them but was stopped by the gate as it swung shut.

Without warning, she tumbled to the ground. Her heel snapped loudly, a sharp pain shooting through her ankle.

She let out a muffled cry, refusing to look at her injury. Instead, she turned to the receptionist and pleaded, "Please… could you open the gate for me?"

Before the receptionist could reply, Ansel's sharp, commanding voice pierced the silence. "Don't let her in!"

Yet, when his eyes landed on Odessa's disheveled appearance, a flicker of tenderness softened the hardness in his gaze.

Sydney noticed immediately. Without missing a beat, she leaned into her act. "Ansel, my face still hurts. Can you check if it's swollen?"

Ansel's attention shifted. He knelt down, gently blowing on her cheek. "Come on, let's go back to the office. I'll get some ice for it."

She bit her lip, tears glistening in her eyes. "But what about Odessa…"

Caught in Sydney's pleading look, Ansel steeled himself and said firmly, "From now on, no one lets Odessa into the building without my approval."

When she saw them so close, Odessa's heart broke, bleeding with each agonizing beat. Through choked sobs, she pleaded, "For God's sake, Ansel! Can't you trust me just this once? I only have five days left!"

Ansel didn't look back. Without a word, he stepped into the elevator.

Suddenly, the room grew still. Every pair of eyes felt like sharp needles piercing Odessa's skin. Yet, rather than pain, a deep, hollow void began to spread inside her chest.

After what felt like an eternity, she forced herself up and staggered out of the building.

Outside, thick clouds hung heavy in the sky. Two young women stood at the bus stop. Their eyes were locked on Halberg Group's building, confusion etched across their faces.

"Wasn't that screen showing the CEO's proposal video before? Why did it suddenly switch to an ad?"

"That spokesperson isn't particularly pretty, but she has a fresh, innocent look. I have no idea who she is, though."

Odessa paused, looking up. The giant LED screen now featured a commercial with Sydney, promoting Halberg Group's latest "True Love" jewelry collection.

At the heart of the ad was a dazzling ring. It was a limited-edition piece from the company's 100-Year Anniversary Collection.

As Odessa stared at the screen, her mind wandered back to when the jewelry designs were nothing more than rough sketches. She recalled Ansel laying them before her, eager to hear her thoughts.

"Odessa, which one speaks to you the most?" he asked.

She pointed to a ring shaped like a maple leaf. "This one. It's beautiful."

Ansel smiled, leaning in to kiss her. "I love that one too. Maple leaves shine their brightest in autumn. It reminds me of the first time I saw you at school.

"I'll make it the centerpiece of our 100-Year Anniversary Collection. But it won't be for sale. It will belong to you alone."

Odessa wrapped her arms around him, looking up with a teasing pout. "You'd better mean it. If you don't, I'll leave you forever."

"I swear on my life!"