I could not help but laugh at how ridiculous it all was.

Life had really become this pointless.

I turned off my phone and ignored Vivian’s provocations.

Instead, I went home and started throwing away everything that once symbolized our so-called love.

While I was busy, Julian suddenly called.

“Vivian left in a rush. There’s a mistake in one of the processes. Please handle it.”

Previously, I would have dealt with it no matter how angry I was for the sake of the company.

However, this time, I just said no.

“I can’t handle it.”

Julian clearly did not expect that and snapped immediately, “What do you mean you can’t? It’s a simple task.”

Then, Vivian’s loud, arrogant voice came through the line.

“So Ms. Lane still doesn’t get it after all this time. Skills don’t matter, background does.

“Julian, I was being nice by asking my dad to give your company a hundred-million-dollar deal. If she doesn’t want it, don’t blame me.”

I was startled for a moment.

She was this arrogant, even in front of me. Did she really not know who I was?

Before I could think further, Julian quickly soothed her.

“She doesn’t know any better. Please, for my sake, don’t take it personally.”

Then his tone turned cold again as he snapped at me, “Do what I told you. Helping Vivian is your privilege.”

At that moment, the maid walked over holding a watch.

“Madam, should I throw this away too?”

It was the watch I had given Julian on our first date. He used to treasure it, wore it every day, never letting it leave his wrist. Now, it had long been tossed into a corner, covered in dust. It did not matter anymore.

I nodded. Then, I replied to Julian, “Forget it. She’s so high and mighty. I’m not worthy enough to get involved.”

Julian clearly heard the maid’s voice.

“You’re at home?”

“Work hasn’t ended for the day. If you don’t come back and fix this, I’ll mark you as absent and cut your salary.”

He did not hesitate to threaten me with punishment just to protect Vivian.

He thought that would force me to back down.

Still, he was wrong.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Do whatever you want.”

…

Silence reigned on the line for a full minute.

No one spoke. Only Julian’s heavy, angry breathing could be heard.

Finally, he could not hold it in anymore.

“Lydia, what is wrong with you? I’m already exhausted from my business trip. Can you stop being so childish?”

Exhausted?

He was out there traveling and sightseeing, clearly having the time of his life!

“I’m not throwing a tantrum. What Vivian said was right. Companies don’t need capable people anymore, only well-connected ones. As such, I’m stepping down. I wish you and your company great success.”

Julian let out a long sigh.

“You still say you’re not throwing a tantrum? I can hear it through the phone.

“Lydia, you and Vivian are both my right-hand people. She handles connections, while you handle operations. It’s a win-win.

“You should be building a good relationship with her, not targeting her.”

After his long lecture, he transfered me 1 dollar and softened his tone.

“The project still needs your approval when it comes through. Just hang in there for a bit. Once it’s done, I’ll give you a month off. Okay?”

I did not respond.

Vivian suddenly interrupted, “Julian, I'm willing to humble myself and get along with her for you.”

Julian sounded satisfied.

“See? That’s what real composure looks like. Lydia, you should really learn from her…”

Before he could finish, I hung up.

He called again, I rejected it.

He texted and I ignored it.

Then I switched my phone to silent.

After I finished clearing out the house, I finally picked it up again.

There were more than one hundred messages and missed calls.

Still, I did not bother soothing his anger. Instead, I opened the work platform and submitted my resignation.

The approval went through layer by layer and, when it reached Julian, he approved it instantly.

I let out a bitter laugh.

It looked like my silent treatment had really driven him crazy this time.

For once, he did not pull any dramatic stunts. He simply let me go.

I shook my head. At least that made things easier.

After handling my resignation, I pulled a divorce agreement out from the drawer.

Julian signed it a few days before leaving for that trip.

Back then, I placed the papers in front of him, but he did not even bother reading them before signing.

I asked with surprise, “Did you even read what you signed?”

Julian looked up at me with a gentle smile.

“There’s no need. I trust you. You’d never hurt me.”

My heart skipped a beat as I met his affectionate gaze. For a moment, I thought there was still a place for me in his heart.

I was just about to speak when Vivian suddenly pushed the office door open.

“Didn’t we agree to watch a movie? Why are you still working? I’m counting to three. If you don’t come out now, I’m leaving.”

Julian hated being rushed. Even when I asked him something in a soft tone, he would lose his temper.

However, when Vivian yelled at him, not only did he stay calm, he actually smiled and rushed toward her.

“It’s my fault, my fault. Please don’t be mad…”

That was when I realized Julian did not sign the papers because he trusted me. He signed them so quickly because he was in a hurry to go watch a movie with Vivian.

After five years of marriage, my place in his heart still could not compare to that of a mere secretary.

How pathetic.

I lowered my gaze.

Since he no longer loved me, then I would set him free.

Holding the divorce papers, I headed straight to the courthouse.

“Ma’am, I need to confirm that your relationship has truly broken down before we can process the divorce.”

I nodded and pulled out my phone to call Julian.

I already knew he was furious and would not answer.

Just as expected, after the call was rejected more than ten times, the staff approved the application and stamped the papers.

By afternoon, we got divorced.

I called and told Lucas about my divorce.

He was overjoyed and insisted on dropping everything at work to come pick me up.

At first, I wanted to say it was not necessary.

However, when I heard the excitement in his voice, I could not bring myself to reject his kindness, so I drove home immediately. I was going to get my stuff and wait for him.

The moment I reached the front door, I heard bursts of laughter coming from inside.

…

I quietly pushed the door open a crack.

Julian and Vivian, who were supposedly still on vacation, had already returned.

The house was filled with colorful balloons.

A ten-tier birthday cake sat beside the dining table.

Vivian wore a birthday hat, smiling brightly.

“Julian, I heard you’ve never even celebrated Lydia’s birthday before. I’m really honored.”

Julian waved dismissively and replied nonchalantly, “She’s just some country girl. What’s the point of celebrating her birthday? It’s a total waste of money.

“You’re different. You gave up time with your family to celebrate with us. We’re the honored ones.”

My hand froze on the doorknob.

Even though I had already given up on him, my chest still tightened painfully hearing those words.

For five years of marriage, every birthday of mine had conveniently coincided with one of his business trips.

He always claimed he had a bad memory and promised to make it up to me the following year.

I believed him.

Only now did I finally understand that he simply thought I was not worth celebrating.

I did not walk in.

They never noticed me standing outside.

Julian’s friends laughed as they handed Vivian gifts, all while talking behind my back.

“Lydia’s seriously useless. She eats off Julian, lives off Julian, and still can’t even handle simple work problems. He had to cut his vacation short just to come back and fix things himself. If I were him, I’d divorce her already.”

“Whether it’s in terms of family background or ability, she’s not even comparable to one of Vivian’s toes.”

“Julian, I think Vivian likes you too. Why don’t you two just get together already?”

Julian pressed his lips together before replying vaguely, “Forget it! She’s been with me since the beginning. It wasn’t easy for her either. If I dumped my wife now, people would talk.”

It sounded like he was defending me.

However, he never once mentioned that over ninety percent of the company’s contracts had been secured by me.

What did they mean by him supporting me?

The truth was the exact opposite.I was the one supporting him and the entire company.

Without me, he would have ended up working in some factory, living the kind of dead-end life where you could already imagine the finish line.

Julian stayed silent.

His silence only made his friends even bolder.

“Julian, you’ve already done more than enough for her. You fed her, spoiled her, and let her live in a luxury house.

“Are you really going to waste your whole life on some washed-up housewife?”

“Honestly, if we’d known things would turn out like this, we never would’ve played matchmaker just because she bought us a few meals.”

“Seriously. Back then, she spent money so freely, I thought she was some rich heiress. It turned out she was just pretending to be wealthy.”

“At the end of the day, we’re the ones who ruined your life. Don’t worry, we’ll help you get back on the right track.”

I laughed when I heard that.

Birds of a feather really did flock together.

A few meals?

Back in college, while chasing after Julian, I paid for all three meals a day for them throughout all four years of university.

Whenever I took Julian traveling, I brought them along too.

Even when I bought Julian gifts, I made sure every single one of them got something as well.

Despite having eaten my food and accepted my gifts, they were sitting here encouraging him to divorce me.

Still, they were not doing it for Julian’s sake.

They simply believed Vivian had more money and could offer them more benefits.

“Julian, if you’re worried about your reputation, we can fake evidence and say she cheated first. That way…”

Bang!

I stopped listening and pushed the door open.

The room instantly fell silent.

Julian stiffened. Panic flashed across his face as he instinctively tried to explain himself.

Then he suddenly remembered we were still in a fight, and his expression immediately hardened again.

He glanced at the time.

“It’s not even six yet and you already left work early again. It looks like you still haven’t learned your lesson. In that case…”

I looked at him in surprise.

So he did not even know I had resigned.

Then again, he had been too busy throwing Vivian a birthday party to even check whose resignation request he approved.

He really did care about her.

I cut him off with a cold laugh.

“No need. I already quit.”

“Quit? Since when?”

Julian was startled for a moment before suddenly seeming to remember something. He rubbed his forehead impatiently.

“Fine. The project’s already secured anyway, so we don’t really need you anymore. Do whatever you want.

“I was trying to be nice and let you keep your name on the project so you could still earn some commission, but if you don’t want it, I won’t force you.”

I raised an eyebrow.

He really did not know the project had already been canceled.

I was just about to say something when the roar of an engine sounded from downstairs.

A limited-edition luxury car worth millions of dollars, something money alone could not buy, pulled up outside the house.

Julian’s friends immediately got excited and started showing off in front of me.

“Bet you didn’t know this. Vivian took her mother’s last name, Jenkins. Her father’s family name is Lane, as in the Lane Corporation.”

“That car downstairs belongs to her brother. He’s definitely here to deliver her birthday gift.”

“Lydia, you’re screwed for offending Vivian.”

“Both of your family names are Lane but your lives are worlds apart. That’s fate. You should accept it.”

They rushed to open the door, completely missing the ugly look on Vivian’s face.

Julian lifted his chin smugly.

“For the sake of our years together, if you hand over all your clients and resources to Vivian, I’ll allow you to stay home as a full-time housewife. Otherwise…”

I knew exactly what he meant. He was trying to threaten me with divorce, to squeeze out every last bit of value I still had.

I ignored him.

At that moment, the door opened.

Lucas walked in wearing a sharp tailored suit, brushing right past Julian’s friends and their eager attempts to flatter him. He came straight to me and patted my shoulder gently.

“Lydia, are you done packing? Mom and Dad are waiting for us for dinner.”

Julian stared at me in complete shock.

I calmly pulled out the divorce decree and handed it to him.

“Oh, right. I forgot to tell you that my parents already withdrew the hundred-million-dollar project.

“And as for your offer, there’s no need anymore because we’re already divorced.”