Then she let out a girlish giggle.

My heart plummeted. In that moment, I was certain Charles was having an affair.

As we left the escape room, Vivian whined that she was hungry.

Charles immediately suggested dinner before the next activity.

I had just placed my hand on the passenger-side door when Charles pressed it shut.

“Vivian gets carsick. Let her sit up front.”

“She can ride with David—his car’s empty.”

“No way. I don’t trust her riding with someone else.”

“Babe, it’s just the front seat. Don’t make a fuss. When you’re not around, Vivian always sits beside me anyway.”

I rolled my eyes and climbed into the back seat instead.

“I knew my wife wouldn’t be unreasonable,” he muttered smugly.

Vivian put on a sweet voice. “Sorry, Sophia, I’ve told Mr. Miller plenty of times not to make exceptions for me, but he always takes care of me. He’s truly the best boss in the world.”

Charles grinned. “The best boss in the world—you’re lucky to have me.”

“Of course. My heart and soul will always belong to you.”

My stomach churned so hard I thought I’d vomit.

Flirting shamelessly in front of me—they couldn’t care less who was watching.

If they were this brazen with me present, what would they do if I weren’t there? Probably already have a child together.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I realized it was a Louisiana Cajun seafood place.

My temper flared.

“Charles, you know I can’t eat spicy food.”

Vivian gasped. “Oh, Sophia, I didn’t know you couldn’t eat spicy! I just happened to mention wanting Cajun tonight, and Mr. Miller brought us here.”

“Mr. Miller, if she can’t handle spice, maybe we should pick somewhere else?”

Charles waved her off. “She can just eat less. She’s so fat anyway, skipping a meal won’t kill her.”

Then he smirked at me. “Babe, didn’t you say you were on a diet? You should be thanking me.”

I nearly exploded but held it in—too many employees were watching.

I swallowed my anger. Fine. Let’s see what other “surprises” the night brings.

The heavy, spicy aroma of the broth made me cough uncontrollably.

“Babe, if it’s too much, wait in the car. No need to sit here uncomfortable,” Charles said, as if being thoughtful.

I stood up and left—not to the car, but straight to his. I drove it away.

Then I found a French fine-dining steakhouse, ordered foie gras, truffle, and a tomahawk steak, and savored it slowly.

Money was no issue—I would never go hungry.

Not long after, Charles called.

“You took my car?”

“Yeah. I went out to eat.”

“You could’ve said something! Weren’t you dieting?”

“I weigh less than a hundred pounds. What diet? You’re the one with fatty liver—I only offered to join you. Can’t you understand plain English?”

I hung up. No man was going to ruin my dinner.

Moments later, my assistant David Lee texted: “Ms. Dawson, Charles brought everyone to a karaoke bar in Las Vegas. I’ve sent you the location.”

So Charles had ditched me to keep partying with his secretary.

What he didn’t realize was that I had people in his team reporting back to me.

I savored my steak while David live-streamed the scene from their private karaoke room.

They were playing Truth or Dare when Charles lost.

Asked to choose, he picked Truth.

“Mr. Miller, do you like our Vivian?” asked Vivian’s close friend, Emily Carter.

“You have to tell the truth—no lies allowed!”

Charles gazed at Vivian with affection. “Yes, I do.”

The room erupted in cheers. Emily pushed further.

“Then when will you marry her, Mr. Miller? I’m waiting for my wedding invite!”

Others chimed in.

“Yeah, dump that witch of a wife already!”

“She’s unbearable. At every team dinner she tags along like an outsider. Always complaining—can’t play this, can’t eat that!”

“Exactly. She’s just afraid Vivian will steal you away, so she follows you everywhere.”

“Doesn’t matter. Vivian and Mr. Miller are true love!”

Listening to them mock me, while they collected my company’s paychecks, made my blood boil.

The game went on. This time Vivian lost.

Emily asked, “Truth or Dare?”

“I’ll take Dare.”

“Then French-kiss Mr. Miller!”

Vivian blushed. “That’s too much.”

“What are you afraid of? Sophia isn’t here!”

“Kiss! Kiss!” the group chanted.

Vivian gathered her courage, cupped Charles’s face, and kissed him deeply.

While their lips tangled, I pushed the door open.

The room froze. The cheers died instantly.

But the two of them were so engrossed they didn’t notice.

I grabbed Vivian and slapped her twice across the face.

Charles roared, “What the hell are you doing?!”

I turned and slapped him twice as well. “What do you think?”

Realizing he was in the wrong, he softened his tone.

“Babe, it’s a misunderstanding. We were just playing a game.”

“Oh? Games now include tongue-kissing?”

“We’re all adults. It’s just fun—we didn’t sleep together.”

I laughed bitterly. “So as long as you don’t sleep with her, it’s not cheating?”

“I admit I went too far. You can hit me, I won’t mind. But Vivian did nothing wrong. You need to apologize to her!”

Vivian sobbed while Charles held her tenderly.

“Vivian, I’ll make Sophia apologize. Don’t cry.”

“Sophia, apologize right now!”

“Is she even worthy of it?” I spat.

Vivian wept harder. “Mr. Miller, Sophia must look down on me.”

“She does! You’re a professional woman, while she’s just a housewife leeching off her husband. She has no right to look down on you. She only lucked out by marrying well—otherwise she’s nothing!”

Charles glared at me. “Sophia, are you going to apologize or not?”

“No.”

“Fine! If you won’t apologize, then forget about having kids!”

I froze. For years I had dreamed of a child. But Charles always refused, hiding behind excuses about not liking kids, always using protection.

Now he dared to use my greatest desire as leverage.

“I don’t care if we don’t have kids. You think you’re the only man in the world? If you won’t give me a child, I’ll find someone else who will.”

Charles Miller’s face twisted in rage. “Sophia Dawson, what the hell did you just say? You want to cheat on me?”

“You’ve already cheated on me. Why shouldn’t I return the favor?”

“Sophia, if you don’t want this marriage, just say it. Then we’ll get a divorce!”

“Fine. Let’s divorce. Whoever backs out is a coward!”

I stormed out of the karaoke room, regretting that I hadn’t slapped the two of them a few more times.

For a moment I considered turning back to land a few punches, but with so many of his people inside, if they all turned on me, I wouldn’t win.

So I drove home. Once there, I called my lawyer.

“Draft a divorce agreement. I want Charles to walk away empty-handed.”

Then I dialed my father.

“Dad, I want to take over as chairwoman.”

“Oh? Has my darling finally had enough fun? Ready to come back and help your father?”

I sighed. “Dad, I’m getting a divorce.”

Richard Dawson was silent for a long moment. “No matter what you decide, I’ll support you.”

It was past midnight when Charles staggered home, reeking of alcohol.

The moment he saw me, he bristled with hostility.

“Sophia, tomorrow you’re coming to the company to apologize to Vivian. Otherwise, this isn’t over between us!”

“If you refuse, then your seat as the CEO’s wife is going to someone else!”

I laughed coldly. “You wouldn’t even be CEO without me. Without me, you’re nothing.”

“I’ll go to the company,” I said, “but not tomorrow. The day after.”

“That’s more like it.”

He wobbled toward the bedroom, but I couldn’t stand the sight of him. I moved to the guest room instead.

Soon after, the official appointment came down from headquarters: I was the new chairwoman.

Immediately, I issued a notice to the West Coast Division, demanding all senior executives attend a 10 a.m. meeting, along with everyone from the executive support department.

When I arrived at the division offices, I overheard the chatter.

“The new chairwoman has quite the background. I heard she’s the former chairman’s daughter.”

“She’s only just taken over and already calling a meeting here. Even the entire support department has to attend. Must be something big.”

“New leadership always makes a splash. Guess we’re the ones about to get burned.”

As soon as I stepped into the conference room, Charles scowled.

“Sophia, what are you doing here? The new chairwoman is about to hold an important meeting. Don’t make trouble. Go home!”

“Mr. Miller, this is Ms. Dawson—our new chairwoman.”

It was Grace Howard, my father’s secretary, who spoke. My father had placed her at my side when he stepped back.

Charles’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Grace, what did you just say? She’s the new chairwoman? Don’t joke—she’s my wife!”

Grace’s expression was grave. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

Charles turned pale. “Sophia… you’re… you’re Richard Dawson’s daughter?”

“That’s right. Surprised? Shocked?”

His face drained white as paper. His entire department looked just as terrified.

“Enough,” I said. “Let’s begin. The purpose of today’s meeting is to announce an important decision.”

“The Dawson Group has decided to terminate the West Coast Division’s head, Charles Miller.”

Charles slammed the table. “You can’t fire me! I’ve made no mistakes at work!”

“Whether you’ve erred professionally remains to be investigated. But your conduct is already disqualifying. That alone is grounds for dismissal.”