Chapter 1

The company was thrown into disarray because of that troublemaker, Chloe.

My husband, Derek, not only stopped me from firing her but demanded I pay her compensation for emotional distress.

"She already has mental health issues, and she's a divorced single mom. Don't add more pressure to her."

"If you ask me, give her three million as compensation, and a long vacation. It would really show your generosity as a leader."

I stared at Derek, utterly disbelieving.

If Chloe hadn't used a baby bottle to serve a client during a meeting, the company wouldn't have been targeted and plunged into this crisis.

Watching her hide behind Derek, I sneered, "Anyone would think she's your wife, not your employee."

"Since you're so keen on protecting her, then get out of my company, both of you!"

"And sign the divorce papers in the cabinet on your way out. My company doesn't need imbeciles like you two."

My words had barely left my lips.

Derek stood up, aghast. "How can you be so heartless? I'm just being empathetic to an employee, and you want to divorce me?"

"The company's in trouble, and instead of figuring out a solution, you're picking on an employee. Victoria, do you even act like a boss anymore?"

Watching his self-righteous display, I found it both laughable and pathetic.

"Derek, you've probably forgotten that everything you have now, I gave you."

"You're protecting Chloe so fiercely. Could it be there's something shady going on between you two?"

I was raised from childhood to be an heiress. Derek was just a man my father brought into our family business to assist me as my husband.

I'd made it clear from the start that I didn't want Chloe hired.

She had a knack for stirring up trouble.

Others would be working overtime on proposals, and she'd accidentally unplug the server.

When asked to submit a plan, she'd claim her baby had a "rumbling tummy" and needed her.

What was even more infuriating was when she put sick cats and dogs in the communal food storage area, leading to the entire staff being rushed to the emergency room.

There was no way I was keeping an employee like that.

But last month, while I was on a business trip overseas, Derek bypassed HR and shoved her into the client relations department.

And then that troublemaker used a baby bottle to entertain an important client, successfully bringing disaster down on the company.

Derek not only refused to fire her but demanded I pay her a hefty compensation.

He was truly insane.

"Victoria, how could you say such a thing?"

Derek's face flushed crimson, his shouting voice growing weaker. "We're husband and wife! This company is our shared effort..."

"Shared effort?"

I cut him off, a cold laugh escaping my lips.

"Don't flatter yourself. Without the Albrights, you, Derek, would probably be couch-surfing or struggling on the streets somewhere..."

Before I could finish, Chloe, who was hiding behind Derek, suddenly burst into tears.

"It's all my fault! I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have caused trouble for the company, and I shouldn't have made Mr. Johnson uncomfortable... Ms. Albright, Mr. Johnson is just too kind. Our relationship is completely innocent. Please don't be angry, and please don't argue with Mr. Johnson because of me..."

As she spoke, she suddenly pushed Derek away and dashed towards the office's floor-to-ceiling window.

Chloe braced her hands on the windowsill, turning to look at us, her eyes bloodshot.

"If my death can calm everything down, if it can help the company through this crisis, if it can make you two reconcile, then... then I'll just die!"

Derek's face went ashen, and he exclaimed, "Chloe! Don't do anything rash!"

He rushed forward, pulled her down from the window ledge, and glared at me fiercely.

"Victoria, Chloe just used a baby bottle to pour some water for a client, right? A baby bottle isn't dirty. How hard is it for a divorced single mother with a child? Can't you show some understanding?"

"You're not infertile yourself, are you, so you can't stand to see anyone else doing well? Victoria, when did you become so vicious?"

I raised an eyebrow, watching him flail desperately, my eyes full of scorn.

"But I distinctly remember that it was *you* who got a vasectomy years ago. What do you mean *I* can't have children?"