Chapter 2

The next morning, I received a message from Victor.

“My dearest wife, I have an important event today. Too bad you’re not here.”

“Remember to come home and see me when you get your vacation. I really miss you.”

Due to the sensitive nature of my work, I rarely have contact with the outside world.

So, for three years, my marriage to Victor has been mostly long-distance.

But he always shared his daily life with me and expressed his longing.

I thought he genuinely loved me.

Now, thinking back, it all just feels ridiculous.

After securing special leave from Director Hayes, I drove my agency’s specially assigned vehicle, which he personally approved for my use, to Tiffany’s hometown, following the wedding location on her digital invitation.

From a distance, I could see a huge red banner hanging above Tiffany’s family home.

“Warmest welcome to Mr. Victor Thorne, CEO of Thorne Industries, for the groom’s arrival!”

Beneath the banner, Tiffany was dressed in a pristine, custom-designed white wedding gown, eagerly awaiting her groom’s arrival.

She was surrounded by a group of our old high school classmates.

“Tiffany, you kept this quiet! We had no idea your man was the richest person in the state until your wedding!”

“Seriously! I heard Mr. Thorne isn’t just wealthy; he wields absolute power, virtually untouchable. You’re truly something, landing such an excellent, top-tier man!”

“Tiffany, you’re about to be the richest man’s wife! Don’t forget us old classmates when you’re living large!”

Even our high school homeroom teacher, Mr. Harrison, fawned over Tiffany.

“Tiffany, the first time I saw you, I knew you’d achieve great things.”

“That’s why, even when your grades weren’t the best in high school, I never criticized you. I knew you were destined for a life of luxury and power; you never needed grades to prove yourself!”

Bathed in everyone’s compliments, Tiffany’s lips curled into a wide smile, her eyes sparkling with pride and enjoyment.

Victor wasn't actually that capable.

If it weren't for the strategic alliance our marriage provided, keeping his powerful rivals at bay, he would have been completely devoured, leaving no bones behind.

He certainly wouldn't be sitting in the position of the richest man.

It was ironic that this was now Tiffany’s capital for showing off and being praised.

When they saw me arrive, the classmates who had been enthusiastically flattering Tiffany instantly frowned, looking at me with disdain.

Brittany, one of the popular girls' followers, saw the car behind me and immediately scoffed.

“Oh, look, it’s Kira Maxwell, the academic superstar! Haven’t heard from you in ages. I thought you’d be doing so much better, but you’re driving some cheap, junky domestic car?”

The others burst into laughter.

“Hilarious! I’d rather die than drive such a low-class piece of junk!”

“But why does her license plate have those special digits? Those are federal plates, you can’t just buy them!”

“It’s clearly a fake plate she bought to show off! How could her old beat-up car have such a plate?”

“No wonder she had the nerve to show up; she probably put on a fake plate to try and act important! What a joke!”

Facing their insults, I remained expressionless.

“The license plate is real.”

“And this isn’t a junk car. It’s a specially armored federal vehicle.”

The words were barely out of my mouth when Tiffany suddenly strode up to me.

She slapped me hard across the face.

“Of course, that plate is real! Because it’s my husband’s car!”

“I’ve suspected my husband was keeping a mistress, but I never thought it would be you, you tramp!”

“You shameless home-wrecker, how dare you drive my husband’s car to my wedding to provoke me, his *real* wife?!”