Chapter 1

On the day my ex-husband married my best friend, I dressed up to the nines.

When my best friend Amber saw me, her face fell. "Valerie, are you trying to steal the spotlight, dressing up even more beautifully than the bride at my wedding? Are you trying to steal my groom?"

"Relax, I have absolutely no interest in your fiancé…"

The moment I appeared, the groom, Brandon, stared at me, his eyes wide.

"Don't you remember me?" I asked.

Brandon stared for a long time, clearly not recognizing me.

"You look familiar, but I can't quite place you. Are you…?"

Seeing that he didn't recognize me, I felt a sense of relief. I smiled and said, "Don't worry, you'll remember who I am soon enough."

It seemed three years was enough for Brandon to completely forget what his "deceased wife" looked like.

But me? Even if Brandon turned to ash, I would never forget him. I deliberately approached Amber a while ago, getting close to her, all for this very day.

Brandon was gazing at me intently, his eyes practically burning a hole through me.

Thanks to my significant wealth, I looked younger, more elegant, and refined than ever before.

Amber continued her introduction, "Brandon, I told you, Valerie is the Chairwoman of Synergy Corp., one of our city's most influential emerging entrepreneurs."

Brandon's eyes lit up even brighter. He stared at me excitedly. "So you're Ms. Valerie, the one they call the most stunning Chairwoman in the city! You look even better in person than on TV!"

"Oh, that's just hype, really, from some less-than-reputable media," I replied gracefully. "Mr. Brandon, you are the true up-and-coming talent, absolutely admirable."

Brandon practically trembled with excitement. "Oh, no, no, my business is just small-time compared to yours, Ms. Valerie. You're a real powerhouse in our city's business world!"

Amber looked a little jealous, glaring at Brandon playfully. "Alright, Brandon, I need to go get my makeup touched up. You should go do whatever you need to do. And don't even think about plotting anything with my best friend."

Brandon gave a strained laugh. "Hah, what are you talking about? Just go get ready."

He turned back to me, chuckling again, sneaking a glance at my ample chest. "Ms. Valerie, with your successful career and beauty, your boyfriend must be quite a catch, right?"

There it was. I was waiting for that question.

I smiled and shook my head. "I don't have a boyfriend."

Brandon's eyes lit up. He chuckled. "Is Ms. Valerie's standard just too high? I get it, I bet most ordinary men wouldn't even catch your eye."

He subtly shifted his gaze to my shapely rear, his look becoming even more brazen.

I shook my head. "Actually, my standards are pretty simple. Just someone who truly cares for me."

Brandon's eyes widened in surprise. "That shouldn't be hard to find, should it?"

I smiled. "It's both easy and hard, I suppose."

"You're right. In this vast world, finding someone who truly cares for you isn't easy," Brandon nodded, agreeing with me.

He then let out a long sigh, a look of melancholy on his face. "My late wife once said she just wanted to marry someone who truly cared for her. She even said marrying me was the right choice, but sadly we… sigh…"

Watching him feign such profound grief made my stomach churn.

His so-called "late wife" was pushed overboard by him and Amber, working together.

Brandon's "true care" involved hooking up with my "best friend" Amber less than a month after marrying me.

Then, to seize the successful company I founded, they conspired to murder me.

They tricked me into taking a trip to a South Asian island nation. Out on the ocean that day, they suddenly pushed me overboard.

"Just die in peace, you bitch! I'm sick of you, hahahaha…" Brandon laughed hysterically, shoving my head underwater.