Chapter 1

In the sixth year of our secret marriage, my wife Emma suddenly brought her ex-boyfriend Derek to work at our company.

When I asked to see his resume, he mocked me in front of everyone:

"You barely finished high school. Can you even read a resume in French?"

Emma frowned:

"Derek was right about you. You're just jealous of his education and the fact that he dated me. You're targeting him on purpose. You know what? You shouldn't be CEO anymore. You can be Derek's assistant instead."

I laughed in disbelief.

Did she forget? I built this company from the ground up.

Derek looked smug: "You're nothing but a man who got ahead by riding on a woman's coattails. You don't deserve to be CEO."

I froze, then looked at Emma:

"Is that how you introduced me to him?"

Before Emma could answer, Derek continued:

"Emma didn't want to hurt your pride, for the kid's sake, so she gave you the CEO title out of pity. You've been playing pretend for six years. Don't tell me you actually think you're competent."

Derek ran his mouth during the company meeting, completely ignoring the awkward expressions on our business partners' faces.

I stared at him coldly:

"Setting aside the fact that you're not even CEO yet—even if you were, you'd have no right to interrupt while I'm negotiating with partners!"

Before I could finish, Emma cut me off sharply: "Enough! You already drove away a major partner. Isn't that embarrassing enough? I brought Derek here to close deals with clients. Not so you could throw a jealous fit!"

I wondered if I was hearing things. Was this really my wife—the understanding woman who always put the company first?

Today's meeting was crucial. It was the company's 10th anniversary.

I had personally invited our long-term partners to discuss contract renewals for next year.

But Emma brought her ex-boyfriend without my permission.

And she humiliated me in front of everyone.

She was a capable businesswoman, sure. But she seemed to have forgotten—I was the real owner of this company.