Chapter 1

The jewelry design I poured my heart into won the Best New Talent Award. But instead of celebrating with me, my wife accused me of plagiarizing her first love's work.

She demanded that I make a public apology to give her ex the justice he deserved.

I watched in disbelief as she backed me into a corner for another man, even threatening to blacklist me from the entire industry.

Completely heartbroken, I left behind signed divorce papers and walked away without looking back.

Years later, I made a high-profile return under a mysterious identity, a stunning girlfriend by my side.

Seeing us together, the woman hailed as the "Goddess of Design" grabbed my wrist, her eyes rimmed with red as she choked out,

"You said I was the only one who had the right to stand beside you. Who is she?"

The moment I pushed open the double doors of the convention hall, every eye in the room locked onto me.

Today’s jewelry design symposium brought together the biggest names in the industry. Rumor had it that the elusive design genius known as "Sang Ye," who had never shown his face in public, would be making his debut appearance.

Seeing me walk in with my head held high, the whispers started almost immediately.

"At an event this important, how did a plagiarist even get an invite?"

"Tell me about it. This is a summit for original artists. Having a piece of garbage like him here just ruins the whole atmosphere."

"Well, he hit the jackpot in the parent lottery, didn't he? Money buys you anything these days."

Their voices weren't quiet. Every bitter remark cut straight through the air into my ears, without the slightest regard for how I felt.

Ever since I was reported for supposedly copying Logan’s design, every original creator in the room treated me like a thorn in their side.

Nobody had even bothered to verify the claim through professional channels. Why? Because the person who filed the report was Chloe—the woman who slept beside me every night, my own wife.

She was brilliant. At just twenty-three, she had already swept the national gold medals.

Her reputation in the industry was rock solid.

I, on the other hand, was just a useless rich kid in their eyes. Someone with zero talent who coasted on his family's trust fund.

They believed I despised Logan, that I was jealous of his talent, and that I stole his work just to grab some quick fame.

In their minds, my motive was simple: Chloe used to date Logan. Blinded by envy, I allegedly wanted to crush him and keep him from ever rising to the top.

Facing their collective mockery, I dug my fingernails into my palms. Just as I opened my mouth to shoot back, I caught sight of Chloe walking toward me, her hand wrapped tightly around Logan’s arm.

Logan glanced at me, a flicker of smug triumph deep in his eyes.

Stopping right in front of me, he reached out and patted my shoulder, speaking in a loud, magnanimous tone for everyone to hear.

"Julian only did this because he felt insecure. He just wanted to feel worthy of Chloe by making a name for himself in the industry. Since he likes that ring design so much, let's just say I gifted it to him. Everyone, please don't be too hard on him."

It sounded like he was smoothing things over for me, but in reality, he was painting himself as the bigger person while cementing the lie that I had stolen his work.

Chloe’s face darkened with frustration. "Logan, I know you're only swallowing your pride because of me. But wrong is wrong. You don't need to make excuses for him. If everyone in the design community acted like him, what would become of our industry?"

Her words plunged my heart straight into an icy abyss.

She didn't care about the damage she was doing. Turning to me, her voice rose with disgust.

"Julian, you did something so shameless, and instead of giving a public apology, you dare show your face here? Your skin really is thicker than a brick wall!"

"Do you have any idea how much your pathetic drama has dragged down my own reputation?"

"I must have been completely blind to ever marry you!"

Every single syllable cut into my chest like a dull blade. I had never imagined that the person I loved with all my soul would tear me apart like this just to defend another man.

I didn't care when strangers mocked me or pointed their fingers.

But coming from Chloe, it shattered me.

I met her when she was only nineteen. I stood by her side through every struggle, watching her go from an unknown amateur to a glowing star.

I poured my family's wealth into backing her career. But now that she was standing at the pinnacle, she had forgotten the vows we made to spend our lives together.

My clenched fists slowly fell open. At this moment, I felt nothing but pathetic.

Just as I turned to leave this miserable place, Chloe’s voice snapped from behind me. "Julian! Since you're already here, apologize to Logan while everyone is watching."

"Logan might be generous enough not to hold a grudge, but I won't let him suffer in silence!"

She wouldn't let Logan suffer?

Then what was I to her? Was I just born to take the hits?

I stared at her in total despair. A small, foolish part of me still hoped she would stand by my side and shut out the noise. But seeing her cling to Logan’s arm, reality hit me like a slap in the face.

In her heart, I would never measure up to her childhood sweetheart.

If she loved him so much, why the hell did she marry me in the first place?

My mind spun out of control. I grabbed her by the shoulders. "Chloe, why... Why don't you believe me?!"

"Enough!" She shoved my hands away in sheer disgust. "Julian, don't think you can do whatever you want just because your dad is loaded!"

"If you don't apologize to Logan right here, right now, we're getting a divorce."

Her voice was cold and steady. She made it crystal clear: unless I bowed my head to Logan, she was done with me.

"Logan spent three entire years pouring his soul into that ring! Taking someone else's hard work to chase an award is disgusting. The only reason we haven't pressed criminal charges for theft is because we're showing you mercy!"

Criminal charges?

An official investigation meant digging up every trace of evidence. Did Logan even have the guts?

Since she wanted an apology so badly...

I looked toward the host standing on the main stage, marched up the steps, and snatched the microphone right out of her hand.

The crowd below started buzzing.

"Looks like Julian's conscience finally kicked in. He's going to clear the real designer's name."

"Justice might be late, but it always arrives."

"Once this apology is on the record, his reputation in the design world is completely toast."

I gripped the mic, my voice booming across the entire auditorium. "Ladies and gentlemen. Respected peers. Today, I'm standing before all of you to set the record straight."

"From the very first sketch to the finished product, I was the sole creator of that ring. Logan is nothing more than a thief!"