Chapter 1

Three years into our marriage, my wife still refused to have any physical intimacy with me.

She claimed to be a germaphobe, saying she disliked physical contact with others.

That is, until I discovered her in a hotel room with her first love, only to be beaten to death by the two of them.

Reborn to the time just after graduation, I decided to let them be together, hoping we'd never cross paths again.

Five years later, she had become a renowned pianist, attending a business conference with her boss and first love.

Seeing me appear, Lily crossed her arms and looked at me disdainfully:

"Ugh, what bad luck. I can't believe this lapdog Lucas is still here, a toad lusting after swan's flesh. He's actually stalking me!"

I smiled, my left arm around Grace, the Summers family's daughter, and my right hand holding our daughter's.

Later, Lily showed up at my door wearing revealing clothes.

"Didn't you say you'd only love me? Lucas, please, let's have a child together!"

"Oh my, Miss Lily, you look absolutely radiant today. Such grace, truly befitting a famous pianist!" An middle-aged woman approached with an admiring smile.

"Standing next to Mr. James, you two make a perfect couple. A match made in heaven, both talented and beautiful."

Lily raised her chin slightly, a look of pride on her face.

James stood beside her, beaming with pride, occasionally exchanging pleasantries with those around them.

"Indeed, being with Mr. James is truly a perfect combination of the business and art worlds!"

Hearing the chorus of praises around her, Lily stood even straighter, her smile growing brighter.

She tossed her hair lightly, her eyes full of unrivaled pride.

"You're all too kind. I've just put a bit more effort into piano, and James has been very supportive," Lily said with feigned modesty, but her tone couldn't hide her satisfaction.

"Well, if it isn't Lily and James! I never expected to run into you here!"

A man in a crisp suit quickly approached, his face plastered with a fawning smile.

It was Greg, a former classmate from university.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, a barely noticeable trace of contempt flashing across her face, but she maintained an elegant smile:

"Greg, what a coincidence."

Greg's gaze swept over Lily and James, then he dramatically gave a thumbs up:

"Lily, you've really made it big now! A great artist, standing next to Mr. James, you two are simply perfect together!

Looking back, I was right all along. Unlike some people back then, a frog trying to swallow a swan, probably still amounting to nothing now."

Greg leaned in closer to Lily, his face full of flattery:

"I always knew that Lucas wasn't good enough for you. It's great that you're with Mr. James now, he's truly your match.

Oh, by the way, Mr. James, I was wondering if you could put in a good word with my boss about my promo-"

James glanced at him with a hint of disdain, giving a slight nod.

I finished instructing my assistant about the conference details, then noticed the cleaning lady had dropped something. I picked it up and handed it back to her.

Greg, sharp-eyed, immediately spotted me. His face twisted into an exaggerated mocking expression, pointing at me and loudly exclaiming:

"Well, look who it is! Isn't that Lucas? Speak of the devil!

How the mighty have fallen, reduced to helping the cleaning lady. How pathetic!"

Lily followed Greg's pointing finger, her face showing disdain as she let out a light snort:

"I thought he might have amounted to something, but turns out he's just a nobody doing odd jobs. It's laughable, really."

She raised her chin slightly, her eyes full of contempt.

James' lips curled into a mocking smile, arms crossed, as he said condescendingly:

"Now, now, Lily, don't be like that. The man's just trying to make a living with his... skills. Someone's got to do these menial jobs, right?"

The people around them, hearing their words, burst into laughter. The cleaning lady, looking nervous, whispered to me:

"You don't have to help me, I don't want them talking about you like that."

I just smiled and shook my head, continuing to efficiently clean up the trash.

Seeing that I didn't react, Greg became even more animated. He swaggered over to me, deliberately bumping into me, causing some of the trash to spill out again.

He then feigned innocence, saying: "Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there. But my, aren't you careless with your work."

James' lips curled into a smile.

He pulled out a business card from his pocket, holding it between his fingers, and carelessly tossed it towards me.