# Chapter 1: The Perfect ServantThe sound of Victoria's laughter cut through the dining room like shattered glass.Alexander Chen paused in the doorway, the serving tray balanced perfectly in his hands, watching his wife throw her head back at something David Morrison had whispered in her ear. The crystal chandelier above cast dancing shadows across her face, highlighting the smile she never wore for him anymore."Alex!" Margaret Sterling's sharp voice sliced through his thoughts. "Are you going to stand there all night, or are you actually going to serve the wine?""Of course, Mrs. Sterling. My apologies." Alex moved forward smoothly, his expression unchanged despite the familiar sting of his mother-in-law's tone. He'd perfected this mask over three years of marriage—the dutiful, unremarkable husband who knew his place.He began pouring the Dom Pérignon, starting with the guests as Victoria had taught him. *Always serve the guests first, Alex. We have standards to maintain.*"This i

# Chapter 3: The Art of WarThe morning sun painted Manhattan in shades of gold and glass, but Alex had been awake for hours.He stood in his study at 5:47 AM, wearing a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that cost more than most people's monthly salary—though Victoria had never asked where he shopped or how he afforded his impeccable wardrobe. She'd simply assumed he was good with money, or perhaps that the clothes were clever knockoffs.The irony almost made him smile.His laptop displayed three separate screens: stock portfolios, real estate holdings, and a detailed dossier on Morrison Holdings that would make corporate espionage specialists proud. But it was the fourth screen that held his attention—surveillance footage from the Carlisle Hotel."Interesting viewing?" Alex didn't turn around as Elena entered his study, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. His sister moved like a predator in Louboutins, all controlled grace and lethal intelligence."Educational," he replied

# Chapter 5: The Moment of TruthThe penthouse smelled like jasmine rice and lemongrass when Victoria stepped through the front door at 7:43 PM. For a moment, standing in the marble foyer with her heels clicking against stone that cost more per square foot than most people's cars, she felt like she was stepping back in time.Back to when coming home meant warmth instead of guilt, when the sight of Alex in the kitchen meant comfort instead of complicated emotions she couldn't name."Perfect timing," Alex called from the dining room, his voice carrying that gentle warmth she'd somehow forgotten how to appreciate. "I was just plating everything."Victoria set down her purse and walked toward the sound of his voice, her steps slower than usual. The dining room table was set for two with their wedding china—the Waterford crystal they'd registered for but never used because it seemed too precious for ordinary nights.Tonight, apparently, wasn't ordinary.Alex emerged from the kitchen carryi

Then you would have loved my bank account instead of me. Just like you loved David's apparent wealth instead of him." Alex turned back to face her, and Victoria saw something pitiless in his expression. "At least this way, I know exactly what our marriage was worth to you." "That's not fair—" "Fair?" Alex's voice rose for the first time, carrying three years of suppressed anger. "Was it fair when you let your brother humiliate me at every family gathering? Was it fair when your mother treated me like the help? Was it fair when you spent fifteen thousand dollars on a watch for your lover while telling me we couldn't afford a vacation?" Each accusation landed like a slap. Victoria realized she was crying, but the tears felt useless against the weight of Alex's cold fury. "I'm sorry," she sobbed. "Alex, I'm so sorry. I didn't know—" "You didn't want to know. There's a difference." Alex moved to the sideboard and poured himself a scotch—Macallan 25, she noticed now, another expensive

Chapter 9: The Chen Family EmergesThe Chen family estate sat on twelve acres in the Hamptons, behind gates that opened with facial recognition and security that made the Secret Service look casual. Alex hadn't been here in three years, two months, and seventeen days. Not since the morning he'd told his grandfather he was getting married and wanted to do it without the family name attached.The old man had called him a fool. Turned out he'd been right.Alex's car pulled up to the main house at 2:34 PM. Before he could get out, the front door opened and Marcus Chen appeared, looking exactly like what he was—the oldest son who'd taken the traditional path, run the family business competently, and never once questioned whether he wanted the life that had been planned for him."Three years," Marcus said, not bothering with hello. "Three years you ghost the family, and you come back because your wife cheated on you?""Good to see you too, brother.""I'm serious, Alex. Do you have any idea