"I'm home." Chloe arrived home close to midnight. The house wasn't as brightly lit as usual. Only a single light was on in the living room.Adrian was sitting there, organizing some documents, with a printed copy of the divorce agreement beside him. He didn't welcome his wife, prepare any hangover soup for her, or even ask if her stomach was feeling better."I said I'm home." Chloe stood in front of him, but Adrian remained unmoved, still focused on the documents he was arranging.Chloe felt uncomfortable with Adrian's unusual behavior. He wouldn't even spare her a glance."Adrian, I know you're angry with me. But what you heard this morning was just a joke. You know Selena and I joke around all the time, don't you?"Adrian slowly raised his head. His expression was blank, his gaze empty.Chloe grew even more uneasy. Where was the warmth Adrian usually showed her?"You know I'd never betray you or our marriage," Chloe said, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. "I mean, Julian and I

“The patient's life could be lost within the next hour if you don't pay the thirty-thousand-dollar surgical deposit right now!”Dr. Harrison handed Adrian the bill with an uncompromising expression.Adrian's shirt clung to his sweat-soaked back. Sweat trickled from his temples down to his jaw after he had sprinted through the emergency corridor, where the sharp smell of disinfectant filled the air. He was still gasping for breath, but he paid no attention to his own exhaustion. His thoughts were fixed entirely on his mother-in-law, who lay helpless behind the emergency room doors.“Doctor, please proceed with the surgery first!” Adrian gripped the bill so tightly that he nearly crumpled it. “I promise I'll pay everything afterward. Please save her life!”“Hospital regulations are nonnegotiable.” Dr. Harrison gave his shoulder a brief pat, showing not the slightest willingness to make an exception. “The thirty-thousand-dollar deposit must be paid before the surgery can begin. Otherwise

“Where's Chloe? Why hasn't she come?”Those were the first words Belinda uttered when she regained consciousness.The middle-aged woman still looked weak. Her thin, pale fingers groped around until they found Adrian's hand, which she clasped tightly as though she were afraid of losing something.Adrian immediately returned her grip.“Chloe is taking care of an urgent project at the office. A major investor showed up unexpectedly. She apologizes for not being able to stay with you.”The lie tasted bitter on his tongue. He had no choice but to tell it because he couldn't bear to burden Belinda, who had only just regained consciousness, with more distress.Belinda sighed and shook her head.“You're always defending your wife.” Her gaze was filled with affection and disappointment. “I know my daughter's temperament. She's probably busy with something she considers more important.”“She works hard for the future of the company, too,” Adrian replied softly.Belinda gently patted the back of

The attendant immediately approached. “How may I help you, sir?” she asked, bowing respectfully to Julian.Julian pointed straight at Adrian. After taking in Adrian's modest clothing, he put on a stern expression.“I'm sorry, sir, but all guests are required to present a valid membership card for verification.”“You heard him. Show your card!” Julian ordered, acting as though he owned the hotel.Adrian frowned. He hadn't been directly involved in his family's businesses for years. During that time, many things had changed, including the access procedures at hotels under the Blackthorn Group. He had never expected an attendant to treat a VIP card as the sole measure of whether a guest deserved to enter.“See?” Julian laughed triumphantly. “He doesn't even have a card!”Chloe looked at Adrian with disgust. “Stop embarrassing yourself here!”Adrian held his wife's gaze for several seconds. Something hurt even more than Julian's insults, the fact that his own wife wouldn't even give him a

“Come on, Selena. Let's go.”Adrian and Selena walked toward the elevator.There was no point wasting time arguing with someone who didn't even dare take responsibility for his own words.Behind them, Chloe remained frozen in place. Adrian had truly surprised her over the past few days.In all the time she'd known him, she'd never seen anyone treat him with such respect. Adrian had always been in the inferior position, a man without any status or standing.At least, that was what she'd always believed.So why had the manager of a luxurious hotel bowed to him?Why had a simple ring made everyone change their attitude?Chloe glanced at the ring Adrian had been holding, but he had already walked away.“Julian,” she called softly. “What's really going on?”Julian let out a rough breath. “I don't know. Maybe he stole that ring from someone rich.”Chloe frowned. “Stole it?”“Where else would a man like him get something like that?” Julian scoffed. “Don't tell me you actually believe he has