Chapter 1

The icy seawater engulfed Liana Wade instantly, the salty sting burning her nose and mouth, triggering violent coughs.

She struggled, but her right foot was wedged tight in a jagged crevice among the rocks.

"Help! Somebody help me!"

"Mr. Young! Mrs. Young is drowning!" a household staff member yelled, rushing toward Logan Young on the shore.

Logan's face tightened. He was about to dive in when a more desperate cry rang out from nearby.

"Logan, save me! I'm terrified!"

It was his foster sister, Olivia Chase.

Submerged in the water, Liana's disbelief curdled into sharp betrayal. Logan, whom she expected would rescue her, executed a jarring, immediate pivot and sprinted, without a second thought, to another woman.

It felt as though an invisible hand crushed her heart so fiercely she barely registered the pain.

Lost in a thick, paralyzing haze, she couldn't summon the basic, desperate instinct to struggle.

Had her husband truly abandoned her?

Just as panic choked her, strong arms snatched her from the rocks' lethal grip and lifted her to the surface.

Liana's eyes fluttered open in a hospital room, instantly assaulted by a skull-splitting headache. Every inch of her skin felt like it was alight, and her throat was so raw and desiccated it offered a terrifying premonition of combustion. A violent fever was clearly running its course.

The room was empty, and her husband, Logan, was nowhere to be seen.

"Water…" she croaked faintly.

Her voice barely reached her own ears.

She called again, but only her own ragged breathing answered back.

She was parched.

Gritting her teeth, Liana mustered every ounce of strength and forced herself upright.

The fever spun her head, and every bone ached as if gnawed from within.

Three years ago, a single phone call was enough for the hospital director to bring her water personally. Now, for the sake of a man, she had been reduced to this—a helpless woman unable to fetch a single glass of water for herself.

How utterly pathetic.

She steadied herself against the wall and staggered forward.

The door to the next room was slightly ajar. Through the crack came muffled sobs and a man's gentle, comforting voice—Logan.

An unbidden curiosity compelled Liana to freeze and peer through the crack. What she witnessed in that single flash was enough to leave the blood in her body feeling like liquid nitrogen.

Olivia clung to Logan like a frightened little bird, burying her face in his chest as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Logan, I was so scared… I thought I'd never see you again…"

Logan gently patted her back, his voice filled with a tenderness Liana had never heard before.

"Don't be afraid. It's over now.

"It's my fault. If I had stayed with you, you wouldn't have fallen into the water."

"It's not your fault, Logan," Olivia whispered, eyes blurred with tears, meeting his gaze. "I was the one who insisted on dragging Liana to the beach. By the way, how is she doing? You should go check on her first."

Logan furrowed his brow at the mention of Liana's name.

"She's fine. She is resting in the next room. A hired hand is looking after her," he responded with clinical detachment.

The indifferent calm in his voice struck Liana like a knife.

Her own husband cared for his foster sister, but hadn't glanced once at his unconscious wife.

Over the course of their three-year marriage, Logan's entrepreneurial pursuits led him to sever ties with the Young family.

Liana poured her focus into nurturing his welfare, ensuring his midday meal was always warm and hand-packed.

To shield his confidence from potential setbacks, she covertly deployed her resources to bolster his finances, executing the aid with precision that ensured her involvement remained untraceable.

How laughable.

"Logan, you should really check on Liana. If anyone finds out you've been here, they'll gossip."

Logan remained fixed, his face set like concrete. "Are you trying to send me away? Lia, are you still upset that I didn't stop your wedding three years ago?"

Olivia turned her head, tears streaming down her cheeks.

That wounded, fragile look struck a chord in Logan's heart.

He sighed and pulled her close again. "I'm sorry.

"All these years, Liana and I kept things respectful and proper. Our marriage exists only in name. You're the only one I've ever loved."

Outside the door, Liana pressed a hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp.

So that was it.

Three years ago, Olivia had been forced into a business marriage.

Logan, drunk out of his mind at a bar, had clutched a bottle, shouting "Lia" again and again.

Liana, secretly in love with him for years, had been there too. She had foolishly believed he was calling her at that time.

The next day, she accepted his proposal with overwhelming joy—even though the stench of alcohol lingered on him and his eyes were bloodshot and weary.

She had thought her long-hidden love had finally borne fruit.

Now, looking back, it was nothing but a colossal joke.

On their wedding night, Logan claimed he was tired.

Later, when Liana tried to draw close, he coldly pushed her away.

She had thought he was simply reserved. But in truth, he had been guarding himself for the woman in his heart—his first love.

So what did that make her?

A joke?

"Logan, I'm already a divorced woman, and I have a child. We—"

"I don't care!" His voice was gentle yet firm. "Three years ago, I was too weak to protect you. From now on, I'll raise your son as my own, and I'll take care of you for the rest of your life.

"Because you will always be the one I love most…"

Liana couldn't bear to hear another word. She turned and slowly made her way back to that cold room, each step pressing down on her shattered heart.

Strangely, not a single tear fell.

All she felt was that the devotion and sacrifice of the past three years had been discarded like nothing.

She didn't know how much time had passed before the door opened.

Logan finally appeared, still carrying the faint scent of Olivia's perfume.

Seeing Liana awake, his brows immediately furrowed, his tone sharp with displeasure.

"Why didn't you come to find me once you woke up?"

Liana sneered inwardly.

Go to him and interrupt his tender embrace with Olivia?

Her silence made Logan assume she was sulking. A helpless look crossed his face as he sat on the edge of the bed, coaxing her.

"Alright, I know you're a strong swimmer. Olivia's been afraid of water since she was little. It was an emergency, so I saved her first.

"Besides, aren't you fine now?

"Be magnanimous. Don't hold it against Olivia, alright?"

Liana's heart felt cold and numb, as though submerged in ice.

Logan, unsettled by her strange calm, felt irritably out of place. He was used to her gentle obedience, and he didn't like this stubborn, unyielding version of her.

"Logan." She met his puzzled gaze with composure. "Let's get a divorce."

Logan froze for a full three seconds, then reacted as if he had just heard the world's biggest joke.

Divorce?

Everyone knew she loved him to her very core. There was no way she could mean it. This had to be another trick to gain his attention, to make him feel guilty.

Irritation flickered, but he chose to coax her one last time.

"Stop being ridiculous. I saved Olivia, but the one I love is you.

"You know how bad Olivia's condition was. Let it go, alright?"

But Liana's expression remained cold and unyielding.

He grew tired of pretending.

He stood, turning to leave, tossing back a casual command. "Get some rest."

He was certain that by tomorrow morning, she would return to him, obedient as ever.

Liana watched his retreating figure, a cold smile curling at her lips.

"Logan, the game is over. Soon, you'll find out exactly what you've lost."

Chapter 2

After the fever subsided, Liana's body was still weak, but her mind had never been clearer.

She checked out of the room herself, cutting the ridiculous vacation short.

She then headed toward a quiet private villa district that sat halfway up the mountain.

The car glided smoothly through the gates and stopped in front of a three-story, cream-colored villa. This was her marital home with Logan.

When she opened the door, the white roses she had arranged the day before their trip still stood in the foyer. Their petals had begun to curl at the edges, drained of moisture.

The living room held a soft wool carpet, carefully chosen art pieces, and a fully stocked open‑concept kitchen. Every corner bore her effort—her attempt to turn this house into a sanctuary.

Three years ago, Logan, the youngest but least valued son of the Young family, had broken away to start his own business. He was determined to prove his worth.

Pride ran through his veins, but so did naivety.

Liana stayed by his side from the very beginning, when all he had was a tiny office. She witnessed his bursts of ambition, and she also watched reality crush him time and again.

To protect his fragile pride, she leveraged her connections, disguising herself as "mysterious investors" and "angel clients", pulling his company back from the brink of collapse again and again.

This villa was the first thing he bought after securing a one‑million‑dollar investment. He had held her hand, eyes shining. "Lia, this is our home now."

Back then, she had been foolishly moved, believing he was finally beginning to accept her.

But now, looking back, she realized the light in his eyes had probably meant something else entirely. It was likely that he had felt one step closer to being "worthy" of Olivia.

She had served only as a convenient lever on his climb—a tool he was now ready to abandon the moment he secured his footing at the summit.

Standing in this villa built on lies, Liana felt only disgust. She had no intention of keeping it, but she certainly wasn't about to let Logan and Olivia enjoy it for free.

She went straight to the master bedroom on the second floor—a room Logan had never once entered since their marriage. Opening her encrypted laptop, she bypassed multiple firewalls and logged into a private email account.

The screen lit up, displaying a cool blue background with only a single, stark black letter—W.

At the top of her inbox sat an urgent email received two days ago. The request was simple. A wealthy client wanted to sue his daughter-in-law for adultery, fight for custody of his grandson, and force her out of the marriage with nothing.

Liana raised an eyebrow.

Any divorce lawyer could handle such a case. Why had it landed on her desk?

Everyone in the industry knew W never took on petty domestic disputes like this one.

But then her eyes fell on the attorney's fee. It was an astonishing sum.

The sender had made one thing clear—money didn't matter, as long as he won.

Over the past three years, Liana had poured nearly all her earnings into keeping Logan's company afloat.

Now, her liquid funds were pitifully small. With the divorce looming, she needed money to secure her future.

Her fingers tapped across the keyboard. She replied with just three words.

"I'll take it."

After sending the email, she closed her inbox and opened a blank document.

Property division, compensation for emotional damages, and every cent she had "loaned" to Logan's company over the past three years under various pretexts, principal and interest included, must be fully recovered, without leaving a single penny behind.

Half an hour later, a freshly printed divorce agreement slowly slid out of the printer.

Liana picked it up, preparing to head downstairs.

Just then, the sound of an engine shutting off, followed by a car door slamming, echoed outside.

They were back.

Liana paused at the second-floor landing and looked down.

Sure enough, Logan was carefully supporting Olivia as they entered the foyer, holding her as if she were a rare, fragile treasure—one that might shatter at the slightest touch.

Their eyes met.

Logan froze for a moment when he saw Liana, but his expression quickly darkened. Displeasure and anger flickered across his gaze.

Liana had actually checked out early and returned home without telling him. He swallowed his irritation, steadied Olivia, and spoke in a commanding tone.

"Lia is still weak. She hasn't fully recovered since the accident. The doctor says she needs rest. Starting today, she'll be staying here."

His gaze swept over Liana as if everything he said was perfectly reasonable. "I'll handle your leave with the company. For now, you'll stay home and look after Lia."

After all, she was nothing more than a junior attorney in his company's legal department, assigned to tedious grunt work like sorting documents every day.

Whether she was there or not made no real difference.

Having her stay home to take care of Olivia would at least make her "useful".

Liana's gaze shifted past him, landing on Olivia, who looked pale and pitiful. She remembered clearly—Olivia's stumble on the rocks by the shore had knocked her off balance, sending her right foot wedges between jagged stones.

What a damsel-in-distress act.

A cold laugh rose in Liana's chest. Her expression was unreadable. She lifted the A4 papers in her hand and, with a swift motion, scattered them across the floor at Logan and Olivia's feet.

"Sign it."

Logan lowered his head. The moment he saw the words "Divorce Agreement" in bold on the first page, his pupils constricted.

A scalding wave of challenged pride instantly crested, roaring through his mind.

"Liana, have you had enough?"

He bent down, picked up one of the sheets, and without even glancing at the contents, crumpled it into a ball and hurled it to the floor.

"I told you, this ends here!

"Go to the guest room and get it ready for Lia, then head to the kitchen and make her some soup!"

He closed the gap between them, standing aggressively over her. His voice dropped to a low, haughty drawl, implying that his very presence was a concession. "Starting today, Lia is living here.

"Behave yourself and take good care of her. I'll overlook your disappearing act before, and all this nonsense now, as if none of it ever happened."

He then scoffed. "As for the divorce, I'll act like you never even mentioned it."

Liana laughed at his sheer arrogance. Where did he get the confidence to think she was joking? To think she would still jump at his orders?

This man wasn't just blind. He was completely out of his mind.

Just as Liana was about to speak, Olivia, who had been silent until now, gently tugged at Logan's sleeve.

She leaned weakly against him, eyes red, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Logan, please don't argue with Liana. It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, none of this would have happened…"

As she spoke, she turned to Liana, her expression a mix of grievance and obedience.

"Liana, I don't blame you for what happened at the shore. Please, don't be angry at Logan. I'm feeling much better now, so I won't stay here and bother you. I should go…"

She tried to move toward the door, but her body wobbled, as if she might faint at any moment.

Chapter 3

Logan immediately pulled Olivia back into his arms, his heart aching as he shot a glare at Liana.

"Look at how scared you've made her. Liana, is your heart made of stone?"

Liana said nothing.

Logan softened his voice, gently comforting the woman in his embrace. "Lia, don't push yourself. You've always had a weak constitution, and after falling into the water, your strength has been further depleted. You need proper rest.

"This is your home. No one can drive you out."

But Liana had no patience left for this pathetic performance. One was a fool, the other a manipulative sweetheart—they were truly a match made in heaven.

Without sparing them a glance, she turned and strode toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Logan barked.

Liana didn't stop walking.

Where was she going?

For three years, she had underwritten every aspect of Logan's supposed career, spending her fortune, leveraging her influence, and energy—only to be met with his arrogant entitlement and chilling disdain.

She was tired. Exhausted. She no longer wished to play the fool.

Liana made straight for the door, completely ignoring him.

Logan froze for a moment.

When had Liana ever treated him like this?

She had always been gentle, always obedient. If Logan so much as frowned, she would immediately panic, asking if she had done something wrong.

The way she looked at him had always been filled with cautious affection and admiration. She had been like a docile little pet, ready to come running, tail wagging, at the mere curl of his finger.

But now, that same "pet" dared to bare her claws—and even dared to turn her back on him and walk away.

Just as Logan was about to step forward, Olivia suddenly went limp in his arms, her whole body pressing against him as she whispered breathlessly.

"Logan… I-I feel so dizzy…"

Logan's head snapped down, panic flashing across his face as he steadied her. "Lia? What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell again?"

"I-It's nothing…"

Olivia leaned weakly against his chest, her eyes timidly flicking toward Liana, who had already opened the door.

Her voice was barely audible, like a whisper.

"Is Liana angry because I'm moving in? Maybe I should go. I don't want you two to fight because of me."

The sight of Olivia's wronged, compliant face stabbed Logan with heightened remorse, causing his frustration with Liana to hit its absolute zenith.

Logan regretted having coddled Liana excessively; her present sense of entitlement was proof. She now had the audacity to vie with Olivia for his attention.

"Don't overthink it." Logan gently comforted Olivia in his arms. "She's just spoiled because I've indulged her. Don't pay any attention to her little tantrum. Your health comes first. I'll help you upstairs to rest."

Without another glance at the doorway, he cradled Olivia like a rare treasure and guided her upstairs. He was certain Liana wouldn't cause any real trouble. Once she cooled off, she would come back.

Liana walked into the towering Young Corporation building, which she had once watched rise from the ground. Her mood remained perfectly calm.

She headed straight to the HR department and placed her resignation letter on the manager's desk. "I want to resign. Please process it immediately."

The HR manager adjusted his glasses and gave a quick look at the name on the resignation letter—Liana Wade. He then looked at the department listed—Legal.

He ran it through his memory and came up empty, thinking she must be just another unremarkable junior staff member in the legal department.

In a fast-growing company like Young Corporation, turnover among lower-level employees was nothing unusual.

The HR manager didn't even ask for a reason. He simply picked up the stamp and slammed it down with a thud.

"All set. Just go to the finance department tomorrow to collect your final paycheck."

"'Thank you."

Liana retrieved her resignation letter and left without a hint of hesitation or attachment.

The whole process took less than five minutes.

Back at her desk in the legal department, she began packing her few personal belongings—a water cup, some books, and a half-dead succulent.

Just then, a young woman with a ponytail came running over in a panic, clutching a stack of documents.

"Lia! You have to see this! We've got a huge problem!"

It was Wren Langley, an intern who had been at the company for only two months. Clumsy and inexperienced, she often got bullied by the more seasoned staff.

Liana, feeling sorry for her, occasionally offered guidance.

"What's wrong?" Liana asked, placing the last book into the cardboard box.

"This contract!" Wren nearly burst into tears as she placed a document on Liana's desk. "It's a project we signed earlier. The other party found a loophole in the contract and claims we breached it. They're demanding five million dollars in damages!"

Five million dollars wouldn't cripple Young Corporation, but it was still a hefty loss.

Wren was in a panic, sweat streaming down her face. "Leona and the others in the legal department have already left, and I can't reach them. Mr. Young is also not in the office. I don't know what to do…

"Lia, you're the best! Please help me!"

Liana gestured to her packed box. "I've already resigned."

"What?" Wren froze, her eyes wide as saucers. "R-resigned? Why, Lia?"

Though only a junior employee, Liana's skills were exceptional. Many of the department's most challenging cases had been quietly resolved by her. Despite the workload and low pay, she had never complained. Everyone knew she cared deeply about Young Corporation. Why would she suddenly resign?

Liana didn't explain. She simply lifted her box and prepared to leave. "Young Corporation's lawsuits no longer have anything to do with me."

"No, Lia!" Wren grabbed her arm, tears brimming in her eyes. "Please, just help me! I was the one handling this contract. If we lose five million, I'll be fired for sure!

"I don't know anyone else in the department. You're the only one I'm close to. I'm begging you!"

Seeing Wren's pitiful expression, Liana remembered how the young woman had, on several occasions, secretly slipped her a small slice of cake when colleagues were ostracizing her. She also recalled how Wren would sometimes drag her downstairs during lunch to the newly opened cafe to treat her to a three-dollar coffee.

To everyone else, Liana had just been a lowly errand runner.

She sighed inwardly. But in the end, she set down her box and took the contract. She quickly reviewed the document, fingers tapping a page.

"The problem is here.

"What you need to do now is draft a legal letter immediately. Reject their claim and reserve the right to pursue action for commercial defamation."

The words poured out without friction or falter, a stream of undeniable logic that cut straight to the core issue.

Wren listened, wide-eyed with admiration. She had always thought Liana was impressive, but she had never imagined she could be this remarkable.

Calling Liana a top-tier lawyer would not be an exaggeration.

"Lia, you're incredible!" Wren clutched the contract, trembling with excitement. Then, lowering her voice, she leaned close to Liana and whispered conspiratorially, "Honestly, Lia, for you to stay here as just a junior attorney is such a waste of talent!"

Chapter 4

Wren said, "Lia, you're so talented. You'll surely become a top-tier lawyer once you leave Young Corporation! I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!"

Liana raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

Just then, her phone rang.

The screen lit up with the name—Logan.

Liana's brows knitted slightly. Before swiping to answer, she told Wren, "Go on, get back to work."

"Alright! Thanks, Lia! I'll definitely treat you to a big meal another day!" Wren waved gratefully and hurried off, clutching the contract.

Liana finally brought the phone to her ear. The moment she answered, Logan's voice crashed over her like a tidal wave—sharp, hostile, and full of accusations.

"Liana, you finally picked up? Took you long enough!"

Liana's expression darkened, but she stayed silent.

Clearly still fuming, Logan continued yelling from the other end. "There's a huge problem at the company! They're demanding five million dollars in damages! What kind of legal officer are you if this still isn't resolved?"

He had barely finished settling Olivia when his assistant called with news of a major crisis.

Listening to his self-righteous scolding, Liana laughed in disbelief. "Mr. Young, your company isn't short on lawyers. So why is it that whenever something goes wrong, you always come running to me?"

For three years, no matter the issue, Logan's first call had always been to her.

Back then, she had been naive, thinking it meant he valued her and was dependent on her; she had secretly felt a little flattered.

Now she saw the truth. It was blatant exploitation—free labor, on call 24/7, without any overtime pay.

On the other end of the line, Logan was clearly taken aback. Liana had always obeyed him without question. Now she was challenging him?

His tone dropped, dripping with contempt. "You still have the nerve to ask? Look at what you usually do at the company. Besides organizing documents and serving tea, what else do you do?

"Assigning you to handle this minor issue was already giving you too much credit!

"I can see you're not doing your job properly, and your mind isn't even on the company. You might as well quit!

"Get home immediately and take care of Lia!"

In his eyes, her greatest value was simply to be an obedient housewife.

Liana couldn't help but laugh at the sheer shamelessness of it all.

"Logan, stop daydreaming and just sign the divorce agreement."

The moment the words left her mouth, she braced for Logan to start yelling insults as usual.

However, a few seconds of silence stretched across the line before the call abruptly ended.

Staring at the disconnected call, Liana's expression turned icy.

Olivia had already returned, hadn't she?

His first love was back at his side. Why wouldn't he finalize the divorce?

Keeping her offered him no advantage at all.

She didn't understand it, and frankly, she didn't care.

After finishing the last of her work, Liana picked up her small cardboard box and cast one final glance at the place where she had poured three years of effort. Then, she turned toward the elevator.

But the moment the doors slid open, she nearly collided with a group of people stepping out.

At the front was Logan, the very man who had just hung up on her. His face was as dark as thunder.

Behind him stood several middle-aged men in suits, all of whom were founding shareholders of Young Corporation.

Seeing Liana holding her box as if she were about to leave the company, a flash of fury shot through Logan.

He stepped forward and questioned, "Where do you think you're going with that during work hours?"

Employees passing by shot curious glances, whispering in hushed tones.

Liana flicked her eyes toward the shareholders behind Logan, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

The shareholders exchanged bewildered looks.

What was going on?

Was Liana quitting?

She met Logan's gaze. "Mr. Young, are you seriously going to discuss my whereabouts here?"

He had always kept their marriage under wraps, terrified that anyone might discover their relationship.

Apart from a few top executives, no one in the company knew she was the boss' wife.

Logan was momentarily taken aback, caught off guard by her audacity. He narrowed his eyes, lowering his voice into a warning. "Liana, don't push your luck!"

"Mr. Young, I'm just letting you know that I've already resigned," Liana said, waving the copy of her resignation letter with a casual, effortless smile. From now on, I no longer answer to you."

"Resigned?" Logan assumed this was just another one of her tantrums. "Did I approve this? Who gave you the nerve to resign?"

Liana let out a scoff, her expression one of amused disdain, as if looking at a ridiculous clown.

Seeing that her reaction wasn't feigned, Logan frowned and snapped at his assistant. "Get the HR manager here immediately!"

The HR manager quickly jogged over.

"Mr. Young, you called for me?"

"Did you approve Liana's resignation?" Logan demanded, pointing at him.

The HR manager glanced at Liana, then back at Logan, clearly puzzled. He finally nodded and said, "Y-yes… She said she wanted to resign, so I processed it according to procedure."

It was just a low-level employee leaving—there was no need to involve the CEO. He wondered what had gotten into Logan.

Logan's expression stiffened as he turned to look at Liana.

She had really resigned.

A sudden, inexplicable panic surged through him, striking without warning.

It lasted only a fleeting moment, so brief it was almost imperceptible.

Liana couldn't truly leave.

Young Corporation was like their child, and she had nurtured it from nothing into a thriving enterprise.

She had poured so much of herself into it. There was no way she would simply let go.

She was just throwing a tantrum, using this as a means to force him to compromise, to make him feel guilty.

Realizing this, Logan took a step forward. "Stop messing around. Come back with me now and admit you were wrong. Say the resignation was just a moment of impulse, and I'll pretend this never happened and let you stay at the company."

The sheer arrogance in his expression was so profound that Liana was seized by an uncontrollable fit of bewildered, cynical laughter.

"Mr. Young, I think you've got it wrong. I'm the one who fired you, not the other way around."

"You!" Logan's face darkened, his voice low with anger. "Liana, what exactly are you playing at? Divorce, resignation… Even if this is a tantrum, there has to be a limit!"

A cold chill ran through Liana's heart, thick with biting irony. After all, her three years of hard work was dismissed as nothing more than a tantrum by the man she loved most.

Just then, Wren, who had rushed out of the legal department office, saw the CEO and a group of shareholders surrounding Liana in a tense standoff.

Assuming Logan was giving Liana a hard time, she didn't hesitate and ran over.

"Mr. Young, please don't blame Lia! She's already taken care of that five-million-dollar claim. She found a crucial clause in the contract, so we don't owe a single cent!"

Wren's voice was crisp and confident.

Logan, however, reacted as if he had just heard the most absurd joke.

He turned to Liana, sizing her up with utter contempt, and let out a cold laugh.

"Her? Handle a five-million-dollar case?"

Chapter 5

Logan's voice dripped with unrestrained contempt. "Wren Langley, right? I know you're Liana's only friend in this company, and it's natural to want to cover for her. But even lies have their limits.

"I know her capabilities better than you do. She's simply not qualified to handle a case like this."

He paused, his gaze slicing across Liana's face like a blade, each word deliberate and loud enough for everyone to hear.

"There's no need to incite an intern to tell such a petty lie on your behalf.

"Full of nonsense and lies—that's exactly the kind of person you are."

Liana froze, staring at the face she had loved for three years. Now it felt utterly unfamiliar.

After giving her heart and soul to their marriage, she was nothing but a liar and an incompetent fool in his eyes.

She said nothing. Even a single word of explanation would have been an insult to herself.

Clutching her cardboard box, she bypassed him and walked straight to the elevator.

This time, Logan didn't stop her.

Watching the elevator doors close, confirming that Liana was truly leaving, a tightness gripped his chest.

With no outlet for his anger, he turned to the still-stunned Wren and barked, "You're fired too. Get out!"

…

The moment Liana stepped out of the revolving doors of Young Corporation, the evening breeze, carrying a faint trace of car exhaust, brushed against her face.

Yet she felt as if the years of pent-up frustration and gloom in her chest had finally been blown away.

She drew a long, deep breath, feeling completely refreshed, as if every part of her had been revived.

The first step was done. The next step would be to get the agreement signed and finalize the divorce.

Clutching her small cardboard box, she walked to the curb, ready to hail a cab.

A black Bentley Mulsanne glided to a stop before her, its sleek lines gleaming under the light.

Liana instinctively stepped back. The license plate looked familiar.

The rear window rolled down, revealing a stern, handsome face.

The man wore a dark gray suit, no tie, the collar slightly open to reveal a small patch of pale skin.

His nose was sharp, his thin lips pressed together, and his deep eyes scanned her through the glass.

There was no emotion in that gaze, yet it carried a tangible weight that made it impossible to meet head-on.

The man was Silas Young, Logan's younger uncle.

Liana's heart skipped a beat.

In three years of marriage, she had seen the true head of the Young family only a handful of times.

Rumor had it he was ruthless, having seized control of the Young Group's empire at a young age. He was the old patriarch's most cherished late-born son, holding a very high rank within the family hierarchy.

Liana felt instinctive fear. His presence radiated calm authority—effortless command born of power. Logan, with all his bluster, could never compare.

Despite her resolve to sever ties with Logan, old habits made her greet him.

"Mr. Young."

His sharp, indifferent gaze slowly swept from her face to the shabby box she was holding, the half-dead succulent leaning precariously to one side.

Silas' thin lips parted slightly.

"Get in."

It wasn't a question. It was an order.

Liana felt a sudden shiver run down her spine. She had no desire to become entwined in anything involving Silas, and she wanted nothing more than distance from the Young family.

"Thank you, Mr. Young, but I'll just take a cab."

Silas said nothing. His gaze was cold, unyielding, pressing down like an invisible weight.

The cold from the car seemed to seep out, creating an invisible pressure field around her.

One second. Two seconds.

Sweat beaded at her temples. She knew if she refused again, his driver would "invite" her in.

There was simply no beating him.

In the end, she relented. Summoning her courage, she opened the rear door and slid inside.

The city noise vanished as the door shut.

The interior was spacious, filled with a crisp scent of wood mixed with fine leather. It was so quiet she could hear her heartbeat.

Liana tried to shrink into a corner, minimizing her presence. Her eyes fixed on the passing streets outside, her mind a chaotic jumble.

Why did he want to see her?

Could Logan have complained about her?

No, that didn't make sense.

At the few Young family dinners she had attended, Logan had always been extremely deferential, practically terrified of Silas. There was no way he would ever complain to him.

So why was he here?

"Take a look."

Silas' cold voice broke the silence.

Liana stiffened and turned her head. A long, elegant hand extended a blue folder.

She hesitated briefly before taking it. Its weight was substantial.

"This is—"

"There's a new project at the company that requires a meticulous contract." Silas leaned back, casual authority in every line. "Draft it for me."

His tone left no room for debate.

Liana instinctively flipped it open. Two pages in, her pupils constricted.

It was a draft for a cross-border energy acquisition project, involving sums so astronomical that ordinary people couldn't even comprehend them.

The initial deposit alone exceeded the entire market value of Logan's company.

She closed the folder, her heart hammering in her chest.

"Mr. Young, I-I can't do this."

She handed the folder back, her voice dry and hesitant. "This project is far too important, and my abilities are limited. I'm afraid I'm not qualified.

"Your legal department is full of capable people. They can certainly—"

Before she could finish, Silas cut her off.

"They can't."

He didn't take the folder and fixed his gaze straight ahead. The sharp lines of his profile were cold and sharp as a blade.

"This project is highly confidential. No one can know about it until the official signing—not even my legal team."

Liana froze, unsure what he meant.

No one could know about it?

Then why had he shown it to her?

As if reading her thoughts, Silas turned his head, his gaze settling on her face.

"You're Logan's wife, my niece-in-law. We're essentially family.

"Besides, you're an attorney. By chance, you're the most suitable person to handle this."

Liana almost laughed. She wouldn't be his niece-in-law for much longer.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to refuse again. "Mr. Young, I really can't. I've only handled clerical work at Logan's company over the past few years. I simply don't have the ability to manage such an important contract."

Those were the very words Logan had just used to humiliate her.

Unexpectedly, Silas' lips curved into the faintest smile. It vanished in an instant, like a fleeting illusion. "Oh? Really?"