Chapter 1
A stretch Lincoln pulled up silently in front of the Jeffrey Technologies building.
Ophelia Blake pushed open the car door and stepped out.
Luca's steady voice came from the back seat, "Ms. Blake, do you need me to come up with you?"
"No need," she said without looking back. "I only need ten minutes."
Ophelia gripped the document envelope in her hand, her knuckles turning slightly white.
Just half an hour ago, she had found a marriage certificate in the corner of a study drawer.
The names on the certificate were her husband, Jeffrey Adams, and his childhood sweetheart, Freya Stewart. Jeffrey and Freya's marriage registration date was a full three years earlier than hers.
She and Jeffrey had been married for three years, always sleeping in separate rooms. She thought he was being respectful because of some sexual dysfunction, but it turned out this consideration was hiding a dirty truth she knew nothing about.
Reaching the CEO's office on the top floor, Ophelia was about to knock when she heard suggestive sounds from inside.
She froze, peaking through the crack of the door.
On the wide sofa in the office, Freya was straddling Jeffrey's lap, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, kissing passionately.
Ophelia's blood seemed to freeze in that instant, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Without hesitation, she pushed the door open hard.
"Ophelia, what are you doing here?"
A flash of panic crossed Jeffrey's face as he immediately stood up.
She laughed coldly. "If I hadn't come, how would I have seen this great show?"
She strode forward and slapped Jeffrey hard across the face.
"I was going to leave you some dignity, but you're the one who's shameless!"
Jeffrey's head jerked to the side, a handprint instantly appearing on his cheek as he looked at Ophelia in disbelief.
"Jeffrey, are you okay?" Freya immediately rushed over to check on him, her eyes full of concern.
Just as the atmosphere grew tense, a childish voice called out, "Daddy!"
A small figure ran in from outside the door.
It was a little girl about three or four years old, wearing a pink princess dress, with a timid little face and eyes identical to Freya's.
The little girl was Jeffrey and Ophelia's adopted daughter, named Kaida Adams.
Ophelia's expression became complicated in an instant.
Kaida was adopted by Jeffrey six months ago. She didn't like children and had never thought about adopting, but Jeffrey had strongly persuaded her at the time:
"I'm the one who wronged you, making it so you can't have your own children. Adopting a child can make up for our regret of not having kids, and it'll stop Mom and Dad from nagging us about having a baby. Plus, Kaida is so cute, she'll definitely bring you a lot of joy."
Ophelia had softened for a moment, not wanting to see him feel guilty and blame himself, so she agreed.
After bringing Kaida home, she tried hard to be a good mother, but somehow, no matter how well she treated Kaida, Kaida never warmed up to her. Whenever Kaida was with her, the girl would cry and fuss nonstop.
Kaida had now run to Freya and hugged her leg.
"Mommy, pick me up."
Hearing that word, Ophelia's heart felt like it had been struck hard by a blunt object.
Ophelia looked at Kaida's face, so similar to Freya's.
So that was it! The adoption was all a lie. Kaida was actually Jeffrey and Freya's child!
Furious, she pulled out the marriage certificate and threw it hard in Jeffrey's face.
Jeffrey's face turned deathly pale. He bent down to pick up the certificate, his fingers gripping it until they turned white. "Where did you get this?"
"Does it matter?" Ophelia took a step back, looking at him coldly, her tone full of mockery. "What matters is that our marriage has been a scam from beginning to end! Jeffrey, you're really something! You fooled me for three whole years!"
Freya held Kaida, a flash of panic crossing her face, but she quickly composed herself. "Ms. Blake, it's not what you think..."
"Shut up." Ophelia didn't even look at her. "You're a homewrecker. You don't get to talk to me."
Jeffrey finally dropped his gentle mask, anger showing in his eyes. "Ophelia, have you made enough of a scene? With your background, being able to marry me is already a great honor for you. Just keep playing the good Mrs. Adams. You're a helpless orphan with no one to rely on—what right do you have to question me?"
Those words were like a knife, stabbing into the most vulnerable part of Ophelia's heart. But strangely, she didn't feel pain, only coldness.
"Jeffrey, you think because I'm an orphan with no one to back me up, you can just bully me however you want, is that it?" She stared at him, asking each word deliberately.
Jeffrey was caught off guard and softened his tone. "For the sake of all these years together, I can let this go, as long as you apologize to Freya."
Ophelia laughed in anger. Just as she was about to speak, a steady voice suddenly came from behind her:
"Ms. Blake, do you need help?"
Luca had appeared at the door at some point. He didn't come in, just stood at the entrance, his posture respectful yet carrying an undeniable presence.
Jeffrey and Freya both froze. Though they didn't know who this person was, they could tell he wasn't ordinary.
Jeffrey frowned, looking at Ophelia with confusion, clearly not believing she could know someone like this.
But she walked straight toward Luca, her tone already calm again. "I'm done here. Let's go."
"Wait." Jeffrey stepped forward to grab her, his eyes moving between the two of them with a hint of suspicion. "Ophelia, who is he?"
Luca stepped forward, blocking her from Jeffrey, his tone firm. "Sir, please let go, or I'll have my lawyer charge you with harassment."
Jeffrey's face darkened, his tone unfriendly. "So that's why you're so bold today—you've latched onto another rich guy?"
"Though your taste is pretty bad, finding such an old man!"
Ophelia laughed coldly. Before she could speak, Luca said, "I've already recorded what you just said. You'll be receiving a lawyer's letter."
Jeffrey's expression changed several times, and he said angrily, "Ophelia, don't forget we're still married! This is cheating!"
Ophelia scoffed and turned to look at him. "Jeffrey, did you forget that my marriage certificate with you is fake? I have no relationship with you. Right now, I'm single!"
With that, Ophelia didn't spare him another glance and strode away.