Betrayed. Reborn. Revenge.

For the first time, a female intern appeared beside my husband—the CEO who had always kept his distance from women.

She looked harmless, sweet even, with a pair of wide, innocent eyes that begged for guidance. And Nathaniel Langford gave it to her—step by step, patiently, until he drowned in the glow of her worship.

She was spoiled. She pouted and insisted on a highend custom bag—the kind with my name engraved on it.

Nathaniel chuckled indulgently.

“This is the first time she’s asked me for something,” he said, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Baby, you already have too many bags. Let her have this one, just this once.”

I didn’t respond. I signed the bill with a flick of my wrist and walked out of the store with the bag in hand.

He chased after me, gently tugged me into his arms, coaxing.

“Come on, is a little intern really worth all this jealousy? You know my heart only holds you.”

But three years later, that heart turned to stone.

My parents’ company collapsed. Both of them leapt from their office building, leaving nothing but blood and debts behind. I was a wreck—broken, grieving—when Nathaniel threw a bag at my feet.

The same bag.

Bloodsoaked.

He looked down at me and said coldly,

“I arranged everything. The bankruptcy, their deaths. You liked custom bags, didn’t you? This one’s made of crocodile skin... and your parents’ old faces.”

“You’re insane!” I screamed, reeling in disbelief.

But the weight of it all crushed me. I jumped from the rooftop that night—ready to end it all.

Only… I woke up.

Back in that store. Back in the moment when Delilah Vance, the intern, was begging for my bag.

This time, I handed it over without hesitation. Then stepped aside and made a call.

“Brother,” I said coolly, “I need a favor.”

——

“Mr. Langford,” Delilah chirped, holding the bag up to Nathaniel. “This bag is sooo pretty. Can I have it, please?”

She grabbed the custommade bag like it was hers by right. When I turned around, I saw Nathaniel’s familiar smile—gentle, but lined with authority.

In my past life, he destroyed my family, stripped away my sanity, and desecrated my parents’ corpses.

I swallowed the rising bile.

“Elena is new. She doesn’t know the rules yet,” he said softly.

“But it’s her first request, and I already promised her. You have more bags than you can carry anyway—can’t you let her have just this one?”

Before I could answer, the girl looked at me with wide, watery eyes and bit her lip.

“Boss, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were married… Did I cause trouble?”

She turned to him, voice trembling.

“Your wife looks upset. Is she mad at me for taking her bag? If so, I don’t want it anymore…”

Tears rolled down her cheeks like loose change.

Nathaniel frowned, about to speak, but I gently pressed the bag into her arms and patted her shoulder.

“You already stole the man,” I said lightly. “What’s a bag compared to that?”

The sales clerk raised an eyebrow in disdain, as if suddenly realizing who was truly pathetic in this situation.

The girl’s tears came harder. “No—I didn’t steal anything!”

Nathaniel rushed to soothe her.

I just stood there, cold and distant, and dialed the phone again. On the other end, a familiar lazy drawl greeted me.

“Adrian,” I said with a smile, “I need a favor.”

When I hung up, I caught Nathaniel watching me, a frown tugging at his brow.

“Who were you talking to? You look… pleased.”

“Just my sister,” I replied smoothly. “She asked me out for afternoon tea.”

He didn’t question it. Since marrying him, I’d lived like a docile, fulltime wife. My social circle was tiny—everyone I knew was under his thumb.

His shoulders relaxed. He offered a helpless smile.

“Baby, when did you become so petty? Getting worked up over a little intern?”

“Okay, I was wrong this time. I promise—it won’t happen again…”

His tone was soft, almost pleading.

“And if there’s anything you want lately, just say the word. Whatever it is, your husband will sign off on it for you.”

They’d been glued together at the company for the past six months. Everyone had seen the way they hid behind the privacy curtains of the president’s office—whispers of their intimacy spreading like wildfire through the halls.

He flaunted her on every highend occasion, never once hiding her existence. She was his precious treasure, wrapped in silk and guarded like gold. Not even a fly was allowed near her.

And now he casually bought her a custom bag worth three hundred thousand dollars—without blinking. Yet he still had the audacity to call her “just an insignificant intern.”

In the past, I would’ve exploded. I couldn’t stand the tiniest grain of sand in my eye—much less a mistress.

But after everything in my previous life, I learned: she was Nathaniel’s reverse scale—the one thing that must not be touched.

So I swallowed my pride. I gave in.

I quietly sent my parents abroad and took over the family business.

Nathaniel, too preoccupied with the girl, never noticed my silent maneuvers.

One morning, the old housekeeper, Mrs. Watkins, gave me a kind reminder.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into the master lately. He’s always out, coming home less and less. Madam, you should keep an eye on him. Don’t let those women outside seduce him completely.”

I forced a smile.

Nathaniel had been flaunting his new love like a trophy. Lavish spending, yacht parties that lasted until sunrise, and a villa in the city that was more extravagant than a royal palace.

He even arranged a golden path for her family. Her goodfornothing brother was now a group company manager. How convenient.

There’s no resisting a powerful, mature man who knows how to pursue what he wants.

Mrs. Watkins must have noticed the pain on my face, because she quickly changed her tone.

“Men… they’re all a little slippery. But sir has been faithful for years. Compared to most, he’s done well. As long as he’s not causing trouble at home—”

Before she could finish, Nathaniel appeared at the door, handinhand with Delilah. His eyes were sharp, his voice colder than steel.

“Elena, I thought you were different from other women. I didn’t expect you to gossip behind people’s backs.”

Before I could respond, he led Delilah into the living room and settled her beside him on the sofa—like a couple claiming their home.

“I was worried about her living alone,” he said. “After thinking about it, it’s safer for her to stay here.”

Then he turned to me with a smile that felt more like a command.

“She’s still young. Look after her, would you? Make sure she doesn’t get too thin.”

I nodded, lips stretched into a polite smile. Then I turned and headed for the kitchen.

But I didn’t get far.

“No need to prep another room,” he said behind me. “She’ll be staying with me.”

I froze.

For five years of marriage, Nathaniel had never allowed anyone to sleep beside him. Even at the height of passion, he always pulled away the moment it was over—calmly wiping himself clean, tossing the towel aside, and walking away without a word.

But now, suddenly, he wanted someone next to him.

He’d fallen for her. Completely.

That night, as I passed his room, I heard the unmistakable sound of breathy moans and soft gasps.

Then her voice, sticky sweet:

“Mr. Langford, if you want… Delilah is willing…”

A pause. Then a kiss, deep and smothering.

His voice came out low, trembling with restraint:

“Silly girl. Go to sleep.”

Moments later, I heard the door to the bathroom click shut, followed by the sound of running water—loud and long.

He was holding back.

He loved her so much, he couldn’t even bring himself to touch her.

I bit down hard on my lower lip, drawing blood, and quietly slipped into his study.

In my past life, the fatal blow that destroyed my parents' company had come from a single document—a topsecret file hidden deep in his records.

The file contained highly confidential business intel—enough to crush Whitmore Holdings if it fell into the wrong hands.

This time, I wouldn’t let that happen.

I would take it first. I would be prepared.

But the moment I sat down at the desk, my breath hitched.

The wedding photo of Nathaniel and me was gone—replaced by a framed picture of Delilah, smiling with wide, innocent eyes.

It was a quiet, brutal declaration: my marriage was over.

I pushed the bitterness down and began searching through the drawers until I found the file.

Locked.

There was a password.

Panic clawed up my throat as I tried every possible code tied to Nathaniel—his birthday, mine, anniversaries, his mother’s name—but nothing worked.

Then, without thinking, my fingers tapped out a random string of numbers.

The screen flashed.

Password correct.

My heart stopped.

It was the day Nathaniel met Delilah.

Suddenly, everything blurred.

A soft voice broke the silence behind me.

“It’s late. Still awake, baby?”

I turned. He leaned against the door, halfsmiling, mischief dancing in his eyes.

“Are you jealous, baby?” he asked, stepping into the room.

I took a deep breath and met his gaze coldly.

“You said she was just an insignificant intern.”

He shrugged, the look on his face strangely helpless. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Every time I see her, I feel… happy. I want to be near her all the time. It’s like I’ve been poisoned.”

Then he stepped closer, lowering his voice.

“But don’t worry. No one will ever replace you in my heart.”

He brushed against me deliberately, voice dipping even lower.

“Baby… It’s been a long time since we’ve been together. Don’t you want to?”

Disgust flashed through me.

I stepped back and pulled out a document I’d prepared earlier. “Here,” I said.

He raised an eyebrow, amused. “What’s this? Something you want? Fine, I’ll buy it for you. Anything at all.”

Without even reading it, he scrawled his signature across the page.

Goal achieved, I ducked under his arm and slipped past him, feigning fatigue.

“I’m tired. Maybe next time.”

Other women might burn themselves just to keep a man warm.

I wouldn’t be one of them.

Behind my back, I clutched the divorce agreement, a sharp thrill rising in my chest.

I was finally free.

A week later, Nathaniel flew abroad for a business reception. Delilah couldn’t join him—her passport application hadn’t come through yet.

So she stayed. And she made herself right at home.

She gave orders to the servants like a queen in her palace, sticking her nose in every corner of the house.

Grumbling spread like wildfire.

Mrs. Watkins came rushing to me one morning, flustered and out of breath.

“Madam, you must come quickly! Miss Vance said the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard was an eyesore and insisted on moving it. We tried to stop her, but she dragged a ladder over and climbed it herself. She says she’s ‘trimming the branches bit by bit!’”

My heart dropped.

That cherry blossom tree had been planted by my parents on our wedding day. They said it would protect me for life.

Now, Delilah was up there with garden shears, pretending to prune, but really just staking her claim.

I rushed outside and stood beneath the ladder.

“Come down,” I said calmly.

She glanced at me, defiant.

But then she spotted something behind me—a shadow moving in the distance.

She let out a sudden scream and threw herself backward.

“Ahhh!”

I watched, stunned, as she fell dramatically—straight into Nathaniel’s waiting arms.

The ladder buckled and slammed into me.

Pain exploded in my skull. Blood trickled down my forehead.

I staggered, trying to stay upright, as Nathaniel’s enraged voice pierced the air.

“Elena! Must you always make things difficult for her?”

“She fell from that height! She could’ve died!”

My voice trembled as I tried to speak.

“It… it was an accident. I didn’t—”

“Don’t play innocent!” he snapped. “I know that ladder was replaced recently. You had someone grease the steps. You wanted her to fall. You wanted her hurt!”

He looked at me with a cold, resentful glare—and all I could feel was guilt.

Delilah didn’t have so much as a scratch on her, but he rushed to scoop her into his arms and sped off to the hospital like she was made of glass.

No one noticed my legs pinned under the ladder, blood soaking through my pants.

By the time I was treated, the damage was severe. Ninetynine stitches. The doctor said I was lucky I’d kept mobility.

I wheeled myself to the billing counter, only to spot them in the lobby—Delilah bouncing cheerfully beside him, eyes bright, skin glowing.

She spotted me too, then tilted her head with practiced innocence.

“Mr. Langford,” she said sweetly, “should we help your wife? Maybe… she didn’t mean to.”

Nathaniel glanced over.

Disgust flickered in his eyes.

He pulled her closer, shielding her as if I were the threat.

“She’s gone too far this time,” he said. “Don’t worry about her. Let her cool off.”

“For me, being with you is what matters most right now.”

They walked away, hand in hand, their backs a blur through my haze of pain.

And just like that, the last lingering shred of affection I had for Nathaniel... disappeared.

You’ve made your choice, Nathaniel.

Now it’s my turn.

And I’ve prepared a gift you won’t forget.

I stayed in the hospital for another two weeks before being discharged.

But I didn’t go home.

Instead, I slipped into a sleek black dress, painted my lips crimson, and headed straight for the auction house.

Nathaniel and Delilah were already seated in the front row. Their hands were linked, their expressions filled with flirtation, their body language so close they may as well have been alone.

“Delilah,” he whispered, brushing her hair behind her ear, “I’m going to win the final piece tonight—for you.”

“I want it to be my official confession.”

“But…” she bit her lip, her voice trembling just enough to sound virtuous. “Mom and Dad always taught me never to be a third party… Mr. Langford, I know you care about me, but I—I can’t do something so wrong…”

Tears welled in her eyes, and her voice choked with sorrow.

It was a performance worthy of an award.

Nathaniel fell for it completely.

“I’ll take care of everything,” he said. “You’re not a mistress. After tonight, I’ll speak to Elena about the divorce.”

Even though I had expected it—even though I had planned for this—I still felt my chest tighten at the word divorce spoken so casually from his lips.

I lowered my head and adjusted the brim of my hat, determined not to draw attention.

But he noticed me anyway.

His brow furrowed.

“What, now you’re stalking me too?” he hissed under his breath, his tone sharp.

He had forgotten. Forgotten that three months ago, I told him I wanted to bid for this specific jewelry piece—for our fifth anniversary.

I didn’t bother to remind him.

Instead, I smiled faintly. “The auction’s starting.”

He scowled. “We’ll deal with this when we get home.”

Beside him, Delilah smirked at me, triumphant. Her posture relaxed, her eyes gleaming with victory.

The final item was wheeled onto the stage beneath a velvet cloth.

When the auctioneer revealed it, Delilah’s eyes lit up. Diamonds caught the light and exploded into brilliance. She gasped, stunned by its radiance.

For the first time, Nathaniel saw wonder in her eyes. And it softened him completely.

He began raising his number paddle again and again—faster, more determined, outbidding every competitor without hesitation.

The price soared—1 billion, 2 billion, 3 billion…

Until the entire room fell into shocked silence.

“Seven hundred thousand dollars,” the auctioneer declared, his professional smile still intact though visibly strained. “Do I hear any higher?”

No one moved.

All eyes turned to Nathaniel, sitting tall and proud, drinking in the awe from the crowd and the adoration from the girl clinging to his arm.

“Mr. Langford is truly remarkable. Five billion without a blink!”

“He must be serious about Miss Vance—look at how deeply he dotes on her!”

“Mrs. Langford’s wedding jewelry only cost tens of millions. This? This is a real love confession.”

“If I were Mrs. Langford, I’d be crawling with embarrassment. What a fall from grace…”

The auctioneer lifted his gavel.

“If there are no further bids, this stunning set will go to Mr. Langford. Congratulations—”

“Six billion.”

I lifted my paddle slowly, a calm smile curling on my lips.

Gasps rippled through the room. All eyes swiveled toward me.

“Elena! Are you insane? You’re bidding against me?”

Nathaniel turned in his seat, stunned and furious. “Sit down! You’re humiliating yourself!”

I met his glare without flinching.

“You can flatter your little girlfriend all you want,” I said evenly, “but if I like this piece, I’ll bid on it. Is that a problem?”

He choked on his reply. The number—one billion more than his last—made him hesitate. His jaw clenched.

But then Delilah looked at him with wide, expectant eyes, like a puppy waiting for a treat. Her fingers tightened on his sleeve, and he faltered.

“Sixpointfive billion,” he growled, raising his paddle again.

“Seven billion.”

I didn’t even blink.

Nathaniel’s face darkened. His eyes blazed.

“You’re doing this on purpose. Are you trying to humiliate me in front of everyone?”

“Where did you even get seven billion? You don’t have that kind of money!”

I remained silent.

The auctioneer stepped in, his tone professional.

“Ms. Whitmore has deposited the full bidding amount prior to the event. She meets all requirements to participate.”

Whispers filled the room.

Nathaniel’s frown deepened. He clearly hadn’t expected this. After all, during our marriage, he controlled everything—every account, every asset. I had been the perfect housewife, relying on him for monthly allowances.

How could I possibly have that kind of money?

“Mr. Langford,” the auctioneer prompted, “will you continue?”

I tilted my head, giving him a sweet, taunting smile.

He didn’t answer immediately. He looked down, his brow furrowed in calculation. For a moment, it looked like he might back down.

Then Delilah tugged on his sleeve again, her voice trembling.

“You said this would be my confession gift, Mr. Langford…”

That did it.

He couldn’t stand her pitiful face.

“I’ll light the sky lantern!”

He raised his paddle defiantly.

“Whatever price she goes for, I’ll outbid it. I’m winning this tonight—no matter what.”

The crowd burst into excited murmurs. Cameras clicked. Onlookers swooned.

“Mr. Langford is incredible! So generous!”

“Five billion, six billion… Now seven? He’s madly in love with Miss Vance!”

“Mrs. Langford must be burning with shame—how pathetic.”

Delilah flung herself into his arms, her eyes glistening. She looked like the victor.

And Nathaniel? Surrounded by adoration, he looked pleased with himself—like a man standing at the very peak of his life.

I smiled quietly to myself.

Savor it, Nathaniel. This moment will be the last time you shine.

As if on cue, a staff member hurried over and whispered to the auctioneer, who quickly paled. He cleared his throat and stepped forward, face stiff with discomfort.

“I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Langford,” he said cautiously, “but there appears to be an issue with your account.”