My husband, Landon Hart, lost a truth-or-dare round, so he carries out the punishment by making out passionately with his secretary, Amelia Colton, in my car. They've gone so far as to leave stains of their coupling on my son's booster seat.

After Amelia sends me the video clip of them making out, I forward it to Landon right away.

"Are you about to file for bankruptcy, Mr. Hart? What, are you only capable of cheating on me in my car?"

Landon sends me an audio message. His tone carries a hint of satisfaction—clearly, he's done having his fun.

"This is just a business alliance between us. Do you seriously think I'm your actual husband? It's just a dare! What, are you too prim and proper for games now?"

I just chortle coldly in return.

Well then, I'll make Landon understand that he should pay the price for doing something he's not supposed to do.

I wasted no time halting the international deal Hart Group was about to sign next week.

Soon after, my husband, Landon Hart, bombarded me with calls. My trusted assistant screened them, replying each time, "Sorry, Mr. Hart. Ms. Young is in a meeting."

Playing the silent treatment? Two could play that game.

I didn't have to wait long before Landon kicked open my office door in a rage and slammed his hand against my desk.

"Susanne, are you out of your mind?" he roared. "That was a 300-million-dollar deal! Are you going to destroy my company over some stupid dare?"

The man who was usually aloof and poised had now lost control, all for his precious secretary.

I set the reports down and looked at his furious, twisted expression. "You have 15 minutes left."

Ten minutes later, Landon sent me a photo. The Maybach's interior had been restored to pristine condition, free of any trace of his lewd activities, and was undergoing professional cleaning.

I immediately notified the International Division. "Proceed with the signing as planned."

Following that, I sent Landon a photo in return. His treasured watch had been smashed to pieces, and his favorite collectible figure was soaking in a filthy mop bucket.

"Consider this my part of the dare, and remember where my bottom line is. This is only a warning. Push me again, and the consequences will be more than you can handle."

Not a squeak from Landon. I knew he was furious, but so was I.

Back then, the marriage of convenience between the Young and Hart families had been his idea. He was also the one who refused the option of living separate lives after marriage.

In six years, we went from mutual respect to genuine partnership. After our son, Charlie, was born, I poured all my energy into our family, helping both our families thrive.

I believed we would support each other until old age, retire after our achievements, and live out our days together… until he shattered the stable, happy life we had built.

That brief suspension of the 300-million-dollar deal was only a warning shot.

That night, Landon didn't come home for the first time.

The next morning, I walked straight into Hart Group. I took the private executive elevator and went directly to the senior management floor. It was empty.

This was where our secretaries were supposed to be on duty. I hadn't brought mine today, but where was his?

Laughter drifted out of his office, unrestrained, slipping through the gaps in the blinds.

Through the narrow opening, I saw Landon's secretary, Amelia Colton, holding a hair dryer and carefully blow-drying his hair. He leaned back in his office chair, relaxed and smiling as he chatted with her.

In the past, Landon had always been strict about boundaries. Other than me, he never allowed anyone to stay in his office for long. Now, the tenderness he showed Amelia was glaring to watch.

Even more blinding was the custom-made silver necklace gleaming around her neck. It was the very necklace he had carefully chosen abroad, meant to be my birthday gift.

Amelia was only an intern secretary. Even if she sold herself, she couldn't afford a single diamond from that necklace.

I pushed the door open.

Amelia dropped the hair dryer as if she had been electrocuted and hurriedly smoothed her hair. "Ms. Young? What are you doing here in Hart Group's office area?"

I shot her a cold glance. "I'm the general manager. Where I go is none of an intern's business. And call HR. I have questions about whether our hiring standards have dropped this low."

Amelia turned to Landon for help. He gestured for her to step out and lie low for now. Just as she was about to leave, I coldly instructed, "Take the necklace off."

She froze, her hand flying up to cover it, then looked pitifully at Landon.

I stared straight into his eyes. "Explain to me why my birthday gift is sitting around her neck. The deposit receipt for that necklace is still in my drawer, by the way!"

He seemed annoyed. "She's my secretary. She represents my image. Because you insisted on having the car she sat in professionally cleaned, people started looking down on her. So what if I gave her a necklace to keep up appearances?

"Didn't you also spend money customizing your secretary's wardrobe?"

I scoffed. "My secretary is a woman, and she earns her pay with real ability. What does this bimbo do to deserve it?"

I pointed at Amelia. "Is it because she knows how to please you?"

Fury burned in Landon's eyes, his expression grim. "It's just a necklace. I'm only using it to make up for the mockery she had to endure. I'll buy you a better, more expensive one for your birthday, alright?"

I let out a short mocking laugh. "A custom-made necklace for her? Seriously, who do you think she is? We must know our place in life, Landon."

I stepped closer, my voice cold. "The son-in-law of the Young family naturally belongs in elite circles, but money alone isn't enough to get you far up there, Mr. Hart."

Landon flew into a rage. "We have more important work to discuss now, Susanne. Ms. Colton has put in tremendous effort for this deal, so please get out of my office!"

He was actually shouting at me for that bimbo. I smiled coldly. "Fine. We'll see just how capable your secretary is."

Furious, Landon slammed the contract onto the desk and stormed out. Amelia flashed me a smug, triumphant smile and trotted after him in her heels.

Before the sound of her heels faded completely, I dialed a number. "Proceed as planned. Make sure Mr. Zelinsky gives them a proper welcome."

I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window. I had barely taken two sips when Landon's call came through. He was screaming so loudly I had to hold the phone away from my ear.

"You're a despicable snake, Susanne! Mr. Zelinsky publicly tore up the contract and called Amelia an escort who slept her way up! He even called me a weak man living off women, greedy for everything!

You did this, didn't you? I must've been blind to even think about marrying you!"

I set the cup down calmly. "You honestly think I can control how everyone runs their mouths? Please. If he weren't right, you wouldn't be so affected—"

"The deal's over, Susanne!" he yelled. "And Amelia ran off after being humiliated! Are you satisfied now?"

I smiled. "Satisfied? Oh, no. I'm just making sure everything is where it belongs."

Landon hung up, fuming.

I called HR and had every trace of Amelia removed from the company. At this point, I felt I had given Landon enough leeway and space to recover. As long as he behaved, we could continue.

But, as it turned out, he didn't even value the second chance I gave him.