Matthew let out a sigh of relief and leaned toward Danielle, a teasing pout on his face. "We haven't been intimate since you finished your postpartum recovery. Tonight—"

A wave of nausea hit Danielle, and just as she was about to speak, his phone rang.

Matthew shot her a guilty look and turned away to answer. After hanging up, he sounded anxious. "Honey, there's an emergency at the office. I need to head over right now."

He grabbed his coat and rushed out. Danielle's chest tightened, and she quietly followed him in her car.

Matthew's car slowly stopped in front of the secluded villa. Minutes later, Meghan walked out and climbed into the passenger seat, swaying her hips with every step. The car began to rock violently, leaving no doubt of what occurred inside.

Danielle opened the surveillance app on her phone. The irony hit her sharply.

She had originally installed the listening device to ensure his safety during business outings. Now it served as a tool to witness his betrayal.

Matthew's voice drifted through, low and breathless. "Good thing you faked a stomachache to lure me here, or I'd still be stuck at home putting on an act. You've kept yourself in much better shape. Danielle has so many stretch marks now. It actually makes my stomach turn."

Meghan whimpered softly. "Then don't go back tonight. Stay here with me."

Matthew grew more frantic in his movements. Before long, he carried Meghan into the villa, clearly unsatisfied by the confines of the car.

Danielle sat motionless behind the wheel all night, unable to comprehend how the man who once said he loved her more than anything could stoop this low.

…

The next morning, Danielle pretended to just wake up as Matthew returned with damp hair, clearly fresh from a shower.

"Wake up, Danielle. I'm taking you to an auction today. They have some antiques you'll love."

He leaned down, kissed her forehead, and spoke in the same gentle tone he had always used. Danielle hesitated for a moment but decided to go along.

Inside the auction house, Meghan approached them in a red dress with a high slit, drawing every eye to her flawless legs. "Mr. Gardner, let me take your coat for you."

Matthew sidestepped her with visible disgust, his voice cold. "I'm here with my wife today. Why are you here?"

The guests' attention instantly shifted toward them.

Meghan bit her lip and looked at Danielle with a wounded expression. "But someone needs to attend to you…"

Everyone knew how much Matthew adored Danielle. Their wedding had been a legendary affair, attended by every notable figure in the city.

Whispers erupted around them at once.

Matthew tightened his grip on Danielle's waist and frowned. "Ms. Landry, you're not needed here. Go back to the office."

Meghan ran off in tears under the judgmental glares of the guests.

Matthew gave Danielle a gentle kiss on her forehead and guided her to their seats, but she could clearly sense his irritation. As several items went under the hammer, his gaze drifted, and his leg bounced restlessly beneath the table.

When the gem known as Radiant Heart appeared, Matthew raised his paddle and placed an aggressive bid. He then stood up to excuse himself. "Danielle, I'm going to the restroom. If there's anything you like, just bid on it."

All eyes turned to Danielle with envy.

"Mr. Gardner really spoils his wife. He even placed a high bid for her."

"Well, she is the heiress of the Bradford family. She probably wouldn't settle for anything less."

Danielle ignored the chatter. As soon as Matthew left, she went after him. When she reached the door of the women's restroom, scandalous noises drifted from one of the stalls.

Matthew's voice was breathless. "You little minx, who told you to come dressed like this? Weren't three times this morning enough?"

"You're the one who was mean to me first," Meghan said, pouting seductively. "Didn't it occur to you when you kicked me out earlier?"

He sighed. "Be good. After all, she's my wife in name, and the influential people here all respect the Bradford family. You know that."

She let out a soft whimper, her voice trembling. "But I'm your legal wife. When will I finally be able to stand by your side in public?"

Matthew's voice turned stern. "Stop it. We agreed to keep our marriage hidden. Don't cross the line."

He paused for a moment, his tone softened. "That gem I just bought is for you. Consider it a peace offering."

"I want a wedding too! One even bigger than Danielle's!"

Meghan's remaining words were drowned out by the sound of wet kisses.

Danielle's stomach lurched. She stumbled out of the auction house and pressed herself against a wall, retching violently.

She finally saw Matthew for who he truly was. He called her his wife in public, but his heart belonged to Meghan and Taylor.

The carefully maintained public facade of their love had been nothing but him playing her for a fool. That fake marriage certificate and the grand wedding now seemed like a pathetic joke.

Danielle closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and comforted herself. "Six more days. Just get through these six days, and it'll be over."

She immediately called her assistant, Cindy Brown. "Audit all my shares and projects within Gardner Group as soon as possible and prepare the transfer agreements."

The next second, Cindy's words made her blood run cold. "Ms. Bradford, the Escort Project you were in charge of was transferred to Ms. Landry last month!"

The Escort Project was the smart bionic prosthetics project that Danielle's father, James Bradford, had valued most during his lifetime.

James had dedicated his life to philanthropy, and it was his lifelong dream to complete this project to benefit more people with disabilities.

Danielle had pushed through her pregnancy to oversee the project for several months. She had only stepped back once it started to take shape just before she gave birth.

By the time she arrived at the office, Cindy was already panicking. "Ms. Bradford, Mr. Gardner has entrusted everything to Ms. Landry. We have no idea what's really going on."

Danielle remained composed. "It's fine. Let's go to the CEO's office. I know Matthew's computer password."

Before they reached the office, Meghan rushed over and blocked her path. "Hold on, Mrs. Gardner."

Her lips were swollen, hickeys marked her neck, and her face radiated arrogance. "You can't go in without Mr. Gardner's permission."

Danielle shoved her aside with a cold expression. "Move. I personally oversaw this project, so I have the right to review it."

"You stopped managing this project when you got pregnant, and now you want to waltz in and steal someone else's achievements? It doesn't work that way."

Unable to stop Danielle, Meghan was so furious that she blurted out whatever came to mind.

At that moment, Matthew rushed over, his voice tinged with panic. "Danielle, why did you leave early? You didn't even wait for me."

Danielle scoffed internally. He had been too busy being intimate with Meghan to bother leaving with her.

She handed him a set of documents. "Matthew, look at these figures! The prosthetic materials were supposed to be imported. Why were they replaced with substandard parts? Who switched the suppliers and pocketed the difference?"

Meghan had substituted inferior materials for quality ones, cut corners, and pocketed the price difference.

Matthew frowned, finally realizing something was wrong.

Meghan's face drained of color, and she rushed to speak. "This has nothing to do with Mr. Gardner. I'm sorry, Mrs. Gardner. I only wanted to make more money to support my son. If anyone is to blame, let it be me alone."

She wept pitifully, which made Matthew's heart ache with sympathy.

Danielle scoffed. "Apologies are useless. This is criminal behavior, and I'm calling the police."

As soon as she finished speaking, a small figure lunged forward and slammed into her.

"Mean lady! Don't bully my mommy! Daddy, hit her!"

Taylor's shrill voice echoed through the workspace.

Danielle let out a muffled groan from the impact, her face instantly going pale. The surrounding employees watched the scene with visible shock.

Matthew rushed to her side at once. "Danielle, are you alright?"

Meghan hurriedly pulled Taylor to her side, pretending to scold him. "Taylor, where are your manners? Apologize to Ms. Bradford right now!"

She then turned to Danielle. "Mrs. Gardner, take your anger out on me. Please don't hold it against a child."

Despite her words, a look of triumph flickered in her eyes.

Before Danielle could speak, Matthew cut in. "Don't be so hard on him. He's just a kid. He doesn't know any better."

He then turned to Meghan. "Taylor didn't mean it. Take him home first. I'll explain things to Danielle."

Danielle locked eyes with Matthew and spoke slowly. "What is there to explain? Are you going to explain why he calls me a 'mean lady'? Or are you going to explain why he calls you 'Daddy'?"

She refused to endure another second of their pathetic performance and turned to leave the office.

Matthew chased after her. "Danielle, Ms. Landry's son is only six years old. Why are you picking a fight with a kid?"

Danielle clenched her fists. "How can a kid be so vicious at such a young age? That's clearly the parents' failure. Why shouldn't I hold him accountable? Is he your kid?"

Matthew's expression shifted instantly as he pretended to be angry. "Danielle, what nonsense are you talking about? How could he be mine? Our daughter is my only child."

Even at this point, he continued to lie through his teeth.

Danielle smiled bitterly and looked up at Matthew. "Then what is our daughter's name? You haven't even given her a name to this day."

Matthew fell silent. Taylor was the name he had originally chosen for their child.

Danielle had once seen it in his notes. He had written it down himself, planning to use it regardless of the child's gender. He hoped the child would grow up to be as strong and elegant as the name he had chosen.

Yet now, that very name belonged to Meghan's son.

"Olivia."

Danielle spoke first.

"My daughter's name is Olivia."

Matthew's Adam's apple bobbed as the tension in his eyes eased, his voice returning to its usual warmth. "Olivia is a beautiful name. It sounds graceful and bright."

He reached out, trying to brush her hair. "Danielle, I have to go on a business trip for a few days. When I get back—"

"Right," she cut in. "Work comes first."

Danielle had no patience left for his act. She turned and walked away.

…

Danielle returned home and had just put Olivia to sleep when a notification popped up on her phone. Meghan had posted a new update on her social media.

The photo showed three hands clasped together, with Taylor's chubby palm gripping a set of car keys. Matthew had actually given Taylor a five-million-dollar car for him to play with.

Meanwhile, despite reminding him three times last week, he still forgot to buy the imported diapers for Olivia.

Danielle laughed and quietly saved the screenshot of the post into her evidence folder.

Cradling Olivia in her arms, she watched as her daughter smacked her lips, her eyelashes casting shadows in the light. She leaned down to kiss her soft cheek.

"Sweetheart, Mommy will definitely keep you safe."

…

The following day, after Danielle finished auditing her assets and shares, she booked a flight to Hadrion departing in three days.

Ever since Matthew sensed her suspicion, he had been messaging her almost every hour these past few days.

"Honey, today's client was a nightmare, but I managed to close the deal."

"You're working so hard, honey. The cookies here in Nethoria are incredible. I'll bring you here next time."

He probably had no clue that every cent of the project bonuses he funneled into Meghan's account was documented in her inbox.

Nor did he realize that, while he carefully maintained the image of a devoted husband, Meghan was using his money to post photos of lingerie stuffed with bills and her body covered with suggestive marks.

Danielle stared at her phone and let out a hollow laugh. Once upon a time, Matthew had treated her with the same devotion.

They were childhood sweethearts everyone envied. He had once blushed under a tree, saying she was the only one he would ever marry. In college, he was fiercely protective of her, and he would quietly drive away anyone who pursued her.

When she underwent an appendectomy, he stayed by her hospital bed for three days straight without a wink of sleep. He even transferred his first paycheck to her account with a note that read, "For my princess."

Suddenly, a sharp cry rang out from the nursery room.

The housekeeper, Sandra Miller, ran out in a panic. Her hands were stained with blood. "Mrs. Gardner, something has scratched the baby's thigh, and the bleeding won't stop! Please come quickly and take a look!"

Danielle's heart dropped. She sprinted into the room and scooped up Olivia. The baby's cries had subsided, but the wound continued to bleed.

Danielle rushed toward the hospital, holding Olivia in a panic.

After the examination, the doctor approached her with the results. "She has a coagulation disorder, and her hemoglobin is dangerously low. She needs an immediate transfusion."

Danielle's lips trembled. "Doctor, take mine! I'm her mother—"

"Direct donation from parents isn't allowed," the doctor replied gravely. "Besides, your daughter has RH-negative blood. We need to check the blood bank's inventory first."

"Give her a coagulant, hurry!"

Danielle screamed the order in desperation.

But even after the injection, the bleeding continued. Olivia's face was ghostly pale. Danielle held her tightly, tears running down her cheeks.

Minutes later, a nurse hurried in, her face full of sympathy. "Ms. Bradford, the RH-negative blood in our inventory… It's all been requisitioned."

Danielle snapped her head up, her eyes bloodshot. "You just said there was a supply. How could it suddenly be gone?"

The nurse bit her lip and lowered her voice. "This is a private hospital. The son of Mr. Gardner, our major shareholder, urgently needed a transfusion. The director immediately ordered all the RH-negative blood from the bank to be sent to the VIP room."

Her words broke the last thread of Danielle's composure. As she reached for her phone to confront Matthew, she saw Meghan's latest social media post.

The caption read, "Little troublemaker, scraped your knee, huh? Luckily, you've got such a powerful dad. He can get the city's rarest RH-negative blood in a heartbeat just for you!"

Rage surged through Danielle. She carefully handed Olivia to the nurse, then stormed toward the VIP room on the top floor.

When she kicked the door open, Meghan was sitting by the bed, playing video games with Taylor. The scrape on Taylor's knee was so minor that a bandage was unnecessary. The sight made Danielle's heart ache sharply.

She stared at the happy mother and child before her, her chest burning with hatred that threatened to consume her.

She was unable to hold back and shouted, "Give the blood to my daughter!"