Half an hour later, Xavier sat in a taxi, staring at the black G-Wagon parked not far away.

Elizabeth opened the sunroof. In less than a minute, the black G-Wagon began to shake violently.

People nearby stopped to watch, murmuring in astonishment.

"Wow, outdoor action, huh? That must be thrilling."

"Tsk tsk, that pretty lady sure knows how to have fun. Lakeside, a G-Wagon, a man dressed as a butler—seems like someone's in for an unforgettable night."

Xavier's eyes burned red as he watched the swaying G-Wagon. A chill spread through his body. His hands trembled as he recorded a five-minute video.

Then he sent it to his secretary, his voice hoarse as he instructed, "Play this video on the wedding day."

After sending the message, he called his mother.

"Mom, I'm coming to Neirway in seven days to see you and Dad."

On the other end of the line, his mother immediately sensed something was off. Her brows furrowed tightly.

"Is Elizabeth coming with you?"

"I'm coming alone."

"Alright, don't be sad."

She already had an idea of what had happened. With a sigh, she reassured him, "I'll be at the airport to pick you up."

It was past midnight when Elizabeth returned, making enough noise to wake Xavier.

She was drunk, her breath heavy with alcohol. Wrapping her arms around his face, she kissed him over and over again.

Maybe she sensed his anger from earlier in the night. She whispered anxiously, "Honey, I love you so much. You can be mad at me, you can yell at me, even hit me, but don't ever leave me, alright? Don't worry, I'd never cheat on you."

Lying on the big bed, Xavier stared at her coldly.

She must have forgotten to cover the marks on her neck before coming home.

Yet, there was no deception in her eyes—only genuine affection.

The next morning, Xavier woke in a daze.

Elizabeth had already squeezed toothpaste onto his brush, poured warm mouthwash, and picked out his clothes for the day.

Once he finished getting ready, she walked downstairs with him.

At the dining table, her phone vibrated. She glanced at the message, then looked at Xavier with an apologetic smile.

"Honey, I won't be home tonight. There's a gathering I need to attend."

Xavier paused mid-bite. He knew she was meeting Connor tonight but didn't bother exposing her.

"Alright."

After Elizabeth left, he hailed a taxi and followed her.

Twenty minutes later, she drove into an upscale residential complex.

From a distance, Connor stood waiting, wrapped in a gray trench coat with a matching scarf, exuding effortless charm.

Seeing Elizabeth's Bentley, he smirked and waved before slipping into the car.

They stayed inside for a while before the Bentley pulled out of the complex.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of a bridal photography studio.

Connor stepped out of the passenger seat. As Elizabeth approached, he naturally took her arm and walked inside with her.

The receptionist greeted them with enthusiasm. "Ms. Eaton, Mr. Walker, welcome! We've cleared the venue for you. Let me take you to see the styles of wedding photos we'll be shooting today."

From inside his car, Xavier watched the scene unfold, his expression unreadable as a cold wave engulfed him.

His phone rang suddenly.

He glanced at the screen. It was his friend, Vincent Mallark.

He picked up. Vincent's cheerful voice came through. "Where are you? Let's grab a drink."

Xavier gave him the address.

There was a brief silence before Vincent groaned in mock envy. "You and Elizabeth have been married five years, and now you're taking wedding photos again? Damn, growing more in love, huh? Every day, you make us single guys jealous."

Xavier stared ahead blankly, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Vincent, she's not taking them with me."

Vincent paused. Then his voice sharpened. "With another man? Elizabeth is cheating? Hold on, I'll be there in twenty minutes!"

Twenty minutes later, Xavier slid into Vincent's car.

Xavier explained how Connor had returned a month ago and how Elizabeth had betrayed him.

Then, he played the taunting voice message Connor had sent from Elizabeth's phone.

Finally, he pointed toward the bridal shop with a bitter smile. "As you can see, it's Connor's birthday today. Elizabeth is celebrating by taking wedding photos with him."

Vincent followed his gaze.

Inside the shop, Elizabeth adjusted Connor's suit collar, her expression gentle, her touch careful, as if handling a priceless gem.

Vincent clenched his fists. "I can't take this. I'm going in to beat them up for you."

He rolled up his sleeves, ready to charge in, but Xavier stopped him first.

"Wait. I want to see what else they'll do."

Half an hour later, Elizabeth and Connor walked out of the bridal shop.

He was dressed in a crisp black suit, she in a snow-white, form-fitting wedding gown. Hand in hand, they climbed into the Bentley.

They drove to the lake.

To prevent paparazzi, the area had been cordoned off in advance. The photographers were already waiting.

As the couple arrived, one of them grinned obsequiously. "Ms. Eaton, Mr. Walker, you two look perfect together. In fact, you're the most attractive couple I've ever photographed."

Connor wrapped an arm around Elizabeth's waist, chuckling. "I have good taste in women. My wife is drop-dead gorgeous."

Over the next half hour, they changed into three different wedding outfits.

The winter air was cold. During breaks, Elizabeth draped a thick coat over Connor's shoulders.

When his poses weren't coming out right, she encouraged him patiently, helping him find the right mood.

The shoot ended, but Elizabeth didn't leave immediately.

Instead, she suddenly dropped to one knee.

Connor's eyes widened in surprise as she pulled out a bouquet of roses and a ring.

"You once said you envied Xavier because I was the one who proposed to him first. I told you I could do the same for you, but you kept saying I didn't have to. But I can't let you feel like you're second best. Connor, will you marry me?"

Connor's eyes were red. He nodded eagerly, his voice trembling with excitement. "I do! I swear, I'd marry you a hundred times over!"

The film crew erupted in cheers. "Congratulations!"

Inside a car parked nearby, Xavier watched the scene unfold, his face frozen in an expressionless mask. A chill spread through his body.

Five years ago, Elizabeth had proposed to him with the same deep affection. She had worn a beautiful white wedding dress, held a bouquet of bright red roses, and carried a meticulously prepared engagement ring.

That day, she had choked on her own words, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Xavier, I love you. You are the only man for me in this lifetime. No other man will ever enter my heart. Please, marry me. I'm begging you. I swear, if I ever betray you, I'll die."

Xavier let out a hollow laugh. It started as a chuckle, but before he knew it, tears were rolling down his face.

Everything had been a lie. The vows, the tears, even the so-called sincerity. In the end, everything changed so easily.

Beside him, Vincent watched him with quiet sympathy. "They've left. Do you want to follow?"

"Follow them."

Xavier lowered his gaze, then slowly turned to look out the window. He wanted to see where Elizabeth was going.

An hour later, the Bentley stopped in front of a restaurant. The place was in the busiest part of town, and the window seats were notoriously difficult to reserve. It wasn't peak dining hours, so only a few tables were occupied. Each seat was separated by a screen, offering ample privacy.

Clearly, Elizabeth had taken precautions.

Xavier watched as the two stepped inside. Then, he walked into a nearby store, bought a more mature-looking outfit, put on a mask and a hat, and sauntered into the restaurant.

Vincent had already made arrangements. He had thrown money at the problem and secured the table right behind Elizabeth's.

Just as they sat down, a middle-aged couple arrived, guided by a waiter to Elizabeth's table. They looked to be in their fifties, ordinary in every way. But if one looked closely, the man bore a striking resemblance to Connor.

"No way… Is she meeting his parents?" Vincent whispered in shock.

Xavier remained silent. He took out his phone, found the perfect angle, and snapped a few quick photos through the narrow gap in the screen.

The timing was perfect. He captured the exact moment Elizabeth handed a black card to Connor's mother.

"Damn, she sure is generous." Vincent cursed under his breath.

Xavier lowered his gaze, setting his phone down slowly. "Let's go."

He had no desire to stay a second longer.

Back on the street, Vincent offered to drive him home, but Xavier shook his head. "Vincent, my mind's a mess right now. I need some time alone."

Vincent didn't press him, only reminding him repeatedly to stay safe.

Once Vincent was gone, Xavier wandered aimlessly. The night was bitterly cold, the temperature already below freezing. His coat was thin, offering little protection against the chill.

But none of that mattered. The cold outside was nothing compared to the cold seeping into his heart.

He didn't know how long he had been walking when his phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Elizabeth.

He opened it. Three wedding photos filled the screen.

In the first, Elizabeth leaned against Connor, looking delicate and affectionate. In the second, the two of them kissed passionately. In the last, she knelt on one knee, holding up a bouquet, while Connor smiled triumphantly.

Then, a message followed.

[We took wedding photos today. She proposed to me in front of everyone. I was really moved.]

[She even insisted on meeting my parents. Other than registering our marriage, we've gone through all the steps.]

[Who says sharing a wife is a bad thing? I'm fine with it. The question is, are you? After all, it's not like I'm losing anything.]

Xavier stared at the arrogant words, his expression unreadable. He didn't reply. Instead, he forwarded the wedding photos to his secretary, along with the pictures he had taken of their dinner. Then, he screenshotted the entire conversation and sent it over.

"Make sure these are displayed at the wedding."

With that, he slid his phone back into his pocket.

He kept walking, step after step, his mind blank. He didn't notice the black car speeding toward him until it was too late.

Bang!

The impact sent him flying two meters through the air.

He didn't know how long he had been unconscious. When he finally opened his eyes, the sharp scent of disinfectant filled his nose. A white hospital room came into view.

Elizabeth stood by his bedside, her dark eyes filled with worry and fear. "You're awake! Do you feel any pain? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

Xavier slowly turned his gaze toward her.

Her eyes were red. She looked anxious, distressed, as if she wished she could take his place in suffering.

Disgust churned in his stomach. The images of her in a wedding dress, clinging to Connor, flashed through his mind. He felt like throwing up.

Elizabeth, oh Elizabeth. Which version of you is real?

"Why aren't you saying anything? Do you feel unwell? I'll call the doctor."

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist before she could take a step.

His voice was hoarse as he asked, "Why are you here?"

Elizabeth froze for a moment. When the hospital called, she was still having dinner with Connor's parents. A wave of fear swept over her, and she left them behind, rushing straight to the hospital.

Fortunately, Xavier wasn't seriously injured.

"I was having dinner with a client, working on closing a big deal. Then the hospital called about your accident, so I came right away."

Xavier's gaze darkened. His deep eyes locked onto hers.

"You came straight from the client's place?"

"Yes. Xavier, I'm exhausted." Elizabeth pressed her fingers against her temple, frowning slightly.

Xavier slowly closed his eyes and said nothing more.

Elizabeth sat by his side, keeping him company. Before long, her phone rang. She hung up immediately, but the caller was persistent. The phone vibrated again and again.

Switching it to silent mode, she lowered her head and sent a message. A minute later, her expression shifted. She muttered an excuse and hurried out of the hospital.

Not long after she left, Vincent arrived. His face was clouded with something between irritation and amusement.

"Guess who I ran into on my way up?"

Xavier propped himself up slightly. He thought for a few seconds before answering, "Elizabeth?"

Vincent scoffed. "The third floor of this hospital? It's the andrology department. I took the elevator up, the doors opened, and there she was—with Connor."

He paused for effect, then continued. "It felt off, so I followed the crowd out of the elevator. That's when I saw Connor holding Elizabeth's prenatal check-up report, grinning like an idiot, telling her she was going to be a mother."

Xavier's expression barely changed. He lowered his eyes, lost in thought, but there wasn't a hint of anger on his face.

"She's pregnant."

Vincent stared at him, feeling something was off but unable to put his finger on it. He moved closer, pressing a hand to Xavier's forehead.

"You're not mad? No fever either. You haven't lost your mind, have you?"

Xavier gave a faint smile, lips pale. "You don't understand. Elizabeth has a medical condition. The doctors said she could never have children."

Three years ago, they had tried for a child for over a year, but nothing happened. Thinking the issue might be his, Xavier made an appointment for a check-up. Elizabeth, worried about his stress, accompanied him.

The results came back. Elizabeth was infertile.

That night, he lay awake until morning, forcing himself to accept a childless future as long as Elizabeth loved him. He even asked Dr. Peel to keep the diagnosis a secret, telling everyone the problem lay with him—that he just needed time to recover before Elizabeth could conceive.

And now, she was thrilled to become a mother. The three years he had spent carefully hiding the truth now seemed like a cruel joke.

"Holy shit! This is huge!" Vincent nearly jumped up, rubbing his hands together. His eyes gleamed with mischief. "I have an idea. Xavier, you're leaving for Neirway in five days. Let's just act like we don't know anything."

He smirked. "There's no way Connor isn't scamming her. Let's see how he explains himself when the time comes. And when the moment's right, we'll send Elizabeth her medical report. I'd love to see her face when she finds out the truth."

The next morning, Elizabeth didn't come to the hospital.

That afternoon, Xavier's secretary arrived to update him on the wedding preparations. After her report, she hesitated, stealing a glance at him.

"Just say it." Xavier frowned slightly.

The secretary hesitated before whispering, "At noon, Ms. Eaton asked me to deliver some documents to the villa. When I arrived, Connor was sitting in your living room… in his pajamas."

She took a cautious breath. "Sir, you've always treated me well. I just couldn't stay quiet about it."

A chill spread through Xavier's body. His face turned cold. He was still in the hospital, and Connor had already moved into their home?

No wonder Elizabeth had insisted last night that he let her know before he was discharged—she wanted to be the one to pick him up.

"I see. Thank you."

Xavier picked up his phone and checked the surveillance footage. The screen was pitch black.

Elizabeth had disabled the cameras in advance.

He frowned, then turned to his secretary, who was still standing there.

"Tonight, I'll make sure Elizabeth and Connor are occupied. Get someone to reinstall the cameras. Keep it discreet."

"Yes, sir."

That night, at ten o'clock, Elizabeth walked into the hospital room. She looked at Xavier lying on the bed, her eyes filled with guilt.

"Honey, you called me over. Did you miss me? I'm sorry, I was so busy today…"

Xavier interrupted her smoothly, giving her an easy way out. "I know. You've been planning my birthday party. That's why you're visiting so late."

Elizabeth froze for a second before smiling, squeezing his hand. "You know me so well."

Xavier met her gaze and spoke calmly. "Yes. I know you. I know everything you've done."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Xavier…"

She opened her mouth to say more, but at that moment, a nurse entered with a cart, changing his IV.

The next day, Xavier checked the surveillance footage.

In the villa, Connor and Elizabeth were having lunch together. Connor sat in Xavier's usual seat.

Elizabeth pouted, saying she was pregnant and didn't feel like eating. Connor patiently fed her spoonfuls of food.

"Come on. You have to stay healthy for the sake of our baby."

Elizabeth smiled, her eyes filled with happiness.

After lunch, Connor went upstairs. Elizabeth called the house staff together and spoke in a serious tone.

"Connor doesn't have an official status here. If he loses his temper sometimes, be patient with him. And listen, no one tells Xavier about him moving in. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Xavier watched the footage in silence, then looked away. He picked up his phone and instructed his secretary to start preparing the wedding invitations. By the end of the day, he would finalize the guest list.