Every word Sheena spoke felt like a dagger piercing my heart.

But I have never been the kind of man to be defeated by pain. If anything, pain only fuels my desire to fight back.

Just like that night when Sheena was nearly assaulted—I had charged forward against a dozen men, knowing full well, I stood no chance.

At that moment, I had only one thought—anyone who dared to harm my woman must die.

That night, I was stabbed thirteen times, my head smashed by countless bottles, yet I refused to fall. Fueled by sheer rage, I killed four of them.

The last one had tried to run. I hunted him down and finished the job. If not for that, I wouldn’t have been sentenced for excessive self-defense.

"Lewis, a real man doesn’t keep using past favors to demand repayment." Ethan sneered.

A mid-level manager from the sales department chimed in, "That’s right, Director Newman. Our chairman has already been more than generous to you. She could have just paid you off, but instead, she married you. You should be grateful instead of acting entitled."

A woman from PR tapped her manicured nails against the table and said, "Exactly. Chairman Webber is a shining star in LA's business world. If you had any self-respect, you’d resign voluntarily—and divorce her while you’re at it."

Someone from marketing added, "Honestly, Chairman Webber and Assistant Campbell make a perfect pair, like a golden couple."

Another voice from the design department chipped in, "Why even call him an assistant? He’s basically the general manager already. It’s only a matter of time."

I listened to their words, and for some reason, I laughed.

"Sheena, do you want me to resign?" I sat back down, my voice was calm.

She met my gaze, hesitating for a moment before saying, "Yes. Your status as an ex-convict is damaging to the company. It would be best if you resigned. As for divorce, I never considered it."

"I’ll resign, but on one condition."

She frowned slightly. "What condition?"

"Divorce."

I turned to the company’s legal counsel.

"Contact Attorney Gibson. Have him draft the divorce papers."

"Are you insane, Lewis?!" Sheena slammed her hand against the table, her voice laced with frustration.

"I only said you weren’t suited for the company—I never said I wanted to divorce you! Do you have to make a scene in front of everyone?"

I shook my head.

"Judging by how naturally you adjusted Ethan’s tie just now, it’s clear this isn’t the first time. You two are more than just a superior and subordinate. Since you’ve already betrayed me, there’s no point in continuing this marriage."

The PR woman immediately jumped in, "Chairman, hurry up and agree! This is your best chance to get rid of him!"

Many others joined in, eagerly egging her on.

I memorized their faces.

Since when did employees in this company dare to gossip so openly, even interfering in the chairman’s marriage issues?

"I’m not getting a divorce!" Sheena suddenly slammed the table again, her voice sharp. "Enough, Lewis! I only asked you to resign. I still have feelings for you."

I lit a cigarette, took a slow drag, and exhaled calmly.

"Sorry, but I no longer have feelings for you. And I, Lewis Newman, have never worn second-hand shoes. They’re too filthy."

Silence.

The entire room fell into stunned quiet. Even the shareholders hadn’t expected me to say something so ruthless.

The only one smiling was Ethan—he could barely contain it. He must have thought his victory was near.

Sheena stared at me in disbelief. "Lewis, what the hell did you just say? I’m your wife, and you’re calling me second-hand shoes?"

I nodded seriously and said, "I don’t care whether you and Ethan have crossed the final line or not. But as my woman, the way you treat him has already gone beyond normal boundaries. To me, you are no different from a used shoe."

"Do you even have any shame, Lewis?"

"You act like you’re some big deal, but don’t forget—it’s Sheena who has been supporting you all this time!"

"Without her, you would’ve starved to death ages ago."

"But the way you talk, it’s like you’re the one supporting her instead!"

Ethan mocked with a smirk. "Exactly! A freeloading ex-con like him—who gave him the guts to act this way?"

"The chairman has spoiled him too much, that’s why he thinks he’s somebody!"

"An ex-convict, daring to disrespect the chairman in a company meeting? He should know his place."

The same group of people chimed in again.

I ignored them completely and turned to Sheena. "There’s nothing more to say. We are getting a divorce."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "You can’t do this to me!"

But what did that have to do with me?

Without sparing her another glance, I stood up to leave.

Just then, Director Mills also got up and walked out with me. As we left, he said, "The major investor for this project will be attending tonight’s banquet. Since you were the one who secured the deal, even if you’re no longer handling the project, you can’t afford to miss it."

Ethan quickly leaned in and whispered to Sheena, "Sheena, I think we should keep an eye on him. If he goes out and talks recklessly, it could harm the company."

She wiped her tears, then glared at me with resentment.

"You’re not allowed to leave! As of now, you are still a company employee. I order you to attend the banquet!"

I stopped, turned back to them, and chuckled. "You’re the ones insisting. Don’t regret it later."

With that, I walked out of the meeting room.

But Ethan chased after me, blocking my way. Once Director Mills had stepped away, he flashed a smug grin.

"Lewis, there’s something you don’t know, isn’t there?"

"The major investor for this project isn’t only interested in you. I met with them yesterday, and they were quite impressed with me."

"That’s why I made sure you’d attend the banquet—I want to watch you make a fool of yourself in public."

"So, what do you say, Lewis? Do you have the guts to stay?" His voice was dripping with arrogance.

I looked at him like he was a complete idiot.

"Do you even understand how capital works? You think this is some easy game? You’re way too naïve."

Then, without another word, I walked away.

Outside the corporate building, I lit a cigarette.

The security guard at the entrance wandered over and crouched beside me, lighting his own cigarette.

I glanced at him and said, "Stop working security. Things might get messy soon—gather some men and follow me instead."

"Sure thing." He rubbed his bald head and grinned.

I didn’t waste time dwelling on things. I had no reason to.

Like I said—pain couldn’t break me. It only excites me, and makes me want to strike back harder.

The conflict between Sheena and me stemmed from her betrayal—it was her fault, not mine. I had no reason to punish myself.

Before long, I arrived at the banquet hall.

The company’s employees soon followed, and the moment they saw me, they didn’t even try to lower their voices as they whispered.

"He really had the nerve to show up?"

"Some people just don’t know their place."

"If I were him, I’d step aside for Assistant Campbell without hesitation."

"He insulted the chairman with such awful words—men like him deserve to be wiped out."

Their voices were loud, drawing the attention of many onlookers.

I simply leaned against the window, quietly smoking my cigarette. I had no desire to waste my breath on people with such a limited understanding of the situation.

Of course, that didn’t mean I was magnanimous enough to let them insult me without retaliation—I just found it beneath me to engage with them directly.

At that moment, Sheena and Ethan arrived and stopped in front of me.

She was dressed in an elegant white outfit, exuding an air of cold indifference.

But her eyes were red—she had been crying again.

The betrayer had the audacity to shed tears? What right did she have?

Glancing around and noticing that there weren’t many people nearby, Sheena grabbed my hand and pleaded, "Lewis, stop this. I never wanted to divorce you. It’s just that everyone kept saying you weren’t suited to stay in the company, so I made that decision."

Seeing that I remained unmoved, she continued, "As for Ethan, there’s nothing between us. I was just fixing his collar in public to boost his status, making his work easier in the future."

I shook her hand off. "Don’t touch me. You disgust me."

"Do you have to be like this?" Sheena started crying again.

I let out a soft chuckle. "You wanted to boost his status, and the method you chose was cuckolding me? You publicly adjusted his clothes—whether or not there’s anything between you two, everyone will assume there is. Didn’t you hear the gossip just now? Or do you think I’m not human, that I exist just for you to trample on? Have my feelings ever mattered to you?"

She shook her head frantically. "No, Lewis, I swear, my heart belongs only to you!"

"Once something is tainted, it’s tainted. No matter what you say, I won’t believe you." I sneered coldly.

Ethan snapped, "Lewis, don’t be so ungrateful! Sheena is already giving you an easy way out, yet you insist on hurting her?"

I cast him an indifferent glance and spat, "Ethan, you have no right to speak here."

Immediately, his face twisted with rage.

"I don’t understand what you’re so arrogant about!" he shouted.

"You just secured a single project! It was Sheena who assigned you that task, which gave you the opportunity in the first place. If it had been me handling it, I would have closed the deal too!"

Sheena, still overwhelmed with emotion, seemed dazed, as if she hadn’t heard a word we were saying.

Ethan continued, "I know exactly why you’re acting so smug. You think you have a good relationship with the investor and that this project won’t work without you, right? Well, I’ve met the investor too, and they have a very high opinion of me. Just wait until they arrive—you’ll see how insignificant you really are!"

And right on cue, someone entered the room.

A woman dressed in an elegant black evening gown, radiating nobility and poise, walked toward us.

She was the investor.

Thalia Wright, the eldest daughter of the chairman of Wright Corp, a powerful conglomerate headquartered overseas.