She knelt before Richard Chambers Sr. and pleaded—begged him to give me more time. She said she believed in me, believed that I could bring the Cole family back to life. Later, she even sold her own assets to build a private laboratory just for me.

So even when the formula patent was rejected ninety-nine times, I never once thought of giving up. I held on—for Vivian's unwavering belief in me.

But now I know—it was all just a beautiful wedding dress she stitched for Gabriel.

That realization hit like a cold wave. I wiped away my tears, forced myself up, handed the flowers to a passing staff member, and turned to leave.

With every step I took away from that place, a part of my love for Vivian faded.

Until my feet were blistered from walking, I reached the room she held most dear—and opened it in silence.

In that moment, every last trace of love vanished.

The door creaked open, revealing a hand-drawn portrait.

Its lines had blurred, its luster dulled—clearly worn from being touched too often.

The walls were covered with photos of Gabriel, each one arranged in chronological order.

The very first photo? The day of our wedding.

So for five whole years, whenever she said she needed to be alone in this room to deal with “important matters,” she was simply hiding in her memories of Gabriel.

There was a small safe in the corner. I typed in Gabriel’s birthday—and it clicked open without resistance.

Inside, there were no valuables—just stacks of love letters Gabriel had written to her.

Each time he got his hands on one of my formulas, he’d write her a letter, thanking her, professing his love, and reminiscing about our time as friends.

Even though I had already discovered the truth—that everything between us had been a carefully spun web of deceit by Vivian—my heart still cracked open.

She had always acted like she supported me unconditionally. Every time I failed, she would bring in experts, consult professionals, and offer solutions.

I had once believed—completely—in her love, completely. I had let myself fall, unafraid, because I thought she would catch me.

But everything she did was only to better funnel my work to Gabriel.

At the very bottom of the pile was a letter—one that she hadn’t sent yet.

My hands trembled as I opened it.

Tears streamed down my face as I read.

In it, Vivian detailed her plan: after obtaining my final set of data, she would propose to Gabriel. Even if the Chambers family never allowed her to marry him publicly, she wanted to give him a private wedding—something just for them.

As for me, she’d once told me, since I had recently lost my parents, it wasn’t appropriate to celebrate.

And so, I had nothing but a marriage certificate—no ceremony, no rings, no vows.

I wiped my face with a bitter smile, took out my phone, and snapped photos of every single letter.

They weren’t just evidence of Vivian’s betrayal—they were proof that Gabriel had stolen my work.

After documenting everything, I quietly restored the room to how it was.

I shut the door and pulled out my phone.

“Mr. Cole,” the voice on the other end said, “have you made your decision?”

“Yes,” I answered. “I agree to sell all my formulas. But I get to decide when they’re made public.”

The moment I hung up, I heard a voice behind me—a voice I once cherished.

“Ethan, who were you on the phone with just now? What are you going to announce?”

I tucked away my phone quickly and replied with forced calm:

“Oh, nothing important. Just some updates from the lab, I need to arrange for an announcement.”

She smiled, clearly satisfied with the answer.

“Do you like the flowers?” she asked. “Let me put them in water.”

She didn’t press further, just gently placed the roses in my hands, her fingertips grazing my palm.

“Hubby…” she said softly, “let’s have a baby.”

My hand, still clutching a rose, froze mid-air.

She gently took the rose from me and looked straight into my eyes.

“You went to visit the kids at the welfare center the other day, didn’t you?”

“I used to be afraid of having children. But when I saw you there… I wasn’t scared anymore.”

“Let’s have two—one who looks like you, and one who looks like me. Okay?”

I stared at her dreamy expression, unconsciously biting my lip.

She was lying to me again.

For the past five years, she had strung me along—dangling one hope after another, always just out of reach.

Now, was she planning to use a child as another bargaining chip?

But she had long forgotten—on the very next day after we got our marriage certificate. I had already made the irreversible decision to never have children.

Why? Because Vivian told me she feared pregnancy—her own mother had died giving birth.

She said she loved me, and I couldn’t bear the thought of her suffering. So, I took the initiative and underwent a vasectomy.

She had forgotten that sacrifice.

“Hubby, is that okay?” she asked again, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Fearing she might see through my expression, I reached out and gently embraced her—but my eyes were already turning cold.

She mistook my silence for excitement, and quickly instructed the house staff to prepare a candlelight dinner. As she walked away, she looked back at me playfully, eyes full of promise.

I watched her retreating figure and whispered under my breath,

“Vivian… you once saved my life. But you’ve lied to me for five years. That debt is already repaid.”

After that, I sent another message to that number.

When my parents passed, no one was willing to lend a hand to the Cole family.

Back then, if I had dared to expose Gabriel, I would’ve stood no chance.

But in three days, he would hold a press conference for his new product.

That moment—that stage—would be my one and only shot.

Once it arrives, everything ends.

---

The next morning, when I woke up, Vivian was gone.

I hastily drafted a divorce agreement and went to the Chambers Group headquarters. But the front desk stopped me from cold.

Calls to Vivian went unanswered. Left with no choice, I rang her secretary.

“Mr. Cole, I’m so sorry. The front desk is new—she didn’t recognize you. I’ll be sure to correct her. Please go ahead and enter.”

I didn’t bother arguing with a low-level employee. But as I passed, I overheard a conversation behind me.

“Was that really Richard’s husband? Just now, I saw Richard come down personally to greet someone else—they were walking arm-in-arm. I thought he was her husband.”

“Secretary Angela, you can’t blame me. He looked so plain—who would’ve guessed?”

“Well, he is plain. Five years ago, his family couldn’t even survive in Toronto. Now he lives off Richard’s support. Just a kept man. I don’t understand what Richard sees in him.”

“But the man from earlier—he’s a different story. You’ve heard of Ford’s Medical, right? He founded it. If it weren’t for him during the Toronto epidemic, we probably wouldn’t be standing here now. That’s the kind of man who deserves someone like Richard.”

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms.

But I ignored their voices and walked straight to Vivian’s office.

Just as I was about to knock, I froze. I heard voices inside.

“Gabriel, have you been well these past few years?”

“I wrote you so many letters. Didn’t you know? I’ve had plenty of women around me these years, but I’ve only loved one person. It’s just… she married someone else. I wonder if I still stand a chance.”

Vivian looked up, teary-eyed, her voice trembling.

“Yes. You still have a chance.”

“Vivian, thank you. If you hadn’t helped me all along, I’d never have come this far.”

“I still haven’t seen Ethan before the press conference,” she said, voice faltering. “He misunderstood me last time. Back then, I was just a Cole family apprentice, and now I outrank him. I’m afraid… it’ll be even harder for him to accept.”

At that, I couldn’t help the sneer that curled on my lips.

A misunderstanding?

Is that what she thought this was?

When my first patent was rejected, I secretly launched an investigation.

I discovered that the composition of Ford’s Medical’s new drug was nearly identical to my formula.

I filed a formal complaint—under my real name—demanding they reveal their data sources.

And what was my reward?

I was arrested.

Charged with slander and rumor-mongering. Thrown into jail.

Everyone said I couldn’t handle failure—that I slandered others out of jealousy and resentment.

Only Vivian stood by me, appearing to defend me with unwavering trust. She claimed she believed in me, like always—unconditionally.

But the truth was, everything I had, she had quietly handed over to someone else.

Through the narrow gap in the office door, I watched as Vivian’s expression turned somber. She opened a drawer, took out a document, and passed it to Gabriel.

“This is Ethan’s latest research data,” she said quietly. “With this, you’ll have the leverage to firmly establish yourself in the American market during the press conference in three days. Think of it as a welcome-home gift.”

Gabriel accepted it with a satisfied smile, pride gleaming in his eyes.

Seeing the scene unfold, a surge of bitterness flooded my chest. I suddenly had no intention of speaking to either of them. Instead, I clenched the divorce agreement in my hand and turned to leave.

“Mr. Cole, that was quick. You’ve already finished meeting with Richard?” The secretary asked casually, her voice echoing down the hall.

The moment she spoke, Vivian’s head snapped toward the door. Her expression shifted to panic as she quickly stepped out and rushed toward me.

“Ethan? Why are you here? Is something wrong?” she asked, trying to sound composed.

“You remember Gabriel, don’t you?” I said flatly. “You took him in as an apprentice at the Cole Family Clinic. He just returned, saying he wants to collaborate with me. Even mentioned inviting me and my wife to dinner to show his appreciation.”

Vivian shot Gabriel a subtle glance. He instantly hid the document behind his back and stepped forward with a grin.

“Yes, Brother Ethan! I’ve been meaning to thank you in person. I hope I’m lucky enough to earn that honor!”

He extended his hand toward me—confident, polished, like a man of power.

For a moment, it felt like our roles had reversed—he, the accomplished professional; I, the struggling apprentice hoping for a chance.

I fought down the bitterness rising in my throat and replied coolly, “No need.”

Just then, my phone vibrated. Before I could check the message, Vivian quickly interjected.

“Ethan, go take care of whatever it is you’re working on. I still have some things to go over with Gabriel. I’ll see you at home later, alright?”

The way she hurried to send me off—her impatience was all the answer I needed.

“You two go ahead,” I said with a calm smile. “See you tonight.”

---

After returning home, I quietly packed all my belongings. Not long after, a delivery team from an auction house arrived at the Chambers' residence.

Apparently, Vivian had purchased something a week ago, but left the wrong contact number. Unable to reach her, they found me instead.

As I signed the delivery slip, the auction staff opened the package to verify its contents.

Inside the box was a pair of exquisitely crafted wedding rings.

I froze, stunned. I looked down at the plain, almost crude, rings in my own hand—and felt a sharp chill settling in my chest.

Right on cue, Vivian called.

“Ethan, I bought a piece of jewelry for a client, but my phone died earlier. Can you bring it home for me? I’ll have Secretary Angela pick it up later.”

“Oh, and don’t overthink what happened today,” she added. “You and Gabriel are in the same field. It wasn’t easy for me to persuade him to offer some guidance.”

“You’ve always hoped my father would recognize you. This could be your best opportunity.”

Listening to her speak as if everything she did was for me, I almost laughed out loud.

She had betrayed her own values—become a thief—for Gabriel’s success.

And now, with her goals within reach, she wanted to use the Chambers family’s approval as chains to bind me once more?

“I know you mean well,” I replied calmly. “Take care of yourself. I’ll wait for your good news.”

She exhaled, her tone softening, reassured by my apparent trust.

I hung up and carefully placed the box aside.

Vivian, you’ve lied to me countless times.

This will be my first—and only—lie to you.

That night, her secretary came by to collect the box, explaining that something had come up at work and Vivian had to leave on a sudden business trip.

But the next morning, a photo flooded the headlines—one of a mysterious female billionaire proposing successfully to her long-time love.

Though the image was pixelated and the faces obscured, I recognized the rings on their hands immediately. They were identical to the ones in that box.

So that was your "business trip."

Beneath the article, I left a comment:

"Wishing you a happy marriage and a child very soon."