“Sorry, Maddie. I didn’t mean it that way. I shouldn’t have gotten jealous over you and a stranger. That’s completely on me.” Archer’s eyes reddened with emotion. “But Bailee and I have nothing going on. I invited her here as a gesture of thanks. Can you ever forgive me?”

Beside him, Bailee Wagner dropped her gaze, her expression pitiful, her voice catching. “Yes, Ms. Mills. I’ve kept my distance from Archer to avoid any misunderstandings.”

“All I wanted was a decent birthday gift,” she went on. “My family can’t compete with yours. You’ve been spoiled since birth, and you married a man like Archer. Can’t I even choose my own gift?”

“A simple gift?” Maddie pressed. “Ms. Wagner, this isn’t about the gift. It’s that you’re an employee of Williams Enterprises—and you’ve overstepped.”

When Maddie stepped closer, Archer instinctively moved to shield Bailee, speaking softly. “Maddie, if this really bothers you, I’ll have her transferred to another branch after the gala.”

“But just for today—for my sake—let her have the bracelet. I’ll get you anything else you want later.”

Bailee nodded, tears shining in her eyes. “Ms. Mills, I really love this bracelet. You have everything. Why fight me over this one thing? Or is it because you don’t like me, so you’re targeting me?”

“Why should I care?” Maddie sneered. “This bracelet was mine to begin with. Why should I give it to you?” She took the bracelet from the auction host, a smile on her lips that didn’t reach her eyes. “Ms. Wagner, know your place.”

Maddie’s refusal to back down finally snapped Archer’s patience. His tenderness vanished in an instant. “Maddie, do we have to do this in front of everyone? What about my dignity?”

“It’s just a bracelet. Does it really mean more to you than I do?”

He seemed to have forgotten the vows he’d made—the promise to reclaim every one of her mother’s belongings that had been sold.

Maddie raised her hand and slapped him across the face. The crack echoed through the room, and stunned gazes swung toward them.

Archer turned his head, face flushed with anger. He glared at her, forcing the words through clenched teeth. “Maddie, have you had enough? Have I spoiled you so much that you’ve forgotten how to be reasonable?”

Maddie reined in her emotions, her tone steady. “Archer, you’d better not regret this.”

Then she turned and walked away without looking back.

Once she disappeared from sight, Bailee gently touched the red mark on Archer’s cheek, her voice full of concern. “Are you okay, Archer? Ms. Mills was out of line. How could she hit you like that in front of everyone?”

Archer shook off her hand. His nails dug into his palm as he stared after Maddie. “I’ve spoiled her too much. She’s forgotten who gave her everything she has.”

Bailee watched his expression shift and ventured carefully, “About the bracelet, Mr. Williams…”

Archer rubbed his swollen cheek, then pulled a credit card from his pocket and handed it to her. “There’s five hundred thousand on this card. Buy whatever you want.”

Maddie headed to suite 317, intending to thank whoever had bought the bracelet in person.

She knocked. No answer.

She flagged down a passing server. “Excuse me, do you know where the gentleman in that suite went?”

“He left right after buying the last item.”

Disappointment flickered through her eyes, but she pressed on. “Do you know who he was?”

The server gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Ms. Mills. We can’t disclose our guests’ identities. Please don’t make this difficult for us.”

Maddie realized she’d crossed a line and stepped aside. “Thank you.”

An hour later, Maddie got home from the gala. She went straight to the study, opened her laptop, and pulled up the assets listed under her and Archer’s names.

After compiling the financials, she picked up her phone and called Attorney Zack. “I’ve sent you the asset division files for Archer and me. I need the property division paperwork finalized by tomorrow.”

Attorney Zack received the files at once and nodded respectfully. “Understood, Ms. Mills. I’ll get on it right away.”

Maddie’s eyes stayed fixed on the screen, her grip on the mouse tightening. “In a case where Archer Williams committed bigamy, how are assets typically divided?”

“A second marriage does not automatically transfer his assets to you,” Attorney Zack said. “We can trace your contributions, examine any fraud, and pursue the property and financial claims the evidence supports.”

Half of Archer’s current assets were investments Maddie had made to support his career.

Her expression darkened as she sent Archer and Bailee’s marriage certificate to the attorney. “Please use every legal means to recover what’s rightfully mine.”

After she hung up, Maddie sank into her chair. Exhaustion pressed down on her, but sleep wouldn’t come.

Archer would fight the divorce—she was sure of it. So until everything was settled, she couldn’t let him see even a hint of change.

Suddenly, the study door burst open.

Archer threw his jacket onto the desk and yanked Maddie up from her chair. “Do you have any idea how your impulsiveness just ruined my reputation in this community? What are you trying to prove? Are you still hung up on what happened before?”

Maddie opened her eyes slowly. Her gaze landed on Archer, calm and unreadable, but she said nothing.

The fire in Archer’s chest burned hotter, his voice climbing with anger. “Since we got married, have I wronged you even once? I come home on time every day. I tell you about every business meeting. If a woman’s going to be there, I don’t go. I’ve done all of that, and it’s still not enough for you?”

Every incident, every concession he believed he’d made to marry her was burned into his memory.

Maddie suddenly found the whole thing laughable.

She didn’t want to look at Archer another second. She rose and left the study without a backward glance.

Behind her, Archer’s voice came low and firm. “Maddie, no matter what you think, my conscience is clear.”

Her heart felt like it had been crushed under shards of ice. A piercing bitterness spread through her body, the words echoing over and over in her mind.

A clear conscience.

To him, he had done everything with a clear conscience.

The next morning, by the time Maddie woke, Archer was already gone. Breakfast sat on the table, made just the way she liked it.

Maddie pressed her lips together, a tangled mess of emotions stirring inside her.

After everything that happened last night, Archer had still remembered to make her breakfast. And yet this was the same man who had lied to her for years.

No matter what, her ties to Archer had to be cut.

Maddie ignored the breakfast and went straight to the office. Over the years, she hadn’t paid much attention to Archer’s business dealings, and many of the accounts were outdated. She needed the latest financial statements.

When the secretary saw her, she froze for a moment before greeting her. “Mrs. Williams, are you here to see Mr. Williams?”

“No,” Maddie said calmly. “Have the finance manager come see me.”

Her shares in the company were second only to Archer’s, which gave her the authority to involve herself in every business matter.

The secretary hesitated, then nodded and complied. Maddie noticed her making a quick call afterward—probably to warn Archer. Maddie didn’t stop her. Let her.

She sat in the finance office, sipping her coffee absentmindedly and flipping through the magazines on the shelf. Most were celebrity gossip rags, with a few novels and comics mixed in.

Frowning, she noticed details she’d missed before: the checkered desk mat, the scattering of cute plush toys. The most conspicuous was a pair of stuffed dolls with two English letters—A and B—printed on their clothes.

A sudden realization struck her—just as the office door swung open. Bailee hurried in.

“Sorry, Ms. Mills.” She held a cup of coffee, her voice apologetic. “I didn’t know you’d be coming by so suddenly…”

Maddie arched a brow, giving Bailee a slow once-over. "You're the head of finance?"

Bailee nodded, a polite smile fixed in place. "Yes, Ms. Mills. If you need anything, just say the word. Archer—Mr. Williams—is in a meeting right now, but I'll make sure any message you have reaches him."

Maddie let out a soft laugh. "That won't be necessary."

Her gaze stayed fixed on Bailee, glinting with amusement. "I'm here for you, not Archer."

Bailee's smile flickered, but she recovered fast, her voice gentle. "Ms. Mills, I understand you might be upset about last night's auction, but there's really no need to worry about my relationship with Mr. Williams. After all..."

She lifted her hand. A diamond ring caught the light, and a touch of shyness softened her smile. "I'm happily married."

Maddie stared at the ring. For a moment, she couldn't breathe. It was almost ironic—of the three of them, she was the outsider.

The ring was a perfect match to the one Archer had used to propose to her. An exact replica.

But after a beat, Maddie looked away.

"The ring's charming, but you misunderstand."

She spoke slowly. "I'm only here for a copy of the latest financial report. Nothing more."

Maddie noticed the shift in Bailee's expression, her face turning slightly sour. Maddie smiled to herself. "Seems you're the one feeling the pressure, Ms. Wagner."

Bailee's expression shifted entirely. The earlier hint of pride vanished from her eyes. She bit her lip, momentarily speechless.

Maddie watched her casually. "Ms. Wagner, shall I repeat my request?"

Before Bailee could respond, Archer walked in briskly. His expression hardened at the scene. "Maddie, wasn't last night's incident enough for you?"

His voice was cold and stern. "When are you going to stop this? I've already told you, Bailee and I have nothing going on. If you're not convinced—"

Before he could finish, Maddie cut him off.

"I believe you. Of course I do."

A slight smile touched her lips, but her eyes were icy as they landed on Bailee. "Ms. Wagner just told me she's already married."

The words had barely left her lips before both Bailee's and Archer's expressions changed dramatically. Archer shot Bailee a furious glare. Bailee's eyes instantly filled with tears.

Maddie had no interest in watching the drama unfold further. She spoke calmly, "I'm here to get this year's financial report. Considering I own 40% of the company, surely that's not too much to ask?"

Archer snapped back to reality. "Of course you can!"

He immediately instructed the secretary to fetch the report, then carefully watched Maddie's expression. He looked relieved when it didn't betray anything unusual.

"Maddie, what's prompted this sudden interest? You've never been involved with company affairs."

Maddie replied nonchalantly, "My account was frozen last night. I think it's wise to have independent accounts."

Archer's expression froze again. "Maddie..."

The secretary quickly returned with the report. Maddie ignored Archer, gave the documents a brief check, and prepared to leave. Archer caught her arm.

"Maddie, are you coming home with me for dinner tonight?"

His tone was earnest, seeking reassurance that she hadn't suspected anything.

Without turning around, Maddie replied calmly, "Sure."

Archer's face brightened. "I'll pick you up after work."

Maddie lowered her gaze, suppressing the indifference in her eyes.

She had agreed to visit the family home with a singular purpose.

When Archer had first arranged their marriage certificate, he'd insisted on keeping it at the family home for safekeeping. The document he had given her could help establish how he had deceived her. Her attorney would still need certified marriage records to determine whether bigamy or fraud could be proved.

Maddie didn't wait for Archer to pick her up. She took a cab to the house herself.

She expected a regular family dinner, but the gathering was exceptionally large. Archer's parents, who had been vacationing overseas last week, had returned, and even the extended Williams family was present.

"Maddie."

Upon seeing her, Eliza glanced behind her. "Archer didn't come with you?"

Maddie replied calmly, "He'll be here soon."

Eliza clicked her tongue, showing clear disapproval. "Archer has indulged you too much. On such an important day, letting someone like you come alone is unacceptable."

Maddie frowned slightly.

Though she and Archer had been promised to each other as children, after her mother passed, her family's fortunes dwindled while the Williams' thrived. From then on, Eliza had tried more than once to break off the engagement.

But the Williams patriarch was an upright, principled man who firmly opposed such opportunistic behavior, and Archer had insisted on marrying Maddie. That forced Eliza to reluctantly accept the marriage.

Even so, Eliza hadn't eased up on Maddie after the wedding.

Just as Eliza was about to continue, the butler hurried in and whispered, "He's here."

Eliza immediately forgot about Maddie, standing up in haste as the extended Williams family quickly followed suit to greet their guest.

The formality of the occasion caught Maddie off guard.

The Williams were already considered a top-tier family in their circle. Whoever warranted such a solemn welcome must be significant...

Maddie glanced up, spotting a sleek black Maybach pulling up in front of the house. An attendant swiftly opened the car door, and a tall figure stepped out.

The man was dressed in a dark suit, his features sharply defined, with piercing eyes and a presence commanding enough to make others wary of meeting his gaze.

The crowd rushed to greet him, but the man remained impassive. His strikingly handsome face was as calm as if carved from ice. He briefly glanced in Maddie's direction.

Caught off guard, Maddie's heart skipped a beat as their gazes locked.

It was Declan, Archer's brother.

Declan had returned to the country.

Though he carried the title of brother, Declan's relationship with the Williams family wasn't close. He had left for abroad years ago, expanding the family's business globally. Meanwhile, the Williams father was more of a spendthrift than a businessman, and the patriarch, while capable, was growing too old to handle everything alone, leaving the reins firmly in Declan's hands.

Maddie exhaled quietly. No wonder the turnout was so large today.

They were all here for Declan.

Maddie Mills hovered quietly in the corner of the living room, watching the relatives gravitate toward Declan Williams like eager kids crowding Santa at a holiday party. Archer Williams stood beside Eliza Sanchez, flashing his brother a polite smile.

Just moments ago, the uncles had been falling over themselves to praise Archer. Now their attention swung to Declan, their faces bright with eager smiles.

"Declan, what brings you home so suddenly?"

"Heard you've been busy buying up a company in Europe. You get more impressive by the day, Declan."

"Come in, sit down. We brewed our best Arabica for you."

Archer's expression flickered at the shift, but he recovered fast, leading the way with a bright, easy smile.

Maddie watched Declan get ushered in like a celebrity. Instinctively, she stepped back, letting the crowd swallow her at the edges. She shuffled sideways, making room for others, trying to fade into the background.

Declan Williams strode in like he owned the room, his presence a world apart from Archer's upbeat charm. There was something brooding and aloof about him—like a towering tree dusted with snow. Striking, yet untouchable.

He nodded at the praise, his gaze drifting across the room with cool detachment.

But the second his gaze landed on Maddie, he froze.

"Something wrong, Declan?" Archer asked, stopping beside him.

Declan didn't answer. His eyes settled on Maddie, and though the look lasted only a heartbeat, she felt strangely exposed.

She and Declan had barely ever spoken, yet something about his presence rattled her.

Archer and the others followed his line of sight. Archer's brow lifted.

"Maddie, come say hi to your brother-in-law."

Maddie had barely readied herself to move when Declan beat her to it and walked toward her.

The move caught everyone off guard—especially Archer. Until now, people came to Declan. Not the other way around.

Declan's eyes gave nothing away. "Maddie?"

Maddie's pulse kicked up under his attention, like a sudden breeze against her skin.

She hadn't expected him to speak to her directly, not after so many years of near silence between them.

She nodded. "Declan. It's been a long..."

Before she could finish, Declan extended his hand.

The gesture looked utterly natural.

Instinctively, Maddie took it, their palms meeting.

The moment their hands touched, his grip tightened just a fraction. His thumb brushed across her fingers, leaving a slow, lingering warmth.

A second later, he let go.

Archer slid in smoothly, wrapping an arm around Maddie's waist and lacing his fingers through hers at her side.

"How long are you in town this time, Declan? Maddie and I should take you out to dinner."

Declan's gaze dropped to their joined hands, then to Archer's arm around her waist. "About a month."

Just then, the Williams family patriarch started down the stairs, the butler at his elbow.

Declan went to speak with him, and soon after, dinner was announced.

Maddie followed Archer to their seats on the left side of the main table.

As everyone settled, Declan and Archer took their places at the head of the table. The patriarch sat in the center, Eliza Sanchez and Declan on either side. Maddie and Archer were farther down—Maddie directly across from Declan.

Dinner unfolded with the conversation orbiting Declan and his latest victories. Maddie ate quietly, but she couldn't help listening.

Wall Street powerhouse. Top shareholder in Amazon. Financial dealmaker. Founder of a smart-transport AI...

Every title painted the same picture: a man with a remarkable career.

She remembered seeing his name on a Wall Street invitation list, near the top while hers sat at the very bottom.

They'd barely crossed paths over the years, but she remembered her wedding day. This elusive brother-in-law had shown up just long enough to hand over a gift—then vanished.

In only a few years, Declan had become a major player on Wall Street. There was no denying what he was capable of.

As dinner wound down, guests drifted around over dessert.

Maddie remembered why she'd come: the marriage certificate. She excused herself, claiming she needed to change upstairs.

Archer, still distracted by Declan, waved her off without looking. "Go ahead."

Maddie slipped upstairs to Archer's room on the third floor.

There it was. A framed copy of the marriage certificate Archer had given her, displayed beside their wedding photo.

Maddie walked toward it, her mind replaying every intimate moment between Archer and that other woman. Her fingers curled tight as she reached for the frame.

The official-looking seal seemed to mock her for being so naive.

She never should have gone easy on him. Never should have given Archer another chance.

Once a cheater, always a cheater.

Swallowing her disgust, Maddie dragged a swivel chair over and carefully climbed onto it.

She smoothed down her pearl-white dress and reached up.

Her fingertips grazed the air just two inches from the frame.

Maddie rose onto her toes, straining, but the frame stayed just out of reach.

Frowning, she scanned the room from her perch and grabbed a book from beside the cabinet. The moment she leaned over, footsteps echoed down the hall.

Quick. Decisive. A man's footsteps.

Her heart pounded. She tried to climb down, but her sleeve caught on the edge of the cabinet.

She yanked at it, caught off guard when the door swung open.

Maddie froze. Her balance tipped, and she tumbled backward off the chair.

A startled cry broke from her lips, but the fall never came.

A strong hand caught her thigh, another steadied her waist, pulling her into a firm hold.

She landed against a solid chest, the musky scent of sandalwood wrapping around her.

It wasn't Archer's scent.

She looked up and nearly bumped into his chin.

Declan released her at once and stepped back, giving her room.

Her face burned, the warmth of his hand on her thigh lingering with embarrassment.

She stumbled over her words. "Th-thank you."

Declan's steady gaze flicked over her flushed face and the red mark where he'd gripped her. His Adam's apple bobbed.

"I didn't realize anyone was up here. Sorry."

Maddie shook her head, embarrassment climbing hotter up her neck.

She was the one who'd inconvenienced him.

Declan glanced up. "Need help with that?"

Her eyes followed his.

The framed marriage certificate sat exposed on top of the cabinet.