Cohen Howell was startled by her words. Divorce? Did Audrey Perry really mean it? He frowned, "Audrey, what kind of stunt are you pulling now?"

Audrey looked at him, her gaze steady, free from infatuation or anger. "Cohen, I’m not joking."

"You’re serious?" Cohen laughed mockingly, "You teamed up with the Howards and the Gallaghers to topple Howell Enterprises just to end up married to me? You lent me the money; Howell Enterprises is almost stable again. I don’t even like you, yet I have to treat you like some kind of goddess every day, and now you want a divorce?"

Audrey gave a rueful smile. Once, she would never have considered divorce.

"Cohen, believe it or not, this is the last time I’ll say it—it wasn’t me who sabotaged Howell Enterprises."

In her previous life, this was always a point of contention. Cohen believed she would do anything to marry him. After all, what other explanation was there when only the Perry family had the liquidity at that crucial moment? It was simply because her grandfather had the foresight to maintain ample cash flow for the company. But no matter how much she explained, Cohen wouldn’t believe her. Throwing away ten billion dollars would at least get you a dog wagging its tail in gratitude. But lending it to Cohen was like tossing it into the wind.

She was naïve in her past life, believing that persistence would melt a heart. But when a man’s heart is set on another woman, it’s impossible to sway him.

This time, she was still healthy, not yet worn down by Cohen and Cleo Hall. Having lived through a nightmare once, she had no intention of going through it again.

Cohen dismissed her explanation with a sneer. The logic in business was straightforward. Those who benefit are usually the culprits. After the entire debacle, neither the Howards nor the Gallaghers gained anything worthwhile. Only Audrey came out on top. If not her, then who else?

Explanations were pointless; there was no reason to offer more.

Audrey took a moment to bid farewell to the house she’d known for so long. She spoke suddenly, her voice calm, "I’ve had enough of being Mrs. Howell. I'm leaving. Since you say Howell Enterprises has rebounded, pay back the money and let's get divorced. I’m not bluffing."

Cohen snorted, doubting Audrey’s sincerity about wanting to leave. Did she underestimate him? Did she think he was joking about Howell Enterprises recovering? Ten billion was manageable; paying it back to the Perry family wasn’t a big deal!

Cohen stormed out, slamming the door behind him...

Audrey called Uncle Henry, the Perry family’s driver, to pick her up. Hearing his familiar voice brought tears of relief to her eyes. In her previous life, after the Perry family's fall, Cohen had forbidden anyone in Uptown from helping anyone associated with the Perrys. Soon, Audrey lost contact with Uncle Henry.

In the end, it was only after being diagnosed with cancer that she saw Uncle Henry again at her grandfather’s grave, laying flowers despite his own hardships. After the Perry family’s collapse, Uncle Henry struggled to find work. Later, Cleo Hall, on a film set, spoke up for him and got him a job delivering props. On a rainy day with slippery roads and under pressure to deliver on time, Henry had an accident.

The amputation left Uncle Henry without a livelihood. His subsequent life was unimaginably hard...

To think of sitting in a car driven by Uncle Henry again filled Audrey with gratitude and joy.

Mrs. Smith, the housekeeper, saw Audrey dragging a suitcase downstairs and rushed over. "Ma'am, are you going out?"

Audrey replied casually, "I’m going back to the Perry estate."

Mrs. Smith, ever loyal to Cohen, asked with concern, "Does Mr. Howell know?"

She had just witnessed Cohen leaving in anger; could the couple have fought again?

"He knows," Audrey replied.

Mrs. Smith helped Audrey with her suitcase, walking her to the car. She couldn’t help but advise, "Every couple has their ups and downs, Mrs. Howell. Don’t be too hard on yourself; come back soon."

Audrey knew she wouldn’t be back. "It’s more than just a quarrel. This marriage itself is a contradiction."

Facing illness and the end had taught her to let go. From now on, she wouldn’t hold onto Cohen Howell. There were many ways to live.

Mrs. Smith tried once more, "Mr. Howell’s pride often gets in the way; don’t take it to heart."

Audrey smiled but said nothing. It wasn’t just pride; she had once had genuine feelings. Now, she wouldn’t allow anyone to trample on her heart again.

Watching the car disappear into the distance, Mrs. Smith had a sinking feeling. Was Mrs. Howell really not coming back?

*

The next morning, Cohen received a divorce agreement from the Perry family's legal team. Ha! This woman was acting rashly. Howell Enterprises could indeed pull together ten billion in cash, but a bigger project was in need of some of those startup funds, and Cohen didn’t want to tap into that capital.

He tossed the agreement aside carelessly, not noticing the signed final page, which included a note. To speed up the divorce, Audrey had left a message stating they could finalize the divorce certificate before repaying the money. She would be at the county office promptly at ten in the morning.

By noon, Cohen still hadn’t shown up. Audrey found all her calls and messages blocked by Cohen, so she decided to confront him directly at Howell Enterprises.

Entering the company with the grace of a woman of wealth and style, sunglasses on, Audrey had an aura that made the staff assume she was some important business partner of the CEO, parting in deference as she walked by.

Her path was clear until...

"You can't go in!" a sharp voice declared.

Cecelia Williams, Cohen’s chief secretary, stood blocking Audrey’s way to the top floor, her stance and words assertive.

Cecelia Williams was one of Cohen Howell's admirers, but unfortunately, she never succeeded in winning his heart. To Cohen, she was just a reliable employee, appreciated solely for her professional competence. Cecelia habitually wore shirts that were a size too small, with buttons that seemed perpetually ready to pop. She was incredibly sharp in her work, yet she didn't understand the intricacies of male attention.

It was clear Cohen preferred more reserved types, like Cleo Hall and, later, Kenna Murray. Women who dressed provocatively were beneath Cohen's standards, not even meriting a second glance. Of course, Audrey Perry wasn't in any position to criticize Cecelia's lack of perception. Even though she knew Cohen's preferences, she still couldn't capture his attention. Cohen's indifference toward her was not something that could be resolved with conciliation.

Cecelia stood with her back straight, looking at Audrey with disdain. "Mr. Howell is busy and doesn't allow interruptions."

After graduating, Cecelia had joined Howell Corp and quickly gained Mr. Howell's favor. From her first days there, she was aware of Audrey Perry, Howell's eldest daughter, who often trailed after Mr. Howell. An Ivy League student who left her studies to pursue a handsome man and eventually pressured Mr. Howell into marriage, she did nothing meaningful afterward, not even returning to her education. Despite having the potential for an elite career, she opted to be a homemaker.

For a dedicated professional like Cecelia, nothing was more contemptible than a full-time homemaker. "For the family" or "for the kids"; she viewed it as an excuse for idleness! Even with her privileged background, Cecelia looked down on Audrey’s choice as a homemaker.

Audrey and her idol, Mr. Howell, had little to talk about. She excelled at keeping their home spotless and guessing Mr. Howell's culinary preferences, demonstrating her "lack of utility." Did she think outside eateries weren't clean enough, or that Michelin-starred chefs couldn't rival her, a woman unaccustomed to manual labor? Beyond her youthful looks, Audrey seemed, in Cecelia's eyes, utterly clueless!

No wonder Cohen paid her no mind!

Audrey adjusted her sunglasses, grinning broadly at Cecelia, whom she hadn't seen in a while. In truth, Cecelia's pride would soon be short-lived; Kenna Murray would soon take her place.

To handle a woman who was all talk, Audrey stepped forward, exuding more confidence. "Even if Cohen dislikes me, he still has to treat me like royalty. He wouldn't dare boss me around, so who do you think you are?"

In the past, Audrey had genuinely feared Cecelia. As Cohen's trusted aide, Cecelia's opinion mattered, and Audrey worried about alienating those close to him, fearing it might make him despise her even more. Eventually, all of Cohen's assistants acted bold enough to disregard her. Not only did Cecelia look down on her, but Audrey also resented how she wasted opportunities in the name of love.

Taken aback by Audrey's assertiveness, Cecelia furrowed her brow. Did Audrey really think marrying Cohen made her the queen of Howell Corp? Dream on! Cecelia said sternly, "I only take orders from Mr. Howell. If you try forcing your way in, go ahead and test the top-notch security."

She didn't believe an undervalued CEO's wife posed any threat. Blocking Audrey in the name of work, Mr. Howell wouldn't scold her.

Audrey arched an eyebrow. Threatening her? She didn't love Cohen anymore, so his associates held no sway over her. "Wow, Cecelia, it's impressive you can keep a wife from seeing her husband."

Audrey gave a sly smile, moving closer. Her tone was light and gentle, "I heard Howell Corp's executive assistants need a graduate degree, yet Cecelia's MBA... I heard it was bought?"

Cecelia's scalp tingled as her complexion turned pale. How... how did she know? This secret hadn't even been shared with her parents, who still flaunted their daughter's graduate degree to relatives. How had Audrey, whom she'd deemed clueless, unearthed this?

At the recruitment event, Cecelia had developed a crush on Cohen at first sight. To secure a position closest to him, she'd pulled strings to graduate early. She'd worked diligently to become the chief assistant, but if Cohen discovered her falsified degree, would he be lenient?

Cecelia dared not risk it. She retorted angrily, "Did you investigate me?"

"Ah~" Audrey smiled broadly. "So it is true."

She recalled a rumor when Kenna eventually replaced Cecelia. Kenna had allegedly found proof of Cecelia's degree forgery, but few believed it. Cecelia's job performance matched her supposed credentials. Besides, who would think a chief assistant would leave such a vulnerability? After years of work and study, surely she could have earned the degree legitimately. Why use a fake one? But Audrey believed it.

Cecelia worked tirelessly, with no time for study while juggling her job. Audrey had guessed correctly~ Cecelia now realized she'd been outsmarted by Audrey, whom she'd dismissed as naive. "Move!" Audrey bumped Cecelia's shoulder out of her way, her tone chilly as a winter day. "Block me again, and I'll spill the beans about your fake degree to Cohen. If you do my bidding, your secret stays safe."

Two can play the game of threats.

Cecelia clenched her fists, powerless against Audrey, forced to watch her head toward Cohen's office. Just before opening the door, Audrey turned to wink at Cecelia, offering a helpful reminder, "Cecelia, find time to earn that graduate degree for real. My silence won't guarantee others'. You can work tirelessly for Cohen, but he only sees you as a silent tool. Stop pandering to men; investing in yourself is the real answer."

Audrey's words were as much advice for herself as for Cecelia. Cecelia, however, took them as a threat. Returning to her desk, she resumed her relentless work. She couldn't afford to slack off; any time spent studying was a chance for the second assistant to usurp her role. She needed to keep Audrey from revealing her secret. Should she really listen to that fool like Audrey suggested? Cecelia was not convinced!

*

Hearing a noise, Cohen assumed it was his assistant. "Just take the signed documents out."

"It's me."

Cohen paused, his eyes lifting from the paperwork to Audrey, displeasure evident as he asked with disdain, "Who let you in?"

Audrey Perry calmly stated, "Cecelia," not wasting a moment to point out someone who had vexed her.

With confident strides, she crossed the room and settled into a chair opposite Cohen Howell, her chic outfit—a cropped ensemble—revealing just a hint of her slim waist, inevitably drawing attention. Exuding youthful energy, she lounged with crossed legs. "I told you to meet me at the courthouse at ten for our divorce. Where were you?"

Cohen was momentarily taken aback. Was this the same wife he had dismissed so often at home? Audrey now exuded the confident poise of a woman who knew her own value. It felt as though she was speaking not to the husband she once revered but to someone she now commanded.

He sensed that something fundamental about Audrey had changed. The deference and resentment that once characterized her were gone, replaced by the vibrant, self-assured woman he initially met. Back then, Audrey was the bright socialite who turned heads effortlessly. Unfortunately, her lack of confidence made her seem unfit for the elite circles he frequented.

Cohen rubbed his temples, weary. "Audrey, I don't have time for this nonsense."

"Who said anything about nonsense?" Audrey replied earnestly.

She wondered if Cohen had ever truly read the divorce papers she'd sent or even glanced at the accompanying note. While he excelled in business, having revived the Howell Group to profitability, returning the $1 billion owed to the Perry family would likely stretch the company's liquidity to the breaking point. Cohen probably had no intention of repaying it.

"No businessman wants idle money," Audrey reflected, so she made her terms straightforward: first the divorce, then settle the account.

She laid out her conditions clearly, summarizing the contents of the divorce agreement. As soon as she finished, Cohen's eyes turned as cold as ice. Deep down, he didn't believe she genuinely wanted a divorce. To him, this was just another ploy to get his attention, a new act in her ongoing drama to win his affection. How could a pampered heiress have the resolve to wait at the courthouse for him?

Yet, he had to admit her current approach seemed far more sophisticated than her past attempts—she even had the divorce papers ready, after all. It was convincing, certainly.

Divorce... The idea inexplicably irritated Cohen. Surely, it was the stress of his workload and her unexpected visit that caused this agitation.

Pointing at the heap of documents on his desk, he retorted, "Do you think I have time to entertain this?"

"This isn't a game," Audrey responded with a scornful laugh. "If anyone's been playing games in this marriage, it's you!"

Cohen had no comeback.

"You used the Perry family's money to treat me with cold indifference," she continued, her voice filled with frustration. "You revived Howell Group with our funds and then wasted money on Cleo Hall, playing the generous benefactor to her aspiring actress."

Audrey's tone grew more heated. "How did I not see your treacherous heart sooner? Mr. Howell, I suggest you find a way to pay back the money. I could easily blow $1 billion on some playboy just for fun!"

Her words hit hard, leaving Cohen speechless. Audrey's outburst was witnessed by Kenna, Cohen's recently hired assistant, who quietly gathered the documents from his desk, internally acknowledging the change in Mrs. Howell. Company gossip claimed the young Mrs. Howell was beneath Cohen, but now it seemed he was the one who had wronged her.

Even as she verbally dismantled someone she once idolized, Audrey felt little satisfaction; rather, her own words left her with a sense of heaviness. Returning to the past, she was prepared to let go of her first love, yet it still felt like tearing away a piece of her soul—a pain only she understood.

The injustices Cohen inflicted on the Perry family were only partly voiced; merely a fraction made him uneasy. Yet, she had endured far more.

"There's still time to finalize the divorce this afternoon," Audrey emphasized.

Cohen's expression remained clouded. "I'm busy."

By now, Audrey should have been silent. The former socialite, once so easy to manipulate, knew not to push her luck when he was displeased. However, she seemed resolute in seeing this through. "Whether you're busy or not, if you're not at the courthouse this afternoon, interest on the $1 billion starts today."

Cohen sneered. Money—was that her only weapon? It was all an act. She wasn't serious about the divorce.

His voice tinged with threat, he warned, "Remember, Audrey, you'll only have one shot in this lifetime to see Howell Group's cash flow dry up. I'm genuinely busy, but if you keep pushing, I'll make time to divorce you, and you'll have nowhere left to cry."

Audrey stood firm, holding her ground. "You also only have one chance to see me fall flat. Better make time! I won't cry; I'll celebrate with fireworks."

"Could you stop dragging this out like a man and settle Howell's debt?" Audrey challenged earnestly.

Cohen's shock was evident. Had she gone mad, standing her ground against him like this? He scrutinized her face, searching for any sign of regret, but found none.

In this relationship, Cohen had always held the upper hand. Agitated, he accused, "Who's dragging this out? You've just been clinging to the title of Howell's wife!"

A sentiment that wasn't new to Audrey.

Rising, she offered a quick retort, "I get it—Howell's wife is Cleo Hall's role, isn't it? Well, take it then, the title's all yours. Monday, at two in the afternoon, see you at the courthouse!"

Cohen frowned in irritation. "I'm busy Monday afternoon!"

"Fine, next Monday afternoon," Audrey countered, making her final concession. She recalled Howell's family was hosting a dinner that evening; Cohen would surely clear his schedule before it. Cleo Hall had once clung to Cohen at such a dinner, leaving Audrey humiliated.

With the date set, Cohen watched her leave, curious about how far she'd take this act. "Alright, next Monday afternoon!" he agreed.

As Audrey departed, her sleek cropped top highlighted her long, lean legs in fitted jeans, red stilettos clicking sharply, exuding a confidence that rivaled any professional woman. As she passed, Howell employees couldn't help but notice the change in the young Mrs. Howell, and neither could Cohen.

Late into the night, his desk remained buried under paperwork—left undone after an entire day...