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...

Cohen Howell glanced at the WhatsApp notification from Cleo Hall inviting him to dinner, feeling indifferent. His mind was occupied with the scene Audrey Perry had created earlier that day. If he didn't go home tonight, who knew what chaos Audrey might cause? He decided to have dinner at home, telling himself it was just to keep things calm.

As Cohen got into the car and directed the driver to head home, his phone buzzed with a video call from Cleo. "Cohen, are you busy? Did you see my message earlier?" she asked. Because of their shared history, Cleo held a special place in his life, and Cohen rarely let her down. Yet this time, he replied with a simple "Yeah." Before Cleo could continue, Cohen quickly added, "Cleo, I have a meeting tonight and I'm rushing to get there. You should rest after work."

"Alright," Cleo replied, trying to smile despite the disappointment she couldn't hide. After getting no response to her earlier message, she had already reached out to Cohen's friends, who denied he had any plans. Cleo now wondered if Cohen was dining with someone else or if he had chosen to be with Audrey.

Distracted from her filming, Cleo pretended to be unwell through her assistant to sneak away, secretly waiting near Cohen’s home. The assistant, though hesitant, considered the challenges of the job: managing Cleo’s moods and laundering her clothes, even her delicates. She wished to stay clear of any drama in others' personal lives but kept these thoughts to herself. As an assistant, she had no choice but to comply.

Back at home, Cohen found the living room dark. Where was everyone? No matter how late it was, Audrey always waited for him; sometimes he'd find her dozing at the table and would gently wake her to move upstairs. He hung his coat by the front door, announcing wearily, "I'm home." Silence responded until Mrs. Smith hurried over. "Sir, you're back tonight?" she asked, surprised. It seemed everyone assumed he wouldn't return, not even bothering to keep up appearances for his sake.

Cohen asked about Audrey’s whereabouts, and Mrs. Smith looked puzzled. "She said she told you she was going home." Cohen frowned. Gone? Was Audrey serious about the divorce? The thought of their home without her presence unsettled him. He quickly dialed her number.

Meanwhile, Cleo's car was parked a short distance from Cohen's home, hoping he would just pop in to change clothes. But he hadn't left since going in. Frustration tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

With a mix of anxiety and determination, Audrey returned to her family home. She dreaded facing her family, haunted by memories of a previous life where her financial support of Cohen had led to the Perry family’s downfall and eventual takeover by Cohen himself. Although eager to see her family, finding them away on business brought her some relief. Given a second chance, Audrey recognized the shift in societal norms: women were becoming more self-aware, prioritizing independence and empowerment over romantic fantasies. Though the Perry family seemed robust, internal and external threats were ever-present. Determined to strengthen herself and protect her loved ones, she picked up a real estate proposal from the table.

The "Renaissance Heights" project caught her attention. She remembered the modest villa project in a small town. Her grandfather once offered it as a learning opportunity, but she had been too consumed with chasing Cohen to focus on work, resulting in the project falling into the hands of a less reliable family branch, leading to... "Audrey, you're home?" her grandfather's delighted voice interrupted her thoughts.

Noah Perry had returned early, not expecting the surprise of seeing his granddaughter. Audrey hugged him tightly, tears of regret over past grievances streaming down. She wondered if her grandfather's heart condition was partly her fault, having missed his final moments due to her stubborn quarrel with Cohen.

Seeing his granddaughter cry pained Noah. "What happened, Audrey? Did Cohen give you a hard time again? I'll handle it," he reassured. Audrey shook her head. "No, he won't hurt me anymore." An unknown call came in on her phone, which she promptly ignored, sharing her decision to divorce Cohen with her grandfather. "Cohen's company will repay the loan to our family, leaving us unharmed."

Noah sighed, a hint of traditional values in his response. "Who says there’s no harm? My precious granddaughter's first marriage..." Yet, he was pragmatic, adding, "Better to be divorced than unhappily married. I'll always support you." Audrey smiled through her tears, determined, "Grandpa, I'll grow quickly so you can finally enjoy life peacefully."

He affectionately smoothed her hair. "As long as you're happy, I'm at peace." Audrey picked up the project plan again. "Grandpa, may I take on this project?" "Of course, it was meant for you," Noah said, instructing his secretary to announce her leadership over "Renaissance Heights" at the company.

He briefed her on potential challenges, especially the relocation agreements involved, advising her to learn from experienced colleagues. "Understood!" Audrey agreed, though her phone buzzed again. "Who's that?" Noah inquired. "Just spam!" Audrey dismissed the interruption, blocking the number.

The reality of learning from others proved more challenging than expected. Despite their seemingly friendly demeanor, experienced colleagues withheld guidance, wary of supporting the wrong person in internal family politics. Unsure of her genuine intentions or if she’d soon abandon the project again, they remained silent.

Kaison Perry, having heard the whispers of her return, couldn’t stay calm. Having recently pocketed part of the relocation funds, he feared exposure. Yet, recalling Audrey's former unfocused ways, he reassured himself she wouldn’t uncover anything. Thus calm, he carried on with his day as usual.

Spotting Audrey, he feigned surprise, "Audrey! What brings you here?" Contrary to his expectations, Audrey, having diligently studied the project files, immediately questioned the project’s delays and financial discrepancies, causing Kaison's smile to fade as she earnestly demanded accountability.