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.

Audrey Perry, despite being a housewife, presented the project issues with clarity and assertiveness, questioning Kaison with a commanding presence that unsettled him.

Why did Audrey always enjoy the luxurious lifestyle just because they shared the Perry name? Why did the Perry Corporation need to spend a billion dollars on her dowry just to marry her off? Cohen Howell’s art couldn't possibly justify that kind of expense.

From Kaison's point of view, that billion dollars could have been invested in his own start-up. He was confident he could have turned that money into a thriving business. But no, their grandfather was tight-fisted when it came to him. Even inviting Kaison to work at the family company felt like handing scraps to a beggar, with projects only coming his way after Audrey had turned them down.

The project was in a small, undeveloped town, and it was so minor in scale that it was hard to squeeze any benefits out of it. Kaison had been toiling over this project for nearly a year, and he felt he deserved to make some profit from it.

Yet, Noah Perry, that old man, not only took back the project but also handed it over to the seemingly inexperienced Audrey. Wasn't that a public insult to him?

It’s no wonder that Kaison felt disgruntled.

Suppressing his frustration, Kaison forced a smile, attempting a brotherly charm with Audrey, feigning ignorance. "Audrey, which project are you talking about? I'm not quite sure I understand."

"The ‘Grand Manor Project.’ Grandpa mentioned last night that it was assigned to me. Maybe the company-wide announcement hasn't been made yet." Audrey replied with a warm smile, not letting her expression falter, matching Kaison's façade perfectly. "I figured someone in the company would inform you, so I decided to speak directly to you."

Kaison felt a surge of alarm. He couldn't afford to let his guard down. Who had coached this young woman? She was trying to catch him out.

Kaison chuckled, "I haven't seen any official announcement, and my team isn’t privy to such information, so who could have informed me?"

Audrey wasn’t referring to his immediate team but rather the higher-ups within the company who had access to such information. Even if Kaison denied it, Audrey knew exactly who his informers were.

In her past experience, after their grandfather’s death, her parents had incessant disputes about an alleged affair, leading to control of the Perry Corporation slipping into the hands of distant relatives with predatory ambitions.

Those who had never seen real wealth saw it and aimed to divide it instead of growing it. Each family grabbed what they could, and when the Perry Corporation faced a cash flow crisis, not one was willing to help save it. Instead, they dumped the problem onto Audrey.

Audrey had to intervene to save the Perry Corporation, but by then, it was too late. No matter how fast she learned, the Perry Corporation was already on the brink of collapse.

What she could do now was to put a stop to these opportunistic schemes before they fully developed.

"Kaison," Audrey said, tilting her head with a smile, "so, can you answer the three questions I asked now?"

Kaison’s smile wavered slightly. He attempted to assume an adult’s superiority, trying to overshadow Audrey's presence as an heiress, "Well, Audrey, you see, this project has always been under my care, so explaining all the complexities briefly is quite a challenge."

"Then just give me the short version."

Under his sleeves, Kaison’s hands clenched into fists, and his face cooled, dropping his smiling act.

"You haven’t been in the company much. I don’t want this project to lose money." He implied Audrey’s lack of capability, hoping she would recognize her limitations.

Audrey curled her lips, "But Grandpa trusts me with it."

If the company’s chairman was confident enough to entrust this project to her, what right did Kaison have to distrust her?

"Besides…" Audrey shifted her tone, adding a hint of threat to her words, "Financial reports already show signs of loss."

Kaison was taken aback. Could she really have discovered something? Impossible! He assured himself repeatedly that Audrey was merely putting on a brave front.

With this thought, Kaison regained his confidence, speaking again in a conciliatory tone, "Audrey, you’re too young to grasp the complexity of this project. The relocation issues are challenging. Without three to five years of experience in this area, you won’t manage this task."

Audrey remained unfazed by his words. Instead, she identified the flaw in his argument.

"It’s the project’s inherent difficulties with relocation, not because I’m taking over that makes it suddenly tough.

Speaking of experience, you’ve been with the company for less than a year. Do you have such experience, Kaison?"

Kaison frowned, deciding to resort to direct threats. "Audrey, even if I lack experience, there are people in the company guiding me. Why don’t you try it?

And the suppliers! The prices you see now are what I negotiated. If you become the project lead, the prices will change. I don’t believe Grandpa would prefer to adjust the budget for this project just to back you in the boardroom."

"Believe it or not, the company announcement is already out."

Audrey grinned brightly, vexing Kaison. He didn't have time to argue with her; he had to contact the suppliers urgently to make sure they were on his side.

Trying to compete with him? Audrey, with such a pretty face, was bound to falter.

In some ways, Audrey had to thank Kaison for his "justified indignation."

The old hands in the company might have been reluctant to share their expertise with her, but she could seek external assistance. As for the suppliers’ prices...

They were surprisingly low.

What leverage did Kaison have to secure such favorable terms for this small project?

Audrey arranged to meet her close friend, Reagan Howell, for lunch, intending to inquire about her family's dealings with suppliers.

As she sat down in the restaurant, a man placed himself in the seat opposite her.

"Why did you block my number?"

Audrey looked up to find Cohen Howell’s face so dark it seemed like it could drip ink.