Chapter 3
“Go, smash every car that gigolo touched!”
An hour later, I anonymously posted a video online showing the garage being destroyed, captioned:
[I'm a germaphobe; I find anything others have touched disgusting.] The video was full of Victoria’s roars and Ethan's terrified cries.
Less than ten minutes later, my mother-in-law called, demanding an explanation.
I calmly recounted the events of the past two days.
“Mom, your daughter wanted to use my things to please her gigolo, and I refused. So I destroyed them. That’s perfectly reasonable, isn’t it?”
I expected her to scold Victoria, but after a few seconds of silence, she exploded:
“What’s wrong with Victoria giving her assistant a car as CEO? Even if she wanted a gigolo, it wouldn’t threaten your position!”
“How can you be so narrow-minded? You have no manners as a husband!”
“Victoria is incredibly unlucky to have married a spendthrift like you!”
I never expected her to side so strongly with Victoria.
“Mom, you’re such a virtuous wife—why didn’t you let Father-in-law bring mistresses home?”
“He’s unlucky to have married a narrow-minded shrew like you!”
Those words nearly made my mother-in-law erupt. After a few seconds, she snapped:
“Shut up! If he hadn’t threatened suicide three years ago, I’d never have let Victoria marry such a scumbag!”
Seemingly afraid I’d say more, she hung up quickly.
I gripped my phone, my mind drifting back three years.
The Lane family was near bankruptcy. Exhausted, Mr. Lane was diagnosed with cancer and had little time left.
He knelt in my father’s office, tears streaming down his face.
“Chairman Chandler, please save the Lane family… I can marry my only daughter to your family!”
My father hesitated, saying he feared he couldn’t help and that he had already agreed to a marriage alliance with the Shaw Group.
But when I saw Victoria’s photo, I resolutely refused the alliance, angering my father. Later, after discussing it with Lane’s father, I agreed to marry Victoria, concealing my identity, promising to save the Lane family business.
When my mother-in-law learned I had no background, she threw a tantrum, even threatening suicide to stop the marriage.
Only after Lane’s father threatened suicide did she relent.
For three years, I held my breath, determined to prove myself, and worked to save the Lane family business.
Yet they still saw me as someone who had climbed above my station?
Fine. I’d take back everything they were proud of.
My phone vibrated—it was my father.
“You brat! I thought you were great, but you can’t even manage a woman? You’ve disgraced the Chandler family!”
My heart ached. For three years, my father had said he’d sever our relationship.
But secretly, he had watched me. My uncles and aunts told me he often praised me at dinner, saying I inherited his stubbornness and had built a successful career on my own.
Because of him, no one in the Lane Group knew my true identity.
“Dad, I want a divorce from Victoria. I’m returning to the Chandler family next week!”
“Hmph! Smart enough to recognize your work ability, but terrible at judging character! Come back and learn from me!”
I smiled, touched, and hung up.
That evening, dressed for the charity gala, the boutique called.
They said Victoria had personally come to pick up my custom-made high-end suit and watch.
“Mr. Chandler, President Lane is so thoughtful towards you…”
Chapter 4
I hung up with a cold laugh. Victoria never apologized first after arguments.
This time, I had even insulted her mother—who knew how she’d react?
Sure enough, a friend quickly sent me a photo.
At the gala, Victoria appeared elegantly, arm in arm with Ethan, dressed in a regal outfit.
He was wearing unmistakably my unmistakable million-dollar custom suit and Patek Philippe watch.
The smug look on his face made my stomach churn. I dialed the store manager again.
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at the banquet, impeccably dressed.
I immediately spotted Victoria adjusting Ethan’s brooch.
“President Lane is so meticulous! Last time she adjusted his tie, and now she’s personally fixing his brooch!”
Amid the gossiping crowd, I casually glanced at Ethan and exclaimed,
“Hey? That suit looks familiar! It’s exactly my custom-made one!” I pulled up his cuff, revealing the “L.C” embroidery.
“Isn’t this the suit I had made? And this watch too! President Lane is so generous—giving my assistant a car, clothes, and a watch!” The surrounding guests murmured, “I never expected this pretty boy to be so pampered!” “They’re practically shitting on the person in question…”
Victoria’s expression shifted slightly. “Assistant Carter just graduated and hasn’t attended such a grand banquet. What’s wrong with rewarding him for his hard work?”
“Anyway, you have enough clothes to put on a fashion show, no need to be stingy, right?”
“Stingy?” I sneered. “I’ve said I’m a germaphobe; anything touched by others is dirty.”
“Since Assistant Carter has no suitable clothes, as general manager, I naturally have to be considerate!” I snapped my fingers.
A dozen neatly dressed sales clerks carrying bright green suits walked through the hall to Ethan.
Two at the front held silver trays with gleaming green watches under the lights.
“Green suits suit Assistant Carter perfectly. Pick one—don’t be shy! General Manager Lane will pay for it!”
Ethan’s face turned from red to green. He bowed deeply, embarrassed.
“I’m sorry, General Manager Chandler! I didn’t know these suits and watches were yours! I’ll return them—please don’t make things difficult for President Lane…” Trembling, he removed his jacket and watch, then ran off crying.
Victoria, furious, splashed champagne on my face.
“Lucas! Did you really have to humiliate a mere assistant in public?! You disgust me!” She threw down the glass, lifted her skirt, and chased me.
I wiped my face with a handkerchief and raised my glass to the guests.
“Please excuse my rudeness, everyone. President Lane has recently taken to this ‘raising game,’ ignoring designer clothes to chase cheap, low-class items!”
The crowd laughed. Ethan, halfway out, cried louder.
Victoria glared at me, gritting her teeth, and chased me again.
“Is this the ‘goddess’ President Chandler gave up a marriage alliance to marry?”
Charlotte Shaw approached gracefully, holding a wine glass, a playful smile curving her lips.
“Mr. Chandler, I hear you’re returning to the Chandler Group. Interested in cooperating with the Shaw Group?”
“If you agree, I’ll cancel the Lane Group’s signing ceremony next week!”
“This is the perfect opportunity to slap that scumbag woman and man in the face~”
Before I could speak, my phone vibrated nonstop.
In the Lane Group executive chat, Victoria added Ethan.
[@All members, effective immediately, Lucas’s position as general manager is revoked. Ethan will take over.]
Chapter 5
Her private message came immediately:
[This is punishment for your overreaction. The resignation is to prevent you from bringing your emotions to work! Let’s all calm down during this time!]
I replied with a cold laugh:
[Fine, sign the divorce papers, and calm down however you like.]
I turned off my phone and extended my hand to Charlotte. “Okay, happy to cooperate, President Shaw.”
That evening, I sent the divorce papers and resignation letter to Victoria by express mail, then packed my things and moved back to the Chandler family home.
The next day, Victoria called to berate me for threatening her with divorce. Ethan gently advised her on the other end:
“President Chandler can’t really resign and divorce you; he just wants to force you to go back. Why don’t you go back, Victoria…?”
Victoria was instantly enraged by his sycophancy.
“Fine! I’ll approve his resignation and make him sign the divorce papers right now. Let’s see how he pays for this!”
The moment the call ended, I received a notification that my bank card had been frozen.
At the same time, Ethan posted a new Insta Moments update, showing off the new house and luxury car Victoria had bought for him.
[My sister says only obedient children get candy.]
Victoria commented: [Unlike some people who don’t even appreciate candy and roll their eyes.]
I sneered and replied: [Then eat more; you might not get any later.]
The post was deleted instantly, and Victoria called, furious:
“Lucas, what do you mean by this!”
“Ethan has worked diligently for the company; what’s wrong with rewarding him? Keep being sarcastic, and you won’t get back to me in a month!”
“Don’t worry, Ms. Lane, I hate sweets—especially rotten ones!”
I hung up immediately, then blocked and deleted him.
Over the next few days, Ethan posted several updates daily.
He drove a luxury car to and from work with Victoria, dined and drank at upscale restaurants, and went stargazing from the city’s tallest building.
They were as romantic as a married couple.
Then I received an anonymous package.
In the photo, on pristine but slightly disheveled hotel sheets, a woman’s hand wearing a wedding ring was tightly clasped with a man’s.
Although I couldn’t see her face, I recognized the ring immediately—it was the one I had personally designed years ago.
My heart sank.
Since she dared truly betray me, don’t blame me for being ruthless.
On the day the multi-billion-dollar project was signed, Victoria arrived with Ethan.
Seeing me in the main seat, her expression changed instantly.
“Lucas, who allowed you here? Ethan is now the general manager of Lane Group. Who do you think you are to sit there? Get out!”
“President Chandler can’t leave!”
Charlotte entered the conference room gracefully in high heels.
“We just received the latest board resolution. Considering the strength and resources of Chandler Group, we’ve decided to prioritize cooperation with them.” She smiled at Victoria. “Unfortunately, Lane Group is out of the running.”