Now that she had been unfaithful, all my protection lost its meaning.

Ordinarily, I never meddled in the company’s affairs. But when Mateo entered the company and was assigned under Ember, the subordinate who managed everything on my behalf had informed me.

Still, Ember was a workaholic, so I hadn’t thought much of it. She had even brought it up to me herself.

At the time, she laughed and said that although Mateo was tall and handsome, he was nothing but an empty shell, not worth a second glance.

I had believed her without the slightest suspicion.

But not long after, I began to notice the changes.

She, who rarely wore much makeup, started spending more time carefully doing her face.

The loose clothes she once favored were replaced by fitted blouses and sheer stockings.

I had teased her, asking if she’d developed a soft spot for the fresh-faced intern. I thought she would respond like always, but instead, I caught her turning away, a faint blush creeping up her cheek.

“Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve been going to more business functions. It’s for work.”

Later, she started coming home later and later.

One evening, while she was in the shower, I found a used contraceptive package stuffed inside her handbag.

In that instant, a cold realization settled over me: she was probably cheating.

Her phone, which she always left by the bathroom door, lit up at that moment.

With my heart pounding, I picked it up.

The message was from that intern, and the name she saved him under was Baby Mateo.

I couldn’t see everything, but the beginning alone was enough to crush me.

“Sis, you’re amazing at that…”

Those few simple words felt like a hammer shattering my chest.

When I asked Ember what the message meant, she didn’t even bother to explain. She exploded.

“Mateo and I were only discussing work. Do you really have to blow everything out of proportion?!”

“And how dare you look through my phone?!”

“You already sit at home all day fiddling with your computers, and now you’re acting like this? I’m sick of it! Keep this up, and we’ll just get a divorce!”

In the past, whenever we argued, Ember had thrown out threats like that, and every time, for the sake of our hard-won marriage, I always chose to compromise.

But at that moment, watching her scramble to hide her guilt, I, unlike before, felt no fear of her anger.

Still, I respected the three years we’d spent together and didn’t lash out. I only told her that if she ever cheated, it would mean divorce.

All she gave me in return was a single word. “Crazy.”

And now, after being humiliated in front of everyone, the last trace of hope I had for her finally died.

I looked at her coldly and said, “Ember, I told you, if you ever stepped out of line, I’d take everything back.”

But before I could finish, she scoffed, her face twisting in irritation.

“Are you done yet? Who do you think you are?”

“You used to brag all the time, and I didn’t bother exposing you. Now you really think you’re somebody.”

I grinned, a slow, chilling smile spreading across my lips.

“You’ll find out soon enough who I am.”

With that, I turned and walked away, unwilling to waste another breath on the two of them.

As I settled into the driver’s seat, I heard Mateo putting on a pathetic act behind me.

“Sister Ember, did what I said upset your husband? Maybe I shouldn’t stay by your side. Maybe you shouldn’t help me anymore.”

But Ember’s voice drifted over. “Mateo, don’t worry. He’s just the jealous type. Give it a little time. He’ll come crawling back to beg for my forgiveness.”

Through the rearview mirror, I watched them embracing again, and the last trace of warmth in my heart turned to ice.

Not long after I arrived home, my phone buzzed with a message from my subordinate.

“Boss, as you requested, I’ve compiled a list of the employees who’ve made significant contributions. Tomorrow, I’ll be promoting and giving raises to these people. Madam is currently the finance director. I was planning to promote her to vice president. What do you think?”

“By the way, are you sure you’re not coming to tomorrow’s company listing ceremony?”

In the beginning, to let Ember believe every achievement was earned by her own hands, I had planned to stay away once the company passed the IPO review.

But now, everything had changed.

“I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ll officially reclaim control of the company. Also, there’s something I need you to handle first thing in the morning.”

My subordinate replied almost instantly. “That’s great! I’ve been hoping you’d return to lead us again!”

As soon as I ended the chat, the door flew open.

Ember charged in, her face twisted with rage.

“Killian, what is wrong with you today? I already told you I was just helping Mateo get established. I don’t understand why you’re making such a scene over a mere intern!”

“I’m furious about what happened. You owe me a proper apology!”

She marched up to me, glaring down as if I were beneath her.

I didn’t even bother to lift my eyes.

“Move. I’m going to sleep. I have more important things tomorrow.”

Ember let out a cold laugh and yanked the blanket off me.

“I have something important tomorrow, too, you know? I’m about to be promoted to Vice President. The distance between us is only going to grow wider.”

“If you don’t apologize to me today, don’t blame me for being rude.”

She still thought she was getting promoted?

I laughed.

I sat up and fixed a cold stare on her.

“Ember, I’ll say this only once: if you betray me, you lose everything.”

Facing my unprecedented cold gaze, Ember actually stepped back.

But the next second, she sneered. “Killian, who do you think you are? You’re just jealous over what happened today, aren’t you?”

“You’re jealous of an intern. This is your limit in life. You’re not even worthy of me anymore.”

“But since Mateo pleaded for you, I’ll be generous. The company is going public tomorrow, the general manager will be there, and plenty of executives from other firms will attend. You’ll come with me.”

“At least you know a little about web programming. Once I’m promoted, I’ll ask around and see if anyone wants to hire you. That’s better than you sitting at home useless every day.”

By rights, I should have refused.

But since I was going to be there anyway, I agreed to go with Ember.

Seeing me comply, she assumed I had calmed down like always and smiled. She even handed me a watch, her tone softening noticeably.

In the past, she would always offer a sweet treat after a fight. That was her way. But this was the first time she had ever given me a gift.

“Killian, I bought this watch, especially for you. Don’t get jealous over anything anymore. It affects my work.”

Even though I was already utterly disappointed in her, I didn’t want any more conflict, so I accepted it casually.

That night, when Ember reached for my waist, I turned away and rejected her touch.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of her voice in the bathroom.

“Good boy, Mateo. Don’t worry, I didn’t let him touch me last night.”

“Just like you expected, the moment I mentioned introducing him to a job, he agreed right away. He has nothing better to do all day, so he acts out just to get my attention. Once I bring him to the venue, I’ll have someone humiliate him in public for you.”

“The VP position comes with a lot of power. I’ll gradually get you promoted and raise your salary, paving the way for your bright future.”

“By the way, did you take those pairs of black stockings from my office? Make sure no one sees them.”

“That’s good. I’m hanging up now. I just settled him down last night, so don’t let him overhear. Be patient. I’ll be with you every day soon.”

After hanging up and stepping out, she was startled to see I was already awake.

“Killian, w-when did you wake up? Did you hear anything?”

I replied blandly, “What exactly did you want me to hear?”

Ember’s voice turned casual. “Oh, nothing. Just a colleague reminding me to head to the venue early. I’ve got a surprise for you later.”

I said calmly, “Alright. Let’s go early.”

Perfect. I had a surprise too.

Before I could walk to the parking lot, Mateo appeared at the door.

He rolled down the window, smiling at Ember.

“Sister Ember, today’s the company’s IPO day, and your promotion to Vice President; I can’t wait.”

Then he turned to me, his gaze filled with playful amusement.

“Brother Killian, right? We met yesterday. I’ll be working closely with Sister Ember from now on, so I hope you’ll be a little more open-minded.”

Seeing me unmoved, Ember shot me a glance.

“Killian, Mateo is greeting you. You’re ten years older than him. Don’t you even have this bit of basic courtesy?”

I looked at her coldly. “I’ve always been broad-minded. You two seem so well-matched. Maybe I should step aside.”

Hearing this, Ember immediately snapped again.

“Killian, why are you being so passive-aggressive? Mateo kindly came to pick us up. Do you really have to act like this?”

I sneered. “Pick me up? No need.”

With that, I turned to get my own car, but Ember grabbed my arm.

“Alright, don’t be childish. Let’s just go together today.”

Then she pulled me into Mateo’s car without giving me a choice.

But I remembered clearly that Mateo hadn’t owned a car before.

When we arrived at the venue, everyone who saw Ember greeted her respectfully as Director.

It was as if her promotion was already set in stone.

Ember clung to Mateo’s arm, giving me a perfunctory explanation.

“Mateo’s shy. This makes him feel more secure.”

I sneered inwardly. She was so gentle with him.

When it came time to sit, Ember led Mateo to two empty seats.

“Killian, not enough seats. You can just stand over there.”

Mateo glanced at me with a mocking smile.

“Sorry about that, Brother Killian.”

A few people nearby watched with delight in their eyes.

“Director Ember, today’s the company’s IPO day. The general manager will also announce the list of promotions. The event team already leaked it. The VP position is yours!”

“Director Ember, once you’re promoted, don’t forget us loyal supporters!”

Some people even began fawning over Mateo, calling him Manager Mateo.

Ember curled her lips in pride. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of all of you.”

Just then, someone pointed at me and asked, “Director Ember, why is he here?”

Ember let out a soft laugh, completely unconcerned.

“He hasn’t accomplished anything in life. I heard many VIPs would be here today, so he just came along to try his luck.”

Hearing that, someone sneered. “Director Ember, you must be joking, him?”

“He’s ridiculous. Yesterday, he looked like a beggar, and now he’s all dressed up like he matters. Does he really think he’s somebody?”

Mateo pretended to speak up for me.

“Everyone, don’t say that. Brother Killian is still Sister Ember’s husband. How could he possibly be unemployed? Sister Ember said he’s great at cleaning toilets. Once I get promoted to manager, I’ll make sure to find a role for him.”

The group erupted in laughter.

Ember shot me a cold look.

“Killian, Mateo doesn’t hold grudges. Shouldn’t you be thanking him?”

Facing their little performance, I replied flatly, “He looks like a toilet himself.”

Hearing that, Mateo immediately pouted and whined, “Sister Ember, did you hear how he’s talking to me?”