My parents have invited all of their relatives and friends to our villa for a nice gathering to celebrate their golden anniversary.

Isabel Atkinson, my wife who works as a model, suddenly calls me on the phone and claims that she needs to attend an urgent meeting hosted by her client.

Before it's my turn to give a speech on the stage, my assistant suddenly hands my phone over to me.

"Mr. Marsh, you might want to take a look at this…"

The screen shows a social media post made by Miles Horton, an intern designer at our company.

"At this moment, she belongs to me and me only."

In the photo, Isabel can be seen sitting in a dimly-lit room. A few plain-looking dishes decorate the table. Her hair is slightly messy, but she continues to smile at the elder next to her.

A cold, mocking smile appears on my face. It turns out that her so-called emergency meeting is a family gathering with Miles.

I leave a comment in the comments section. "The food looks pretty tasty. I'd like to visit you next time."

Chaos erupts on the social media feed instantly.

Isabel calls me immediately. "Why are you being such a phony? You'd better delete the comment right now!"

I just chuckle coldly as I end the call. Then, I send her a copy of the divorce papers I've drafted.

Since Miles' matters are clearly more important to her, then she can forget about coming home forever.

The next second, a voice message from Isabel Atkinson, my wife, came through.

She sounded impatient. "Colin Marsh, are you crazy? Are you really threatening to divorce me over a social media post?"

After listening to her voice message, I calmly blocked her number.

My parents, Greg Marsh and Penny Ford, came over after entertaining their friends. Seeing my expression, Mom asked worriedly, "What's wrong, Colin? Did something happen to Izzy?"

I shook my head. "She's fine. Let's start eating. We don't have to wait for her."

Glancing at the empty spot beside me, Dad patted my shoulders with concern. "Okay, but make sure you tell us right away if anything comes up."

I forced out a smile. "Got it."

Not long after the event began, a message popped up in the company's design department group chat.

"Sorry, everyone. Isabel only looked out for me since she knew I had a tough start in life. I had no idea it would upset the boss."

"I've already taken down the post…"

A teary emoji was attached with these messages.

Isabel immediately spoke up to back the man, Miles Horton. "You did nothing wrong, Miles. Some people are just too petty and can't stand seeing you succeed."

As soon as she spoke, those close to her jumped in to support her. "Yes, Miles. There's no need to apologize. People like that find everything disgusting."

"The one apologizing shouldn't be you. Everyone knows who I mean."

With Isabel backing them up, they grew bolder, even openly saying my name without hesitation.

Isabel's pampering had really gone to their heads. They had already forgotten who was in charge of the design department.

I didn't let it slide either. Anyone who joined in the bashing was kicked out of the group, including Miles.

He was just an intern, yet he liked to stir up trouble.

The company chat group went quiet all of a sudden. I added, "Go on, keep chatting. Don't let a few irrelevant people spoil the mood."

After the celebration ended, my parents and I saw off the guests.

Dad looked a little uneasy, so he was probably aware of what had happened with Isabel. He patted my shoulder and said, "Colin, sort out your own business quietly. Don't give others a reason to mock you."

I lowered my head and flashed him a bitter smile. "I know."

I soon arrived home and switched on the lights to find Isabel sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed.

Upon seeing me, she frowned and snapped, "Colin, what's gotten into you? Do you even realize how much effort Miles has put in to get where he is now, given his rural background? You kicked him out of the group chat like it's nothing. Have you thought about how that makes him look in front of the others?"

She continued, "I can't believe you're this petty even though we've been married for years. I just looked out for him a little. Was that really necessary?"

I rubbed my brow and looked at her mockingly. "How many 50th anniversaries do you think my parents will have? You kept saying you'd be late because of a client. Why didn't you just say you couldn't make it? You made everyone wait and turned it into such a mess."

Throughout all our years of marriage, I'd always tolerated Isabel.

I never raised my voice at her and would quietly clean up after her whenever she left a mess behind.

It was the first time I had ever been this angry.

Isabel went silent, clearly shocked by my outburst. She looked at me and said, "Fine, I admit I wasn't thinking and messed up this time. Now add Miles back to the group chat and apologize to him. We'll celebrate your parents' 50th anniversary together another day, okay?"

I crossed my arms. "Isabel, have you seen anyone who has a redo for a 50th wedding anniversary?"

Isabel's expression went cold as she shot back, "What more do you want? I'm letting you take the easy way out. Can you stop acting up? You talked about divorce papers and kicked Miles out of the group chat when I even got you a gift! That's ungrateful of you."

Isabel pulled out two shirts, but I could tell at a glance that they weren't my size.

I snorted icily and glared at her. "Are you sure they're my size? Can't believe you're saying you bought them for me."

Miles wasn't muscular and was on the lean side, so they were obviously his size.

Isabel stomped her foot, but I was too tired to reason with her. I simply pulled the divorce papers out of my bag and said, "That's enough, Isabel. Let's get a divorce."

"Colin, are you nuts?" Isabel grabbed the divorce papers from me and tore it into pieces.

"I gave you a way out, and you refused to take it. Now you're pushing your luck! We've been married for ten years. You really have the heart to divorce me? If we divorce, do you really think you can keep your job?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Who's the one pushing their luck here?"

Isabel snapped impatiently, "Fine, I know you're mad. It was my fault, so you don't have to apologize to Miles anymore. Don't be mad anymore. I even bought you another gift. Look, a silver watch strap."

She hurriedly tore open the packaging and walked over, eager to put it on me. At once, I spotted the words "free gift" on the box.

Besides, I was allergic to silver.

My metal allergy was serious. The moment the item in her hand touched my skin, the area quickly turned red and swollen.

I shook her off. "Didn't you hear me, Isabel? I said I want a divorce!"

"Can you stop making a scene, Colin? I've already promised that you don't have to apologize to Miles. What else do you want? I even agreed to throw another party for your parents. Don't push it!"

The next moment, her gaze fell on the redness and swelling on my arm.

Isabel shouted, "Why is your arm swollen? How did this happen? How were you so careless? Come on, I'll take you to the hospital."

I glanced at her. It seemed she had only just noticed my discomfort, as her concern looked genuine.

She grabbed my arm, ready to leave the house.

The next second, her phone rang.

Miles' sobbing voice came through. "Where are you, Isabel? I got pricked by a needle, and it really hurts."

Isabel frowned. "How could you be so careless? I'm coming right away."

As she opened the door, she suddenly remembered me and turned back. "You're not a child anymore. Just take a cab to the hospital yourself."

I chuckled. "Yeah, you should leave now. If you wait any longer, that little prick will start to close up."

Isabel shot back angrily, "Why are you being so harsh all of a sudden?"

I was about to say something even harsher, but the door slammed shut with a heavy thud, completely cutting me off.

With a self-deprecating smile, I started packing up my stuff.

Isabel was right.

If we were to get a divorce, there was no way I'd keep my job.

After all, the company belonged to her family, the Atkinson family. I was just an employee at her company, while she was my superior.

She was also my muse, or so I had assumed.

When we launched this jewelry brand, Isabel was my model. Wearing my designs, she became a sensation and was hailed as the most dazzling gem around.

But now…

Well, it was better not to dwell on the past.

I forced a wry smile as I packed my things and handed the house over to an agent to sell at a low price.

I had bought and decorated this place as our wedding home, never expecting that we'd end up like this.

It didn't matter anymore.

The first thing the next morning, I placed my resignation letter on Isabel's desk.

A few moments later, Miles came to me, holding my resignation letter. "Colin, you're tendering your resignation for real?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than I felt several pairs of eyes on me across the office.

I lowered my head to see Isabel's signature on the resignation letter.

I calmly took the letter from him. "If I stick around, where would you even fit?"

I was leaving with my packed things when I ran straight into Isabel.

She was wearing a set of lingerie, the jewelry around her neck sparkling brilliantly. She froze when she saw me, then her eyes landed on teary-eyed Miles. At once, she scowled. "Did you bully Miles again?"

I'd bullied him again?

What utter nonsense.

I had already resigned, so I didn't bother indulging them. I said mockingly, "Every time you speak, you claim I bully him. Go ahead, call the cops. Tell them I bullied him and have them throw me in jail for a few years."

Isabel's fists balled up. "Colin, can you stop being so aggressive? It's no secret that you've always had it out for Miles! You came to the office…"

Before she could finish, I cut in, "If I hadn't come to the office, how would I get to witness such a steamy scene? Can't the company afford clothes anymore or has the trend moved on? Do models really have to be naked while the designer works? Ms. Atkinson, what a noble sacrifice for art!"

My words hit hard. Isabel's face darkened instantly.

At that moment, Miles cried out, "Stop fighting, you two! I'll feel awful if you keep arguing because of me!"

I looked at him and laughed. "What's it got to do with you? The stuff you come up with is just a jumble of overcomplicated designs and high prices, exactly like your fake rich act."

Miles' face went pale, and he looked like he might collapse.

Feeling sorry for him, Isabel pulled him into her arms. "How could you be so vicious, Colin? Apologize to Miles now!"

Miles was holding the jewelry. "Colin, I know you've always been proud and looked down on my work, but this time, I've improved the design a lot…"

He held out the pearl and gemstone necklace like a treasure, presenting it to me.

Before he could get close, he theatrically fell onto the ground, causing the jewelry in his hands to drop and shatter all over the floor.

He was beside himself with distress. "Mr. Marsh, I know you look down on my background and my designs, but you can't treat me this way!"

Furious, Isabel marched forward and gave me a tight slap.

When my head tilted to one side from the slap, even Isabel herself looked surprised.

After we got married, we had fought occasionally, but this was the first time it got so bad.

It was also the first time things got physical between us.

I stared at Isabel. She had a guilty expression on, but still insisted, "Why do you think you're above us all? Apologize to Miles now!"

I stepped back and spread my hands, one holding the resignation letter and the other a box. "How could I have possibly pushed him?"

Isabel froze, then turned to look at Miles.

Well, I had underestimated how foolish she could be.

I couldn't believe she'd thrown all reason out the window just because Miles whined a little.

Miles cried, "I'm sorry, Mr. Marsh. If anyone is to blame, it's me. This is all my fault. I never should have gotten close to Isabel. She was just so friendly. I'll leave now, alright? You're the lead designer. How can you walk away like this? I'm the one who should go. I'm just an intern."

Isabel spun around and demanded angrily, "Colin, apologize now!"

I burst out laughing in anger, then raised my hands and dumped everything I was holding right onto Isabel's head. The onlookers froze, barely daring to breathe.

In that tense silence, I smiled faintly and said, "You're acting like you're crazy. Don't pass it on to me."

After saying that, I left the scene.

The moment I got into the car, I got a text from Miles.

He sent a few photos of Isabel wearing lingerie and even some nudes of her.

"Mr. Marsh, your wife's amazing. She said she wanted to be my muse. As her husband, did you hear something like that from her? Perhaps I know her better. I can satisfy her better in bed too."

Before I could reply, I got a call from Isabel's mother, Moira Olsen. She said she was hosting dinner tonight to make up for their absence from the previous banquet.

I sneered but still agreed.

Since they weren't keen on coming home, this time, I'd make sure they never came back.