Chapter 1

The eighth year of a secret office marriage.

Vivienne lit up all the LED screens in Chicago, just to make her male secretary smile.

Amid everyone's congratulations, the male secretary took the initiative to give gifts to everyone in the office.

I casually tossed my gift into the trash can.

The male secretary immediately ran into Vivienne's office with a crestfallen face to tattle.

In no time, Vivienne furiously suspended me from my job.

As I walked out of the company building, Vivienne's voice came through the speakers on the top floor.

"To celebrate little Wylie's completion of work, the red envelope rain is ready!"

Wylie, that was the male secretary's name.

Watching everyone rush past me eagerly, I calmly cut off all contact with Vivienne.

This secret marriage, it was time for it to end.

1

Archer had barely tossed the welcome gift into the trash when Vivienne stormed up to me, fuming with rage.

She clenched her fists tightly, stopping just inches from my face, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Archer, someone was kind enough to give you a welcome gift, and you just toss it in the trash without a second thought? Don't you have any manners?"

"If you think this place is beneath you, then get the hell out! Stop being an eyesore to everyone here!"

Looking at the person in front of me, eyes red with anger as she interrogated me, I found it oddly amusing.

Everything related to Vivienne was utterly ridiculous.

I let out a soft sigh, lifting my gaze to meet hers directly.

"If someone really cared about saving face, they wouldn't do such things in front of everyone. And a person with real class wouldn't be caught doing that kind of stuff with another man in public."

As soon as the words left my mouth, the coworkers watching the scene exchanged looks of disbelief.

From the very first day I started working here, I had never said a single word against Vivienne.

No matter how unreasonable her demands, I would always fulfill them to perfection.

This was considered the norm in everyone's eyes.

Archer was born to be Vivienne's lapdog.Archer would come running at the slightest crook of Vivienne's finger, no matter the circumstance.

Vivienne's expression twisted as if she'd heard a ridiculous joke. She furrowed her brow and tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Archer, did that statement actually pass through your brain before you said it?"

"I've warned you more than once to consider your position before you act or speak."

She emphasized the words "your position" with particular force, as if afraid I might miss her underlying meaning.

So she still remembers our clandestine marriage.

Yet she continues to shower her little assistant with endless favoritism in front of everyone.

They're joined at the hip all day, every day. Anyone with eyes can see they're a match made in heaven.

"I'm not joking. I'm fully aware of what I'm saying and doing. If you didn't catch it, you can check the security cameras."

I took a slow half-step back, then turned and left without hesitation.

As I passed the trash can where I'd tossed the gift, I picked it up and threw it at the man behind me.

"Giving out party favors before anyone's even brought a gift? Ms. Everhart must be feeling generous. I suppose your big day is coming soon. Well, here's to your eternal happiness and future children!"Walking to the last corner of the office, Vivienne's furious voice came from behind.

"Archer, which part of your brain malfunctioned today? You'd better straighten out your attitude, come back and apologize properly. Maybe then I'll forgive you."

"Wylie and I are completely innocent. You're tarnishing others' reputations with your foul mouth. You'd better come back and apologize to him, or I promise you'll regret it!"

I covered my ears and quickened my pace to leave.

In the dead of winter, outside was already a frozen wonderland.

Seeing that I couldn't catch a cab for miles around, I walked home on foot.

Just as I was approaching my door, supporting my frozen body, I saw the familiar silhouettes of those two people come into view. Instinctively, I turned and walked in the opposite direction.

Wylie called out to me with a delighted expression, "Brother Archer, where are you going?"

"Sister Vivienne's place is right here. Why don't you come in and warm up for a bit? She doesn't usually invite others, but for my sake, she won't kick you out."