Chapter 3

"I didn't expect you to be so vulgar and disgusting, publicly humiliating me and the teacher like that. How can your thoughts be so filthy? Why are you trying to smear me and the teacher?"

"You think by ruining the teacher's reputation I'll have a child with you? Keep dreaming. With your inferior genes, any offspring would only be a menace to society. If you don't apologize to the teacher today, we're getting divorced."

I let out a cold laugh and decisively dialed a number both familiar and strange.

"Miss Forrester, is your offer still on the table? I agree to cooperate."

Aria, a high school classmate and one of my admirers, was the head of Aria Trading Company.

Over the years, Aria had made countless attempts to get me to join her Company, even resorting to seduction.

The response came instantly,

"As long as you come back, we can work together for a lifetime."

I smiled bitterly,

"Can you come pick me up at the Hilton Hotel in ten minutes? It's as you wished."

The reply came immediately,

"I can run three red lights and be there in five."

My conflicted emotions settled for a moment.

Back then, Aria's family had secured an international elite school admission through relocation compensation. She was timid, with a distinctly rural and petty demeanor.

None of our classmates wanted to hang out with her, mocking her for growing up on "trash."

They banded together to bully her mercilessly.

In our youth, even without malicious intent, the harm inflicted was painfully real.

As class president, I immediately called a class meeting and sternly reprimanded the ringleaders I caught.

I then took Aria shopping for clothes and gave her a makeover, finally helping her shed her ugly duckling image.

She was smart and hardworking, gradually catching up in her studies, and from then on, she was utterly devoted to me.

This girl from humble beginnings wasn't shy about showing her affection, but unfortunately at that time, my heart and eyes were only for Genevieve, so I could only avoid her.

After graduation, she started her own company and invited me to collaborate several times, but fearing Genevieve would mind, I never met with her even once.

Aria arrived quickly, still slightly out of breath when she reached the banquet hall.

She slowly walked to my side and took my hand.

"Cian, don't be sad. This too shall pass."

I took Aria to the company, intending to retrieve my personal belongings before leaving.

Not even half an hour later, Genevieve showed up with Lorne in tow.

I let out a derisive laugh. Wasn't she on the verge of collapse earlier? How had he suddenly become so spirited?

The law professor from State University should switch to teaching drama. I always knew academics could act, but I never imagined he could put on such a performance.

Genevieve glared at me darkly.

"Cian, haven't you had enough of this nonsense?"

"First you upset my tutor so much he ends up in the hospital, all because of your stupid jealousy. And now you're conspiring with outsiders against the company? Do you have a death wish or something?"

I calmly pulled the still-warm divorce papers from the printer.

"Genevieve, I've been holding back your special bond with your mentor. Now I'm setting you free to honor that relationship fully."

Genevieve stared at the divorce papers, stunned for a moment before angrily retorting,

"Cian, you can't be serious about this. You want a divorce over something so trivial?"

"You're nothing but a liar. Tell me, was all that talk about loving me just a lie too? Have you fallen for this trashy woman now?"

She jabbed her finger viciously towards Aria.

I didn't bother explaining. Aria, however, wasn't having it. She shoved Genevieve in the chest.

"Who are you calling a liar and trashy?"

"What exactly has Cian lied to you about?"

"Did he lie about turning Frost Group from a failing company into a star enterprise? Or about taking it from bankruptcy to billions in assets? If your brain's broken, go see a doctor, okay?"

Aria finished with a contemptuous once-over of Genevieve.

"You can't seriously think Cian tricked you for your looks, can you? Do you even have D-cups? Is your waist really twenty-eight inches?"

She sneered,

"You should look in the mirror before getting so full of yourself. The line of women waiting for Cian to seduce them stretches from the south side of city all the way to the north."

She then threw herself at me,

"Cian, go ahead and deceive me. I'd let you seduce me or swindle the company any day!"

This time, I didn't dodge or push her away. Instead, I confidently put my arm around her shoulders.

Genevieve flew into a rage, pointing at my nose and scolding,