"You're going to follow in your mother's footsteps and go to Egypt to restore cultural relics?"

"Does Ethan Cole know?"

Eleanor Vance paused, fiddling with the small brush in her hand, lowered her eyes, and said, "He doesn't know."

As soon as she finished speaking, the researchers exchanged glances, all looking a bit troubled.

"Everyone in New York knows Ethan is crazy about his wife. You'll stay there for three to five years, without any contact with the outside world. Would he really agree to that?"

What she wanted was precisely to sever this connection, to have nothing more to do with him.

Hearing this, the other researchers started murmuring among themselves.

"What? Eleanor is going to leave Ethan to go restore relics in Egypt?"

"How is that possible?

To marry her, Ethan knelt before Harold Cole for three days and nights—his knees still bother him now. Just because Eleanor said she was afraid of the heat, Ethan invested a billion to renovate the research institute, afraid she'd suffer even a little."

"Last time Eleanor got sick, Ethan barely ate or drank while taking care of her for over half a month. He even gave her one of his kidneys."

"I believe Ethan will never let Eleanor go."

Eleanor remained silent.

Yes, everyone in New York knew that Ethan, the moody 'prince', had reserved his most tender affection solely for her.

But who would have known that this same Ethan would also give that love to another woman.

A month ago, she received an anonymous email.

There were 99 intimate photos—all of the man they called "crazy about his wife," Ethan, and his intern secretary, Chloe Jensen.

She was also the impoverished student Eleanor had sponsored.

In the photos: in offices, hotels, even on their private vacation island, they made love with countless positions, never tiring of it.

When she first saw these intimate photos, Eleanor kept them tightly hidden.

She just thought someone had deliberately faked the photos to ruin the Cole Group and Ethan.

Until that day, she came home from the research institute, waiting for his daily goodnight call.

But by midnight, the phone remained silent.

It was the first time he had been on a business trip without calling her before bed.

The intimate photos flashed through Eleanor's mind again, so she decided to drive to his company and wait.

The elevator went straight to the top floor. When it opened, it was empty.

She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the fortunate sense of having survived a disaster.

Suddenly, a faint sound came from deep within the office.

She walked over, step by step, and through the crack of the slightly ajar door, she saw a suit vest lying on the floor.

And the woman he had pinned against the floor-to-ceiling window, her eyes full of seduction, was Chloe.

"Stay still, don't move."

The man's low, hoarse voice sounded, mixed with the woman's soft gasps.

Eleanor froze outside the door, tears silently rolling from her eyes and hitting the cold floor.

Her heart felt like it was being repeatedly cut by several blunt knives, dripping with blood.

She watched as Ethan kissed Chloe's collarbone, then took out a necklace and put it around her neck, his eyes full of deep affection.

"Do you like it?

I bought it at auction just for you."

That scene tore the illusion of happiness she had woven over five years of marriage to shreds, leaving only devastation.

The Ethan who had once promised to "give Eleanor everything she likes" was now personally presenting the very necklace she had admired at an auction to another woman.

And this woman was the same impoverished student she had sponsored for five years—the one she had personally recommended to the Cole Group.

The researcher watched her face grow paler and said with concern,

"Eleanor, we're not trying to interfere with your decision, but with this confidential project, once you sign, there's no going back."

Eleanor signed the agreement without hesitation. "I've made up my mind. I request the institute's approval."

The door was pushed open, and Ethan walked in carrying a box of cake.

"Requesting approval for what?"

He handed the cake to Eleanor, his voice gentle, "Eleanor, don't work too hard. Have some cake and take a break. It's your favorite gardenia flavor, freshly made."

Hearing this, the people around them remarked, "Who would've thought the cold-hearted CEO would be so considerate to just Eleanor."

Eleanor looked at the cake on the desk, a sharp pain piercing her heart.

If Chloe's house wasn't right next to the bakery, she might have actually believed he'd gone to buy the cake just for her.

She looked down, suppressing the emotions welling up inside her, and said in a raspy voice.

"It's nothing, just regular work."

After they left the institute, Ethan went to get the car.

People all around were gossiping about how she'd married such a devoted husband—a billionaire CEO from New York who came to pick up his wife right after returning from a business trip.

Eleanor tugged at the corners of her pale lips.

If he were truly devoted, how could he have betrayed her again and again?

The more Eleanor thought about it, the more her heart ached. She hadn't realized her clenched fist had been pierced by her nails, and blood was seeping from the wound.

Her phone buzzed repeatedly in her bag. She collected her thoughts and looked at the screen.

It was a text from the research institute.

[Ms. Vance, your application has been approved. We will send someone to pick you up for Egypt in ten days.]

The next second, another message popped up.

[The cake Ethan gave me is so pretty.]

In the photo, Ethan was kissing Chloe's neck, while Chloe was naked, her body covered in cream.

Dark clouds churned in the sky, making it hard for Eleanor to breathe.

She felt as if her blood had frozen, her fingertips stiff with cold.

As she felt dizzy, Ethan's expression changed, and he rushed forward to support her. "Why are you so cold..."

"I'm fine."

Eleanor subconsciously pushed him away. Ethan was taken aback for a moment, then took off his coat and thoughtfully draped it over her shoulders.

"It's chilly out. Let's get in the car."

The suit jacket still carried the scent of Ethan's cologne, but Eleanor's eyes reddened.

The moment she put her hand in the pocket, she clearly felt a serrated plastic wrapper inside.

When they got out of the car, it started to rain.

Ethan held an umbrella with one hand and clasped her tightly with the other, protectively guiding her home.

Eleanor suddenly remembered the first time they met.

Back then, her parents had an accident, and her grandparents didn't like her.

They kicked her out of the house on a stormy day.

It was Ethan who held an umbrella, gave her dry clothes to change into, and took her to the hospital.

When her fever broke, he took her back home, only to find the door shut tight, refusing to open no matter how much they knocked.

Ethan held her hand tightly, promising with a pained heart, "If they don't want you, I do."

It was the same kind of fine, drizzling rain that day. She held his hand, and they had spent eight years together.

Everyone in New York knew that the person the cold-faced CEO Ethan cherished most was Eleanor.

The day she reached the legal age to marry, he couldn't wait to propose and gave her the wedding of the century.

But now, everything had changed.

On the way home, Ethan held Eleanor's hand the whole time, trying to share his warmth with her.

But as soon as they got home, Eleanor came down with a fever.

The rain outside grew heavier, pattering loudly as if it wanted to smash the windows.

Eleanor lay in bed, drifting in and out of a hazy sleep, woken up several times by nightmares.

Ethan personally fed her medicine, held her in his arms, and gently stroked her back over and over.

"Eleanor, my heart aches for you. If I could, I would rather get sick for you."

Eleanor listened, but a chill spread through her heart.

On those days he used "business trips" as an excuse, did he hold Chloe and say the same things?

His warm breath brushed against the side of her neck. Eleanor pretended to be asleep, turned over, and moved out of Ethan's embrace.

Beneath her long eyelashes were hidden traces of tears.

After some time, Eleanor was startled awake by a nightmare.

In the past, whenever she had a nightmare, Ethan would always be by her side, gently patting her back and telling her not to be afraid.

But tonight, there was no sign of Ethan.

Eleanor forced herself to sit up and saw Ethan hurriedly changing his clothes, as if he had something urgent to do.

Perhaps tonight's nightmare was too frightening, because she spoke out impulsively, "Ethan... can you stay with me tonight?"

The pleading and unease in her eyes made Ethan's heart clench. He was about to put down the clothes in his hands and go hold her.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the outer door.

"Mr. Cole, the car is ready. Shall we go now?"

Ethan's face darkened, and he snapped harshly, "Who told you to come up here? Get out!"

The maid hurried away, but Ethan's phone rang again.

The caller was Chloe.

Ethan hung up without hesitation, kissed Eleanor on the forehead, and whispered coaxingly:

“Eleanor... there's an emergency at the office. I have to go tonight.”

“I'll have Brenda Davis come stay with you.”

The kiss was brief, barely touching her skin.

He hurried away without waiting for her to answer.

Tears welled up in Eleanor's eyes, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

After a while, she went to the study, her eyes red, and began filling out the forms from the research institute.

In the study, an entire bookshelf was filled with their things: their wedding photo, the couple figurines, the matching bracelets.

Eleanor stared blankly, and tears splashed onto the cold floor without warning.

Ethan, if you knew that I'm going to leave you for good in nine days, would you feel even a little bit sad?

After hitting send, Eleanor wiped her tears and went back to the master bedroom.

Her phone buzzed. With a trembling fingertip, Eleanor opened the text. It was another photo.

In the dim light, Ethan's concerned face stung her eyes.

[The rain is so heavy tonight. I'm glad Mr. Cole is here with me. I'll have to "reward" him properly in the morning~]

The tears she had just wiped away welled up again, blurring her vision.

Eleanor dug her nails into her palm, suppressing a sob in her throat.

She woke again, this time to being kissed awake.

The man's movements were restrained and gentle, but his lips still carried the scent of another woman.

"Eleanor, happy birthday. I love you."

Looking at the pile of birthday gifts on the table, Eleanor's face turned pale, and her stomach churned.

That sapphire necklace, that precious jade bracelet—Chloe had them all.

She looked away and went to the bathroom, throwing up until she was dizzy.

Ethan panicked and followed her to the bathroom, gently patting her on the back.

"What's wrong, Eleanor?

Are you feeling sick?

I'll cancel the shareholders' meeting right now and take you to the hospital."

He then picked up his phone and informed all the shareholders that today's meeting was postponed.

But how could a corporation as large as the Cole Group allow him to cancel it so frivolously?

Before he could hang up, he heard a subordinate cautiously trying to persuade him:

"Mr. Cole, the shareholders from all regions are already in the conference room waiting for you. There are also several major international projects for you to finalize today..."

Ethan cut him off sharply, "My wife is not feeling well today. I need to take her to the hospital."

No matter how important the shareholders' meeting was, it couldn't compare to Eleanor.

Just then, Chloe, who had been silent, spoke up:

"As his secretary, I've been by Mr. Cole's side for several months now. I'm very familiar with the company's core projects, and I'm willing to lead this meeting for him."

"If you all feel I'm too inexperienced, Mr. Cole can supervise via video call."

Everyone frowned. How could a mere intern secretary dare to lead the company's most important meeting in place of Mr. Cole?

Ethan fell silent, then made a final decision amidst everyone's doubts.

"Chloe will lead this meeting. I'll supervise by video."

Instantly, the phone went silent.

So quiet that Eleanor could hear her own heart shattering into pieces.

That day, although Ethan called a private doctor to examine her and prescribe medicine, his eyes never left his phone.

He listened to Chloe speak and make decisions in the meeting, the admiration in his eyes nearly overflowing.

The love hidden in his gaze was clear even to a bystander, let alone to Eleanor, who had been with him for ten years.

She looked away, no longer watching him.

She once believed the vows from their wedding day could overcome any hardship, and they would be together for life.

Now, it all seemed absurdly laughable.

When everything was settled, Ethan praised her with a smile, "When I get back, I'll throw you a celebration party."

That smile, in Eleanor's eyes, became the most venomous thorn, stabbing deep into her heart.

So, true love was about giving everything to lift someone up and pave their way.

Not drawing a circle to imprison her by his side.

The next day, at the celebration party.

Ethan took her with him.

He personally put on the Ruby Earrings, worth millions, for her, his eyes full of admiration.

"Only the best jewelry is worthy of the best you."

Eleanor only felt a chill in her heart.

He probably didn't even notice it himself, but when they arrived at the party, he instinctively let go of her hand and hurried inside.

After a moment, as if he'd just remembered her, he turned back with an apologetic smile, "Sorry, Eleanor, a shareholder looked for me. I didn't realize I was walking so fast."

Eleanor's eyelashes trembled as she suppressed the burning in her eyes.

Not far away, the wealthy guests were still talking.

"Mr. Cole is truly a devoted husband, he brings Mrs. Cole everywhere."

"Yeah, even after five years of marriage, they're as loving as ever. It makes everyone else jealous."

Once, Eleanor also believed that no matter how long they were married, her love with Ethan would never change.

But now, she only felt that true love was fickle and unbearably bitter.

Eleanor looked away, a sharp pain pulling at her heart, and she turned to leave.

Just then, Chloe came over with a glass of red wine, deliberately showing off the ring on her ring finger.

"What a coincidence, Eleanor. You're wearing ruby ring, too."

The light hit the ring, and its glaring bright stung Eleanor's eyes.

Even without Chloe saying it, she knew the ring on Chloe's finger was worth over a billion, far more than her own earrings.

They probably used the purest part of the jewelry for the ring, and then made these earrings from the scraps.

Chloe showed off the ring proudly, a sweet smile on her face.

"My fiancé gave this to me. He said that even though he can't marry me right now, I'm the love of his life, and anyone else is just a convenient compromise."

"He also said... only I can make him experience true pleasure."

Every word was like a poisoned needle, stabbing into Eleanor's heart.

While she gave up her mother's last wish to wait for him at home, he was being intimate with another woman.

He forbade her from leaving New York for her studies, yet he gave Chloe complete respect and romance.

As the heartache reached its peak, Eleanor suddenly laughed.

"A fiancé who can't even give you a title can only try to appease you with things like this."

Chloe's face stiffened for a moment.

She was about to speak, but her attitude changed the instant she saw who was behind Eleanor, and she threw herself hard against the edge of the nearby fountain.

"Ah!"

The scream echoed through the entire banquet hall.

Chloe fell into the fountain's pool, her body trembling and soaking wet.

"Mrs. Cole, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to steal your spotlight..."

Ethan rushed over at the sound, his face terrifyingly dark, and his bone-chilling voice snapped:

"Who the hell pushed her?

The banquet hall fell silent for a moment.

Eleanor just watched him in silence.

The icy water splashed onto her chest, but it burned so hot her whole heart trembled.

No one answered, and Ethan's expression grew even more terrifying.

"I'll ask again, who pushed her?"

Eleanor's lowered eyes trembled, her palms marked with red nail marks, but she still said nothing.

But Chloe felt encouraged. Clutching her bruised head, she stepped forward to grab the corner of his sleeve, saying pitifully:

"Mr. Cole, please don't ask. It's all my fault for making Eleanor angry..."

She lowered her eyes just so, a teardrop clinging to her lashes, looking utterly pitiful.

Ethan, however, took a step back and glared at her coldly.

"You did it?"

"Wh... what?"

Chloe missed Ethan's sleeve and stood frozen in place.

Ethan's tone was terrifyingly cold: "You made Eleanor unhappy?"

Chloe's face went pale: "But she pushed me..."

Ethan's patience ran out, and he slapped Chloe across the face.

"Smack—!"

Chloe clutched her face, staring at Ethan in disbelief as her eyes instantly turned red.

As if he didn't see it, Ethan warned in a cold voice: "I don't hit women, but that doesn't mean I'll spare anyone who bullies Eleanor."

"From now on, if anyone dares to bully Eleanor again, I won't mind arranging their funeral."

His voice wasn't loud, but it shocked everyone around into silence.

The whispers and pointing from the crowd reached Chloe's ears, and her tears burst out as if a dam had broken.

"Fine!

It's all my fault, okay!"

"I shouldn't have organized the annual party for you, I shouldn't have held this celebration, I shouldn't have stolen the spotlight from Eleanor! I'll put my resignation on your desk tomorrow and never appear before you again!"

"I'm sorry for upsetting Eleanor, I apologize!

I deserve to die!

Are you happy now, Mr. Cole!"

Chloe ripped the ring off her finger, threw it violently to the ground, and ran out of the banquet in disgrace.

Ethan's expression didn't change as he gently wiped the cold water from her chest.

"Eleanor, don't be afraid. I'm here. No one can bully you."

He said it with such sincerity, as if he truly favored her above all else.

If only the tight corners of his mouth looked more natural.

If only the hand hanging by his side wasn't clenched so tightly into a fist, looking less restrained.

She might have actually believed that he favored her above all else...

As expected, the incident at the celebration was spread by the media.

The headline "New York's Richest Man Dotes on His Wife" was at the top of the entertainment trending topics for a full day.

Netizens' comments were uniformly envious, saying what good deeds Eleanor must have done in a past life to marry such a perfect man like Ethan.

Eleanor, however, just glanced blandly at the man who had come back half an hour ago and went straight to the bathroom to shower.

On his suit pants in the laundry basket, there was an intimate wet stain.

He had brought it back with him from outside half an hour ago.

Meanwhile, Chloe flaunted a new diamond necklace from a certain luxury brand, and a custom-made business suit on her Twitter.

The third photo was of a personnel transfer document.

It stated that Chloe was being transferred to a branch office and appointed as Vice President.

The caption was also extremely intimate—

[Since you worked so hard to please me in bed tonight, and made me your personal little "Vice President," I guess I'll forgive you.]

[You have to keep your promise and spoil me forever~]

Eleanor stared at it in a daze.

Tears welled up in her eyes. A warm hand suddenly rested on her head.

"Eleanor, what are you looking at?"

She didn't answer, wiped away tears with her fingertip, and boldly showed him the photo on her phone.

Ethan froze, reached out and turned off her phone, his expression looking unnatural for a moment.

But it was just for a moment, then he hugged her again.

"Chloe went to some small company. She won't be an eyesore to you anymore."

He was still lying to her, even now.

Or did he think that after being married to him for five years, she couldn't even remember how many subsidiaries the Cole Group had?

Eleanor's heart felt like it was about to explode from the pain.

But in the end, the questions she wanted to blurt out were swallowed, turning into a simple, "Yeah."

She avoided his arm as he tried to pull her close for sleep, lying down on the far side of the bed.

Ethan sat there, stunned for a moment, as if he sensed something.

He silently moved closer, held her tightly, and rubbed his chin against the nape of her neck.

With her back to him, Eleanor didn't respond, nor did she pull away.

Anyway, in eight days, she would leave him forever.

After that night, Ethan canceled all his business trips to stay with her every day.

For the next few days, he worked as usual, picked her up from work as usual, and also... cheated as usual.

He thought he was being perfectly discreet.

But he didn't know that Chloe sent her taunting texts every day.

To make his meetings more convenient, he even bought a villa in Washington for Eleanor.

Every night, after he put her to sleep, he would run over there to fool around.

One day, as Eleanor was heading out, she ran right into Ethan, who looked utterly satisfied.

"Eleanor, why haven't you left for the research institute yet today?"

Ethan pretended he had just gotten back from the office.

Eleanor looked at his messy clothes and the partially hidden kissing marks on his neck, constantly telling herself.

Don't ask, don't care. The handover at the institute is done. Only four days left.

Just get through these four days. After she leaves, everything will be fine...

She looked away, showing no trace of concern. She just gave a faint "Hmm" and got up to leave.

Seeing her act like this, Ethan felt a strange sense of unease.

Before, when he worked late, she would always have warm soup ready for him, rub his temples tenderly, and ask if he was tired.

"Eleanor, what's wrong?"

He frowned, paused for a moment as if he understood something, and pulled her into his arms.

"It's my fault. I've been neglecting you because of work. I'll try to come home earlier from now on."

As soon as he finished speaking, Eleanor couldn't help but push him away and run to the bathroom to throw up.

Ethan tried to get closer, but she just threw up more violently.

Ethan's expression changed instantly. "Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?

I'll change my clothes and take you to the hospital."

As he said that, he started to go change, but then his phone rang.

Eleanor only needed one glance to see the name 'Chloe' on the screen.

Ethan rejected the call without hesitation.

The person on the other end immediately called back.

Ethan answered, annoyed, his tone surprisingly harsh.

"My wife isn't feeling well. Whatever it is, it can wait."

But after hearing what the person on the other end said, Ethan's expression shifted slightly. He gave her an apologetic smile and stepped aside to take the call.

Eleanor counted silently in her heart.

On the seventh second, Ethan hung up and walked back. His eyes held a touch of helplessness when he looked at her.

"Something came up at the company. I'll have Brenda come over and take you to the hospital."

Eleanor listened quietly until he finished, her eyes perfectly calm, without a ripple of emotion.

Ethan was taken aback. "What's wrong?"

He touched his own face. "Is there something on my face?"

It wasn't what was there, but what had disappeared.

Eleanor didn't understand how the man who once had eyes only for her, who promised to spend his life with her, had become like this.

How could those sacred vows be so fragile that they couldn't even last five years?

"It's nothing. You should go."

Her tone was flat, and even her expression was exceptionally calm.

Ethan keenly sensed something was off. Just as he was about to say something, his phone screen lit up again.

[Chloe: My stomach hurts so much, Mr. Cole. Am I going to die?]

In the end, he said nothing. He picked up his jacket and left, not pausing for a moment.

Brenda went to the hospital with Eleanor, but as they passed the OB-GYN department, they saw a familiar figure helping Chloe out of an exam room.

"Mrs. Cole, isn't that... Mr. Cole?"

.

Brenda's hesitant voice came from next to her.

Before Eleanor could speak, a doctor walked out, smiled, and said, "Congratulations, Mr. Cole. Ms. Jensen is one month pregnant."