Her career skyrocketed after ditching her ex, drawing in a swarm of admirers. Her regretful ex tried everything to win her back, only to watch her wedding of the century with another guy as the beloved of a billionaire.
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"Stop it, Neil. This isn't fair to Katelyn..."
Today was her anniversary with Neil Wheeler, and Katelyn Bailey had already planned the celebration.
Katelyn excitedly came to the villa to find Neil, unexpectedly met with the w*man's voice coming from the master bedroom.
Hearing that was enough to drain all the color from Katelyn's face, and it definitely didn't help when she recognized the voice.
It was Lise Cooper.
She was Neil's old flame. Katelyn never expected her to return.
Yet there they were, in the master bedroom...
"Why is it unfair? Our families joined by marriage for mutual benefits. Katelyn is just my wife in name. I don't care for her at all. I've never touched her since we got married."
"I pity her! Three years of marriage, and she hasn't won her husband's heart," Lise commented.
Katelyn began to tremble. Those words pierced her heart.
Her marriage to Neil had always been one of convenience, and not by love.
For the past three years, Katelyn had devoted herself entirely to her family. She did the laundry, cooked meals, and tried her best to be a good housewife. Despite her efforts, Neil had never shared a bed with her.
Katelyn had believed she wasn't meeting his expectations and had failed to earn his approval. But now, she realized he had never cared for her.
The ongoing sounds from the room made Katelyn's heart ache.
"Bang!"
All of a sudden, the door flew open.
When Neil saw Katelyn, he froze for a moment before his expression turned cold.
With disdain, he barked, "Get out!"
Even though he had been caught, he still carried himself with an air of arrogance.
Katelyn felt a sharp pain in her chest. Staring at her husband, who showed no remorse, she asked in disbelief, "Neil Wheeler, why are you doing this to me?"
With a soft sigh, Lise said, "Katelyn, you should understand that Neil doesn't love you, I'm the only one he loves, which is why he can only be intimate with me. I'm sure you can understand our situation, right?"
Lise smiled. She had deliberately chosen to s*duce Neil on their anniversary, relishing the thought of Katelyn being overwhelmed.
Katelyn clenched her fists tightly and glared at Lise with bloodshot eyes. "You're proud of being a home-wrecking woman, aren't you?"
Lise's eyes turned red as she replied, "How could you say that? Would I have broken up with Neil if your parents hadn't threatened my family's safety? Katelyn, forcing love only leads to suffering. And remember, in any relationship, the one who isn't loved is the real outsider."
Katelyn stared at her in shock. So this was the story Lise had fed Neil.
It was now clear to her how Neil couldn't seem to move on from Lise.
The truth was that neither Katelyn nor her family had forced Lise and Neil apart.
"That's a lie!" Katelyn wanted to defend herself, but before she could speak, Neil cut her off.
"Katelyn, if it weren't for you, Lise wouldn't have suffered so much these past few years. How dare you and your parents treat her that way? I will never forgive the Bailey family."
Neil had already stood up and dressed, his gaze toward Katelyn as cold as ice.
Katelyn's heart continued to ache.
In that moment, she abandoned any attempt to explain and smiled bitterly.
She realized how blind she had been to love a man who cheated on her and felt no remorse.
A flash of satisfaction crossed Lise's eyes. "Neil, don't be so hard on Katelyn. She overheard us at the door earlier. You haven't sl*pt with her in three years, so it's understandable she's feeling unbalanced."
Katelyn trembled with rage. She stormed over to the bed and snapped, "You shameless! How dare you spew such nonsense? Didn't anyone in your family teach you any manners? I'll be happy to give you a lesson then."
She quickly raised her hand...
"Katelyn!"
Neil's eyes narrowed. Without a second thought, he rushed to defend Lise.
Caught off guard, Katelyn was struck and staggered back.
Anger flared in Neil's eyes as he growled, "Who do you think you are? How dare you hit Lise! Marrying you is my biggest mistake in life."
He turned abruptly, yanked open the drawer of the nightstand, and pulled out a divorce agreement. He threw it at Katelyn and shouted, "Sign it. I never want to see your face again!"
The divorce agreement had already been prepared and signed by Neil.
Katelyn fought back a bitter smile.
However, she knew it was time to let go of her marriage. He didn't love her and had even betrayed her. There was nothing left for her to hold on to.
Without hesitation, Katelyn picked up the agreement, quickly signed it, and threw it at Neil's face.
"Neil Wheeler, I'm done. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other."
As soon as she spoke, her phone rang. Katelyn froze when she saw the caller ID. Ignoring Neil's reaction, she swiped to answer the call.
The voice on the other end sounded urgent. "Iris, when are you coming back to work? The orders at the studio are piling up. Someone has even offered a hundred million dollars for a chance to work with you."
Chapter 2 Better Not Play Dirty Tricks
"I'm back now. I'll be there in a second."
Since Katelyn no longer needed to focus on Neil or play the docile and devoted wife, she was determined to return to her career immediately. She resolved never to fall in love again.
Katelyn's expression grew serious. Although her appearance remained unchanged, Neil sensed something different about her.
Her gaze and demeanor had shifted. Even the look in her eyes was no longer the same.
Neil stared at Katelyn without blinking. For some reason, he felt irritated when she signed the divorce agreement so decisively.
From the very beginning, she had loved him with every fiber of her being. He couldn't understand why she signed the divorce agreement so readily.
Believing she might be playing games with him, Neil walked closer and sneered, "You'd better not try any dirty tricks, Katelyn."
Katelyn ended the call and looked at him directly. "Do you really think you deserve that?" she retorted.
Back in the day, she had loved him and cared only about him, which made her willing to endure everything for him. Now that they were done, he meant nothing to her.
Without giving the two shameless another glance, Katelyn turned and left the villa. She walked with her head held high, as if nothing in the world could bring her down.
Lise noticed Neil's eyes were still on Katelyn and felt a pang of jealousy.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a message. After reading it, Lise's mood brightened.
She exclaimed, "Great news, Neil! Iris has agreed to work with us. Her manager just sent me a message."
Neil snapped out of his thoughts and looked at her with surprise. "Are you serious?"
Wheeler Group's design department had been facing a major issue with a critical project. Recently, their designer was caught plagiarizing. If they didn't meet the deadline, the company would owe the client several billion dollars in compensation.
Only five days remained. The only designer capable of completing such a massive project on such a short notice was Iris, the top designer in the industry.
The Wheeler Group had been trying to contact her for weeks but had been repeatedly rejected. Surprisingly, Lise had managed to secure the opportunity.
She showed Neil the message and said excitedly, "It's true. You can go to the negotiation tonight. I spent the whole night convincing her manager. My efforts finally paid off."
Iris was famous but had a difficult personality. Over the past three years, she hadn't produced any new designs and seemed to have disappeared. For that reason, anyone wanting to work with her had to go through her manager, but her manager was notorious for avoiding people.
Neil placed his hand on Lise's and said seriously, "Lise, I've never forgotten how much you've done for me. I will keep my promise to you."
She nodded eagerly in response. Suddenly, she frowned and winced in pain.
Neil asked with concern, "Is everything alright with you?"
Lise forced a smile and replied, "I'm fine."
Neil gazed at her intently and stated, "Don't lie."
After hesitating for a moment, Lise slowly lifted the hem of her dress to reveal large b*uises on her knees.
Neil's expression immediately changed.
In that moment, he realized why Iris had agreed to work with them. Lise had to get down on her knees, begging for their cooperation.
Feeling deeply moved, Neil looked at her with affection and said, "Thank you for everything you've done for me, Lise."
Lise responded shyly, "I'm willing to do anything if it helps you."
Meanwhile, Katelyn had just arrived at her design studio.
As she looked at the familiar office she had been away from for three years, she felt a pang of regret. She had wasted so much time on a man who wasn't worth it.
Aimee Stephens, her manager, spotted her and quickly trotted over. Dressed in a black suit dress, she looked both professional and capable. She gave Katelyn a big hug.
"My little Iris! You're finally back! I've missed you so much."
A hint of guilt crossed Katelyn's face. "I'm sorry. It was all my fault. Aimee, tell me about this order."
Aimee knew the importance of business. She led Katelyn to the sofa, where they both sat down, and said, "The offer was made by Lise Cooper. She did it on behalf of Neil Wheeler. Let me show you the documents."
Katelyn was stunned.
The next moment, she let out a sudden chuckle. What a small world! He had told her to leave, but now he badly needed her assistance.
Chapter 3 Changed Tremendously
Aimee looked at Katelyn with surprise and asked, "Isn't Wheeler Group your husband's company? You didn't help him? Why did they reach out to me instead?"
Katelyn pressed her lips. She had known about the crisis in the design department and had offered to assist, but Neil had told her to leave and not cause any trouble.
With a bitter smile, she responded coldly, "We're divorced, Aimee."
Their marriage had lasted only three years, but she had loved him for ten. All that love had been wasted. In the end, she felt she deserved this unfortunate outcome.
Aimee's eyes widened as she looked Katelyn up and down. Clicking her tongue, she remarked, "So, the love-struck girl has finally woken up. I warned you not to marry him after finding out he had an ex-girlfriend that he couldn't forget. I tried hard to change your mind, but you were determined. I guess you had to learn it the hard way."
Katelyn's expression remained calm, though her once lively eyes seemed dull. Suddenly, she let out a chuckle and said, "You're right. I learnt my lesson the hard way. From now on, Aimee, I'm focusing on my career."
"Fantastic! That's what I want to hear. Forget about love! Your career is what matters," Aimee said with enthusiasm.
Then, she quickly added, "What's your plan for the collaboration? We can walk away from the 100 million dollars and give those b**tards what they deserve."
Katelyn looked at her and asked, "The response you gave them was as vague as always, wasn't it?"
Aimee nodded in confirmation.
That was how they operated. They would preliminarily accept an offer once everything seemed in order, but the response remained vague.
This allowed them time to further investigate the client. If anything suspicious came up, they would end the partnership immediately.
Katelyn smiled as she thought it over. She had reviewed the file and knew that if Wheeler Group missed the deadline, they would owe their client several billion dollars.
She chuckled and said, "Alright. Let's keep them hanging. Let them know we'll be at Skyline Building tonight."
The Skyline Building was a place that catered to solely the upper class.
The guests there were not only wealthy but also held significant influence.
Lise sat in a private room, with a gentle smile, she said, "Neil, I'm sure you'll close the deal tonight."
Neil smiled, "It's all thanks to you, Lise. I'm lucky to have you."
Lise blushed, already envisioning her success.
If the deal went through, Neil would realize her true worth and see that only she could truly help him.
The meeting was scheduled at seven in the evening. The door to their private room was left open, allowing a clear view of the corridor.
At the same moment, they both noticed two figures approaching.
Lise's smile froze. She stared at one of the figures in shock.
She wondered if she was seeing things, but it looked just like Katelyn.
Neil also spotted Katelyn, and surprise flickered in his eyes.
She wasn't dressed in her usual casual shirt and loose trousers. Instead, she wore a black, form-fitting dress that accentuated her figure.
Her long hair was styled in loose curls that cascaded over her shoulders. She looked both alluring and distant.
Her neck was graceful, and her waist was slender. To Neil, she resembled a figure from a classic oil painting.
He pressed his thin lips together as his eyes traveled over her from head to toe.
It had only been a day since they last saw each other, but Katelyn seemed completely transformed.
Just yesterday, she was still his dull and mediocre wife. Now, he couldn't help but imagine the attention she would draw from other men when she was in a crowd.
It seemed like Katelyn hadn't noticed them, as she walked straight ahead.
Then, something unexpected occurred.
Chapter 4 You Also Dragged Miss Stephens Into Trouble
Katelyn and Aimee were discussing something as they walked. When Katelyn saw the drunk man stumbling toward Aimee, she quickly stepped in front of her to shield her.
The drunkard scowled at Katelyn. "Hey, what is the matter with you? How dare you get in my way! Move aside!"
In the next moment, he noticed how attractive Katelyn was, and his eyes lit up. "Hey, beautiful, are you alone? How about we hang out together?"
He reached out toward her, but before he could touch her, Katelyn shied his hand away.
The man's expression darkened. "You should be thankful I'm even interested in you. Don't be stupid!"
His loud voice drew the attention of others nearby.
Neil's eyes widened in surprise. "Is that Felix Ellis?"
Lise was equally shocked. Felix was here?
Felix Ellis was a notorious th*g in Chaepstow, known for making his living through loan sharking.
He was ruthless and would do anything to get what he wanted.
Lise covered her mouth with her hand and exclaimed, "He's dangerous! Katelyn could get hurt. Neil, we should help her."
Although Lise pretended to be concerned, there was a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes. She secretly hoped Felix would teach Katelyn a harsh lesson, which would also serve as her revenge.
Neil gently patted Lise's hand and replied softly, "Lise, you're too kind-hearted. She brought this on herself. It's not our problem."
Despite his words, he couldn't resist glancing toward the door.
Katelyn was small and fragile. If Felix were to hit her, she could be seriously injured.
With a slight frown, Neil decided to rise from his seat.
But before he could act, Felix has been defeated by Katelyn.
Neil watched in disbelief. The woman he once knew had transformed.
She now radiated confidence and allure.
He wondered if Katelyn had been hiding her true self during their marriage.
Seething with rage, Felix glared at his henchmen and yelled, "What are you all waiting for? Get her!"
The men quickly moved towards Katelyn.
In response, Aimee stepped in, "If any of you lay your grubby little hands on my friend, you're all going to regret it. I'll make sure that you'll pay for it with your lives!"
Felix's face went pale when he recognized the woman behind Katelyn. It was Aimee!
Aimee managed the top designer Iris.
Many powerful people avoided crossing her. Felix was suddenly intimidated.
He hadn't expected Aimee to support the woman.
Immediately, Felix's demeanor changed. He forced a smile and stammered, "Oh, Miss Stephens, is she your friend? I didn't realize. I'm sorry for the trouble."
Lise stared at the situation in shock. This was unexpected.
Neil also stopped, his brow furrowing in confusion.
He never imagined that Katelyn had such a close relationship to Aimee.
Only now did Neil realize that he knew absolutely nothing about his ex-wife.
Aimee crossed her arms and said impatiently, "Enough! Get out of here! You'll regret it if you try to hurt her again."
Felix quickly fell silent and fled the scene. Not long after, the corridor became quiet again.
Aimee was about to respond, but Lise rushed over with a concerned expression. "Miss Stephens, are you okay?"
Neil followed Lise, he gave Katelyn a cold look before saying hello to Aimee.
Aimee ignored them completely.
The way Aimee treated Katelyn was markedly different from how she treated them now, making Lise wonder about their connection.
After a moment of hesitation, Lise said to Katelyn, "Katelyn, I understand you wanted to protect your friend, but that was too risky. What if you had been hurt? And see? You also dragged Miss Stephens into trouble."
Chapter 5 I'm Sorry For Being Late
"You've played the role of the delicate and kind-hearted soul for so long that you've started to believe it yourself," Katelyn said, her gaze filled with contempt.
She realized Lise had simply been trying to drive a wedge between her and Aimee.
Lise's face reddened with anger. Before she could respond, Neil chimed in, "Katelyn, enough!"
He had witnessed the entire encounter in the private room. If Aimee hadn't intervened, Felix would have continued his h**assment. Neil was frustrated that Katelyn had shown no appreciation for Lise's concern.
Moreover, he was irked that Katelyn had a connection with Aimee that she had kept hidden from him.
Neil had been restless and anxious over the past weeks, while Lise had gone to great lengths to please Aimee. Katelyn, on the other hand, had done nothing.
Neil's anger flared, and the tension in the air was palpable. Lise subtly tugged at his sleeve.
Katelyn was Aimee's friend, and any conflict could negatively affect Aimee's view of them and jeopardize their potential collaboration.
With a conciliatory smile, Lise said to Aimee, "Miss Stephens, our private room is just over there. Why don't we sit down and discuss the details of our cooperation?"
Aimee glared at them with disdain. "When did I agree to work with you?"
Lise and Neil were taken aback by her response.
"You're a home-wrecker. Don't kid yourself into thinking Iris will work with someone as morally compromised as you. Stop dreaming!" Aimee growled.
Lise stared at her, stunned and unable to hide her shock.
She hadn't anticipated Aimee's harsh response.
Despite feeling hurt, Lise didn't dare to confront Aimee or retaliate.
The atmosphere turned icy in response to Aimee's remarks.
Lise felt that Aimee's reluctance to cooperate might be due to Katelyn's influence.
She suspected that Katelyn had spoken ill of them to Aimee, causing her to back out of their agreement.
Lise suppressed her anger and shouted at Katelyn, "Katelyn, Neil's company is in crisis. Instead of helping, you've only caused more trouble. Stop behaving like a child!"
Neil also glared at Katelyn and added, "Katelyn, are you finished causing trouble?"
He blamed her for the issues affecting their cooperation, feeling that she had crossed the line.
Katelyn's lips curled into a slight smile. Before she could respond, Aimee defended her. "Mr. Wheeler, stop flattering yourself."
Neil's face paled slightly. Aimee continued disdainfully, "We've already chosen our partner. It's not you. Unlike you, he's respectable and hasn't been involved in any s**ndals. He adheres strictly to his morals, and he'd never cheat on his wife. Our studio doesn't work with s**mbags like you, Mr. Wheeler."
"You! You..." Neil glared with icy anger. Lise quickly intervened, pinching his arm to calm him. Forcing a smile, she said to Aimee, "Miss Stephens, you've misunderstood. Katelyn's portrayal is not accurate. She is..."
Clearly irritated, Aimee stated, "Enough of your excuses. I have no interest in your attempts to cover up. If you continue, you'll only diminish my respect for you. Please stop obstructing my path and acting like fools."
Neil and Lise were visibly embarrassed and frustrated. Katelyn smiled, appreciating Aimee's sharpness.
Just as she was about to speak, she noticed a commotion in the corner.
All eyes turned toward them.
A line of bodyguards moved with precision.
Every single one of them looked intimidating, and they were escorting a noteworthy man.
Dressed in a sleek black suit, he exuded an air of sophistication with every step.
His face seemed almost divine, with features that looked meticulously crafted by God, himself. His eyes, deep and wintery, could captivate and unsettle anyone who met his gaze.
Lise stood in awe, her eyes wide with amazement.
She questioned whether she was imagining it when she realized the man was Vincent Adams.
He was the president of Adams Group, a colossal business empire.
The Adams Group started in real estate and later expanded into industries like medical and IT.
Since Vincent took over the company five years ago, it had become one of the fastest growing companies in the world. And now, it was part of the ten biggest companies worldwide.
His company played a significant role in the city's economy.
Neil's expression tightened, his eyes reflecting his seriousness.
Ignoring everyone else, Vincent approached Katelyn. His deep voice was like a cello's melody in the dark.
"I'm sorry for being late."
Katelyn stared at the man, puzzled about why he was speaking to her.
She then glanced at Aimee, worried that her identity had been revealed.
After a brief pause, Katelyn replied with a smile, "You're not late at all. Your timing is perfect."
Her response seemed to soften Vincent's demeanor. His sternness gave way to a warmer expression.
Standing side by side, their attractiveness created a noticeable chemistry.
Neil tightened his fists, wondering if Katelyn had moved on with someone new right after their divorce.
Filled with envy, Lise begrudgingly observed the situation, resenting that Katelyn had attracted such an influential figure.
With a flattering smile, she approached and said, "Nice to see you here, Mr. Adams."
Neil masked his feelings and greeted Vincent as well.
"Good evening, Mr. Adams. What a surprise to see you here."
Vincent acknowledged their greetings with a nod, clearly uninterested in engaging in further conversation.
He turned to Katelyn, his eyes softening with warmth as he said, "I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Aimee glanced at her watch and smiled, saying, "It's no problem, Mr. Adams. We've just arrived as well. Perfect timing. Shall we head to the room to discuss?"
Both Lise's and Neil's expressions changed to shock when they realized that Vincent was the business partner Aimee had mentioned.
What left them even more confused was the fact that Katelyn and Aimee walked into a private room together, arm in arm.
Given the nature of the meeting, it was unusual for an outsider, even a friend, to be present. Katelyn's presence seemed out of place.
Upon seeing Vincent's indifferent nod, Lise's frustration grew. She asked, "Aren't you supposed to be working with Iris? Why is Katelyn joining the negotiation?"
Aimee retorted, "Why shouldn't Katelyn be here?"
Lise and Vincent exchanged puzzled glances, wondering what she meant.
......
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