Chapter 2

“Belinda, haven’t you caused enough trouble?” His voice was icy. “This is a company, not your private garden where you can throw tantrums. It was just a missed call; what’s the big deal?”

The normally calm man’s eyes were red with anger.

Even the year he took a bullet for me, I’d never seen him show such emotion. Behind him, the open door revealed a room of silent executives, their faces full of understanding.

From now on, I, Mrs. Montgomery, who rarely appeared, would likely become their joke. With that thought, I calmly picked up the test report from the table.

Seeing my action, Hugh frowned. “What’s that?”

“Nothing, just a piece of scrap paper.”

Hugh was about to speak again when my phone vibrated. The caller ID read “Dad,” and he fell silent.

My father’s voice was bright with joy and affection. “Belinda, have Hugh put his work on hold. I’ll handle the Akso project myself. His priority is you and the baby. I’ll be back in a few days…”

I looked at the impatient man in front of me and said tightly, “Dad, there’s no need.”

The voice on the line paused, turning anxious. “What’s wrong? Tell Dad, did Hugh betray you?”

I turned away, holding back a sob. “Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll handle it.”

After a long pause, my father sighed, his voice heavy with age. A seasoned businessman, he was sharp about his daughter’s troubles, yet powerless to help.

Just like six years ago, when I was beaten for marrying Hugh. The slap landed on me, but it made the nearly fifty-year-old man cry. “Belinda, how could I bear to let you suffer what your mother never did?”

My mother lived well, but her beauty faded early. In that old-fashioned era, she had me at thirty-six under my father’s protection.

The first day I met Rita, she joked at the dinner table that the Montgomery Family’s daughters-in-law all had two children within three years.

Hugh stayed silent and my father nearly crushed his wine glass. I didn’t care; marriage was between two people.

The Montgomerys had no background and even with a difficult mother-in-law, I believed I could live well. Besides, what wasn’t worth it for a man who had saved my life?

Luna spoke from behind me. “Mr. Montgomery, a client will arrive in five minutes.”

His voice returned to its usual calm. “Okay.”

The footsteps faded away. I took a deep breath and set down the phone, already disconnected. A pair of high heels suddenly stopped in front of me. It was Luna. She chuckled, mocking.

“Miss Hansen, Mr. Montgomery said you can tell me directly if you need anything and I’ll pass it on.”

Even communication between husband and wife had to go through an outsider—the meaning was clear.

She paused, studying my face with smug satisfaction. “Miss Hansen, I’ll be honest. Mr. Montgomery has been very kind to me and I treasure working with him. I understand how much the company means to him, so I won’t leave easily.”