Chapter 1

Three years after overcoming my depression, I applied to join a suicide prevention organization.

On the day my internship was about to end, I received a call from a man:

"Ma'am, I'm getting married tomorrow. But when I think about marrying a woman I don't love, I don't want to live anymore."

I froze. My wedding was tomorrow too.

But I was lucky—my fiancé loved me deeply.

Just as I was about to comfort him, I heard urgent gasping and a woman's scream from the other end.

The call was abruptly disconnected.

My heart tightened.

My colleague and I quickly located his position and rushed to the rescue.

But when we broke down the presidential suite door at the hotel, what greeted us were two bodies entangled in intense intimacy.

The scar on the man's arm was identical to the one my boyfriend got when he grabbed the knife to stop me from self-harming.

The commotion of breaking down the door startled the two people inside. When they turned around, the last shred of hope in my heart completely shattered.

One was my fiancé who treasured me like a precious gem. The other was my closest friend.

But at this moment, they were naked, tightly pressed together.

My brain buzzed.

Pearson quickly pulled the blanket over himself and Ivy, coldly saying, "Get out!"

My supervisor and colleagues never expected that after racing here at breakneck speed, our rescue mission would turn into catching adultery.

My supervisor apologized frantically, then dragged me outside and gave me a harsh scolding. "Zoe Harper, what the hell are you doing? That's Mr. Pearson! Our organization's biggest sponsor! Your A-level suicide risk assessment—it was just Mr. Pearson being intimate with his lover? I think you've lost your mind chasing success! Don't even think about passing your probation!"

The chance at permanent employment I'd hoped for over three whole months shattered into nothing.

But when did my fiancé become the esteemed Mr. Pearson?

Back when I finally got into college, my stepfather forced me to marry.

In my despair, I was ready to end it all.

But I was unexpectedly saved by Pearson, who was drowning in debt at the time. Later, I met Ivy, who was just as poor.

The three of us supported each other, squeezed into a tiny rental apartment.

Though our days were tight, we were happy enough.

But I never knew that the boyfriend who worked day and night delivering food to scrape together money for my antidepressants was actually the CEO of Pearson Group.

The best friend who ate bread for a whole month just to buy me a luxury sleep aid was actually my boyfriend's fiancée.

Seeing my disbelief, my supervisor waved dismissively. "You don't know Mr. Pearson of Pearson Group? You don't know the heiress of the Ashford family? Their families arranged a business marriage when they were children—they're engaged for real."

"Everyone in the circle knows Mr. Pearson always protects his own. You've offended Mr. Pearson and his lover—you can forget about staying in this field. Go pack your things and get lost!"

With that, my supervisor stormed off with the team.

Two streams of tears suddenly rolled down my face. I covered my face and broke down crying.

I don't know how long I cried. Suddenly, someone handed me tissues.

Pearson's expression was indifferent. "The floor is cold. Get up. Let's go inside and talk."

I'd been crouching too long. When I stood up, I couldn't help stumbling.

Pearson naturally reached out to steady me. I pushed his hand away and supported myself against the wall.

As soon as I entered the room, the smell of sex made my stomach churn. The familiar contraceptives and lingerie scattered on the floor made my eyes sting.

Just this morning, Ivy had pulled me into an adult products store, whispering with a mischievous smile, "Buy this whip—it feels so exciting. And this nightgown, Pearson definitely likes it."

"For my bestie's sexual happiness, I'll eat bread for another half month just to get all of these for you. Consider it my wedding gift to you two!"

Thinking back carefully, there had been signs all along.

I bit my tongue hard until I tasted blood, forcing myself not to lose composure.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the sob in my throat. "Mr. Pearson, Miss Ashford, don't you owe me an explanation?"

Ivy's flushed face instantly turned pale. She opened her mouth and let out a tearful sound. "Zoe..."

Pearson calmly blocked Ivy, frowning at me.

"Then I'll tell you straight. I agreed to marry you only to force Ivy to see her own heart and marry me."

"Because Ivy wanted to become a psychological counselor, I pretended to be poor with her and played this rescue game with you for three years."