Chapter 1

On our third wedding anniversary, Ethan handed me a divorce agreement, his eyes slightly red as he gripped my hand.

"Samantha, I got an invitation to a top New York socialite's banquet. She promised me the vice president position."

His voice was gentle yet cruel.

"You'll spend your whole life stuck in this run-down gallery, and our children would just be ordinary people. For our next generation's social advancement, I have to choose someone better. You're so kind---you can understand that, right?"

I looked at his guilt-ridden, affectionate expression and signed without hesitation.

After all, everyone climbs upward. Nothing wrong with that.

He just didn't know that the New York socialite he'd worked so hard to please was actually my personal assistant whom I'd hired to test him.

And that banquet for elite society's upper crust---it was a welcome party being held for me, the true heiress.

"I've signed it, Ethan."

I pushed the divorce agreement back across to him.

My crisp signature stood out starkly against the white paper.

Ethan looked down at my name on the document, his brows furrowing slightly.

He clearly hadn't expected me to agree so readily.

In his imagination, I should have been crying, making a scene, threatening suicide, clinging desperately to his leg and begging him not to leave.

But he quickly adjusted his expression, putting back on that deeply affectionate yet helpless look---as if he were sacrificing himself for the greater good.

"Don't blame me, Samantha."

He sighed, reaching out to take my hand, his tone dripping with condescending generosity.

"I know you're upset, but this is just facing reality. We can't spend our whole lives stuck in this shabby gallery. You're so kind---surely you can understand my difficult position, right?"

I leaned back in my chair, avoiding his touch.

Ethan's hand froze mid-air, then awkwardly retreated.

He straightened the cuffs of his three-hundred-thousand-dollar custom suit.

"The resources Winona can give me are things you could never access painting for a lifetime. I'm a man. I need a career. She's already gotten an invitation to tonight's elite New York banquet. After tonight, I'll be vice president of John Corporation."

The Winona he mentioned was supposedly a top New York socialite, Winona Lynn.

She was also my personal assistant, Nina Lynn, whom I paid fifty thousand dollars a month.

Looking at this face I'd once found gentle and refined, I found it utterly ridiculous.

"You're right. People should climb upward."

I picked up the glass of cold water on the table and took a sip, looking at him calmly.

"Since you've found a better ladder, of course I won't stop you."

Ethan looked at my expressionless face, irritation flashing in his eyes.

He probably thought my composure was an act, a ploy for his sympathy.

"You don't have to pretend to be strong in front of me."

He pulled a bank card from his briefcase and pushed it toward me, sounding more and more like a charitable benefactor.

"There's a hundred thousand dollars on this card. Consider it my compensation to you. The gallery's rent is due next month. Take this money and go back home to find a stable job. Stop suffering here in New York."

A hundred thousand dollars.

The custom suit he was wearing---I'd had it hand-made in Italy.

The Patek Philippe on his wrist---I'd given it to him for his birthday last year. Worth two million dollars.

And now he was offering me a hundred thousand to dismiss the wife who'd quietly served him for three years.

"No need. Keep your money."

I didn't touch the card.

"After all, you'll need to break into high society. Everything costs money there. A hundred thousand probably won't even buy a single bottle of wine in their circles."

Ethan's expression darkened.

"Don't be ungrateful, Samantha."

He lowered his voice, finally showing a hint of warning.

"Take the money. From now on, we go our separate ways. Don't go spreading nonsense to Winona. She's innocent and kind---I don't want you frightening her."

Just as he finished speaking, the gallery's glass door was pushed open from outside.

"Ethan, aren't you done yet?" A sweet, cloying voice called out.

Winona swayed in, acting like an arrogant heiress.

The moment Ethan saw her, the gloom on his face vanished instantly.

He rushed to greet her, his posture extremely humble.

His tone was obsequious and flattering: "Winona, why did you come in person? This place is filthy---be careful not to dirty your limited edition shoes."

Winona removed her sunglasses and surveyed my gallery with disgust. "It really is a dump."

She walked up to me, looking down with undisguised contempt in her eyes.

"So you're Ethan's ex-wife? You're just average-looking. No wonder he chose me. These days, a pretty face isn't enough---you need to bring value to your man."

I looked at this face I'd paid to hire, barely suppressing my laughter.

Nina's acting was definitely worth the fifty thousand a month.

"Miss Lynn, is it?"

I leaned back in my chair without standing.

"You've got the man. I've signed the papers. The door's that way. I won't see you out."

Winona sneered. "Quite the attitude. Ethan, I don't like how arrogant she's being."

Ethan immediately turned around, frowning at me with apparent anguish.

"Samantha, watch your attitude. Winona is a real heiress. Don't take out your lower-class resentment on her. Apologize to Winona right now."

"You want me to apologize to her?"

I looked at him coldly.

"Ethan, this is my gallery. Tell your fiancée to shut her privileged mouth."

Ethan took a deep breath, as if trying hard to control his anger.

He didn't explode. Instead, he shook his head, looking at me like I was a hopeless idiot.

"You're such a disappointment, Samantha. I wanted to leave you with some dignity, but since you're so ungrateful, suit yourself."

He turned around and protectively put his arm around Winona.

"Winona, let's go. Don't let this kind of person ruin your mood before John Corporation's banquet."

Watching their intertwined figures leave, I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Mr. Kane.

"How are the banquet preparations coming?"

He replied instantly: "Miss, everything is ready. We're just waiting for you."

I locked my screen and looked out the window.

Ethan, you think you've climbed to a high branch.

You don't know it's just a deep pit I dug for your destruction.