Chapter 1

To support the company's growth, I spent six months on an overseas business trip.

But on the day I returned home, I was stopped by security at the company entrance.

I looked down at myself.

White shirt, jeans, and a pair of old sneakers on my feet—I certainly didn't look like one of the employees inside.

I was about to explain.

"I'm—"

But the security guard cut me off rudely:

"I don't care who you are. Wright said no shady women are allowed in, period."

"Who's Wright?" I asked.

"You don't even know Wright?" The guard sneered. "She's the secretary to our SKY Group CEO, and also the CEO's wife."

I nodded and let out a cold laugh.

Then I pulled out my phone and called Phillips, the CEO of SKY Group:

"I heard you got a new wife?"

On the other end of the line, Phillips was clearly stunned for a moment before laughing:

"Dahlia, what are you talking about? Come on, don't mess around. I have a meeting soon. I'll call you back when I'm done."

Phillips' tone was as gentle and indulgent as always.

Before I could tell him I was downstairs at the company, Phillips had already hung up.

Just as I was about to call back, the security guard snatched my phone away.

"You deaf, bitch? Didn't you hear me tell you to get lost?"

"Give it back."

I extended my hand, looking at him with icy eyes.

At first, I'd simply assumed he was new and didn't recognize me—that was understandable.

But given his terrible attitude, he clearly looked down on people.

At this point, my impression of him had hit rock bottom.

"Give it back?"

"What if I don't? What are you gonna do about it?"

The guard looked at me sideways with utter contempt.

"What? Not happy about it? Want to call someone?"

"Might as well tell you now—doesn't matter who you call today, it won't help!"

"I'm Wright's cousin. Even Phillips has to show me some respect when he sees me."

I looked at the name tag on his chest: Tony.

"You say you're Wright's cousin?"

Tony froze, then nodded:

"That's right."

I nodded:

"Good. Now you're fired."

People who look down on others only damage the company's image.

Tony's expression changed, and he roared in humiliated rage:

"Who the hell are you to fire me?"

After over ten hours on a plane, I was exhausted and sleepy.

Not wanting to waste any more words on him, I stated my identity directly.

"Because I'm Phillips' wife, the owner of this company—Dahlia."

The air went suddenly quiet.

The next moment, Tony burst into laughter as if he'd heard the world's greatest joke.

"What did you say? That's hilarious!"

"Did you all hear that? This woman just said she's Phillips' wife and that she owns the company!"

He laughed so hard he doubled over, even tearing up.

Several of Tony's coworkers standing behind him also started laughing:

"Everyone knows the owner of SKY Group is Phillips, and Wright is Phillips' wife."

"This woman must have some kind of delusion."

"Look at herself—how dare she try to scam our Phillips!"

These people pointed at me, mocking and ridiculing.

I took a deep breath, forcing down my rage.

"I'll say it one more time. I'm Dahlia, Phillips' wife. If you don't believe me, you can call him."

I reached for my phone.

But Tony stepped back, dodging my hand:

"Call him? So you can get a chance to latch onto Phillips? Nice try!"

"Shameless bitch!"

"People like you have no shame and need to be taught a lesson. Today I'll teach you a lesson on Wright's behalf."

With that, he rolled up his sleeves and swung a fist at me.