Chapter 3

I was drenched in the stench of alcohol. My soaked dress clung uncomfortably to my skin, and strands of wet hair stuck to my face.

Still, I refused to fall. I remained standing.

I scanned the entire dining room, searching for anyone who might step in.

In the corner sat Sarah, the wife of one of Ethan's key partners. We had chatted multiple times at social luncheons.

Near the window sat Brandon Cole. I was the one who had quietly pulled the strings behind the scenes to secure his logistics deal for Ethan.

The moment I took a step toward Sarah, Ethan stood up.

Glass in hand, he slowly let his gaze sweep across the room.

"Let me make one thing crystal clear. Tonight, if anyone dares to pay a single penny for Maya, you're making an enemy out of me."

"And everyone here knows what happens when you cross Ethan Miller."

The room fell dead silent.

Sarah immediately looked down at her phone. Brandon raised his glass, using it to hide his face.

Not a single person dared to meet my eyes.

"See that?" Chloe kicked her legs higher, swinging her designer heels. "Who do you think you are? Without Ethan, you couldn't even afford a glass of water in this city."

"She's right," Ethan agreed smoothly.

"Ethan." I marched right up to him and grabbed his wrist. "You're publicly humiliating your own wife for an assistant. Don't you feel any shame?"

He glanced down at my grip on his wrist.

The next second, he swung his hand and slapped me hard across the face.

Smack!

The sound cracked through the silent room.

My ears rang violently. One side of my face burned like it had been set on fire.

"You're the only embarrassment here," he said, wrenching his arm free.

"A woman who relies on me for every meal, every stitch of clothing, who can't even settle a restaurant tab—what right do you have to talk to me about shame?"

Behind him, Chloe clapped her hands in delight.

"Well said, Ethan! Couldn't agree more!"

Ethan pulled a lighter from his pocket, flicking it open and shut with idle boredom.

"Maya, I'll give you one last chance."

"Figure out a way to pay this bill yourself, and then apologize to Chloe in front of everyone here."

"If you can't..."

He glanced over at the restaurant manager.

Understanding the cue, the manager stepped forward, flanked by two burly security guards.

"Then the manager will handle you for me. As for how he handles it... you can imagine."

Chloe pulled a compact from her bag to touch up her makeup, speaking without looking up.

"Why don't we do this, Maya? If you can't pay the bill, just strip off that custom designer dress to cover the debt."

"Ethan paid for it anyway, so consider it returning what belongs to him."

She angled her compact mirror toward me, her lips curling into a smug smirk.

"Besides, let everyone here see what Ethan ever saw in you in the first place—if you're even pretty enough to keep around as an ornament."

A few of the middle-aged men at the side tables were already rubbing their hands together, their eyes glued to me like vultures circling prey.

"Hey, that makes sense. Let's see what she's working with."

"If Mr. Miller doesn't mind, why should we?"

My hands trembled—not from the cold, and not from fear, but from the searing rage boiling in my veins.

"Ethan, you will regret this."

He threw his head back and laughed. "Regret? The only thing I regret is being blind enough to marry you in the first place."