Chapter 2

In that instant, my stomach churned.

I was not only disgusted by his touch, but terrified of infection.

"My period... just started."

I firmly held back his chest.

Ethan's movements froze.

I took the opportunity to turn aside, my voice extremely low: "Don't touch me."

The man released his grip, stepped back, and the lust on his face was quickly replaced by disgust.

"Playing high and mighty? Your period isn't today."

He tugged at his shirt collar, his gaze sweeping over me from top to bottom, as if examining an expired product.

"You won't let me touch you, right? There are countless women outside waiting in line for me. Lydia Lynn, you'll regret this someday."

He sneered, grabbed his car keys, and slammed the door without looking back.

As the engine roared, I made one phone call, and a complete disinfection and cleaning crew rushed in.

Smelling the gradually spreading scent of disinfectant, I clutched the folded blank equity transfer agreement in my pocket.

Tomorrow, as long as he signed this document, his three most core holding companies would be transferred, without his knowledge, to the shell companies I'd set up in advance.

This was the entire meaning of my endurance through sixty-eight times.

The next morning, at Pierce Group headquarters.

As the CFO, I had just exited the elevator when I saw the CEO's office door standing open.

Sophie West was wearing a barely-there camisole dress, half-sitting on Ethan Pierce's desk, legs crossed, bossing around the head of administration.

"This month's team-building budget is too low. Ethan said to let me choose the restaurant. The one I picked averages three hundred eighty dollars per person. Go change it."

The admin manager looked troubled, glancing at me as if seeking help.

Sophie noticed me too, and smiled.

That kind of smile, like a cat catching a mouse.

She hopped down from the desk, waving a stack of receipts as she walked up to me.

"Ms. Lynn, help me sign off on this reimbursement, will you? Last month's personal expenses — Ethan said to expense them through the company."

I took it and scanned it... eighty-six thousand dollars.

Luxury goods receipts, medical aesthetics treatments, an invoice for a couples' hot spring hotel.

"Exceeds approval authority. Against regulations. Can't sign it."

I handed the documents back.

Sophie's smile froze for a second, then she turned and ran into the inner office.

Less than ten seconds later, Ethan Pierce stormed out with a livid face.

Three executives who'd just finished a meeting were still standing in the hallway.

In front of everyone, he threw the stack of reimbursement forms viciously in my face.

Papers scattered across the floor, one slicing past my eye, bringing a faint sting.

"Lydia Lynn, is your brain rusted?"

"Sophie is my woman. Over a little money, you're pulling the legitimate wife act?"

The hallway was so quiet you could hear the air conditioning hum. The three executives kept their heads down; no one dared look at me.

Seven years ago, I had injected all of the Lynn family assets into this company.

This building, this floor of offices, even the land beneath our feet — all of it was bought with my dowry.

And now, in front of the executive team I'd built with my own hands, he was making me reimburse expenses for his mistress.

I bent down and picked up the receipts one by one.

"Fine. I'll sign."

After all, once you're dead, I can take it all back.

After everyone dispersed, Sophie slowly sauntered over to my side.

She deliberately circled behind me, leaning close to my ear, her voice as light as a honey-coated needle.

"Ms. Lynn, last night when you wouldn't let Mr. Pierce touch you, he came to me again."

She stroked her lower abdomen, her eyes full of smugness.

"Mr. Pierce is really something. What if I get pregnant... shouldn't the position of Mrs. Pierce be handed over?"

Pregnant?

Perfect.

Looking at her young, arrogant face, endless excitement surged in my heart.

I didn't speak, only showed a submissive, almost humble bitter smile.

"Ms. West is right. Mr. Pierce... really does love you most."

With that, I pulled out the blank agreement from my bag, along with the reimbursement forms that had just been thrown in my face, and respectfully handed them to Sophie.

"Ms. West, please also have Mr. Pierce sign these financial reports."

Sophie paused, then quickly took them, her face filled with satisfaction.

"Should've been this sensible from the start. I'll be the boss's wife of this company sooner or later anyway."

Perhaps my submissiveness pleased Sophie greatly. Before long, Ethan Pierce, with one arm around Sophie, tossed the stack of documents mixed with the contract onto the desk in front of me.

On top were three characters... Ethan Pierce.

Written with flourishing strokes.

Signed right on the agreement worth thirty-four percent equity.

Got it.

"Oh, by the way..."

Ethan Pierce finally looked up, as if remembering something, and said casually: "The company scheduled annual executive physicals tomorrow. Family members included. I registered Sophie too."

He turned to look at Sophie, gently pinching her chin with affection: "Maybe you're already pregnant, babe. Might as well get checked."