Phalicia Lombard had always believed she was Caleb Phelan's wife until one day-a clerk told her she was unmarried.

"That's impossible. I married Caleb Phelan a year ago," she countered.

"According to our system, Mr. Phelan is married indeed, but you're single," the clerk explained, showing her the screen.

Phalicia gasped and took a glance, only to find Caleb's lawfully wedded wife was Shevonne Sandoval.

Standing in the lobby, Phalicia froze, her head buzzing.

Shevonne Sandoval? She had never heard of that name before.

She went to Caleb's company in a daze, wanting to know the entire truth.

"Caleb, when are you gonna tell Phalicia the truth?" Phalicia was about to push open the doors, but the words made her hand stop in mid-motion.

It was the voice of her best friend, Carlene Pruitt.

Through the blinds, she saw Carlene sit across from Caleb.

Carlene chuckled, continuing, "Great job bankrupting her family. And you actually got her to fall for you? That's badass. But you're married already. How are you gonna handle it if she finds out?"

She was too busy gloating to notice Phalicia just outside.

Phalicia's mind went blank. Her cheeks, still pink from the cold, went ghastly pale in an instant.

Carlene's words were like a thunderbolt, leaving her numb.

Caleb was actually the mastermind behind her family's bankruptcy? And Carlene knew about this?

She trembled uncontrollably at the mere thought.

On the other side of the door, Carlene kept giggling. "Shevonne will be back soon. You know you won't be able to keep hiding this any longer, right? Since Phalicia has already got the Jewelry Department up and running, her mission is completed. I suggest we dump her."

Caleb stood against the window, making it impossible for Phalicia to see his face.

She could only hear his icy tone. "No rush. I need her to make Vonnie jealous. Vonnie eloped with another man right after we got married. I gotta punish her for that."

Outside, Phalicia trembled so violently that she could barely stand.

Meanwhile, Caleb set a glass of water down on the desk and continued, his voice deep, "Besides, Shelton's lawyer is still fighting for a reduced sentence. I gotta deal with that."

"Shelton? Phalicia's brother? Don't make me laugh. He's such a shithead!" Carlene laughed.

She slapped the couch, unable to stop giggling at all. "Your guy deliberately harassed Phalicia in front of him, and he took the bait just like that. Serves him right that he got eight years in prison."

Then she seemed a bit hesitant. "Wait... Does Phalicia know Melvin is seriously ill, though?"

Phalicia's breath hitched.

Melvin Lombard-her father-was seriously ill?

"Now isn't the time. I'll tell her everything within two months."

Caleb's tone grew serious. "The Jewelry Department is about to launch a limited-edition collection, and everyone has high hopes for her. Besides, she needs to finish your work, too. That news will distract her."

Phalicia felt her blood ran cold. Turned out her beloved "husband" and bestie of ten years were both monsters! They ruined her family just to get what they wanted!

She felt an urge to barge in, but she knew it wasn't the right time. So she bit her tongue till it bled to calm herself.

Then, she hurried downstairs, tears welling up in her eyes.

The cold wind sliced through her thin coat at once as Caleb and Carlene's conversation echoed in her mind.

The Lombard family used to be thriving. However, they were accused of illegal dealings three years ago, and Melvin's inner circle was arrested.

Melvin and Aiyana Holland, Phalicia's mother, spent every dime compensating the victims.

Meanwhile, their rivals all piled on.

Phalicia begged their competitors for help, but the vice president tried to violate her. Shelton came to her rescue just in time but accidentally injured that guy, so he had to serve eight years in prison.

Only now did she know none of this was an accident. It was all Caleb's doing!

What had he been doing before her family's downfall?

She remembered now.

That year, he had outmaneuvered several of his competitive cousins, won his grandfather Davin Phelan's approval, and secured his position as heir to Voyage Group.

He had desperately needed some achievements to sway the skeptical shareholders.

So, he chose to destroy her family. Then he played the loving boyfriend, offering to deploy his men to help clean up the mess.

But in fact, he was just doing it to cover up his own tracks.

By taking in the laid-off technical experts from her family and integrating her family business' few remaining assets into Voyage Group, he was actually recruiting talents while devouring her family's business.

He hired a lawyer who successfully reduced Shelton's sentence from twelve years to eight. But it was only to make sure that Shelton stayed in prison and couldn't look into the truth.

Then he relocated her desperate parents to a remote village and proposed to her, so he could totally control her and have her entirely focus on managing the Jewelry Department.

Phalicia's eyes turned bloodshot in rage. She clenched her fists, slamming them against the steering wheel hard.

Blood trickled down, but she didn't feel pain at all.

After her family's downfall, she had been so grateful to Caleb that she would do anything for him.

She had given up her reputation as the most talented designer because he had wanted her to work behind the scenes and manage the Jewelry Department.

During the past three years, she had let Carlene take public credit for her creations, making Carlene the glorified designer. Voyage Group soared to new heights all because of her relentless work.

However, it turned out she had been a total fool!

Her boyfriend and her bestie, the two she trusted most, were actually the ones ruining her family. And now, they even wanted to exploit her talent before discarding her.

She hated them for their cruelty, and she also hated herself for being such a fool. She had actually planned on marrying her enemy and building a family with him!

As memories flashed across her mind, her heartache grew more intense. And she found it hard to breathe.

She cried in silence in the car till her tears ran dry and her head throbbed, her heart shattering into pieces...

After what felt like an eternity, the first light of dawn shone on Voyage Edifice.

In a sleek suit, Caleb showed up, facing the reporters, radiating confidence.

They swarmed toward him and aimed their microphones at him.

"Mr. Phelan, did your fiancee, Ms. Lombard, design the highly anticipated new collection?"

"Ms. Pruitt's newest work is a huge hit, and she thanked Ms. Lombard openly for Ms. Lombard's support. Are we looking at another collaboration between them? Please say yes-we're so looking forward to it!"

Caleb arched an eyebrow, and his assistant, James Kane, raised a hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

"Mr. Phelan has something to say," James said.

With a smile, Caleb said, "Voyage Group has spent 3 million dollars more than last year to promote this new winter collection. It's Licia's painstaking effort, and of course, it has my full support. And as usual, Ms. Pruitt will be part of the design team."

Someone asked, "Is it true that you're married to Ms. Lombard already?"

The smile on Caleb's face froze a little before he said gently, "Yes. We've already registered our marriage."

"That's not true." Just then, a slightly hoarse voice rang out, mixed with a subtle trace of hatred.

Caleb was stunned as his gaze fell upon her. "Licia?"

Phalicia had retouched her makeup hastily and tied her hair into a tail, looking simple yet capable. She took one of the microphones and said, "Thank you for your concern, everyone, but our marriage doesn't count."

Caleb gawked at Phalicia in great disbelief, frowning as he lowered his voice. "What did you say, Licia?"

All the reporters stared at her in silence, and the air in the entire scene seemed to freeze.

Facing everyone, Phalicia said calmly, "That's all for today. Thank you."

She then stuffed the microphone back into the reporter's hand and turned around to walk inside the building, not even glancing at Caleb this whole time.

Caleb pursed his lips, the trace of panic flashing in his eyes before vanishing quickly. Then he smiled, saying in a calm tone, "Sorry. Licia and I argued yesterday."

He nodded at the reporters politely, the look on his face a mixture of helplessness and indulgence. "Let's reschedule the interview. Meanwhile, please bear in mind that we attach great importance to this new winter collection. I assure you that no one will be disappointed."

After this, he turned around and shot James a warning glance.

James caught his drift right away. After he left, James threatened the reporters while lowering his voice, "Keep what happened in this room unless you want your career ruined."

The reporters all nodded ceaselessly, not daring to say a word.

***

In the Jewelry Department upstairs.

The employees gathered in twos and threes, gossiping.

"What happened? I thought they had been married for a year already."

Phalicia happened to enter the department at the same time. As she heard their whispers, Melvin's illness flashed across her mind, and a trace of disgust and hatred flashed across her eyes hidden behind sunglasses.

She arched an eyebrow. "I take it that you've all finished your work."

Hearing her voice, they immediately went back to their desks, not even daring to look back at her.

She was in a terrible mood, and her tone was utterly cold. "From now on, anyone discussing my personal affairs is no longer welcome in my department."

With this, she slammed the door to her office shut, leaving those outside looking at each other in dismay.

They had no idea what had just happened.

"What's gotten into Ms. Lombard today? She's so edgy."

As soon as he finished speaking, a colleague beside him yanked him hard. "Mr. Phelan's here!"

Caleb glanced at the man coldly and headed straight to Phalicia's office.

Phalicia had just sat down when the door was pushed open.

"Licia, what was that about? Why did you say that in front of so many reporters?"

Caleb entered and said in a reproachful tone, not forgetting to close the door.

Then he walked toward the desk. "We are married. Care to explain?"

Phalicia looked up and stared at his face, which was so close to her, the hatred in her eyes palpable.

She used to think of him as family, but from now on, he'd be the target of her revenge.

She'd make sure he paid for everything, including Shelton's suffering in prison, her parents' exile in that remote village, and the benefits Voyage Group had reaped from them!

"Licia? Talk to me. What's wrong?"

An inexplicable panic gripped Caleb's heart as he couldn't see her eyes, so he leaned down to take off her sunglasses.

He was stunned in the next second.

Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen, which suggested she had cried hard, and the deep sadness and grievances within them were accusing his unforgivable sins silently.

His heart ached hard, and he couldn't help but crouch down and hold her hand.

"Licia, you've been crying? What happened?"

Phalicia took back her hand and stared outside the floor-to-ceiling window with tears in her eyes.

"There wasn't even a wedding. We just registered our marriage. Are we really married?"

Caleb held her hand again, more tightly this time. His eyes flickered away for just a second before he firmly said, "That's hardly an issue. I'll book a wedding venue right now."

She looked at him, seemingly slightly better. "And my parents have to be there as well."

Hearing this, he parted his lips and said hesitantly, "But they're far away in that remote village. It'll be a great hassle... Don't you think?"

She said while sneering deep down, "I guess you have a point. Then let's go back and visit them. I've been so swamped these couple of months and haven't gotten time to see them. We can take the chance to bring them back so that they can finalize details about the wedding, the hotel, and anything else. Living in Haerford will be easier for them, too."

Frowning slightly, Caleb looked hesitant.

Tears streamed down her cheeks again. "Caleb... You don't want that?"

A glistening tear rolled down her cheek and landed on the back of his hand.

It was cold, yet his hand twisted sharply, as if he had been burned.

Then he wiped her tears away and said, "What are you talking about? Of course, that's what I want, too. I'll do everything to make you happy. I'll go make arrangements now."

After saying this, he went out with his phone.

The moment he walked out the door, the sorrow on Phalicia's face vanished. She pulled out eye drops and applied them to her sore eyes.

She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, and a few ideas started forming in her mind.

Melvin was sick and had to receive medical treatment in time.

She was the guarantee of the Jewelry Department's interests, and Caleb was using her to make his first love jealous. So, he wouldn't have a fallout with her for now.

She could exploit that to better carry out her revenge plan.

Everything would be over within two months. Would she end up being discarded by Caleb and Carlene? Or would she destroy them and walk away with everything? She was so curious to know.

Soon, Caleb entered again.

He seemed anxious with his phone in hand.

"I've just talked to the village head. Melvin's ill."

She sprang to her feet at once. "What? Is it serious? I'll go see him!"

But he stopped her and comforted her gently, "Calm down. I've asked James to go back with a caregiver. He'll transfer Melvin to a high-end rehabilitation center downtown. The secluded treatment there is the best. Once Melvin feels better, we'll discuss wedding details right away."

"Secluded treatment?" Her breath hitched.

Ruffling her hair, he explained softly, "Yes, it's required because of his condition. With Aiyana by his side, I'm sure he won't feel lonely. Licia, focus on the Jewelry Department's winter collection for now. I promise-with me here, nothing will happen to Melvin."

Phalicia's heart went cold.

The secluded treatment was just an excuse. He just wanted to make sure her parents were in his control and stall for time.

But it might just work. Caleb would ensure Melvin received proper treatment because he didn't want her to notice anything amiss.

She shouldn't ask too much, which might alert him.

She clenched her fists so hard that her nails dug into her palms deeply. After quite a while, she said, "Have the caregiver send me photos every day. I wanna see Dad making progress."

Caleb paused slightly before smiling, though his eyes were devoid of any warmth. "Sure."

Then he changed the subject. "Licia, could you do an interview today? Make sure the word is out that we're holding a wedding soon. It'll be a great chance to promote the winter collection, too."

Squinting, she said in a flat tone, "My eyes are swollen. Some other day, maybe."

Her eyes were indeed swollen, and he couldn't argue with that. After reminding her to get some rest in the afternoon, he soon left.

Once his figure disappeared, Phalicia came to the opposite office.

Carlene's office faced south, and it was even larger than hers. Back then, she had personally seen to it.

Over the years, she had helped Carlene build a reputation by using her own designs.

In her eyes, Carlene was like a sister to her.

Now she realized how foolish she had been.

Carlene got so carried away that she had forgotten the truth-her fame was borrowed. Without Phalicia, she was nothing.

The same hands that lifted her up could push her down just as easily.

Phalicia pushed open the door to Carlene's office.

The computer was left on, displaying Carlene's chat records with Caleb on WhatsApp.

Phalicia spotted her name at once.

Carlene texted, "Does Phalicia really think her designs are that perfect? They just happen to align with popular taste."

Caleb replied, "I couldn't agree more. Her work isn't that special at all. It's so ridiculous that every piece of them is trendy. The Jewelry Department simply can't function without her now."

Carlene sent him an eye-rolling emoji and texted, "Her work is so tacky. My designs would've trended just as hard."

Phalicia's gaze lingered on these words for a few seconds before she scoffed and clicked on the design files she had sent Carlene.

Then she deleted them all without hesitation.

Everything was gone now, including the upcoming limited collection and every subsequent design draft.

Since Carlene could pull it off, she was on her own now.

***

Carlene didn't show up at the office till the end of the day.

It was so typical of her. Phalicia always did all the design work for her, and after she became popular, she acted like she owned the Jewelry Department and came and went as she pleased.

Phalicia knew her well enough to know she wouldn't open the files till the last minute.

She'd always post the work on her social media and the official website when it was time to release it, and then wait to be praised by her fans.

Phalicia walked out of the elevator and typed on her phone.

She scheduled a meeting for tomorrow with a lawyer from Triumph Law Firm, ready to look into Shelton's case.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out next to her.

"Are you serious? Shevonne is back in the country?"

She looked up, only to see Caleb on the phone with his back facing her.

The excitement in his voice was palpable.

She stopped in her tracks.

The person on the other end of the line said something, and Caleb responded stubbornly while gripping the phone harder, "Alright. So she's having dinner at Alpine Dining. So what? She left without saying anything. Does she really expect me to go to her? Dream on!"

He hung up in a huff and rested his arm on the half-open car door, his expression obscure.

Then he made another call.

In the next second, he heard a familiar ringtone behind him.

He turned around in surprise.

Phalicia pretended she had just arrived, walking toward him while waving her phone at him. She then hung up and said, "I'm here."

He put on a gentle smile, walked over, and draped his coat over her shoulders.

"It's cold out here. Why didn't you dress warmer? Are you done with work? Let me take you out for dinner."

Her eyes dimmed a little as she said, "Sure. Where to?"

"Alpine Dining," he said naturally.

She smiled, agreeing in silence-of course, she wanted to meet Caleb's wife.

Phalicia lowered her head and sat in the passenger seat unhurriedly. On the way, Caleb seemed absent-minded. He checked the time from time to time and tugged at his tie impatiently at red lights.

Phalicia knew he was using her to get back at Shevonne.

But who said she could only accept being the used one?

Curving her lips slightly, she logged into an alt account and sent a private message to the most hype-chasing paparazzo in Haerford.

"Juicy news at Alpine Dining."

"Who are you chatting with? You seem to be in a pretty good mood," Caleb said with a smile.

She put her phone away and said lightly, "Just a friend."

Upon seeing the sign of Alpine Dining, she gestured for Caleb to pull over and stepped out of the car first.

While Caleb was reversing into a parking spot, she took a photo of the license plate and sent it to the paparazzo.

It was a Koenigsegg, one of the ten in the world. Surely, anyone would recognize it easily.

Finally, the chatbox showed "typing...".

The paparazzo replied to her quickly, "Thanks. I'll be right there."

She put the phone back into her pocket and looked up. In the next second, she saw Caleb standing by the car, staring into the restaurant motionlessly.

Following his line of sight, for the first time, she saw Shevonne in person.

Shevonne had a delicate, sweet face. If it weren't for her mature outfit, anyone would have believed she was only in her early twenties.

She was sitting by the window, eating alone elegantly.

Caleb stared at her intently, his eyes burning with reluctance and anger, but overwhelming both was unmistakable love and possessiveness.

Over the years, he had always convinced Phalicia that he was a gentle, devoted, and thoughtful gentleman.

Only when he stood in front of his beloved did she see his hypocrisy.

Underneath his gentle facade, he was actually an unchained wolf.

And he was so scheming, too-he devoured her family step by step and wanted to use her to get back at Shevonne.

He was so ... disgusting.

Curving her lips, she asked, "Caleb, what are you looking at? Shall we go inside?"

Her voice snapped Caleb back to reality. He held her hand tightly and walked into the restaurant.

The wind chime above the door jingled briskly.

Shevonne, who was sitting at the table, turned around and froze.

She put down the fork and knife in her hands hastily and strode forward.

"Cal..."

Caleb stopped in his tracks and looked at her, his eyes cold and detached.

"It's been a while, Ms. Sandoval."

While saying this, he clutched Phalicia's hand so hard that she almost wanted to scream.

She could only pinch the back of his hand.

Only then did he loosen his grip.

Shevonne's eyes were brimming with tears as she looked at Phalicia. "Is this your new girlfriend?"

Phalicia feigned bewilderment. "You are..."

Caleb said, his face stiff, "A stranger."

His words obviously hit Shevonne hard, who looked as if she might collapse at any second.

But he just held Phalicia's hand hard again. "Let's go eat."

"Cal!" Shevonne called out, raising her voice. Clutching his sleeve, she said, "It's been years. Don't you wanna talk?"

Several diners looked over, seemingly waiting for gossip.

Phalicia, however, had no interest in being part of the drama. She broke free from Caleb's grip and said, "It seems you need a moment alone. I'll head upstairs first."

With this, she turned to leave.

Frowning slightly, Caleb couldn't help but look at her retreating figure.

Though he should have focused on pissing Shevonne off, he instinctively wanted to go after Phalicia.

He couldn't help but mock himself inwardly, figuring he had been too absorbed in pretending to love Phalicia over the past three years.

Steading himself, he glanced at Shevonne coldly. "You cheated on me. You should be glad I've let go."

Then he went upstairs without sparing her another glance.

Pale-faced, Shevonne bit her lip and stood in place awkwardly. However, there was no jealousy in her eyes.

She never signed the divorce papers, which meant they were still married.

There was no way Caleb was married to someone else.

At this, she followed them with a glass of wine.

In the private room, Phalicia sat at the table, focusing on her phone.

Hearing the sound of the door open, she asked without looking up, "Is that your ex?"

Caleb froze, surprised that she knew about Shevonne.

It was the undeniable fact that Shevonne was the only woman he had dated.

He smiled, leaned down, and rubbed his chin against her hair, "Yes, but you're the one I love now."

Hearing this, she looked up at the figure outside the door and pushed him away. "You'd better be telling the truth."

Caleb turned around and saw Shevonne.

"Why are you here?"

There was a subtle trace of pleasure in his tone.

Shevonne smiled bitterly, her eyes reddening, "I heard you were married, so I wanted to say 'Congratulations'."

Caleb's expression darkened gradually.

"Do you mean that?" he asked.

Shevonne tried her best to appear calm. "What do you think?"

"Fine." Utterly pissed off, he let out a derisive laugh. Then he poured himself a glass of wine and said, "Thank you."

Instead of drinking, Shevonne looked at Phalicia. "Ms. Lombard, why don't you join us?"

Caleb's silence spoke consent.

Phalicia could only raise her glass to clink it with Shevonne's.

However, a second before their glasses touched, Shevonne's hand shifted slightly.

The wine in Phalicia's glass splashed onto both of their dresses.

Shevonne let out a gasp as the drenched fabric hugged her curves.

Caleb's breath hitched as he took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders without hesitation. "Let me help you clean up."

He pulled her out hurriedly, completely forgetting about Phalicia.

But Phalicia remained expressionless. After they left, she went downstairs unhurriedly to the car to fetch some tissues.

She saw the paparazzo, whose eyes were darting in every direction as he looked for Caleb.

"He's in the restroom," she kindly texted him.

He soon hurried upstairs, and she sat in the car, taking her time.

After a while, Caleb and Shevonne walked out.

They stood not far away from the car as the paparazzo hid behind the restaurant doors.

Shevonne caught a glimpse of Phalicia in the car. Her eyes flickered as she clutched Caleb's sleeve.

After a pause, he pushed her hand away.

Then he said, "Is your number still the same? My fiancee ruined your dress, so I'll pay for a new one. I'll transfer the money to you on PayPal."

Shevonne's eyes turned red. "Cal, do you really love her?"

"Of course," he said without hesitation.

She said in a sobbing voice, "You're lying. You love me the most, don't you? You didn't even notice that her dress was wet, too."

Caleb frowned.

He truly didn't notice that.

Shevonne wiped away her tears.

Inside the car, Phalicia listened to their conversation quietly, her eyes filled with mockery and coldness.

Finally, Caleb's doting mask was starting to fracture.

Caleb couldn't get rid of the fact that Phalicia was missing with a damp dress at all.

Feeling a bit annoyed, he pushed Shevonne away again. "Don't push me. We're over."

After saying this, he turned to walk toward his car.

Phalicia slid down in the seat and faced the window, pretending to sleep.

Just then, she heard a whistle from beside the car. She turned around and saw a Lexus with its window half-open.

A handsome man was inside, staring at her.

While Caleb resembled a wolf, he struck her as more like a mysterious lion.

Baffled, she asked, "Do I know you?"

He smiled and drove away in silence.

Phalicia was trying to recall if she'd ever seen the man in the Lexus before.

Suddenly, Caleb said, "Rest assured, Licia. There's nothing going on between Shevonne and me. Even if she still has feelings for me, you're the one I love now."

Hearing this, she turned to look at him and nodded.

Unable to detect her mood, Caleb felt a bit uneasy.

After arriving home, Phalicia went to the bathroom.

She texted the paparazzo, "Did you get the juicy scoop?"

He immediately replied to her, "It's online already. Hit me up first the next time you've got hot leads."

"For sure," she texted with a smile.

Then she opened the social app and switched back to her main account.

Sure enough, the paparazzo's exclusive had gone viral.

Within five minutes, the photos of Caleb and Shevonne quarreling while pulling at each other had been shared more than six thousand times.

The headlines were particularly eye-catching.

"Voyage Group's heir's secret date! A breakup on the way?"

"Scandal alert! The CEO of Voyage Group is busted for cheating!"

The two leaks immediately made it to the trending topic list.

Phalicia gave the paparazzo a thumbs-up for keeping her name out of the headlines.

Voyage Group's PR team always responded quickly, and she presumed Caleb had known about this already.

It was just a test, and she wasn't planning on blowing it out of proportion.

She had to be sure. If there was a crack in Caleb's devoted facade, how bad would it affect Voyage Group's stock price?

Every advantage came with a price.

Caleb had spent three years marketing the story of him saving his beloved, and that made him particularly exposed to public backlash when the scandal hit.

He wanted to walk away after reaping all the benefits? He'd better get ready to deal with the consequences.

***

At the same time, Caleb was on the phone with the PR Department manager. He was bombarded with dozens of messages as well as calls.