Chapter 1

At the reunion, they thought I was a disposable wife—

poor background, no backing, easy to bully.

My husband had the divorce papers ready.

His mistress brought money, threats, and hired men.

Everyone waited for me to collapse.

I simply made one phone call.

During the Christmas break, my husband insisted that I accompany him to a class reunion. By the time we arrived at the hotel, most of the classmates were already there. The parking lot was filled with luxury cars, making our humble domestic car seem rather out of place.

As we approached the entrance, I overheard some derogatory comments, "I just don’t get it. Back in school, Lucas was quite the big shot, how did he end up with someone like Evelyn..."

Although the conversation cut off abruptly, the dismissive tone was unmistakable. In the face of such provocation, my husband, who should have stood up for me, was all smiles, chatting with classmates as though I wasn't even there.

After the banquet, the former campus beauty slowly approached and took my husband's Grantd.

"Evelyn, I’m quite interested in your husband. Would you let him go? You can set any condition."

I laughed instead of getting angry. "You might want to rethink that—divorcing me isn't without consequences."

"Oh wow, you've become quite eloquent over the years."

"The money is a token of appreciation for taking care of Lucas all these years, think of it as compensation."

"Do you really think you can threaten me with talk of jail? Do you know my standing in New York?"

Just as I was about to respond, I saw my husband pulling the campus beauty into an embrace.

"Qingqing, just take the money; it’s better for everyone."

Watching them hold Grantds, a cold laugh escaped me.

"So, you two have been planning this for a while, huh?"

Lucas had been calling me repeatedly, urging me to attend today’s reunion. Now I see they planned to make me publicly agree to a divorce.

No wonder he hasn't been close to me since our marriage; he had someone else in mind.

As soon as I finished speaking, Lucas's expression cGrantged.

"What nonsense! Vivian and I are truly in love!"

"If she hadn't been forced to study abroad back then, we'd be together now."

I was utterly shocked by his words. Everyone at school knew she dumped Lucas, and now it’s a mutual love story?

I don't know why they got back together, but at this moment, Lucas is still legally my husband.

I couldn't swallow this insult.

"Lucas, do you realize how serious infidelity in marriage is?"

I spoke while looking him straight in the eye, but he couldn’t meet my gaze.

Then, the beauty threw herself onto him, looking pitiful, and said:

"Stop with the nonsense. You’re just unhappy because the money isn’t enough."

"Name your price. I’m not short on cash!"

Facing such a once-glamorous but now somewhat plump campus beauty, I felt like I was watching a joke.

"Vivian, let me remind you, if Lucas agrees to a divorce today, you both will be facing legal consequences."

Before I finished, Lucas anxiously said, "Stop with the scare tactics. What could you possibly do to us?"

"Since marrying you, we barely met, who knows what you’ve been up to."

"To be honest, if you hadn’t pursued me back then, don’t expect a penny."

If not for his unique status, I’d have slapped him.

Lucas’s words drew laughter from the crowd.

"See? It’s always said that your abilities determine your partner. A woman like Evelyn, lacking background and presence, is destined to lose her husband."

"Right? Dressed so plainly, how dare she show up here."

"When it comes to wealth and influence, the Vivian family's daughter is generous with money and has strong backing."

Everyone was flattering the former beauty, and no one stood up for me. To them, I was just a clown for their amusement. Such friends and reunions—better to avoid them.