Chapter 3

Perhaps he didn't notice me, or perhaps he simply didn't care, but Liam looked at the woman, a gentle smile on his face, and took the glass from her hand, downing it in one go.

【Oh no, oh no, the female lead is definitely going to misunderstand! Male lead, hurry and look at Chloe!】

【Baby girl, Chloe, this is just a classmate of the male lead’s. His heart is only for you.】

Watching the words on the screen, I pursed my lips.

The way Liam looked at her was so tender it was practically dripping with affection. Only an idiot would believe there was nothing between them.

He had never looked at me that way.

If I had to rely on pop-up comments to know if Liam loved me, to find evidence, then I was truly pathetic.

Besides, I was more than good enough. I didn’t *need* Liam.

“Liam Hayes, is this what you call a ‘business trip’?”

Seeing me, a flicker of discomfort crossed Liam’s face.

He cleared his throat, about to speak, when the woman beside him stood up and generously extended her hand to me.

“You must be Chloe Chen, Liam’s business marriage partner! Hello, I’m Victoria, Liam’s ex-girlfriend.”

Victoria stared at me intently, her eyes filled with a mix of triumph and mockery.

I knew who Victoria was.

She was Liam’s high school classmate, the only one who could rival him in their academic achievements. She was his “first love,” the one everyone called the perfect couple.

Their passionate high school romance was always a talked-about topic until she went overseas.

Liam was reportedly in a slump for a long time because of it.

Rumor had it, he even underperformed on his college entrance exams and missed out on his dream university.

From the looks of it now, Victoria must have reconnected with Liam the moment she returned to the country.

I didn’t shake Victoria’s hand. I just stared at Liam, unblinking.

Victoria, however, pouted, then turned to Liam with a look of feigned hurt.

“Liam, I told you not to come so late just to see me. Look, your wife is upset.”

“Chloe, don’t be mad. I just got back to the country, and I haven’t reconnected with any of my old friends except Liam… I’m sorry, but Liam and I truly have nothing going on. Please don’t be upset…”

I smelled the sickly sweet act in the air and scoffed. My eyes still on Liam, my voice was devoid of any warmth.

“Liam Hayes, do you have nothing to say to me?”

Liam frowned, his face unreadable.

“Go home early.”

My nose suddenly stung, and tears threatened to spill.

At that moment, the comments section exploded.

【Ahhh, baby girl, Chloe, don’t misunderstand! It’s clearly the rival female lead who’s throwing herself at him!】

【Baby girl, you HAVE to believe the male lead! He was tricked into coming here by her! And he’s fuming right now because he saw you here and worried other guys might hit on you! Go comfort him!】

【Baby girl, Chloe, just sweet-talk the male lead, call him ‘honey,’ and he’ll give you his life!】

【Can the rival female lead just get lost already?! Spreading rumors about her intense love affair with the male lead in high school wasn’t enough, now she has to interfere in the male and female lead’s relationship!】

Upset?

I scoffed again.

Liam told me he was on a business trip for our anniversary, but he was here with his high school first love, and *he* was upset?

What about me? Was I supposed to just accept it?

Perhaps before, I still felt a tiny bit reluctant about this marriage, but at this moment, my decision to divorce was rock solid.

“Liam Hayes, come back tomorrow.”