Chapter 4

All day, I couldn't focus on work. Vanessa called me several times, but I ignored every call.

When I finally got home, Vanessa pounced into my arms wearing a very sexy nightgown.

I pretended to be attracted to her, though inside, I felt utterly disgusted.

Looking at her fake smile, I wished I could rip off that filthy mask she wore.

"Honey, why didn’t you answer my calls during the day?"

I pushed her away and went to the bathroom to wash my hands, feeling unclean myself.

"I was in meetings all day. The company has a five-million-dollar project recently, so it's been hectic."

At the mention of five million dollars, Vanessa’s eyes lit up.

"Really? Don’t overwork yourself, okay? I’d be heartbroken if you did."

With that, her hands began to wander.

Suppressing the urge to punch her dead, I walked into the kitchen.

"What do you want to eat tonight?"

Vanessa didn’t notice anything unusual; instead, she winked at me with regret.

"Sorry, Gerry, I have a night shift tonight, so I can’t have dinner with you."

Feigning disappointment, I spread my hands. "Alright, do you need me to drive you to the airport?"

Vanessa shook her head. "No need, I don’t want you to be so tired. I’ll go now, bye."

As she changed her clothes and tried to kiss me, I dodged. "I haven’t even washed my face yet. Go quickly, don’t be late."

Watching Vanessa leave, I immediately followed her.

No wonder she said she didn’t need a ride—Richard had driven his car right up to our villa’s gate.

These two were getting bolder.

I switched to my newly purchased phone, zoomed in, and took pictures of Richard’s car and their backs, then sent them to Richard’s wife.

"Hey, ma'am, your husband is mine tonight. Lonely at home? Want to know who I am?"

The moment I sent the message, she called back instantly.

I answered, picking up the voice changer I had prepared earlier.

"Who are you?"

"That, I can’t tell you, ma’am. You’re truly pitiful; Richard says he has no interest in you anymore."

"Please lose some weight, will you? He says you’re as fat as a pig now."

As soon as I said this, roars erupted from the other end of the line.

"Who are you? Tell me, or see what happens!"

Mission accomplished, I hung up and turned off my phone.

What happened after turning off the phone would be left for Richard’s wife to imagine.

I calmly followed Richard’s car. Suddenly, he slammed on the brakes, nearly hitting me.

Pretending not to know, I sped past him, taking the opportunity to glance quickly into his car.

Richard’s balding head was covered in sweat, his face red as he frantically explained something on the phone.

Before Vanessa noticed my car, I took another route and drove back home.

Not long after I arrived, Vanessa appeared back on the road.

She returned alone, and I opened the window, faintly hearing her on the phone.

"How could you leave me alone on the road! Didn’t you promise to be with me tonight?"

"What phone call? Richard, you stood me up and still think you’re right?"

From those few sentences, it was clear they were arguing.

Pretending to know nothing, I sat at my computer working. Soon, the door opened.

Seeing me, Vanessa immediately put on a happy face.

"Gerry, I’m back. There was a sudden storm at the destination city, so the flight was canceled. I came back to be with you—are you happy?"

I gave a fake smile. "Of course, I’m happy."

I wondered if she was stupid; checking whether a flight was canceled was easy, yet she used such a clumsy lie to deceive me.

Vanessa moved closer, resting her head on my shoulder. "Honey, my parents say they want to come here for a vacation. They might stay for a while. Is that okay?"

My instinct was to refuse, but I changed my mind.

"Of course, I’ll make sure to treat Uncle and Aunt well."

Inside, I sneered.

"Vanessa, you brought this upon yourself."

Vanessa, hearing my words, had her unhappy mood from the failed date instantly lifted. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me on the cheek.