Chapter 4

The next day, Vivian Hayes fired Liam Foster in front of the entire company.

Liam walked out of the company, clutching a cardboard box, tears welling in his eyes, resentment clear in their depths.

"Oh, isn't that the guy who tried to climb into bed to get ahead? What, found another rich woman?"

"Beware, green tea boys are on the loose! Watch your wives, everyone."

"It's only because our Mr. Thorne is so magnanimous and doesn't bother with him. Otherwise, just for spending other people's money, he'd be paying it back for three generations!"

From that day on, Vivian Hayes indeed behaved herself much more.

She worked diligently at the company, came home to massage my legs and wash my feet, and even learned a few new Cantonese dishes to please me.

Her brother even came over under the guise of wanting a free meal, representing the whole family to thoroughly scold Vivian.

A month later, while I was on a business trip to the US, my trust fund manager suddenly contacted me.

"Mr. Thorne, do you still wish to transfer the private island you purchased earlier to Mr. Liam Foster?"

I paused, then remembered the prenuptial agreement with the tenfold payback clause.

"Just follow my wife's instructions."

Loyalty or betrayal, the outcome had been decided the moment she made her choice.

It seemed she still hadn't learned her lesson. And I, I needed to make her understand the price of betrayal.

"Mr. Thorne, Vivian's back with that guy again. He's really arrogant this time, making our servers kneel to him."

"Looks like he wants to reclaim his lost dignity."

"Laughable, no one actually cares."

I scoffed. "That's where you're wrong. He's a returning customer, after all. Don't you dare neglect him."

In the video my friend sent, Liam Foster had shed his previous rustic image. He was dressed in a bespoke suit, even his tie was a limited edition.

But his slicked-back hair looked awkward, and his inexperienced face couldn't quite carry the sophisticated look.

"Vivian Hayes, I truly underestimated you."

I sneered and had my assistant rebook my flight. I flew back to the company the very next day.

I had just reached the conference room door when I heard her speaking inside.

"Do you really think Alexander Thorne considers you his confidantes? Does a man like him even have feelings?"

"From now on, report any of his movements to me promptly. You won't be shortchanged."

I leaned against the doorway, smiling as I looked into the conference room, meeting Vivian Hayes' face as she just looked up. Her expression was priceless.

"Ms. Hayes, what kind of man am I, exactly?"

Several executives, seeing me enter, handed me a voice recorder and a miniature camera. They respectfully said, "Mr. Thorne, all conversations are recorded here."

"Don't worry, we know who the boss is."

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, they quickly made excuses and backed out.

"Vivian Hayes, I'm giving you a chance to explain. Go on."

Vivian had already composed herself, using anger to mask her guilt.

"Explain what? I was just holding a meeting with the senior executives."

"What, you rushed back so suddenly? You still don't trust me?"

Vivian went on the offensive, looking utterly disappointed.

"Okay, then just sign this."

I tossed a divorce agreement onto the table in front of her.

"And these two documents: this is the prenuptial property certificate, and this is the lawsuit for illegal possession of another's assets. By tomorrow noon, 12 PM, you and Liam Foster will receive court summons. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Are you insane, Alexander Thorne? What more do you want from me?"

"I already fired Liam. I work like a dog at the company all day, and then I have to come home and serve you."

"Not only do you not trust me, you even plant spies around me? Now you want a divorce? Can't you be less tyrannical!"

With that, she slammed the door and stormed out.

"I'm a person, not your dog!"

Watching her indignant back, I smiled and shook my head. Some dogs, indeed, start to think they're people.

My friend heard I was back in the country and upset by my disobedient lapdog. "Come on, Alex. Tonight, I'm going to 'light up the night' for you at the auction! Pick anything you like from the whole place!"

As soon as we arrived, I heard someone shout, "Isn't that Ms. Hayes from Hayes Group? I heard she once spent billions for her beloved's smile!"

From afar, Vivian Hayes was in a bespoke gown, adorned with expensive accessories, every strand of her hair exuding luxury. She had indeed enjoyed a good life for a few years.

Liam Foster was also meticulously dressed, showing no trace of his previous disheveled appearance at the club.

They both looked at me. Liam's eyes were full of provocation, and he leaned a little closer to Vivian, their arms brushing, a show of intimacy.

Vivian stared at me, her eyes unreadable, carrying a hint of resentment, but she didn't avert her gaze.

When someone complimented them as a perfect couple, she even smiled and nodded, offering no explanation.

As the auction began, a gasp rippled through the crowd.

"Ms. Hayes is going to 'light up the night' for Mr. Foster, buying out the entire auction!"

"Holy cow, I'm stunned! I heard Ms. Hayes directly scattered a billion in cash for him before. Today, I'm witnessing true wealth!"

"So jealous! I want to be born into a rich family in my next life!"

Liam Foster, after all, hadn't seen much of the world. The joy in his eyes and brows was impossible to hide. When Vivian wasn't looking, he provocatively raised an eyebrow and smirked at me.

My friend couldn't stand it. He stood up, ready to confront them for me.

"That damn dog thinks he's hot stuff! What a piece of work!"

I pressed my friend's hand down, took out the prenuptial agreement with the tenfold payback clause, and shook my head with a soft smile.

"Don't rush. I want to see how Vivian Hayes plans to 'light up the night' today. And how much she can spend?!"