I stared at the screen in silence for a long time. It seemed she cared about this assistant very much.
In the past, her restraint wouldn't allow her to make requests beyond what she could accept. But for Kieran, she broke her own precedent.
I turned off the screen and focused on watching the newlyweds exchange rings on stage. When it came to the bouquet toss, the flowers happened to land in Kieran's hands.
To liven up the atmosphere, the host handed him the microphone, "Sir, is there anyone here you'd like to give these flowers to?"
Kieran seemed completely unfazed by my presence, holding the bouquet as he approached Kate and knelt on one knee, "I want to give these flowers to Miss Bogart."
Someone sharp-eyed noticed that the rings they wore were a matching set and immediately began cheering, "So Miss Bogart already has someone in her heart, kiss her!" The crowd's enthusiasm grew, with everyone eagerly hoping they'd continue this wedding's theme of love.
Kieran cast a provocative glance at me, then feigned a pitiful tone, "I'm just Miss Bogart's assistant. How could I dare to confess my feelings?"
Kate, having seemingly forgotten my existence, took the flowers from him, her eyes moist with emotion. "Don't undervalue yourself. You're great, bright and handsome." Her words were met with a round of thunderous applause.
But I stood there, cold from head to toe. Only when she saw that I was watching did Kate snap out of her daze.
She rushed over to me, suddenly noticing the bouquet in her hands, which she hastily tossed aside while said, "Alec, you're not angry, right? We were just joking around."
Kieran also came over, offering a series of apologies in an overly 'humble' manner, "Yes, Mr. Brolin, it was just a joke. You're not that petty, are you?"
At that moment, I could no longer hold back, "Take off the ring on your hand immediately! If you can't do it, I'll have my bodyguards help."
Kieran remained unfazed, casting a helpless glance at Kate.
I signaled to my bodyguards and they moved in. But just as they approached Kieran, he tightly grabbed Kate's hand, his face filled with terror, "Miss Bogart, they're going to grab me."
Kate frowned and stepped forward to block them, looking at me with a pleading expression, "He's just a young rookie fresh out of college who doesn't know any better. Do you really have to be so ruthless? Alec, whatever's between us, why take it out on an innocent person? It's not fair."
I fixed her with a piercing gaze, making my stance abundantly clear. Today, Kieran had provoked me repeatedly. Wasn't it her indulgence that emboldened him to act so recklessly?
For years, Kate worked tirelessly to craft a single, independent image for herself. Yet today, for this assistant, she shattered that façade.
I had repeatedly begged her to go public with our relationship, but she always had excuses.
Now, for Kieran, she cared nothing for the gossip, openly allowing his romantic gesture without a second thought. This double standard, wasn't it equally unfair to me?
I looked at her coldly. She approached, her eyes filled with pain and unwillingness, "Alec, when did we end up like this? You told me you wouldn't interfere, that you'd give me freedom. I'm not a caged canary. All I did was hire an assistant and you act like it's a huge threat. Living under your shadow is suffocating for me."
After hearing her words, the anger within me instantly dissolved into nothingness. All that remained was a profound sense of disappointment.
The care I had lavished upon her had turned into ammunition for her to strike back at me. The 'freedom' she desired was the freedom to spend time with her assistant, carefree and unrestrained.
When someone no longer loves you, even the fact that you breathe can become an excuse. My emotions were a chaotic mess and every word I wanted to say felt lodged in my throat, unspoken and swallowed back down.
Right in front of her, I called my lawyer and instructed him to draft a divorce agreement.
It was only then that Kate realized I was truly angry, "Divorce? Alec, you must be joking, right?"
She clung to my hand desperately, her gaze filled with boundless grievance, "How could you treat me like this? Kieran is really just an assistant, nothing more." She thought this explanation would make me change my mind.
Kieran chimed in with feigned concern, "Mr. Brolin, please think carefully! Miss Bogart is beautiful and capable, with countless admirers. You'll definitely regret this decision!"
I shot him a glare, but he responded with a smug grin, "I know exactly what tricks you're trying to play. Do you think you can manipulate me? Dream on!"
After delivering that line, I stormed out of the wedding venue. Kate chased after me, but I ignored her completely.
