"You don't believe me? Do I have to dig out my heart for you to trust me?" As soon as he finished speaking, Elias grabbed a fruit knife from the table and aimed it at his chest.
Before he could go any further, Madeline stopped him. "Elias, I believe you. I really do. I was just testing you a little because, well, women like to be dramatic sometimes."
Elias put down the knife and pulled her into his arms. "You can doubt anything, but you can never doubt my love for you."
His love for Madeline was undeniable, yet his infidelity was also an indisputable fact.
While watching Whitney's dress at the banquet, Madeline couldn't shake the feeling that Whitney was doing it on purpose. Throughout the entire event, Elias escorted both Madeline and Whitney, drawing envious glances from all the men present.
Some of his former business partners couldn't resist teasing him in French. "Mr. Fisher, you're really living the dream—one on each arm! We're jealous, so jealous."
Others joined in the jokes. "Exactly! You've mastered the art of time management, keeping both your wife and your secretary in perfect harmony. Your secretary sure knows her place."
Whitney didn't seem embarrassed by the remarks. Instead, she smiled coyly. Elias even chimed in, "Isn't that the point? I like her because she listens—and because she's irresistible."
Although Madeline had married Elias, she didn't fit in with his social circle at all. She was too conservative and lacked a sense of fun. "Exactly. When it comes to the bed, men prefer someone like Miss Young. After all, no man likes a woman who's like a dead fish in bed, haha!"
Elias raised his glass and smiled but said nothing, tacitly agreeing with the comment. The men kept praising Whitney while putting down Madeline. They all assumed she couldn't understand, but she absorbed every word.
To them, she had no redeeming qualities. As she watched Elias chat easily with them, she realized this was blatant infidelity. Not only that, but he even agreed with their insults about her.
If he despised her so much, why couldn't he say it to her face? Madeline could tolerate strangers' mockery, but Elias' silent approval? That was the real betrayal.
Madeline had expected to cry. After all, no one could hear those words and remain completely unmoved. Her initial reaction was a bone-chilling cold as if she'd been plunged into a freezing lake. Every movement felt like shards of ice piercing her heart.
So, when she raised a hand to touch her cheek, she was surprised to find she hadn't shed a single tear. It was the only thing preventing her from completely falling apart.
Her rational mind kicked in, whispering, "You can endure this. Once you make it through, you can let go of everything."
From a distance, she watched Elias and Whitney chat happily with the other guests. Whitney would occasionally glance at her with a smug expression. She then told Elias she wanted to sit alone for a bit.
"Sure. Just don't wander too far. I'll come find you once I'm done."
No sooner had Madeline stepped away than she noticed Elias and Whitney entering an elevator together. Moments later, her phone buzzed with a text message from Whitney. "Parking lot."
Madeline's grip on her phone tightened, but she still got up and followed them. She took the elevator to the location Whitney had texted her. As soon as the doors opened, she saw the two of them already locked in a passionate kiss.
Once they closed the car door, they became even more impatient.
Madeline didn't approach. She crouched behind another car, watching through the window. Inside, Elias seemed utterly at ease, his face full of enjoyment as Whitney straddled his lap.
