Before the signing of the multi-billion-dollar project, my wife reached out and adjusted her assistant's tie.
I slammed the contract down, stood up, and said, “Victoria, let's divorce!”
Her face changed instantly, and she shouted, “Lucas Chandler, what’s wrong with you?!”
“I’m doing this to protect the company’s image! You want a divorce over this trivial matter?!”
I sneered and loosened my tie.
“Yes. Just because of this trivial matter.”
——
Today was the day for negotiating and signing the contract with the Shaw Group.
This multi-billion-dollar project was the result of half a year of tireless effort, pleading my way to victory.
It was supposed to be an internal bidding process, but the outcome was already decided; the signing was only a formality.
Yet just ten minutes before departure, my wife, Victoria, casually reached out and adjusted her male assistant Ethan Carter’s tie.
“Your tie is crooked; that won’t do.” Her fingertips traced a suggestive line along his Adam’s apple. Ethan blushed and lowered his head. “Thank you, Ms. Lane!” The room fell silent, and all executives glanced at me.
“Bang!” I slammed the contract onto the conference table.
The intimate, lingering moment vanished instantly. Victoria’s expression changed, and she snapped, “Lucas, what’s wrong with you?!”
I sneered, “Do you think I’m blind? Anyone would think you two are a couple with that behavior!”
Victoria withdrew her hand guiltily but, provoked by my glare, yelled, “What nonsense! I’m doing this to maintain the company’s image!”
“Maintain the image?” I scoffed. “President Lane, so concerned about your image? Marketing Manager Willian Warren’s tie was crooked. Why didn’t you fix it?”
“Director David Zimmer’s shirt had two buttons undone, and you didn’t lift a finger!”
“And when it comes to Assistant Carter, suddenly President Lane must ‘maintain’ him personally?”
Executives bowed their heads, checking their own appearances. Victoria slammed her hand on the table.
“Enough! Lucas, don’t go too far!”
“Too far? Do I need to remind you? Last month, you ‘maintained his image’ by wiping coffee stains, last week by fastening his cufflinks, and today by touching his Adam’s apple! What’s next, ‘maintaining’ him in bed?”
Ethan’s eyes reddened with grievance. “Mr. Chandler, you’ve misunderstood. President Lane only sees that I’m a recent graduate and reminds her of her deceased brother. That’s why she’s given me special attention…”
“I’m sorry, if my presence makes you uncomfortable, I’ll resign right now!” He wiped imaginary tears, but Victoria grabbed him, her face dark.
“You did nothing wrong. Why are you apologizing to him?!”
Then she turned and slapped me.
“Smack!” The sound echoed through the room. My cheek burned.
“Apologize to Ethan immediately! Otherwise, you don’t need to go to the bidding! Ethan can do your job!”
This was the first time in three years she publicly humiliated me. Executives who disliked me sneered:
“Just because he’s President Lane’s husband, how many projects has he taken? Does he really think he’s capable?”
“Assistant Carter is young and promising, much better than those who climb the ladder relying on their wives!”
“President Lane did well! He should have been taught this lesson long ago…”
Faced with their taunts, Victoria actually gave in.
My heart ached, and I suddenly found it all ridiculous.
Three years ago, the Lane Group was on the verge of bankruptcy, and I led my team to save it.
I was responsible for 70% of the company’s performance, yet they had the audacity to call me a “parasite”?!
