Theater: NovelMaster | Language: English | NEW
Synopsis
I pulled a helpless, broken girl from the river.
She had no one, refused to let anyone near her, but clung to me day and night.
Pitying her, I took her in.
Later, despite my parents' furious objections, I married her.
I sold the house I had worked to the bone to buy and drained every penny of my savings just to pay for her medical care.
Back when we had no stable roof over our heads, she would hold me tight, whispering that she wanted to be with me forever.
Yet the moment she woke up in that hospital bed, her eyes held nothing but icy contempt.
"A pathetic nobody like you... actually thinks you're worthy of being my husband?"
I was just a pawn in Charlotte Hayes's grand scheme.
The tabloids quickly revealed the truth: she wasn't some helpless stray; she was the billionaire CEO of the Hayes Empire.
A penniless guy from nowhere like me could never match a woman draped in diamonds and designer clothes.
From the day she walked out of that hospital, she cut all ties.
The papers were flooded with photos of her gracing galas, arm-in-arm with her long-time golden boy, Julian Vance.
Paparazzi snapped countless shots of her holding hands with him, moving in and out of luxury penthouses together.
I tried to reach her. I couldn't even catch a glimpse before her bodyguards shoved me to the curb.
For four long years, I threw away every dime I had on that girl, hoping for a lifetime together.
The second she snapped out of her trance, she turned her back on me and sprinted straight into Julian's arms.
I had no interest in being the pathetic cuckold in their high-society drama. I just wanted a divorce.
I stood there holding the divorce papers, asking only for the money I had spent on her over those four years. Nothing more.
Still, I couldn't even see Charlotte. The guards kicked me out as usual.
Taking pity on me, one guard murmured under his breath:
"Mr. Evans, look, Ms. Hayes still has some lingering feelings for the past. Her subsidiaries would easily give you a cozy desk job just out of courtesy. Isn't that enough?"
"Don't be ungrateful. Demanding a divorce from Ms. Hayes is the dumbest thing you can do."
I understood their logic. Right now, I still held the title of the Hayes CEO's husband.
Once divorced, I'd have nothing.
It just felt so ridiculous. In four years, wouldn't even a heart of stone have melted?
Four years ago, when I pulled that dazed girl from the water, she couldn't answer a single question. She only gripped the hem of my shirt.
I took her to the police station, but she screamed if anyone else touched her, clinging desperately to my side.
Wherever I went, she trailed behind. Feeling sorry for her, I gave her a home.
Later, I made her my wife, promising to stick together through thick and thin.
I ignored my parents' scolding, quit my high-paying job at a tech firm, and sold my city apartment just to get her the best neurological treatments.
Only now did I realize it was all a staged lie.
Back then, a ruthless war of succession erupted within the Hayes family. As one of the heirs, Charlotte faked vulnerability, threw herself into the river, and pretended to lose her mind just to slip off the radar.
Four years later, she struck back with ruthless precision and claimed the throne of the Hayes Empire.
That day in the hospital, Charlotte woke up, looking down at me with pure disdain.
"Logan, what makes you think you're qualified to be my husband?"
I just couldn't wrap my head around it. Charlotte had already reclaimed the glory she craved. Why refuse to sign the divorce papers?
All I wanted was to sever our ties and get back what I had spent over those four years.
Meanwhile, she paraded Julian around every single day for the world to see.
To make Julian smile, Charlotte once rented an entire harbor for an all-night private fireworks show.
Julian craved raw seafood, so she had premium sashimi flown in straight on private jets just to ensure absolute freshness.
She put Julian on a pedestal, treating him like a priceless gem.
Now that she threw me away like trash, could she really not even spare the money I had sacrificed for her?Fearing I might do something drastic, my parents drove into town to check on me.
They cooked a whole table of comfort food.
My dad took a hard swig of red wine, his face flushed with fury as he slammed his glass down.
"The day you fished her out of that water, I told you! That girl was nothing but bad news!"
"She couldn't even feed or dress herself! You wiped her tears, nursed her, and took care of her every single day for four damn years! Even a stray dog would wag its tail at you by now!"
"And what happens? The second her brain starts working, she walks out without looking back!"
My mom squeezed my hand, her eyes pleading.
"Logan, sweetie, don't throw your life away over a woman who treats you like dirt. We survived before her, and we'll survive after her."
"Let's just consider those four years wasted on a stray, okay?"
A quiet chill settled in my chest. Looking into my parents' eyes, I said firmly,
"Mom, Dad, I hear you."
"All I want is the divorce and my money back."
"Then I'm going to start fresh and live my life."
After reassuring them that I had zero intention of ending my life, I saw them out.
I couldn't reach Charlotte on any app, so I took the divorce settlement straight to the gates of her private villa.
The guards blocked me again. But after I stood outside the gates for three solid days, maybe Charlotte finally took pity on my pathetic state—she granted me an audience.
Flanked by security guards, I stepped inside a multi-million-dollar mansion I could never afford in ten lifetimes.
The moment I walked in, I saw clothes scattered across the floor.
At a glance, I recognized a piece of lingerie I had bought for her back when she was that helpless stray.
Looking up at Charlotte standing high and mighty on the second-floor mezzanine, a sharp ache hit my chest.
Gripping the papers tightly, I opened my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it, gazing down with cold indifference.
"Logan, what are you doing here?"
I replied flatly, "I came to find you, obviously—"
Right then, a man stepped out of the bedroom behind her. Julian Vance wrapped his arms casually around Charlotte's waist.
Julian cast a condescending glance down at me. "Well, look who it is. The freeloader hiding behind Charlotte's skirts."
A smirk played on Julian's lips as he sneered,
"Hey, moocher. You played nursemaid for four years, and I actually thought you had some spine."
"The moment Charlotte reclaimed Hayes Corp, you stuck to her like a leech."
"Name your price. How much do you want? I'll write the check myself."
I let out a bitter scoff. "I don't want a dime of your charity. I'm writing off those four years as charity for a stray."
Still, if it got the papers signed today, it meant total freedom. I'd never have to look at Charlotte Hayes ever again.Charlotte parted her lips as if to say something, but held back.
Irritated, Julian escorted Charlotte down the grand staircase, stepping right up to my face with an arrogant posture.
"A freeloader who dares to talk back? Who gave you the right? Without Charlotte, you wouldn't even be allowed past the front lawn of a place like this."
Charlotte pressed her lips together and said coolly, "Name your number. How much?"
Then, turning to Julian, she softened her tone. "Julian, I'm hungry."
Julian pecked her cheek, shooting me another patronizing look.
"A peasant like you probably never tasted real luxury. Lucky for you, breakfast is served."
"We can spare you a small bowl from the table. Get some real nutrients in your system."
During those four years, that broken girl's favorite meal had been the homemade pasta I cooked for her every single morning.
I could still picture every smile and laugh she gave me over those years.
Now, she was clear-headed, had tossed me aside, and stood as the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar empire.
There was no point in humiliating myself further. All I wanted was my quiet, ordinary life back.
Charlotte glanced at me and nodded slightly.
"Logan, you might as well join us."
I looked her dead in the eye and answered coldly,
"No need. I'm only here to hand you the divorce agreement."
"Sign it, we're done, and we go our separate ways."
Charlotte froze. A flicker of genuine panic flashed across her eyes.
Julian chuckled. "Logan, you really planned this out, didn't you?"
"Knowing Charlotte runs Hayes Corp now, you demand a divorce just to cash in on half the marital estate, don't you?"
Charlotte's face darkened, anger sparking in her gaze.
"Logan... you want a divorce just to climb the social ladder through my family's wealth?"
Julian looked at me with mock pity.
"Logan, you can't honestly believe wiping her drool for four years entitles you to half of Hayes Corp, do you?"
I sneered, staring straight at Julian.
"Not everyone sells their dignity to play the homewrecker for cash."
Julian's face twisted into an ugly scowl. Charlotte glanced at him, her temper flaring.
"Logan! Apologize to Julian right now!"
Her demand made me laugh out of sheer exasperation. "Did I lie? Charlotte, stop putting on a show."
Charlotte's eyes blazed with fury.
"Logan Evans, who do you think you're talking to with that tone?"
Julian sneered, his tone dripping with malice.
"Know your place, Logan. There is an ocean of class between you and us."
"Getting to touch Charlotte for four years was a miracle your ancestors prayed for."
"Even standing in the same room as us right now is a privilege you don't deserve."
I let out another cold laugh.
"What are you bragging about? You're just another pet on her leash—"
Before I could finish, Charlotte lunged forward and slapped me hard across the face.
*SMACK!*
"Logan! Get on your knees and apologize to Julian!"
Four years ago, when I first brought her back to my hometown, some neighborhood gossips whispered nasty things about me. Back then, that girl threw herself in front of me to shield me.
Now, the tables had turned. She slapped me just to protect Julian.
Charlotte's devotion to Julian was truly touching.Touching the burning sting on my left cheek, I let out a hollow smile of pure disappointment.
Charlotte paused, a brief flash of hesitation crossing her features. Her hand hovered in the air toward my face, but stopped dead in its tracks.
A sarcastic smirk formed on my lips. "Apologize to this real kept-man? Over my dead body."
"Like I said, I came for a divorce, not a cheap soap opera."
Charlotte snapped:
"Logan, you're not getting a single cent now!"
"Security, throw him out!"
The guards burst in immediately.
"Charlotte, I—"
Before I could get another word out, heavy hands muffled my mouth, and I was dragged out through the front doors.
After being tossed onto the pavement outside, I sat near the curb under the guards' hostile glares and shouted:
"Charlotte! Just sign the divorce! I only want back the money I spent on you for four years!"
As long as she refused to answer, I would keep shouting.
She was the CEO of Hayes Corp now; public image meant everything to her.
Before I could shout much more, a separate group of burly, stone-faced bodyguards hauled me off and forced me into the VIP private room of an upscale downtown restaurant.
I knew who they belonged to: Julian Vance.
This entire venue was a recent gift from Charlotte to her golden boy.
The sole reason she bought it for him was that Julian loved the raw sea prawns served here.
After waiting for about an hour, the door clicked open. Julian strolled in, reeking of arrogance.
"Where's Charlotte?" I asked coldly.
Julian snorted. "You backwater trash, who do you think you are to demand an audience with her?"
Suppressing the boiling rage in my chest, I said, "I just want the divorce. Wire me the money I spent over those four years, and we're done."
"I don't give a damn how obediently you play her lapdog."
Julian's eyes twitched with annoyance, but a smug grin quickly replaced it.
"Charlotte actually had some delicacies prepared for you. Let's see if your palate can handle it."
"The prawns here are exquisite. Raw red prawns paired with vintage wine—an absolute delicacy."
Waiters filed in, setting two elaborate platters of raw prawns on the table.
The suffocating aroma of wine and raw seafood instantly made my stomach turn.
I clenched my fists. Over those four years, that helpless girl knew better than anyone that I had severe seafood sensitivities and couldn't touch alcohol.
Whenever she touched food, she insisted on thoroughly cooking it and tasting it herself before handing me a fork.
Now that she was cured, she wanted to use that to torment me?
The last flicker of warmth in my heart for that girl died completely.
Watching me remain completely still, Julian smirked.
"Logan, you keep crying about the money because you don't actually want a divorce, right?"
"A lowlife like you wouldn't pass up a golden ticket like this."
"Let me be clear: Charlotte Hayes is entirely out of your league."
"Tell you what. Take an extra five million and get the hell out of this city. Disappear forever."
My eyes were dead cold.
"Whatever Charlotte and I had was a farce. She took four years of my hard-earned savings, and I just want what's mine."
"Keep the rest."
"My family is here, my roots are here, and I'm not leaving."
Julian's expression darkened. "What if I force you to leave?"
I countered flatly, "A pet has no right to order me around."
Julian laughed coldly. "I've never failed to get what I want."
I stood up and made for the door.
With a wave of Julian's hand, several massive bodyguards shoved me hard against the wall, pinning my arms behind my back.
"Refusing to leave?"
"See, this is why peasants disgust me. Always so greedy."
"Since you won't take the easy way out, let's do this the hard way."
I struggled furiously, but against several trained brutes, I was completely powerless.
Julian's face morphed into a sadistic grin.
"Beat him. Break both of his legs first!"
Chapters (4)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Watch & Promotions
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