Noel's lip trembled, his eyes glistening on cue. "If you think I'm out of line, then fire me. I'll leave and never come back. That way I won't be a bother to either of you."
Lauren's expression melted instantly. She cupped his face and wiped his tears, then turned to glare at me.
"Laurence, a skin allergy isn't going to kill you. Pop a few pills and you'll be fine."
"Noel's right. You need to learn your place. Other women's husbands don't act like you. Some wives keep a whole stable of lovers and their husbands don't say a word."
"Behave yourself. Stop upsetting Noel, and I promise I'll keep the deal I just made with you."
My heart went cold. Completely, irreversibly cold.
When Lauren's first business venture fell apart, she'd been swindled out of everything. Not only was she flat broke, she was half a million dollars in debt.
I couldn't stand watching her waste away, sleepless night after night, sinking deeper into despair.
But I didn't want her to feel like I was handing her charity, so I hid my identity. I told her I'd sold the house my parents left me, the one meant for our future together. I used the money to pay off every cent of her debt, gave her seed capital, and encouraged her to start over.
Then I asked one of my grandfather's most accomplished protégés to pose as a business mentor, coaching her one-on-one in corporate management and how to survive in the cutthroat world of high finance.
After that, I quietly leveraged my family's network to pull strings behind the scenes, securing investors and partnerships, helping her claw her way back up and into Capital City's elite circles.
And now, before she'd even fully cemented her position, she was already plotting to cast me aside and enjoy the best of both worlds.
But in this world, people who betray a sincere heart never meet a good end.
Noel gleefully upended an entire bottle of liquor over my head.
The alcohol burned like acid in my eyes, forcing out involuntary tears. My hair clung to my face in wet, reeking strands.
He poured five bottles in total, making sure every inch of me was drenched before he finally stopped.
He watched my skin swell red and angry from the allergic reaction, watched me clench my jaw against the searing pain and the fire spreading across every nerve.
Noel smiled, satisfied. He leaned down and whispered in my ear.