Chapter 2 After I hung up the phone , I didn't sleep a single minute . With dark circles under my eyes , I dragged myself to the office the next morning . My mind was still blank when Molly appeared at my side , already eager to dive into the gossip from last night . " Something definitely happened between Mr. Lewis and Victoria , " she whispered . I frowned slightly . Then she added , " This morning , Mr. Lewis's shirt was covered in wrinkles ... and he was still wearing the same outfit from yesterday . Doesn't that pretty much prove he never went home ? " I nodded , too drained to even compliment her on how observant she was . She continued , " Victoria was late today too , and she walked in like she was glowing . Normally , she's all sharp edges and cold professionalism , but today she looked like a brand - new woman . " I asked, " Brand - new how ? " Molly paused , choosing her words carefully . " Brighter . Sexier . More delicate somehow ... see for yourself . " I looked up . Victoria walked into the office in a form - fitting pencil skirt , I recognized that skirt - I'd seen it when I was shopping with Lewis and fallen in love with it . It didn't come in my size , so I paid the store to place a custom order and ship it to him once it arrived . Well , the skirt had clearly arrived , but the person wearing it wasn't me . Victoria was in such a good mood , she offered to buy drinks for everyone as soon as she walked in . The whole office cheered . I sat in the corner , feelings tangled into a mess . Chapter 2 1.98 % I tried to throw myself into work to numb the ache , but it didn't help much . By lunchtime , I was still dazed . I sat at my desk , eating takeout in silence . Victoria , on the other hand , carried several carefully packaged meals straight into Lewis's office . She stayed in there the entire afternoon . When she finally came out , it was nearly the end of the workday . Molly clicked her tongue and muttered , " This world is a mess . Out of all the men she could fall for , she had to choose a married one . Jack , the guy sitting closer to the CEO's office , said Victoria threw herself right into Mr. Lewis's arms as soon as she walked in . Honestly , they might as well have turned the office into a hotel room . " After speaking , Molly sent me a photo Jack had secretly taken . In the picture , Victoria was sitting on Lewis's lap , feeding him lunch . The way she looked at him , the way she leaned in close - there was no mistaking how intimate they were . "I can't imagine how Mr. Lewis's wife would feel seeing this , " Molly sighed softly . Across from us , the manager , Thompson , frowned . " If they're both into it , why are you girls getting involved ? " Molly didn't catch his tone and joked , " Well yeah , she is the side chick after all . " Thompson's face darkened . He grabbed a thick folder and dropped it on Molly's desk . " Since you're so free , finish this before you leave . You're not clocking out until it's done . " Molly deflated instantly . I quietly messaged her , [ Thompson and Victoria go way back . He's probably on her side . Be careful what you say around him . ] Chapter 2 1.98 % She replied with a crying emoji . I tried to comfort her , [ Don't worry . I'll help you finish it . Let's knock it out fast, and I'll treat you to grilled lobster tonight . ] Her mood bounced right back . By evening , we finally finished the extra work and were ready to head out for dinner . Just as we stepped toward the elevator , Thompson called out to us . " You two worked hard . Let's grab a bite together . " He didn't give us a chance to say no . He took us to a restaurant near the office , and after dinner , he dragged us to a KTV lounge . We didn't want to go , but we didn't have much choice . As interns , our voices barely mattered . We sat in the dark corner of the private room and started playing mobile games together to pass the time . We got so absorbed in the game , we didn't even notice when more and more people filed into the room . Until I heard a familiar voice . I looked up and saw Lewis sitting in the center seat , surrounded by industry elites . At first , they were discussing business projects . Then the conversation turned personal - talking about kids , wives , in - laws ... and of course , mistresses . " I saw Victoria's post this morning , " someone said with a smirk . " Something about lovers finally ending up together . So what's the deal , man ? You finally gave in and made her yours ? " I instinctively leaned in , listening closely . Lewis replied calmly , " You guys don't understand how things played out that night . I didn't have a choice . Victoria pushed me into a corner . She said if I didn't want her , she'd resign . And you all know- Chapter 2 1.98 % Victoria's been with the company for years . It wouldn't survive without her . Honestly ... I wouldn't either . " " Victoria's willing to be the side piece ? Lewis , you better not screw this up for yourself . " " Yeah , we all remember how hard you worked to marry that girl . Whether your side affairs are stable or not , if your wife finds out , won't she go ballistic ? " " Come on . Victoria doesn't care , so why should that little girl ? " " After being spoiled for so long , you think she can just go back to an ordinary life ? Even if she knows about Victoria , she won't dare do anything . At least she's got her status as Mrs. Carter . Her life is comfortable . She's better off than most . " One by one , they all added their two cents . In the end , they came to the same conclusion : As long as Victoria didn't stir up drama , the wife would never be a threat . Some even congratulated Lewis for managing to keep both women under control . Molly listened in with her face all scrunched up . She leaned toward me and whispered , " Disgusting . " Then she added , " Lewis is trash , no doubt , but to be fair , they're not completely wrong . That girl hasn't even graduated yet , no family background , no connections . If she caused a scene , it wouldn't help her . Don't you think ? " I nodded . " She wouldn't make a fuss . In today's world , everyone wants to keep things civil . Everything can be discussed calmly ... even divorce . " Right then , Lewis set down his glass and spoke again . " Yeah . Emily's only value is her youth . Compared to her , Victoria's more intelligent and mature . But Victoria's pride is another issue . I don't know how long she can keep pretending this is enough . " He gave a short laugh . " I'm starting to regret getting married . If I had just kept her as a girlfriend , it would've cost a fraction of what divorce would cost me now . " So that was it . He was worried about financial loss . That makes sense because we were legally married - divorcing me would mean splitting all his post - marriage earnings . Well , if that was what he wanted , I'd make it easy for him . I could walk away from the divorce with nothing . 12 But the price of me walking away empty - handed - that was a bill Lewis would pay , whether he liked it or not . Chapter 2