For three long years, Katelyn played the part of the perfect trophy wife. She was quiet, accommodating, and content to stay hidden in the shadows. Jonathan hadn't married her for love; he married her because she could play the role of a docile, high-society wife without making demands. He was so convinced of her absolute devotion that when Katelyn was falsely branded a homewrecker on national television, he didn't lift a finger to help. Instead, he was at the airport, welcoming his glamorous first love back into the country. Everyone assumed Katelyn would endure any humiliation just to stay by his side. Even when rumors of their impending divorce leaked, Jonathan merely scoffed. "It’s just a desperate cry for attention," he told his friends. "She'd never actually leave me." But Katelyn didn't just leave. She vanished. When she finally stepped back into the spotlight, the submissive housewife was gone. In her place stood a powerhouse actress, sweeping awards, dominating the box office, and capturing the hearts of millions. Suddenly, the whole world was in love with her—and Jonathan was entirely beneath her notice. Driven mad by jealousy and a sudden, crushing realization of what he’d lost, the arrogant billionaire finally drops to his knees, begging for a second chance. But Katelyn only offers him a cold, flawless smile. "I'm sorry, Jonathan. The show is over, and I'm done acting like I love you."

Chapter 1While the internet tears Katelyn apart for being a homewrecker, her husband Jonathan is driving to the airport. He is on his way to pick up the one woman he never got over.Katelyn unlocks her phone. The top trending hashtags glare back at her like neon signs:#ShockingScandal! Katelyn Confirmed as the Other Woman!##WashedUpActress Chases Billionaire. Now True Love Returns!#She stares at the search metrics climbing by the second, a self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. Today is supposed to be her and Jonathan's third wedding anniversary. She booked a restaurant weeks in advance and even confirmed his schedule. She waited from noon until three in the afternoon. Without a doubt, she has been stood up. The only call she received was from his assistant, claiming Jonathan had a very important person to pick up and couldn't make it. Always the understanding wife, she swallowed her disappointment and politely told him it was fine. Only now does she realize that the 'very important person' is Jonathan's childhood sweetheart.When they got married three years ago, there was no ceremony. Jonathan never took her to his company, nor did he ever attempt to integrate her into his social circle. Katelyn is entirely used to being invisible. But she never expected to be publicly branded as a mistress. For an actress, this kind of public relations nightmare is fatal."You need to call Mr. Colwell right now," Penny, her agent, urges from across the room. "Ask him what the hell is going on. It's best if Horizon Global's PR team steps in to handle this."Katelyn hesitates. Even though she can already guess the outcome, she stubbornly dials the number. As expected, it rings twice before being abruptly disconnected."He's not answering?" Penny asks.Katelyn grips her phone tightly, then forces herself to relax her hand. Even to her own agent, it is humiliating to admit the truth. "That was his second assistant. He hung up on me."Penny rubs her temples, utterly baffled by the absurdity of the situation. Katelyn is Jonathan's legal wife. What kind of marriage requires a wife to go through an assistant just to reach her own husband? A second assistant, no less! And she still gets ignored!"Katelyn," Penny says sternly, "you just decided to return to acting. Having a scandal like this break right now is disastrous."Taking a deep breath, Katelyn bypasses the assistant and dials Jonathan's personal number directly."Who is this?" a deep, resonant voice answers.Jonathan treats his personal life with ruthless efficiency; he keeps fewer than two hundred contacts in his private phone. Clearly, Katelyn does not make the cut. Hearing his voice, her heart gives a pathetic little flutter. Normally, she just calls him by his name. But today, the thought of her husband rushing to the side of another woman makes a suffocating wave of despair wash over her."Hubby, it's me," she says softly.The breathing on the other end pauses. "I told you not to call me that when I'm out."Whatever courage Katelyn had instantly evaporates, replaced by a hollow ache. She presses her lips together. "The media caught pictures of you heading to the airport. Could you ask Horizon's PR to—"Before she can finish, a delicate, feminine voice drifts through the receiver. "Jonathan, who's on the phone?"A sharp pang strikes Katelyn's chest. Then, she hears Jonathan's low response. "No one."The girl giggles lightly. "Don't tell me someone is checking up on you? That's so funny. It's the twenty-first century, who still does that?"Jonathan murmurs something reassuring to the woman before turning his cold, distant tone back to the phone. "If you have business, tell the company.""Then I—"The line goes dead.Katelyn sits in stunned silence, her grip white-knuckled on the phone. After a long moment, she opens the app again. In the attached video clip, a man in a sharp black suit is seen carefully shielding a girl's head as he guides her into a luxury car. Though her face is obscured, the girl has a petite, fragile frame, looking every bit the delicate damsel in distress. Noticing the cameras, she acts surprised for a split second before offering a sweet, radiant wave.The comments beneath the post are already in the tens of thousands.[Omg! You can tell just from his back that Mr. Colwell is strikingly handsome!][First loves are the best. They are definitely a real couple. I'm calling it, best couple of the year!][Where is the clown? @Katelyn][Where is the homewrecker? @Katelyn]Katelyn reaches for the car door. Penny covers her phone mouthpiece, her eyes wide. "Where are you going?""You shouldhead back first," Katelyn says, booking a ride on her phone. "I'm going to the company to wait." Public relations is all about speed; she cannot afford to waste a single second.An hour later, the car pulls up to the Horizon Global headquarters. The young receptionist spots a stunning pair of legs that seem to go on for days, followed by an impeccable outfit. To prepare for her anniversary dinner with Jonathan, Katelyn wore a Fendi runway suit, a delicate pearl belt cinching her waist to highlight her stunning curves. Her wavy hair cascades perfectly over her shoulders, every strand looking effortlessly glamorous.The receptionist blushes. "H-hello, ma'am. Welcome to Horizon Global. Do you have an appointment?"Out of pure politeness, Katelyn takes off her sunglasses. "I'm here to see Jonathan."The young girl immediately recognizes Katelyn, her eyes widening in awe. Celebrities really are on a completely different level from ordinary people. But a second later, she gasps. Oh no. The trending gossip is happening in real life! The homewrecker is storming the castle!"I... I'm so sorry," the receptionist stammers. "Mr. Colwell went to the airport to pick up his girlfriend. If you want to see the CEO, you have to book through the visitor system first."His girlfriend. Book through the system. They have been married for three years, yet as his wife, she doesn't even exist here. But one trending post later, everyone knows about his precious first love.Hearing the commotion, Jonathan’s assistant Finn rushes downstairs and quickly ushers Katelyn into the elevator. Only when the doors slide shut does he respectfully bow his head. "Mrs. Colwell."Katelyn thinks bitterly to herself, Is she really that shameful to be seen with?The elevator stops at the twentieth floor, where the standard meeting rooms are located. Right next to it is the private elevator that goes straight to the CEO's office. Katelyn reaches out and presses the call button.Finn nervously pushes up his glasses. "Ma'am, it might be better if you wait downstairs. Mr. Colwell has a very important guest today."As if to answer Katelyn's unspoken question, the private elevator chimes. The doors slide open, bringing them face to face.Jonathan's striking presence is impossible to ignore. Standing right beside him is a beautiful, delicate girl with wide, innocent eyes that practically beg for protection. She is intimately clinging to Jonathan's arm. The surrounding executives and employees immediately lock their eyes onto Katelyn, practically salivating over the impending drama.Katelyn looks at Jonathan, desperately hoping he will say something. After all, they are legally married.The girl tilts her head. "Jonathan, who is she?"The moment the question hangs in the air, the collective gaze of every executive and staff member darts frantically between the three of them.Jonathan's expression remains entirely unbothered. "No one important."Katelyn freezes, a dense, suffocating pain spreading through her chest. She forces her voice steady, though a slight tremor betrays her. "Jonathan, I need to speak with you."The girl offers a polite smile and takes a half-step forward, shielding Jonathan like she is his official spokesperson. "Miss, Mr. Colwell is very busy. Please make an appointment first." She turns her gaze up to Jonathan, her smile dripping with sweet understanding. "Don't be mad at her, Jonathan. I'm sure she didn't mean to intrude; she just doesn't know the rules."Ignoring Katelyn entirely, Jonathan addresses his executives. "Meeting in the VIP conference room in ten minutes."The girl blinks, asking playfully, "What about me?""You're coming with me, of course," Jonathan replies smoothly.Katelyn watches the floor numbers tick upward on the digital display, feeling as though a rope is tightening around her heart, pulling tighter and tighter until it snaps completely on the twenty-eighth floor. Three years of marriage, all reduced to 'no one important'. Meanwhile, this other girl is the honored guest. How incredibly ironic.If she didn't have this blatant comparison staring her in the face, Katelyn might have convinced herself that Jonathan was simply incapable of love. But now, she has to face reality.Katelyn stands perfectly still for a moment. Then, without any hesitation, she pulls out her phone and dials her agent. "Penny, we can't wait on the PR response anymore. I've taken screenshots for evidence. Tell Chris to prep the lawsuit. Oh, and have him draft my divorce papers.""You want to divorce Jonathan? Did you initiate it or did he? You didn't lose your temper and make a scene at the company, did you?"Penny's first reaction is pure, unfiltered disbelief.Fighting the lump in her throat, Katelyn shrugs, then remembers Penny can't see her. "Nothing like that. Getting angry is useless compared to getting even. Penny, I'm done revolving my life around a hollow marriage. I want my career and my reputation back."Hearing the faint nasal thickness in Katelyn's voice, Penny's heart aches for her. "I told you from the start to focus on your career instead of chasing a man."As a top-tier agent in the industry, Penny would have never tied herself to Katelyn's sinking ship for this long if she hadn't been on maternity leave.Katelyn forces a light tone to comfort her. "I’m fine. Don't worry about me.""I'm not worried about you. I'm worried about Mr. Colwell. You've treated that man like royalty for three years. I have no idea how he's going to survive being single."Penny genuinely means it. Even from another woman's perspective, Katelyn is the absolute perfect wife. She has high emotional intelligence, knows how to take care of people, and cooks Jonathan's meals because he always forgets to eat, even having the driver deliver them at exactly the right time. She keeps a low profile publicly while flawlessly managing the complex social politics of the Colwell family privately. Her only flaw is that she is incredibly stubborn; once she commits to something, she refuses to give up until she hits a dead end.After ending the call, Katelyn types out a message, sends it to Penny for approval, and hits post. Almost instantly, her phone explodes with notifications.Using her verified celebrity account, Katelyn directly tags several high-traffic gossip pages driving the hate campaign against her. Her comment reads: I hear you want a lawsuit for defamation? @SpillTheTea @GoldenStatueGossips @DramaDaily. When we go to court, make sure you bring all your little memes and comment threads.Within minutes, the post reaches viral status. While the majority of the public is still dragging her name through the mud, a few are genuinely shocked by Katelyn's aggressive clapback.[Holy crap! Katelyn has guts. She actually dropped the lawsuit threat.][Other celebrities need to take notes. If you're going to claim innocence, do it like this. Stop faking it.]Having dropped the bomb, Katelyn grabs her purse to leave. But before she can reach the parking garage, Finn comes sprinting after her."Mrs. Colwell, wait! Mr. Colwell is asking you to come upstairs."Finn is completely out of breath. Katelyn politely thanks him for his trouble, but she gives Jonathan zero grace. "I'm busy right now. If Mr. Colwell wants to see me, tell him to make an appointment with my agent."Finn is too stunned to process the words.When the message is relayed back to Jonathan, he frowns deeply. "She wants me to make an appointment?" How dare she?Finn doesn't even dare to breathe heavily. Just last month, a tech billionaire saw his company's stock skyrocket simply because he managed to grab lunch with Jonathan. To the entire industry, Jonathan's attitude dictates Horizon Global's attitude, which dictates the market's investment trends. A meeting with Mr. Colwell is an opportunity money literally cannot buy. And now Katelyn is telling him to get in line?"She seems quite upset," Finn manages to offer."No, she isn't," Jonathan says, shaking off his initial surprise with absolute certainty. "She is very sensible."She has never once refused a request of his. She certainly never gets angry. As for her attitude today, he assumes she is merely acting out to get his attention. Like a pampered cat in the family estate, meowing and flashing its claws for a bit of affection, but never actually running away. Besides, they have been married for a long time, and Katelyn has always played the role of the perfect wife flawlessly. It is just a few fake rumors online. She should understand that issuing corporate PR statements would only increase costs and negatively impact the conglomerate's stock. It simply isn't worth it. She will definitely understand.Jonathan has absolutely no idea that his obedient, sensible wife went straight home and immediately began packing her bags.Katelyn remembers when she first moved in; the penthouse felt as cold and sterile as a showroom. Bit by bit, like an squirrel hoarding nuts, she stubbornly left traces of herself all over Jonathan's world.Chapter 2While the internet tears Katelyn apart for being a homewrecker, her husband Jonathan is driving to the airport. He is on his way to pick up the one woman he never got over.Katelyn unlocks her phone. The top trending hashtags glare back at her like neon signs:#ShockingScandal! Katelyn Confirmed as the Other Woman!##WashedUpActress Chases Billionaire. Now True Love Returns!#She stares at the search metrics climbing by the second, a self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. Today is supposed to be her and Jonathan's third wedding anniversary. She booked a restaurant weeks in advance and even confirmed his schedule. She waited from noon until three in the afternoon. Without a doubt, she has been stood up. The only call she received was from his assistant, claiming Jonathan had a very important person to pick up and couldn't make it. Always the understanding wife, she swallowed her disappointment and politely told him it was fine. Only now does she realize that the 'very important person' is Jonathan's childhood sweetheart.When they got married three years ago, there was no ceremony. Jonathan never took her to his company, nor did he ever attempt to integrate her into his social circle. Katelyn is entirely used to being invisible. But she never expected to be publicly branded as a mistress. For an actress, this kind of public relations nightmare is fatal."You need to call Mr. Colwell right now," Penny, her agent, urges from across the room. "Ask him what the hell is going on. It's best if Horizon Global's PR team steps in to handle this."Katelyn hesitates. Even though she can already guess the outcome, she stubbornly dials the number. As expected, it rings twice before being abruptly disconnected."He's not answering?" Penny asks.Katelyn grips her phone tightly, then forces herself to relax her hand. Even to her own agent, it is humiliating to admit the truth. "That was his second assistant. He hung up on me."Penny rubs her temples, utterly baffled by the absurdity of the situation. Katelyn is Jonathan's legal wife. What kind of marriage requires a wife to go through an assistant just to reach her own husband? A second assistant, no less! And she still gets ignored!"Katelyn," Penny says sternly, "you just decided to return to acting. Having a scandal like this break right now is disastrous."Taking a deep breath, Katelyn bypasses the assistant and dials Jonathan's personal number directly."Who is this?" a deep, resonant voice answers.Jonathan treats his personal life with ruthless efficiency; he keeps fewer than two hundred contacts in his private phone. Clearly, Katelyn does not make the cut. Hearing his voice, her heart gives a pathetic little flutter. Normally, she just calls him by his name. But today, the thought of her husband rushing to the side of another woman makes a suffocating wave of despair wash over her."Hubby, it's me," she says softly.The breathing on the other end pauses. "I told you not to call me that when I'm out."Whatever courage Katelyn had instantly evaporates, replaced by a hollow ache. She presses her lips together. "The media caught pictures of you heading to the airport. Could you ask Horizon's PR to—"Before she can finish, a delicate, feminine voice drifts through the receiver. "Jonathan, who's on the phone?"A sharp pang strikes Katelyn's chest. Then, she hears Jonathan's low response. "No one."The girl giggles lightly. "Don't tell me someone is checking up on you? That's so funny. It's the twenty-first century, who still does that?"Jonathan murmurs something reassuring to the woman before turning his cold, distant tone back to the phone. "If you have business, tell the company.""Then I—"The line goes dead.Katelyn sits in stunned silence, her grip white-knuckled on the phone. After a long moment, she opens the app again. In the attached video clip, a man in a sharp black suit is seen carefully shielding a girl's head as he guides her into a luxury car. Though her face is obscured, the girl has a petite, fragile frame, looking every bit the delicate damsel in distress. Noticing the cameras, she acts surprised for a split second before offering a sweet, radiant wave.The comments beneath the post are already in the tens of thousands.[Omg! You can tell just from his back that Mr. Colwell is strikingly handsome!][First loves are the best. They are definitely a real couple. I'm calling it, best couple of the year!][Where is the clown? @Katelyn][Where is the homewrecker? @Katelyn]Katelyn reaches for the car door. Penny covers her phone mouthpiece, her eyes wide. "Where are you going?""You shouldhead back first," Katelyn says, booking a ride on her phone. "I'm going to the company to wait." Public relations is all about speed; she cannot afford to waste a single second.An hour later, the car pulls up to the Horizon Global headquarters. The young receptionist spots a stunning pair of legs that seem to go on for days, followed by an impeccable outfit. To prepare for her anniversary dinner with Jonathan, Katelyn wore a Fendi runway suit, a delicate pearl belt cinching her waist to highlight her stunning curves. Her wavy hair cascades perfectly over her shoulders, every strand looking effortlessly glamorous.The receptionist blushes. "H-hello, ma'am. Welcome to Horizon Global. Do you have an appointment?"Out of pure politeness, Katelyn takes off her sunglasses. "I'm here to see Jonathan."The young girl immediately recognizes Katelyn, her eyes widening in awe. Celebrities really are on a completely different level from ordinary people. But a second later, she gasps. Oh no. The trending gossip is happening in real life! The homewrecker is storming the castle!"I... I'm so sorry," the receptionist stammers. "Mr. Colwell went to the airport to pick up his girlfriend. If you want to see the CEO, you have to book through the visitor system first."His girlfriend. Book through the system. They have been married for three years, yet as his wife, she doesn't even exist here. But one trending post later, everyone knows about his precious first love.Hearing the commotion, Jonathan’s assistant Finn rushes downstairs and quickly ushers Katelyn into the elevator. Only when the doors slide shut does he respectfully bow his head. "Mrs. Colwell."Katelyn thinks bitterly to herself, Is she really that shameful to be seen with?The elevator stops at the twentieth floor, where the standard meeting rooms are located. Right next to it is the private elevator that goes straight to the CEO's office. Katelyn reaches out and presses the call button.Finn nervously pushes up his glasses. "Ma'am, it might be better if you wait downstairs. Mr. Colwell has a very important guest today."As if to answer Katelyn's unspoken question, the private elevator chimes. The doors slide open, bringing them face to face.Jonathan's striking presence is impossible to ignore. Standing right beside him is a beautiful, delicate girl with wide, innocent eyes that practically beg for protection. She is intimately clinging to Jonathan's arm. The surrounding executives and employees immediately lock their eyes onto Katelyn, practically salivating over the impending drama.Katelyn looks at Jonathan, desperately hoping he will say something. After all, they are legally married.The girl tilts her head. "Jonathan, who is she?"The moment the question hangs in the air, the collective gaze of every executive and staff member darts frantically between the three of them.Jonathan's expression remains entirely unbothered. "No one important."Katelyn freezes, a dense, suffocating pain spreading through her chest. She forces her voice steady, though a slight tremor betrays her. "Jonathan, I need to speak with you."The girl offers a polite smile and takes a half-step forward, shielding Jonathan like she is his official spokesperson. "Miss, Mr. Colwell is very busy. Please make an appointment first." She turns her gaze up to Jonathan, her smile dripping with sweet understanding. "Don't be mad at her, Jonathan. I'm sure she didn't mean to intrude; she just doesn't know the rules."Ignoring Katelyn entirely, Jonathan addresses his executives. "Meeting in the VIP conference room in ten minutes."The girl blinks, asking playfully, "What about me?""You're coming with me, of course," Jonathan replies smoothly.Katelyn watches the floor numbers tick upward on the digital display, feeling as though a rope is tightening around her heart, pulling tighter and tighter until it snaps completely on the twenty-eighth floor. Three years of marriage, all reduced to 'no one important'. Meanwhile, this other girl is the honored guest. How incredibly ironic.If she didn't have this blatant comparison staring her in the face, Katelyn might have convinced herself that Jonathan was simply incapable of love. But now, she has to face reality.Katelyn stands perfectly still for a moment. Then, without any hesitation, she pulls out her phone and dials her agent. "Penny, we can't wait on the PR response anymore. I've taken screenshots for evidence. Tell Chris to prep the lawsuit. Oh, and have him draft my divorce papers.""You want to divorce Jonathan? Did you initiate it or did he? You didn't lose your temper and make a scene at the company, did you?"Penny's first reaction is pure, unfiltered disbelief.Fighting the lump in her throat, Katelyn shrugs, then remembers Penny can't see her. "Nothing like that. Getting angry is useless compared to getting even. Penny, I'm done revolving my life around a hollow marriage. I want my career and my reputation back."Hearing the faint nasal thickness in Katelyn's voice, Penny's heart aches for her. "I told you from the start to focus on your career instead of chasing a man."As a top-tier agent in the industry, Penny would have never tied herself to Katelyn's sinking ship for this long if she hadn't been on maternity leave.Katelyn forces a light tone to comfort her. "I’m fine. Don't worry about me.""I'm not worried about you. I'm worried about Mr. Colwell. You've treated that man like royalty for three years. I have no idea how he's going to survive being single."Penny genuinely means it. Even from another woman's perspective, Katelyn is the absolute perfect wife. She has high emotional intelligence, knows how to take care of people, and cooks Jonathan's meals because he always forgets to eat, even having the driver deliver them at exactly the right time. She keeps a low profile publicly while flawlessly managing the complex social politics of the Colwell family privately. Her only flaw is that she is incredibly stubborn; once she commits to something, she refuses to give up until she hits a dead end.After ending the call, Katelyn types out a message, sends it to Penny for approval, and hits post. Almost instantly, her phone explodes with notifications.Using her verified celebrity account, Katelyn directly tags several high-traffic gossip pages driving the hate campaign against her. Her comment reads: I hear you want a lawsuit for defamation? @SpillTheTea @GoldenStatueGossips @DramaDaily. When we go to court, make sure you bring all your little memes and comment threads.Within minutes, the post reaches viral status. While the majority of the public is still dragging her name through the mud, a few are genuinely shocked by Katelyn's aggressive clapback.[Holy crap! Katelyn has guts. She actually dropped the lawsuit threat.][Other celebrities need to take notes. If you're going to claim innocence, do it like this. Stop faking it.]Having dropped the bomb, Katelyn grabs her purse to leave. But before she can reach the parking garage, Finn comes sprinting after her."Mrs. Colwell, wait! Mr. Colwell is asking you to come upstairs."Finn is completely out of breath. Katelyn politely thanks him for his trouble, but she gives Jonathan zero grace. "I'm busy right now. If Mr. Colwell wants to see me, tell him to make an appointment with my agent."Finn is too stunned to process the words.When the message is relayed back to Jonathan, he frowns deeply. "She wants me to make an appointment?" How dare she?Finn doesn't even dare to breathe heavily. Just last month, a tech billionaire saw his company's stock skyrocket simply because he managed to grab lunch with Jonathan. To the entire industry, Jonathan's attitude dictates Horizon Global's attitude, which dictates the market's investment trends. A meeting with Mr. Colwell is an opportunity money literally cannot buy. And now Katelyn is telling him to get in line?"She seems quite upset," Finn manages to offer."No, she isn't," Jonathan says, shaking off his initial surprise with absolute certainty. "She is very sensible."She has never once refused a request of his. She certainly never gets angry. As for her attitude today, he assumes she is merely acting out to get his attention. Like a pampered cat in the family estate, meowing and flashing its claws for a bit of affection, but never actually running away. Besides, they have been married for a long time, and Katelyn has always played the role of the perfect wife flawlessly. It is just a few fake rumors online. She should understand that issuing corporate PR statements would only increase costs and negatively impact the conglomerate's stock. It simply isn't worth it. She will definitely understand.Jonathan has absolutely no idea that his obedient, sensible wife went straight home and immediately began packing her bags.Katelyn remembers when she first moved in; the penthouse felt as cold and sterile as a showroom. Bit by bit, like an squirrel hoarding nuts, she stubbornly left traces of herself all over Jonathan's world.Chapter 3While the internet tears Katelyn apart for being a homewrecker, her husband Jonathan is driving to the airport. He is on his way to pick up the one woman he never got over.Katelyn unlocks her phone. The top trending hashtags glare back at her like neon signs:#ShockingScandal! Katelyn Confirmed as the Other Woman!##WashedUpActress Chases Billionaire. Now True Love Returns!#She stares at the search metrics climbing by the second, a self-deprecating smile tugging at her lips. Today is supposed to be her and Jonathan's third wedding anniversary. She booked a restaurant weeks in advance and even confirmed his schedule. She waited from noon until three in the afternoon. Without a doubt, she has been stood up. The only call she received was from his assistant, claiming Jonathan had a very important person to pick up and couldn't make it. Always the understanding wife, she swallowed her disappointment and politely told him it was fine. Only now does she realize that the 'very important person' is Jonathan's childhood sweetheart.When they got married three years ago, there was no ceremony. Jonathan never took her to his company, nor did he ever attempt to integrate her into his social circle. Katelyn is entirely used to being invisible. But she never expected to be publicly branded as a mistress. For an actress, this kind of public relations nightmare is fatal."You need to call Mr. Colwell right now," Penny, her agent, urges from across the room. "Ask him what the hell is going on. It's best if Horizon Global's PR team steps in to handle this."Katelyn hesitates. Even though she can already guess the outcome, she stubbornly dials the number. As expected, it rings twice before being abruptly disconnected."He's not answering?" Penny asks.Katelyn grips her phone tightly, then forces herself to relax her hand. Even to her own agent, it is humiliating to admit the truth. "That was his second assistant. He hung up on me."Penny rubs her temples, utterly baffled by the absurdity of the situation. Katelyn is Jonathan's legal wife. What kind of marriage requires a wife to go through an assistant just to reach her own husband? A second assistant, no less! And she still gets ignored!"Katelyn," Penny says sternly, "you just decided to return to acting. Having a scandal like this break right now is disastrous."Taking a deep breath, Katelyn bypasses the assistant and dials Jonathan's personal number directly."Who is this?" a deep, resonant voice answers.Jonathan treats his personal life with ruthless efficiency; he keeps fewer than two hundred contacts in his private phone. Clearly, Katelyn does not make the cut. Hearing his voice, her heart gives a pathetic little flutter. Normally, she just calls him by his name. But today, the thought of her husband rushing to the side of another woman makes a suffocating wave of despair wash over her."Hubby, it's me," she says softly.The breathing on the other end pauses. "I told you not to call me that when I'm out."Whatever courage Katelyn had instantly evaporates, replaced by a hollow ache. She presses her lips together. "The media caught pictures of you heading to the airport. Could you ask Horizon's PR to—"Before she can finish, a delicate, feminine voice drifts through the receiver. "Jonathan, who's on the phone?"A sharp pang strikes Katelyn's chest. Then, she hears Jonathan's low response. "No one."The girl giggles lightly. "Don't tell me someone is checking up on you? That's so funny. It's the twenty-first century, who still does that?"Jonathan murmurs something reassuring to the woman before turning his cold, distant tone back to the phone. "If you have business, tell the company.""Then I—"The line goes dead.Katelyn sits in stunned silence, her grip white-knuckled on the phone. After a long moment, she opens the app again. In the attached video clip, a man in a sharp black suit is seen carefully shielding a girl's head as he guides her into a luxury car. Though her face is obscured, the girl has a petite, fragile frame, looking every bit the delicate damsel in distress. Noticing the cameras, she acts surprised for a split second before offering a sweet, radiant wave.The comments beneath the post are already in the tens of thousands.[Omg! You can tell just from his back that Mr. Colwell is strikingly handsome!][First loves are the best. They are definitely a real couple. I'm calling it, best couple of the year!][Where is the clown? @Katelyn][Where is the homewrecker? @Katelyn]Katelyn reaches for the car door. Penny covers her phone mouthpiece, her eyes wide. "Where are you going?""You shouldhead back first," Katelyn says, booking a ride on her phone. "I'm going to the company to wait." Public relations is all about speed; she cannot afford to waste a single second.An hour later, the car pulls up to the Horizon Global headquarters. The young receptionist spots a stunning pair of legs that seem to go on for days, followed by an impeccable outfit. To prepare for her anniversary dinner with Jonathan, Katelyn wore a Fendi runway suit, a delicate pearl belt cinching her waist to highlight her stunning curves. Her wavy hair cascades perfectly over her shoulders, every strand looking effortlessly glamorous.The receptionist blushes. "H-hello, ma'am. Welcome to Horizon Global. Do you have an appointment?"Out of pure politeness, Katelyn takes off her sunglasses. "I'm here to see Jonathan."The young girl immediately recognizes Katelyn, her eyes widening in awe. Celebrities really are on a completely different level from ordinary people. But a second later, she gasps. Oh no. The trending gossip is happening in real life! The homewrecker is storming the castle!"I... I'm so sorry," the receptionist stammers. "Mr. Colwell went to the airport to pick up his girlfriend. If you want to see the CEO, you have to book through the visitor system first."His girlfriend. Book through the system. They have been married for three years, yet as his wife, she doesn't even exist here. But one trending post later, everyone knows about his precious first love.Hearing the commotion, Jonathan’s assistant Finn rushes downstairs and quickly ushers Katelyn into the elevator. Only when the doors slide shut does he respectfully bow his head. "Mrs. Colwell."Katelyn thinks bitterly to herself, Is she really that shameful to be seen with?The elevator stops at the twentieth floor, where the standard meeting rooms are located. Right next to it is the private elevator that goes straight to the CEO's office. Katelyn reaches out and presses the call button.Finn nervously pushes up his glasses. "Ma'am, it might be better if you wait downstairs. Mr. Colwell has a very important guest today."As if to answer Katelyn's unspoken question, the private elevator chimes. The doors slide open, bringing them face to face.Jonathan's striking presence is impossible to ignore. Standing right beside him is a beautiful, delicate girl with wide, innocent eyes that practically beg for protection. She is intimately clinging to Jonathan's arm. The surrounding executives and employees immediately lock their eyes onto Katelyn, practically salivating over the impending drama.Katelyn looks at Jonathan, desperately hoping he will say something. After all, they are legally married.The girl tilts her head. "Jonathan, who is she?"The moment the question hangs in the air, the collective gaze of every executive and staff member darts frantically between the three of them.Jonathan's expression remains entirely unbothered. "No one important."Katelyn freezes, a dense, suffocating pain spreading through her chest. She forces her voice steady, though a slight tremor betrays her. "Jonathan, I need to speak with you."The girl offers a polite smile and takes a half-step forward, shielding Jonathan like she is his official spokesperson. "Miss, Mr. Colwell is very busy. Please make an appointment first." She turns her gaze up to Jonathan, her smile dripping with sweet understanding. "Don't be mad at her, Jonathan. I'm sure she didn't mean to intrude; she just doesn't know the rules."Ignoring Katelyn entirely, Jonathan addresses his executives. "Meeting in the VIP conference room in ten minutes."The girl blinks, asking playfully, "What about me?""You're coming with me, of course," Jonathan replies smoothly.Katelyn watches the floor numbers tick upward on the digital display, feeling as though a rope is tightening around her heart, pulling tighter and tighter until it snaps completely on the twenty-eighth floor. Three years of marriage, all reduced to 'no one important'. Meanwhile, this other girl is the honored guest. How incredibly ironic.If she didn't have this blatant comparison staring her in the face, Katelyn might have convinced herself that Jonathan was simply incapable of love. But now, she has to face reality.Katelyn stands perfectly still for a moment. Then, without any hesitation, she pulls out her phone and dials her agent. "Penny, we can't wait on the PR response anymore. I've taken screenshots for evidence. Tell Chris to prep the lawsuit. Oh, and have him draft my divorce papers.""You want to divorce Jonathan? Did you initiate it or did he? You didn't lose your temper and make a scene at the company, did you?"Penny's first reaction is pure, unfiltered disbelief.Fighting the lump in her throat, Katelyn shrugs, then remembers Penny can't see her. "Nothing like that. Getting angry is useless compared to getting even. Penny, I'm done revolving my life around a hollow marriage. I want my career and my reputation back."Hearing the faint nasal thickness in Katelyn's voice, Penny's heart aches for her. "I told you from the start to focus on your career instead of chasing a man."As a top-tier agent in the industry, Penny would have never tied herself to Katelyn's sinking ship for this long if she hadn't been on maternity leave.Katelyn forces a light tone to comfort her. "I’m fine. Don't worry about me.""I'm not worried about you. I'm worried about Mr. Colwell. You've treated that man like royalty for three years. I have no idea how he's going to survive being single."Penny genuinely means it. Even from another woman's perspective, Katelyn is the absolute perfect wife. She has high emotional intelligence, knows how to take care of people, and cooks Jonathan's meals because he always forgets to eat, even having the driver deliver them at exactly the right time. She keeps a low profile publicly while flawlessly managing the complex social politics of the Colwell family privately. Her only flaw is that she is incredibly stubborn; once she commits to something, she refuses to give up until she hits a dead end.After ending the call, Katelyn types out a message, sends it to Penny for approval, and hits post. Almost instantly, her phone explodes with notifications.Using her verified celebrity account, Katelyn directly tags several high-traffic gossip pages driving the hate campaign against her. Her comment reads: I hear you want a lawsuit for defamation? @SpillTheTea @GoldenStatueGossips @DramaDaily. When we go to court, make sure you bring all your little memes and comment threads.Within minutes, the post reaches viral status. While the majority of the public is still dragging her name through the mud, a few are genuinely shocked by Katelyn's aggressive clapback.[Holy crap! Katelyn has guts. She actually dropped the lawsuit threat.][Other celebrities need to take notes. If you're going to claim innocence, do it like this. Stop faking it.]Having dropped the bomb, Katelyn grabs her purse to leave. But before she can reach the parking garage, Finn comes sprinting after her."Mrs. Colwell, wait! Mr. Colwell is asking you to come upstairs."Finn is completely out of breath. Katelyn politely thanks him for his trouble, but she gives Jonathan zero grace. "I'm busy right now. If Mr. Colwell wants to see me, tell him to make an appointment with my agent."Finn is too stunned to process the words.When the message is relayed back to Jonathan, he frowns deeply. "She wants me to make an appointment?" How dare she?Finn doesn't even dare to breathe heavily. Just last month, a tech billionaire saw his company's stock skyrocket simply because he managed to grab lunch with Jonathan. To the entire industry, Jonathan's attitude dictates Horizon Global's attitude, which dictates the market's investment trends. A meeting with Mr. Colwell is an opportunity money literally cannot buy. And now Katelyn is telling him to get in line?"She seems quite upset," Finn manages to offer."No, she isn't," Jonathan says, shaking off his initial surprise with absolute certainty. "She is very sensible."She has never once refused a request of his. She certainly never gets angry. As for her attitude today, he assumes she is merely acting out to get his attention. Like a pampered cat in the family estate, meowing and flashing its claws for a bit of affection, but never actually running away. Besides, they have been married for a long time, and Katelyn has always played the role of the perfect wife flawlessly. It is just a few fake rumors online. She should understand that issuing corporate PR statements would only increase costs and negatively impact the conglomerate's stock. It simply isn't worth it. She will definitely understand.Jonathan has absolutely no idea that his obedient, sensible wife went straight home and immediately began packing her bags.Katelyn remembers when she first moved in; the penthouse felt as cold and sterile as a showroom. Bit by bit, like an squirrel hoarding nuts, she stubbornly left traces of herself all over Jonathan's world.