Two years ago, Nora was drugged and dragged into a hotel room. After managing a desperate escape, she ran into her long-time crush, Maloney, in the middle of her flight. She begged him for help, but unexpectedly, the two ended up having a relationship that night. Nora originally intended to pretend that nothing had happened between them. However, Maloney insisted on taking responsibility for her, and the two got married in a daze. Two years later, Seraphina returned to the country. When Nora saw Maloney and Seraphina walking in and out together, she voluntarily stepped aside and handed him a divorce agreement. But to her surprise, Maloney went crazy. The truth was, Nora had always been the girl Maloney liked—he had harbored a crush on her for many years. Unfortunately, Nora had been engaged since childhood and had always kept her distance from him. That all changed when Nora's mother, in order to force Nora to give up her engagement to her cousin, personally sent her drugged daughter to the bed of a high-ranking official. Maloney knew then that his opportunity had come, and he successfully snatched Nora away. But married life did not turn out to be what he had idealized. The Nora he had longed for now wanted to divorce him. Late one night, Maloney pressed Nora against the corner of the wall. His tone was gentle, yet it exuded a firm and uncompromising resolve: "Nora, don't divorce me, please. What is it about me that you don't like? I can change anything."

Chapter 1"Let's get a divorce."Nora Dodge carefully pushed the divorce agreement across the table toward Maloney Jameson.Maloney lowered his gaze, casually flipping to the last page of the document. His eyes landed on Nora's neat handwriting.She had already signed it.Silence stretched between them.*Tap. Tap. Tap.*Maloney's long fingers drummed rhythmically against her signature. Each soft thud felt like a hammer striking Nora's chest, leaving her breathless and panicked.She bit her lower lip. Beneath the table, her hands twisted together, a suffocating wave of anxiety making it impossible to tear her focus away from his rhythmic tapping.She took a shallow breath, bracing herself. "Is... is there an issue with the terms?""Tell me what's wrong, and I'll change it," she added.Whenever Nora was nervous, she rambled. "As for our assets, you keep what you earned, and I'll keep mine. You bought this house before we got married, so I can move out as soon as the papers are signed. Also—""Nora," Maloney interrupted. "Give me a reason."Nora blinked, caught off guard. "What?"He raised his eyes to meet hers, his gaze unreadable. "Give me one good reason why we should get a divorce."A reason.The reason was painfully obvious.Her marriage to Maloney had been nothing but an accident.Two years ago, Nora had been drugged at a gala. Just as she was about to be dragged into a hotel room, she managed to break free. In her desperate escape, she collided right into Maloney.She had absolutely nothing left in her.Her pursuers had been closing in fast.Left with no choice, Nora had wrapped her arms tightly around Maloney's waist, crying and begging him to save her.That led to an absurd, passionate night together.At first, Nora wanted to pretend it never happened.After all, he had only done it to save her.It was entirely an accident.But afterward, Maloney insisted on taking responsibility.Nora had feelings for him.She couldn't bring herself to say no.And just like that, they ended up married in a blur.Time proved that a forced relationship was doomed from the start.Last weekend, Nora saw photos of Maloney and Seraphina Sinclair walking out of a hotel side by side.Seraphina was Maloney's first love.She had gone abroad for her studies after high school and just returned last week.And they had hooked up the moment she got back.It was fine, really.Maloney and Seraphina were supposed to be together anyway.Nora was just keeping her seat warm.By bringing up the divorce herself, she was stepping aside gracefully, preserving what little dignity she had left.It was time for everyone to return to where they belonged."Our marriage was an accident, and there are no real feelings between us. It's been two years. The scandal from back then has blown over, and I think it's time we both pursued our own happiness."Nora delivered the speech with forced lightness, sneaking a glance to gauge his reaction.He didn't look relieved at all.Maloney stared right at her. His gaze turned somber, and the slight downward curve of his lips made it clear he was far from pleased."No real feelings?"He repeated the words slowly, testing them on his tongue. "No feelings?"Nora could sense that Maloney was getting angry.She wasn't entirely sure why.Was it because she said they had "no feelings"?But she wasn't wrong.Nora paused for a second, reconsidering her words. They had grown up together in The Gated Community, so claiming they had absolutely zero feelings for each other wasn't entirely accurate.They could still be good friends.Before she could correct herself, Maloney beat her to it.His voice was low, thick with a suppressed intensity. "Who was crying out my name in bed last night? Nora, is that what you call having no feelings?"The blunt question sent a rush of heat to Nora's cheeks.Truthfully, their physical intimacy wasn't exactly a grand romance.It was more like a routine they performed a few times a month.Yes, they had slept together last night.But she certainly wouldn't call that proof of "feelings."Caught completely off guard by his sudden shift to their sex life, Nora floundered. Embarrassment and panic tangled her tongue. "That... that was just... taking care of physical needs! It's not, um... what I meant was—"An excuse suddenly flashed through her chaotic mind.Latching onto it like a lifeline, she rushed her words. "Well, when we first got married, your mother wanted us to have a baby right away. It's been two years and I haven't gotten pregnant. I think, um... my health just isn't good enough. I've let your family down."Her voice trailed off. "My point is, there's no reason for us to stay together."A heavy silence settled over the living room once more.Nora kept her head bowed, avoiding Maloney's eyes.She knew her reasoning sounded absolutely ridiculous.But he was the one who brought up such an inappropriate topic first.Maloney was usually so composed, elegant, and perfectly in control. He exuded an untouchable aura and was the last person she ever expected to talk about their sex life so casually.The atmosphere grew stifling.After a long pause, Maloney finally spoke. His voice sounded painfully tight, dropping to a rough rasp. "Are you serious about this?"Nora nodded. "I am.""Understood." Maloney stood up. The movement was so abrupt that his chair scraped harshly against the floor.He snatched the divorce agreement from the table, his tone freezing over. "I'll think about it."Nora assumed he wanted more time to review the clauses.She stood up as well, offering a helpful smile. "Take your time. We can negotiate anything you want to change."Maloney completely ignored her. Without looking back, he strode out of the living room and headed straight downstairs.Nora took a few steps after him, but he was tall, his long legs eating up the distance. By the time she jogged to the top of the stairs, he showed no signs of stopping to wait for her, so she gave up the chase.She stood at the landing. A moment later, the roar of an engine echoed from the underground garage.Maloney had driven off.A tiny pang of disappointment fluttered in Nora's chest.Just a tiny one.It didn't matter. They were getting divorced soon anyway.Nora walked back into the living room. She had work to do today and needed to head out soon. Just as she was about to go to the bedroom to change, her phone rang.It was her best friend, Cassidy Quinn.She answered the call."Nora!"Cassidy's furious roar blasted through the speaker. "I can't take it anymore! That bastard Parker cheated on me! I'm divorcing him!"Nora was speechless.What a coincidence."I'm telling you, I knew something was off last week!" Cassidy was breathing heavily, trying to reign in her temper. "I had a press conference last Friday night. After it ended, I told him to pick me up at the hotel. When I opened his car door, his secretary was sitting in the passenger seat!""I gave him hell right then and there, but he acted like I was crazy! Do you know what he said to me? He said, 'Oh, Lola sprained her ankle, so I was just dropping her off on the way. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?'"Cassidy's voice dripped with pure sarcasm. "Oh, a sprained ankle? Fine! I called a private doctor right there to the hotel entrance to check on his precious Lola's injury!""The doctor checked her out and found absolutely nothing wrong with her! She ended up strutting to the subway in her stilettos!""Parker fought with me all night over it. He called me petty, said I was being bitter, and accused me of humiliating him. He kept whining about how it was just a harmless ride for a young girl!""Oh, he wants to play games? Fine! I posted the whole story in the family group chat. Let the whole family see exactly what's going on!""My brother stepped in and ordered him to transfer the secretary. Parker agreed to his face, but when I went to his office today, that same secretary who was supposed to be reassigned last week was sitting on his lap feeding him cake!"Cassidy's voice shook with raw fury. Even through the phone, Nora could feel the heat of her anger."I'm laying it out right now. Being on the same marriage certificate as a cheating piece of trash makes me sick to my stomach. This divorce is happening!"Meanwhile.A silver Koenigsegg tore through the winding mountain roads.The mountain breeze whipped through the half-open window, tossing Maloney's hair into wild disarray.He slammed the brakes at the summit.The view outside the window was breathtaking, but Maloney had no interest in the scenery. He took a deep breath, his sharp gaze locking onto the crumpled divorce agreement sitting on the passenger seat.The longer he looked at it, the more it annoyed him.With a dark expression, he snatched the papers and tore them in half.Divorce?Absolutely not.He had secured this marriage fair and square. Why would he ever agree to a divorce?Remembering the absolute certainty in Nora's voice when she claimed they had "no feelings," Maloney felt a surge of frustration, yet he couldn't exactly refute it.Their marriage had indeed started as an accident.One could even argue that Maloney had forced her hand.Two years ago, at Arthur Dodge's birthday gala, Nora's mother, Vivian Cole, had personally drugged her own daughter, plotting to throw her into the bed of a powerful Capital City politician.Nora had bitten down hard on her own hand, using the pain to keep herself conscious. She fought back fiercely and managed to escape just before being dragged into the room.During her escape, Nora happened to crash into Maloney.But it wasn't a coincidence.Maloney had been looking for her.The drugs had taken hold of Nora. Her face was flushed, her body trembling and weak, looking entirely too vulnerable.She had begged him to save her.In that situation, Maloney should have rushed her straight to the hospital.He didn't.He took her to his bed instead.To this day, Maloney couldn't forget the look on Nora's face when he carried her into that room. Her expression shifted from shock to sheer confusion, and finally, to quiet resignation.The light in her eyes had slowly dimmed.The rescue she thought she had found was just a descent into another trap.Maloney had intended to sit down and have a real conversation with her afterward.But that same night, Nora had suffered agonizing abdominal pain and broke out in a cold sweat. She was rushed to the ER, diagnosed with a ruptured ovarian cyst, and hospitalized for a week. Maloney had stood by her hospital bed and brought up the idea of marriage.Nora agreed.She hadn't been happy, nor had she seemed devastated. She just accepted her fate with an eerie calmness.He had undoubtedly taken advantage of her vulnerability.Time had proven that forced relationships rarely ended well.Their two-year marriage had finally reached the edge of a cliff.Maloney leaned back against the leather seat, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. His index finger tapped frantically against the leather, an uncontrollable tap, tap, tap.Just then, his phone rang.The caller ID showed Jasper Zale, his oldest friend.The ringing briefly pulled Maloney out of his irritable mood.He answered the call. "What is it?""Hey," Jasper said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "So, Parker's wife is demanding a divorce. He's miserable and dragged the guys out for drinks. We've got a pretty full house today. You want to come over and join the fun?"Their circle of friends had all grown up together in The Gated Community. The Jameson family had been the first to dive into the business world. By seizing early market opportunities, they had built an empire, becoming a dominating force among The Capital Elite.As the eldest son, Maloney possessed exceptional capability and a ruthless eye for business. He had launched his first startup in college, quickly dominating the market with his sharp instincts.As his ventures expanded, Maloney's reputation in the corporate world skyrocketed. He eventually took the helm of his family's sprawling empire, managing countless enterprises across finance, tech, and real estate, cementing his status as the undisputed titan of The Capital Elite.As for the other guys from their old neighborhood, their paths had diverged. Some went into business, some into politics, and a few had seen their family fortunes crumble.They weren't really in the same league anymore.Once he reached adulthood, Maloney rarely showed up to these casual neighborhood reunions.But whether he attended was one thing; inviting him was simply protocol.Out of habit and respect, Jasper always extended the invitation, never actually expecting Maloney to say yes.To his shock, after a brief silence, Maloney spoke. "Send me the address."Jasper paused for a second before scrambling to reply. "Alright! Sending the location now!"The gathering was held at a highly exclusive private club.By the time Maloney arrived, the rest of the guys had been drinking for a while.Jasper came out to greet him personally. "Maloney, you actually made it! Long time no see!"At Jasper's loud greeting, the other men in the private room quickly stood up and gathered around, flashing familiar smiles. Those smiles held the warmth of their childhood days, mixed heavily with obvious deference to Maloney's current power and status.Chapter 2"Let's get a divorce."Nora Dodge carefully pushed the divorce agreement across the table toward Maloney Jameson.Maloney lowered his gaze, casually flipping to the last page of the document. His eyes landed on Nora's neat handwriting.She had already signed it.Silence stretched between them.*Tap. Tap. Tap.*Maloney's long fingers drummed rhythmically against her signature. Each soft thud felt like a hammer striking Nora's chest, leaving her breathless and panicked.She bit her lower lip. Beneath the table, her hands twisted together, a suffocating wave of anxiety making it impossible to tear her focus away from his rhythmic tapping.She took a shallow breath, bracing herself. "Is... is there an issue with the terms?""Tell me what's wrong, and I'll change it," she added.Whenever Nora was nervous, she rambled. "As for our assets, you keep what you earned, and I'll keep mine. You bought this house before we got married, so I can move out as soon as the papers are signed. Also—""Nora," Maloney interrupted. "Give me a reason."Nora blinked, caught off guard. "What?"He raised his eyes to meet hers, his gaze unreadable. "Give me one good reason why we should get a divorce."A reason.The reason was painfully obvious.Her marriage to Maloney had been nothing but an accident.Two years ago, Nora had been drugged at a gala. Just as she was about to be dragged into a hotel room, she managed to break free. In her desperate escape, she collided right into Maloney.She had absolutely nothing left in her.Her pursuers had been closing in fast.Left with no choice, Nora had wrapped her arms tightly around Maloney's waist, crying and begging him to save her.That led to an absurd, passionate night together.At first, Nora wanted to pretend it never happened.After all, he had only done it to save her.It was entirely an accident.But afterward, Maloney insisted on taking responsibility.Nora had feelings for him.She couldn't bring herself to say no.And just like that, they ended up married in a blur.Time proved that a forced relationship was doomed from the start.Last weekend, Nora saw photos of Maloney and Seraphina Sinclair walking out of a hotel side by side.Seraphina was Maloney's first love.She had gone abroad for her studies after high school and just returned last week.And they had hooked up the moment she got back.It was fine, really.Maloney and Seraphina were supposed to be together anyway.Nora was just keeping her seat warm.By bringing up the divorce herself, she was stepping aside gracefully, preserving what little dignity she had left.It was time for everyone to return to where they belonged."Our marriage was an accident, and there are no real feelings between us. It's been two years. The scandal from back then has blown over, and I think it's time we both pursued our own happiness."Nora delivered the speech with forced lightness, sneaking a glance to gauge his reaction.He didn't look relieved at all.Maloney stared right at her. His gaze turned somber, and the slight downward curve of his lips made it clear he was far from pleased."No real feelings?"He repeated the words slowly, testing them on his tongue. "No feelings?"Nora could sense that Maloney was getting angry.She wasn't entirely sure why.Was it because she said they had "no feelings"?But she wasn't wrong.Nora paused for a second, reconsidering her words. They had grown up together in The Gated Community, so claiming they had absolutely zero feelings for each other wasn't entirely accurate.They could still be good friends.Before she could correct herself, Maloney beat her to it.His voice was low, thick with a suppressed intensity. "Who was crying out my name in bed last night? Nora, is that what you call having no feelings?"The blunt question sent a rush of heat to Nora's cheeks.Truthfully, their physical intimacy wasn't exactly a grand romance.It was more like a routine they performed a few times a month.Yes, they had slept together last night.But she certainly wouldn't call that proof of "feelings."Caught completely off guard by his sudden shift to their sex life, Nora floundered. Embarrassment and panic tangled her tongue. "That... that was just... taking care of physical needs! It's not, um... what I meant was—"An excuse suddenly flashed through her chaotic mind.Latching onto it like a lifeline, she rushed her words. "Well, when we first got married, your mother wanted us to have a baby right away. It's been two years and I haven't gotten pregnant. I think, um... my health just isn't good enough. I've let your family down."Her voice trailed off. "My point is, there's no reason for us to stay together."A heavy silence settled over the living room once more.Nora kept her head bowed, avoiding Maloney's eyes.She knew her reasoning sounded absolutely ridiculous.But he was the one who brought up such an inappropriate topic first.Maloney was usually so composed, elegant, and perfectly in control. He exuded an untouchable aura and was the last person she ever expected to talk about their sex life so casually.The atmosphere grew stifling.After a long pause, Maloney finally spoke. His voice sounded painfully tight, dropping to a rough rasp. "Are you serious about this?"Nora nodded. "I am.""Understood." Maloney stood up. The movement was so abrupt that his chair scraped harshly against the floor.He snatched the divorce agreement from the table, his tone freezing over. "I'll think about it."Nora assumed he wanted more time to review the clauses.She stood up as well, offering a helpful smile. "Take your time. We can negotiate anything you want to change."Maloney completely ignored her. Without looking back, he strode out of the living room and headed straight downstairs.Nora took a few steps after him, but he was tall, his long legs eating up the distance. By the time she jogged to the top of the stairs, he showed no signs of stopping to wait for her, so she gave up the chase.She stood at the landing. A moment later, the roar of an engine echoed from the underground garage.Maloney had driven off.A tiny pang of disappointment fluttered in Nora's chest.Just a tiny one.It didn't matter. They were getting divorced soon anyway.Nora walked back into the living room. She had work to do today and needed to head out soon. Just as she was about to go to the bedroom to change, her phone rang.It was her best friend, Cassidy Quinn.She answered the call."Nora!"Cassidy's furious roar blasted through the speaker. "I can't take it anymore! That bastard Parker cheated on me! I'm divorcing him!"Nora was speechless.What a coincidence."I'm telling you, I knew something was off last week!" Cassidy was breathing heavily, trying to reign in her temper. "I had a press conference last Friday night. After it ended, I told him to pick me up at the hotel. When I opened his car door, his secretary was sitting in the passenger seat!""I gave him hell right then and there, but he acted like I was crazy! Do you know what he said to me? He said, 'Oh, Lola sprained her ankle, so I was just dropping her off on the way. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?'"Cassidy's voice dripped with pure sarcasm. "Oh, a sprained ankle? Fine! I called a private doctor right there to the hotel entrance to check on his precious Lola's injury!""The doctor checked her out and found absolutely nothing wrong with her! She ended up strutting to the subway in her stilettos!""Parker fought with me all night over it. He called me petty, said I was being bitter, and accused me of humiliating him. He kept whining about how it was just a harmless ride for a young girl!""Oh, he wants to play games? Fine! I posted the whole story in the family group chat. Let the whole family see exactly what's going on!""My brother stepped in and ordered him to transfer the secretary. Parker agreed to his face, but when I went to his office today, that same secretary who was supposed to be reassigned last week was sitting on his lap feeding him cake!"Cassidy's voice shook with raw fury. Even through the phone, Nora could feel the heat of her anger."I'm laying it out right now. Being on the same marriage certificate as a cheating piece of trash makes me sick to my stomach. This divorce is happening!"Meanwhile.A silver Koenigsegg tore through the winding mountain roads.The mountain breeze whipped through the half-open window, tossing Maloney's hair into wild disarray.He slammed the brakes at the summit.The view outside the window was breathtaking, but Maloney had no interest in the scenery. He took a deep breath, his sharp gaze locking onto the crumpled divorce agreement sitting on the passenger seat.The longer he looked at it, the more it annoyed him.With a dark expression, he snatched the papers and tore them in half.Divorce?Absolutely not.He had secured this marriage fair and square. Why would he ever agree to a divorce?Remembering the absolute certainty in Nora's voice when she claimed they had "no feelings," Maloney felt a surge of frustration, yet he couldn't exactly refute it.Their marriage had indeed started as an accident.One could even argue that Maloney had forced her hand.Two years ago, at Arthur Dodge's birthday gala, Nora's mother, Vivian Cole, had personally drugged her own daughter, plotting to throw her into the bed of a powerful Capital City politician.Nora had bitten down hard on her own hand, using the pain to keep herself conscious. She fought back fiercely and managed to escape just before being dragged into the room.During her escape, Nora happened to crash into Maloney.But it wasn't a coincidence.Maloney had been looking for her.The drugs had taken hold of Nora. Her face was flushed, her body trembling and weak, looking entirely too vulnerable.She had begged him to save her.In that situation, Maloney should have rushed her straight to the hospital.He didn't.He took her to his bed instead.To this day, Maloney couldn't forget the look on Nora's face when he carried her into that room. Her expression shifted from shock to sheer confusion, and finally, to quiet resignation.The light in her eyes had slowly dimmed.The rescue she thought she had found was just a descent into another trap.Maloney had intended to sit down and have a real conversation with her afterward.But that same night, Nora had suffered agonizing abdominal pain and broke out in a cold sweat. She was rushed to the ER, diagnosed with a ruptured ovarian cyst, and hospitalized for a week. Maloney had stood by her hospital bed and brought up the idea of marriage.Nora agreed.She hadn't been happy, nor had she seemed devastated. She just accepted her fate with an eerie calmness.He had undoubtedly taken advantage of her vulnerability.Time had proven that forced relationships rarely ended well.Their two-year marriage had finally reached the edge of a cliff.Maloney leaned back against the leather seat, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. His index finger tapped frantically against the leather, an uncontrollable tap, tap, tap.Just then, his phone rang.The caller ID showed Jasper Zale, his oldest friend.The ringing briefly pulled Maloney out of his irritable mood.He answered the call. "What is it?""Hey," Jasper said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "So, Parker's wife is demanding a divorce. He's miserable and dragged the guys out for drinks. We've got a pretty full house today. You want to come over and join the fun?"Their circle of friends had all grown up together in The Gated Community. The Jameson family had been the first to dive into the business world. By seizing early market opportunities, they had built an empire, becoming a dominating force among The Capital Elite.As the eldest son, Maloney possessed exceptional capability and a ruthless eye for business. He had launched his first startup in college, quickly dominating the market with his sharp instincts.As his ventures expanded, Maloney's reputation in the corporate world skyrocketed. He eventually took the helm of his family's sprawling empire, managing countless enterprises across finance, tech, and real estate, cementing his status as the undisputed titan of The Capital Elite.As for the other guys from their old neighborhood, their paths had diverged. Some went into business, some into politics, and a few had seen their family fortunes crumble.They weren't really in the same league anymore.Once he reached adulthood, Maloney rarely showed up to these casual neighborhood reunions.But whether he attended was one thing; inviting him was simply protocol.Out of habit and respect, Jasper always extended the invitation, never actually expecting Maloney to say yes.To his shock, after a brief silence, Maloney spoke. "Send me the address."Jasper paused for a second before scrambling to reply. "Alright! Sending the location now!"The gathering was held at a highly exclusive private club.By the time Maloney arrived, the rest of the guys had been drinking for a while.Jasper came out to greet him personally. "Maloney, you actually made it! Long time no see!"At Jasper's loud greeting, the other men in the private room quickly stood up and gathered around, flashing familiar smiles. Those smiles held the warmth of their childhood days, mixed heavily with obvious deference to Maloney's current power and status.Chapter 3"Let's get a divorce."Nora Dodge carefully pushed the divorce agreement across the table toward Maloney Jameson.Maloney lowered his gaze, casually flipping to the last page of the document. His eyes landed on Nora's neat handwriting.She had already signed it.Silence stretched between them.*Tap. Tap. Tap.*Maloney's long fingers drummed rhythmically against her signature. Each soft thud felt like a hammer striking Nora's chest, leaving her breathless and panicked.She bit her lower lip. Beneath the table, her hands twisted together, a suffocating wave of anxiety making it impossible to tear her focus away from his rhythmic tapping.She took a shallow breath, bracing herself. "Is... is there an issue with the terms?""Tell me what's wrong, and I'll change it," she added.Whenever Nora was nervous, she rambled. "As for our assets, you keep what you earned, and I'll keep mine. You bought this house before we got married, so I can move out as soon as the papers are signed. Also—""Nora," Maloney interrupted. "Give me a reason."Nora blinked, caught off guard. "What?"He raised his eyes to meet hers, his gaze unreadable. "Give me one good reason why we should get a divorce."A reason.The reason was painfully obvious.Her marriage to Maloney had been nothing but an accident.Two years ago, Nora had been drugged at a gala. Just as she was about to be dragged into a hotel room, she managed to break free. In her desperate escape, she collided right into Maloney.She had absolutely nothing left in her.Her pursuers had been closing in fast.Left with no choice, Nora had wrapped her arms tightly around Maloney's waist, crying and begging him to save her.That led to an absurd, passionate night together.At first, Nora wanted to pretend it never happened.After all, he had only done it to save her.It was entirely an accident.But afterward, Maloney insisted on taking responsibility.Nora had feelings for him.She couldn't bring herself to say no.And just like that, they ended up married in a blur.Time proved that a forced relationship was doomed from the start.Last weekend, Nora saw photos of Maloney and Seraphina Sinclair walking out of a hotel side by side.Seraphina was Maloney's first love.She had gone abroad for her studies after high school and just returned last week.And they had hooked up the moment she got back.It was fine, really.Maloney and Seraphina were supposed to be together anyway.Nora was just keeping her seat warm.By bringing up the divorce herself, she was stepping aside gracefully, preserving what little dignity she had left.It was time for everyone to return to where they belonged."Our marriage was an accident, and there are no real feelings between us. It's been two years. The scandal from back then has blown over, and I think it's time we both pursued our own happiness."Nora delivered the speech with forced lightness, sneaking a glance to gauge his reaction.He didn't look relieved at all.Maloney stared right at her. His gaze turned somber, and the slight downward curve of his lips made it clear he was far from pleased."No real feelings?"He repeated the words slowly, testing them on his tongue. "No feelings?"Nora could sense that Maloney was getting angry.She wasn't entirely sure why.Was it because she said they had "no feelings"?But she wasn't wrong.Nora paused for a second, reconsidering her words. They had grown up together in The Gated Community, so claiming they had absolutely zero feelings for each other wasn't entirely accurate.They could still be good friends.Before she could correct herself, Maloney beat her to it.His voice was low, thick with a suppressed intensity. "Who was crying out my name in bed last night? Nora, is that what you call having no feelings?"The blunt question sent a rush of heat to Nora's cheeks.Truthfully, their physical intimacy wasn't exactly a grand romance.It was more like a routine they performed a few times a month.Yes, they had slept together last night.But she certainly wouldn't call that proof of "feelings."Caught completely off guard by his sudden shift to their sex life, Nora floundered. Embarrassment and panic tangled her tongue. "That... that was just... taking care of physical needs! It's not, um... what I meant was—"An excuse suddenly flashed through her chaotic mind.Latching onto it like a lifeline, she rushed her words. "Well, when we first got married, your mother wanted us to have a baby right away. It's been two years and I haven't gotten pregnant. I think, um... my health just isn't good enough. I've let your family down."Her voice trailed off. "My point is, there's no reason for us to stay together."A heavy silence settled over the living room once more.Nora kept her head bowed, avoiding Maloney's eyes.She knew her reasoning sounded absolutely ridiculous.But he was the one who brought up such an inappropriate topic first.Maloney was usually so composed, elegant, and perfectly in control. He exuded an untouchable aura and was the last person she ever expected to talk about their sex life so casually.The atmosphere grew stifling.After a long pause, Maloney finally spoke. His voice sounded painfully tight, dropping to a rough rasp. "Are you serious about this?"Nora nodded. "I am.""Understood." Maloney stood up. The movement was so abrupt that his chair scraped harshly against the floor.He snatched the divorce agreement from the table, his tone freezing over. "I'll think about it."Nora assumed he wanted more time to review the clauses.She stood up as well, offering a helpful smile. "Take your time. We can negotiate anything you want to change."Maloney completely ignored her. Without looking back, he strode out of the living room and headed straight downstairs.Nora took a few steps after him, but he was tall, his long legs eating up the distance. By the time she jogged to the top of the stairs, he showed no signs of stopping to wait for her, so she gave up the chase.She stood at the landing. A moment later, the roar of an engine echoed from the underground garage.Maloney had driven off.A tiny pang of disappointment fluttered in Nora's chest.Just a tiny one.It didn't matter. They were getting divorced soon anyway.Nora walked back into the living room. She had work to do today and needed to head out soon. Just as she was about to go to the bedroom to change, her phone rang.It was her best friend, Cassidy Quinn.She answered the call."Nora!"Cassidy's furious roar blasted through the speaker. "I can't take it anymore! That bastard Parker cheated on me! I'm divorcing him!"Nora was speechless.What a coincidence."I'm telling you, I knew something was off last week!" Cassidy was breathing heavily, trying to reign in her temper. "I had a press conference last Friday night. After it ended, I told him to pick me up at the hotel. When I opened his car door, his secretary was sitting in the passenger seat!""I gave him hell right then and there, but he acted like I was crazy! Do you know what he said to me? He said, 'Oh, Lola sprained her ankle, so I was just dropping her off on the way. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?'"Cassidy's voice dripped with pure sarcasm. "Oh, a sprained ankle? Fine! I called a private doctor right there to the hotel entrance to check on his precious Lola's injury!""The doctor checked her out and found absolutely nothing wrong with her! She ended up strutting to the subway in her stilettos!""Parker fought with me all night over it. He called me petty, said I was being bitter, and accused me of humiliating him. He kept whining about how it was just a harmless ride for a young girl!""Oh, he wants to play games? Fine! I posted the whole story in the family group chat. Let the whole family see exactly what's going on!""My brother stepped in and ordered him to transfer the secretary. Parker agreed to his face, but when I went to his office today, that same secretary who was supposed to be reassigned last week was sitting on his lap feeding him cake!"Cassidy's voice shook with raw fury. Even through the phone, Nora could feel the heat of her anger."I'm laying it out right now. Being on the same marriage certificate as a cheating piece of trash makes me sick to my stomach. This divorce is happening!"Meanwhile.A silver Koenigsegg tore through the winding mountain roads.The mountain breeze whipped through the half-open window, tossing Maloney's hair into wild disarray.He slammed the brakes at the summit.The view outside the window was breathtaking, but Maloney had no interest in the scenery. He took a deep breath, his sharp gaze locking onto the crumpled divorce agreement sitting on the passenger seat.The longer he looked at it, the more it annoyed him.With a dark expression, he snatched the papers and tore them in half.Divorce?Absolutely not.He had secured this marriage fair and square. Why would he ever agree to a divorce?Remembering the absolute certainty in Nora's voice when she claimed they had "no feelings," Maloney felt a surge of frustration, yet he couldn't exactly refute it.Their marriage had indeed started as an accident.One could even argue that Maloney had forced her hand.Two years ago, at Arthur Dodge's birthday gala, Nora's mother, Vivian Cole, had personally drugged her own daughter, plotting to throw her into the bed of a powerful Capital City politician.Nora had bitten down hard on her own hand, using the pain to keep herself conscious. She fought back fiercely and managed to escape just before being dragged into the room.During her escape, Nora happened to crash into Maloney.But it wasn't a coincidence.Maloney had been looking for her.The drugs had taken hold of Nora. Her face was flushed, her body trembling and weak, looking entirely too vulnerable.She had begged him to save her.In that situation, Maloney should have rushed her straight to the hospital.He didn't.He took her to his bed instead.To this day, Maloney couldn't forget the look on Nora's face when he carried her into that room. Her expression shifted from shock to sheer confusion, and finally, to quiet resignation.The light in her eyes had slowly dimmed.The rescue she thought she had found was just a descent into another trap.Maloney had intended to sit down and have a real conversation with her afterward.But that same night, Nora had suffered agonizing abdominal pain and broke out in a cold sweat. She was rushed to the ER, diagnosed with a ruptured ovarian cyst, and hospitalized for a week. Maloney had stood by her hospital bed and brought up the idea of marriage.Nora agreed.She hadn't been happy, nor had she seemed devastated. She just accepted her fate with an eerie calmness.He had undoubtedly taken advantage of her vulnerability.Time had proven that forced relationships rarely ended well.Their two-year marriage had finally reached the edge of a cliff.Maloney leaned back against the leather seat, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. His index finger tapped frantically against the leather, an uncontrollable tap, tap, tap.Just then, his phone rang.The caller ID showed Jasper Zale, his oldest friend.The ringing briefly pulled Maloney out of his irritable mood.He answered the call. "What is it?""Hey," Jasper said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "So, Parker's wife is demanding a divorce. He's miserable and dragged the guys out for drinks. We've got a pretty full house today. You want to come over and join the fun?"Their circle of friends had all grown up together in The Gated Community. The Jameson family had been the first to dive into the business world. By seizing early market opportunities, they had built an empire, becoming a dominating force among The Capital Elite.As the eldest son, Maloney possessed exceptional capability and a ruthless eye for business. He had launched his first startup in college, quickly dominating the market with his sharp instincts.As his ventures expanded, Maloney's reputation in the corporate world skyrocketed. He eventually took the helm of his family's sprawling empire, managing countless enterprises across finance, tech, and real estate, cementing his status as the undisputed titan of The Capital Elite.As for the other guys from their old neighborhood, their paths had diverged. Some went into business, some into politics, and a few had seen their family fortunes crumble.They weren't really in the same league anymore.Once he reached adulthood, Maloney rarely showed up to these casual neighborhood reunions.But whether he attended was one thing; inviting him was simply protocol.Out of habit and respect, Jasper always extended the invitation, never actually expecting Maloney to say yes.To his shock, after a brief silence, Maloney spoke. "Send me the address."Jasper paused for a second before scrambling to reply. "Alright! Sending the location now!"The gathering was held at a highly exclusive private club.By the time Maloney arrived, the rest of the guys had been drinking for a while.Jasper came out to greet him personally. "Maloney, you actually made it! Long time no see!"At Jasper's loud greeting, the other men in the private room quickly stood up and gathered around, flashing familiar smiles. Those smiles held the warmth of their childhood days, mixed heavily with obvious deference to Maloney's current power and status.