Chapter 1

Dad acted swiftly, immediately shutting down the private airport and arranging a fleet of cars to pick me up. Meanwhile, the celebration at the venue continued. Ethan even posted a group photo in the company chat:

"We're already at the airport. Thank you all for your hard work today. Rest up and take care!"

The chat instantly buzzed with excitement:

"Did you see the group photo? Where is that? It looks so luxurious!"

"That's the Smith family's private tarmac! Do you know how exclusive that place is? It's not about money; you need status to set foot there!"

"Ms. White and our boss are such a perfect match. Did you see them on stage today? I was so moved I could hardly breathe!"

Moved? All I felt was revulsion.

Ethan tried to explain it away to the team, claiming it was just a moment of uncontrollable excitement and asking everyone not to misunderstand. As for Alice White, she even had the audacity to grab my hand afterward, pretending to be concerned:

"Don't take it to heart. It was just a polite expression of emotion."

But the company was already abuzz with speculation.

Soon, a group of senior employees gathered around me, speaking loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear:

"Ms. White is capable, comes from an influential family—she'd make the perfect wife for our boss. Imagine how far we'd all soar with her by his side!"

"But there's someone stubbornly clinging to her spot, a parasite dragging things down."

I clenched my fists tightly. Before I could respond, the intern who usually shadowed me leaned over and whispered, "Ms. Smith, don't listen to them. You're the one who truly deserves to be the boss's wife."

Ten years. For ten years, I had silently supported Ethan as he built this company from the ground up. I even sought help from my parents, securing critical resources for him behind the scenes. And yet, not just Ethan, but this entire company now treated me like I was disposable.

They mocked me, calling me a parasite, accusing me of clinging to him and using marriage as a bargaining chip. They ridiculed me for allegedly pressuring him to marry me.

And I tolerated it all—for the sake of harmony, for the sake of his dream, which I once believed in too.

Because the company was Ethan's life. And once upon a time, it was mine as well.

"Mia, let's call the company Miathan," he once said.

"Why that name?" I had teased. "Something like Forty Thieves sounds more fun—your last idea came straight out of a fairy tale!"

He'd touched his nose to mine in that affectionate way of his. "Naughty girl," he murmured.

His warmth surrounded me as I responded softly, "I understand your intentions. The name contains a part of both of us: ‘Mia' and ‘Ethan.'"

"Mia," he had said, his voice thick with emotion, "this company is like our child."

Back then, his embrace felt like the entire world to me.

"Ethan, now that the company is up and running, your dream has come true. Can we… get married?" I had asked hopefully.

My parents had only one condition: I couldn't reveal my true identity before the wedding. It was their final request. We had been together for two years, and I was eager to give them an answer.

"Mia, there's no rush. When the company goes public, I'll give it to you as a wedding gift. How about that?"

Going public—starting from scratch, with no money or connections—seemed like an impossible dream.

But the determination in his eyes made me nod and agree.

It's been ten years. Even a dog would inspire feelings of attachment after that long. So how did it come to this? When did I become nothing more than a trivial existence to Ethan?

"Everyone, I am officially resigning!" I typed, sending my final message to the group chat. Then, I exited the group.

Dad's chauffeur had arrived by then—actually, it wasn't just a chauffeur but an entire fleet of luxury cars.

"Mia, should we head to the hotel to collect your belongings?" the lead driver asked respectfully.

"No need. Just drive." Everything here had been tainted. Nothing was worth bringing along.

"Understood, Mia. We'll proceed directly to the Smith family tarmac. Your plane is already waiting for you there."

Chapter 2

The convoy arrived smoothly at the airport. Tonight, the entire Smith family airport had been shut down; all other private aircraft would only be available starting tomorrow.

Bodyguards surrounded me at the elevator entrance as we brushed past guests being politely escorted out. A familiar voice drifted over:

"Dad, I heard the Smith family's only daughter is arriving tonight, and all our planes had to make way for her."

I turned my head slightly and saw Alice on the phone, her back to us. Her usual entourage wasn't with her.

"I've never met Ms. Smith. Is she really that low-key? Dad, have you ever seen her?"

It sounded like she was speaking to her father, Mr. White. Like her, every time he visited the company, people swarmed around him, eager to curry favor—after all, they were major investors in the company.

"Ethan Spencer is almost mine! Don't worry about it," she said smugly, her laughter ringing out. "We've made real progress today."

So, she had managed to insert herself between us—and her father had tacitly approved.

But I didn't expect them to be so deliberate and calculating. Is Ethan really that irresistible to them?

"Is it true he's the Smith family's illegitimate son?"

What? What is she talking about?

She paused briefly, then continued, "You're right. Mr. Smith did once say Ethan was like half a son to him. That's not something you'd say lightly."

"Mr. Smith has secretly supported him for years—there's no way it's just a coincidence! When I marry Ethan, our family will soar!"

I couldn't help but laugh quietly.

Mr. White must be ecstatic hearing them talk about marriage, right?

The so-called Mr. White was merely a branch manager for the Smith family in the north. If not for my father, who had remotely directed Mr. White to assist Ethan all these years, how could such a minor branch manager have gained the chairman's favor?

Alice ended the call, and moments later, Ethan appeared, eagerly chatting with her. His eyes briefly scanned in my direction; his expression tinged with suspicion as he glanced toward the cluster of bodyguards.

But we had already stepped into the elevator. He probably assumed he had mistaken someone else for me.

Still, in that fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of what he was holding—and my breath hitched.

Chapter 3

Once on the plane, my phone rang.

"Ms. Smith, Ethan sent someone to purchase the four-leaf clover diamond rings. I believe they're meant for you. Just wanted to inform you."

So, I hadn't been mistaken! A pair of four-leaf clover rings—the same design as the necklace resting on my chest.

I had personally designed this set before placing it in the store: one diamond necklace and a matching pair of couple rings. Following my instructions, the store manager had reserved them exclusively for Ethan.

"Mia, I told you this was the right place to visit! Look, isn't this your favorite pattern?"

That day, he spotted it immediately and pulled me toward the display.

I knew I was important to him because, from the moment we met, he had committed all my preferences to memory.

But he had only bought the necklace that day and placed it around my neck.

"Mia, you're so beautiful. When we get married, I'll buy the rings too. Is that okay?"

For years, I had waited for him to make good on that promise and purchase those rings for me.

I subconsciously touched the necklace at my throat, wondering: Why now?

Is this supposed to be his way of making amends?

I picked up my phone and aimlessly scrolled through the screen, my heart racing despite my efforts to stay composed.

Damn it!

What exactly was I expecting?

And then I saw it—the pair of rings I had dreamed about for so long:

"Tonight's surprise—luxury that's worth every penny."

Alice had posted a photo on social media. In it, she and Ethan were holding hands, both wearing the matching four-leaf clover diamond rings.

The diamonds sparkled brilliantly, but they stung my eyes like needles.

"Worth every penny"? Of course.

Under my guidance, the store manager had priced this ten-million-dollar luxury set at just a hundred thousand dollars.

Alice certainly knew what she was getting, didn't she?

I liked her post and left a comment:

"Congratulations to you both!"

Not long after, Ethan called. He didn't even give me a chance to speak before launching into a tirade.

"Mia! Getting bold, aren't you? Resigning from the company group—just wait until I get back to deal with you!"

"And now you're being passive-aggressive in Alice's social media post? What's your problem? Apologize to her immediately!"

I replied coldly, "It's simple, Ethan. I'm stepping aside. Let's break up."

Only now did I realize how easy it was to say the words, break up.

Ethan's voice rose. "What did you say? After everything I've done for you—the food, the clothes—you dare threaten me with a breakup?"

Alice's voice chimed in faintly from the background, "Ethan, Mia probably didn't mean it. She might have misunderstood. Don't be angry with her."

I couldn't bear to listen any longer. I hung up and turned off my phone.

On the plane, pink crystal glasses, exquisite decorations, and a fine bottle of wine awaited me.

And of course, an array of impeccably handsome flight attendants, each towering at six feet tall.

It had been so long since I'd indulged in such luxury. All these years, I'd revolved around Ethan as though he were the center of my universe.

I waved to one of the attendants. "Tell the captain to take off. We're going home."