Ethan yanked my phone from me.I shot him a warning glare but kept the other call connected.
"I get it,but this is a huge deal—a$100 million order.I wouldn't dare touch it with ten lives!If headquarters finds out,I'm fired."
Hearing"$100 million,"Ethan's eyes widened,releasing me,waiting patiently.

Hanging up,I sighed,feigning distress.
"You heard.Someone in Southeast Asia has a batch of emerald jewelry,wants me to distribute.The deposit's$2 million.I don't have that kind of cash!"
Ethan's eyes gleamed.
"How's the emerald quality?I hear Southeast Asia's got top-grade stuff at wholesale.If we pull this off,we're set!"
I glanced at him.
"What's it to you?Weren't you just mad about Chloe?Yelling at me earlier?"

His eyes darted,a sleazy grin forming as he massaged my shoulders.
"Honey,what're you saying?We're family.I was just upset you embarrassed me.You're the only one in my heart—our home."
I turned,skeptical.
"Really?"

"Of course!After all these years,don't you know me?"
He hugged my neck,head on my shoulder,eyes fixed on my laptop.
I excused myself with work and asked him to leave.As soon as he walked out,I opened the hidden surveillance system linked to my phone.
As expected,Ethan went downstairs and headed to the garden.There,he pulled out his phone and dialed someone.
The call was answered quickly.
"Chloe,don't worry.Although we didn't get Sophie into the Harper family this time,I've got an even better plan now.This time,not only will Sophie become my daughter openly,but you'll also become my wife.No more hiding."
Ethan's lips curled,eyes glinting darkly.
Watching him dream of his future,I found it pathetic.
The fish was hooked.Who'd be the greedy cat?
In the following days,Ethan seemed to turn over a new leaf.
He became unusually attentive—every morning he'd see me off at the door with a smile.
If I didn't know he rushed to Chloe the moment I left,I'd think he'd reformed.
Chloe,vilified online,became a pariah,too scared to go out.
Sophie,expelled from kindergarten after bullying complaints tied to the scandal,stayed home.
Chloe's mother,unable to handle the gossip,fled to the countryside.
They relied on Ethan's visits.
So I made up a story about needing to conduct an on-site inspection in Southeast Asian and invited Ethan to accompany me.
He readily agreed—and secretly bought Chloe and Sophie a flight there the day before ours.
At the airport,I took Ethan to Southeast Asia's largest gem market,Bayview Market.
Our local contact showed us around,then offered us a 20% discount if we placed a deposit.
I pretended to hesitate,saying I needed time to think,and brought Ethan back to the hotel.
"Why didn't you accept their offer?"Ethan snapped."Do you even realize how much money 20% is?Some people spend their whole lives chasing that amount!"
I removed my makeup,looking weary.
"I don't have that kind of money right now. Besides,this is a huge deal—I'm not sure I can handle it.Maybe it's better to play it safe.I think the money I earn now is enough for both of us for the rest of our lives.Why take such a risk?"
Ethan clearly wasn't satisfied.His brows furrowed tightly.
"You'll never amount to anything,missing chances like this."
After scolding me,he said he wanted to go for a walk and left the hotel.
Once gone,I snapped a photo of my Chanel bag on the dresser,posting online:
"Thanks for the bag,hubby.Love you."
Less than half an hour later,I received a photo on my phone—Ethan,with Chloe and Sophie,shopping together like a happy family.
And guess what he bought Chloe?
A limited-edition crocodile skin handbag—the very same model I had refused to buy myself despite earning millions a year.
After dropping them at their hotel,Ethan returned to the gem market alone.
Bored,I went to the hotel restaurant,spotting Chloe at the front desk,haughtily demanding a room upgrade with Sophie.
"Do you even know who my husband is?"Chloe sneered."He's going to be a billionaire soon.Who do you think you are?I just want a suite upgrade.Don't tell me you won't do it?I have plenty of money."
Her loud voice drew every eye.
"Ma'am,we're fully booked—no suites available.Sorry."
The clerk spoke politely in accented English.
Chloe scoffed,slamming her crocodile bag on the counter.
"Do you even know how much this bag costs?Over millions—luxury beyond your wildest dreams.I can afford it.Upgrade my room,or I'll file a complaint."
Her words drew gasps from everyone in the lobby.
What she didn't notice,however,was that two men sitting in the corner were staring at her with hungry eyes.
Showing off wealth in Southeast Asia?That's a deadly mistake.