Chapter 3

Zachary had struck Lynette's weakest point. Lynette told herself she would trust him one last time—this would be the final chance she ever gave him. He helped her carry her belongings back inside, and together they returned to the uneasy calm before the storm. Lynette also agreed to attend the company's IPO gala the following night. But Zachary didn't send anyone to pick her up, claiming he was busy. Meanwhile, Charmaine posted an update on her social media account. She posted a photo of a Mont Blanc tart from the east side of the city. The caption read, "I casually mentioned I was craving a Mont Blanc tart, and Mr. Attorney drove all day just to get them for me. Who wouldn't want to marry a man like that?" It wasn't the first time Charmaine had posted something suggestive. In the beginning, Lynette would take screenshots and confront Zachary. But he always brushed it off. "Charmaine is sick. She only has a few small requests. What's wrong with me fulfilling them?" When Lynette reminded him they were married, Zachary would counter sharply. "Nettie, have I slept with Charmaine? You're always questioning me. It's exhausting. Everything I'm doing is for you anyway, to make up for your father's sins." Eventually, Lynette stopped arguing. Charmaine grew bolder. Once, those posts had pierced Lynette's heart because she still loved Zachary. But she no longer did. Looking at them only made her laugh. She blocked Charmaine's account and took a cab to the gala alone. … The sound of clinking glasses filled the air. Lights illuminated Zachary and Charmaine, casting them as a perfect pair. Even Zachary's friends laughed as they called Charmaine "Mrs. Wright". In the past, Zachary would have shut down such talk immediately, dismissing it as baseless nonsense from a closed chapter of his life. But at some point, he stopped correcting them, letting them stand. Guests smiled and flattered Charmaine. "Mrs. Wright, this is such an important event, and Zach brought you. Clearly, you mean a lot to him." "Yeah. I heard at auctions that Zach always gets gifts for Mrs. Wright. He doesn't show that thoughtful side to just anyone." Zachary smiled. "Charmaine deserves it. Without her support all these years, the company wouldn't have gone public so quickly." Charmaine's face glowed. "Back then, I had nowhere to go, and Zachary gave me a place to stay. I'm just doing my best to help him." Even in a setting like this, Charmaine never addressed him formally as Mr. Wright. And Zachary, who was always strict about separating business from personal, didn't reprimand her once. From across the room, Lynette watched and let out a cold laugh. She shouldn't have come. Someone spotted her and exclaimed in surprise, "Lynette, what are you doing here?" The laughter died instantly. Zachary's expression stiffened. Lynette offered a frosty smile, leaning into her role as the uninvited guest. She drew herself up to her full height and spoke calmly. "Considering this is the Wright Corporation's IPO celebration, and I am, after all, Mrs. Wright, I fail to see why my attendance is a surprise." Awkward glances were exchanged as guests scrambled to smooth things over. "Lynette, we were just joking earlier. Don't take it to heart." Her reply was flat. "It wasn't funny at all." Zachary stepped closer, lowering his voice. "This is the company's IPO gala. Do you really have to cause a scene here?" Once again, she was "causing a scene". In his eyes, she always was. He had never once taken her pain seriously. Lynette met his dark gaze. She couldn't understand. If he truly believed she was nothing but trouble, why did he refuse to divorce her? Everyone said he loved her, but she couldn't feel it at all. William's appeal still depended on him, so she didn't want to argue. She took a deep breath and said, "It's stuffy inside. I'm going out for some air." As she turned to leave, Zachary reached for her wrist, but his hand closed on nothing. He froze. When had Lynette grown this thin?