Chapter 1: Divorce PapersIn the Lap of Luxury

Despite being married for three years, Grace Lewis doesn't even get to hold hands with Benjamin Hawkins, let alone bear a child for him.After surviving a plane crash, Grace finds herself in the hospital, where she sees Benjamin accompanying another woman for a prenatal checkup. This makes Grace realize Benjamin's never had space in his heart for her.As soon as she ends the relationship, Grace changes back to the granddaughter of the world's wealthiest man. Since she can't be Benjamin's wife, she'll be his nemesis instead. She'd like to see who's the unworthy one now!

Chapter 1 Almost Died in a Plane Crash

"A plane bound for Pamore experienced a tragic crash upon landing at 12:30 am Eklora time.

"The death toll has increased to 136 people, and up until now, there have been only three fortunate survivors."

The real-time news updates about the plane crash on TV pulled Grace Lewis back to her senses.

She was one of the survivors.

She now lay on the hospital bed with injuries all over her body and her legs bandaged.

"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later," came the automatic response from Grace's phone.

Ever since the plane crash, her nominal husband, Benjamin Hawkins, hadn't picked up any of her calls.

The plane crash had shaken the whole nation. It was impossible for him to be unaware of it.

The crash site had been scattered with corpses. The fear of having nearly died still haunted her, overwhelming her to the extent that she couldn't breathe.

Yet, at times like this, when she needed care the most, she had yet to hear a word from the man she had been married to for three years.

A wave of disappointment washed over her.

After a long time, her phone finally rang. Grace snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at her phone.

However, the moment she saw who it was, her eyes gradually dimmed.

"Hello?" She picked it up, her voice hoarse.

Elizabeth Astor's concerned voice came through from the other end of the line. "Gracie, you scared me to death! Are you okay? Is Benjamin with you now?"

Elizabeth was Benjamin's grandmother. She was the only person in the Hawkins family who cared about Grace.

"He ..."

Elizabeth instantly understood the situation upon sensing Grace's hesitation.

"You're both his secretary and his wife. You went abroad on his behalf for work. And now that something has happened, he's gone missing?

"Just wait and see. I'm definitely not going to let him off the hook!"

She added, "Which hospital are you at? I'll get the butler to pick you up right away!"

The call ended soon after Grace told Elizabeth her location.

Grace lowered her head and quietly removed the needle for the IV drip. Enduring the pain, she got out of bed.

"What are you doing? Your leg injuries haven't recovered yet. You need to rest," said the nurse, who had come in for rounds.

"Get me two crutches. I need to get discharged." Grace's eyes were resolute.

Compared to the hospital, Hawkins Manor was a more suitable place for her to recuperate.

On top of that, she needed to tend to work matters too. Grace worked as the president's secretary at Hawkins Group.

She had gone on a trip to Darai as the company's representative. She had been responsible for the layout planning and personnel arrangements for a medical exhibition.

She needed to make a report on that and submit it to the company as soon as possible.

More importantly, she wanted to know what Benjamin was doing and where the hell he was.

The nurse couldn't convince Grace. In the end, she gave in and brought two crutches for her.

Grace left the ward without hesitation and hobbled toward the payment counter.

Right then, she caught sight of a familiar car outside the floor-to-ceiling window. It was followed by several luxurious cars.

They were from the Hawkins Group.

Several people got out of the cars and surrounded the man wearing a black suit.

He was carrying a woman in his arms.

It was obvious that she was someone he cherished a lot. Even her legs were wrapped in his black coat.

The man hurriedly headed over to the hospital lobby, completely oblivious to Grace's presence.

Grace stood rooted to the same spot, watching him carry the woman into a specialist clinic from a distance.

It had been three years since she had married him. But she would never have guessed that he had such an affectionate side.

Who in the world was that woman?

It didn't matter who she was. Grace was utterly distraught. A sharp burst of pain spread through her heart. It hurt so much that she could barely breathe.

After a while, a few nurses walked down the corridor, whispering to themselves as they walked by Grace.

"Oh, my God! Isn't that Benjamin Hawkins, the heir of the Hawkins Group? The one who is always featured on the financial news?

"He is so handsome! I can't believe we actually bumped into him here. He's actually accompanying his girlfriend for her prenatal checkup."

"Prenatal checkup? Are you sure?"

"Yeah! The report even states that she's 12 weeks pregnant. She bled today due to some complications with her pregnancy. That's why Mr. Hawkins brought her over."

12 weeks.

That was two months ago.

Chapter 2 A Perfect Match

Grace suddenly recalled the one-week business trip Benjamin had two months ago. She tightened her grip on the phone, her knuckles gradually turning pale.

Had he cheated on her?

She was Benjamin's secretary and also his secret wife. But she had never heard any rumors of him having affairs with other women until now.

"Mr. Hawkins is so good to his girlfriend. I wonder who that lucky woman is! It seems like they are going to publicize their relationship soon."

"I googled the woman. Is this her?"

The nurse pushing the medical cart took the phone from the other nurse. "Yes, it's her!" she exclaimed.

"Isn't she the second daughter of the Quine family? With her looks and status, she's the perfect match for Benjamin!"

As they walked further away, chatting amongst themselves, their voices gradually faded into the distance.

"The Quine family ..." Grace thought.

After dealing with the hospital's discharge procedures, Grace got into the car the butler had sent for her.

Her mind was in turmoil for a long time.

Grace sat in the car with the window rolled halfway down. The dim light of her phone's screen illuminated her pale face.

She tried searching for the connection between the Quines and Hawkins families, but to no avail.

That was simply too strange for the two prominent families in Pamore.

When Grace returned to Hawkins Manor, the lights in the living room were still on.

Elizabeth was the only one there. She was waiting with her walking stick in hand. "Thank goodness that you're fine, Gracie! I was so worried that I almost got a heart attack!"

"Don't worry, Grandma." Grace forced a smile. She tried to think of an excuse to go upstairs. "I'm a little tired."

"Alright, go and rest. I've got someone to reach Benjamin. He'll be back soon!"

Grace was taken aback for a moment before the pain in her heart overwhelmed her again. Her face become paler.

It turned out that she was the only one Benjamin was hiding from.

Elizabeth thought that Grace was sad because Benjamin hadn't been spending time with her.

Little did she know that another woman's appearance had stabbed Grace's heart painfully. It made Grace's persistence and effort all this time seem ridiculous.

By the time Benjamin returned, it was already the dead of night the next day.

The bedroom was pitch black. He turned on the lights, showing his slightly displeased expression.

"You aren't asleep yet? Why didn't you switch on the lights?"

Grace had been lying in bed the whole day. She had barely eaten or drunk anything. The dishes sent by the butler had long turned cold on the bedside table.

"Where have you been for the past two days?" Grace's petite back was facing him, and her hoarse voice was tinged with weariness.

Benjamin had just taken off his suit when he heard her question. Stunned, he looked over in her direction and furrowed his brows.

In their three years of marriage, this was the first time she had asked about his whereabouts in such a manner.

"I needed to deal with something at the company branch in Misdeon," he replied in a cold voice as he loosened his tie irritably. Then, he walked over to the bathroom.

"Oh, really?" Grace chuckled. The sarcasm in her voice was clear. "I asked Larry about it. You didn't take any flights to Misdeon."

"What exactly do you want to say?" Benjamin suddenly stopped in his tracks as he reached the bathroom.

Although Grace didn't meet his eyes, she could sense the overbearing coldness emanating from him. She knew he was getting angry.

Chapter 3 How Did You Become Mrs. Hawkins

"When did you get to know her?"

Under the dim lights, Benjamin finally saw Grace supporting herself with crutches. It wasn't until then that he realized she was much thinner than when they'd married three years ago.

She looked as if a gust of wind could easily blow her away.

"You followed me?" Benjamin's face fell at once.

"Do you think I have nothing better to do? I was at the same hospital and saw you with my own eyes." Though her voice was soft, she enunciated her words clearly.

Benjamin looked angry despite Grace was overwhelmed by sadness. How could he?

He still hadn't expressed any concern for her, even though she had been in a plane crash. What felt even worse was how evident the irritation and disdain in his voice were.

Clearly, their three years of marriage had been futile.

All this while, she had been attending to her demanding mother-in-law and taking care of her sister-in-law, who didn't like her.

In the family, she was treated like nothing but a servant, and in the company, she did her utmost to excel in her role as the secretary.

She had been giving her all to fulfill Elizabeth's wish for her to conceive Benjamin's children. She had hoped that he would finally see the good in her.

Even the slightest bit of affection from him would have been enough to make up for her tireless efforts over the past three years.

However, Benjamin had barely touched her throughout their marriage.

Although they shared the same room, they didn't sleep in the same bed.

Suppressing the pain all over her body, Grace looked into his frosty eyes and let out a laugh.

"Your mom said that I'm barren, and now you've gotten your mistress pregnant instead. Don't you care about my dignity at all?"

She lifted her chin and stretched out her right hand to touch him.

But he stopped her in a second.

"Yvonne isn't a mistress. I've known her for more than 20 years."

So they had known each other since they were kids. Grace could feel Benjamin's grip tightening on her.

"She had been abroad for five years, and I didn't have any contact with her during that time."

Grace was surprised to hear that. No wonder she hadn't been able to find any information about them.

Remembering that the woman was pregnant, she looked up at Benjamin. "So you've gotten back with her now?"

Benjamin's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. He thought of explaining but stopped on second thought.

His gaze darkened. "Have you forgotten how you ended up as Mrs. Hawkins?"

Well, even if he hadn't brought it up, Grace would never forget it.

Hawkins Group had a lot of branches, and many people coveted the position as its heir. Hence, Elizabeth had wanted to find a woman from Pamore for Benjamin. She had wanted him to get married and have a future heir to ensure stability for the company.

As Elizabeth's life savior, Grace had volunteered herself for that role.

She had come to Benjamin on her own and made it clear that she wouldn't interfere with his life.

Not only that, but she had also agreed to hide their marriage and shut down her thriving boutique store. She had agreed to become his secretary at Hawkins Group and help handle its affairs.

Now, Benjamin was telling her that she had overstepped her boundaries.

Grace chuckled. "Well, I didn't forget. But humans are greedy, aren't they?"

Her face was as white as a sheet. If she hadn't had a smile on her face, she would have looked like a ghost who had escaped hell.

As he looked at her now, Benjamin felt like she had changed. But he couldn't tell how..

All of a sudden, Grace effortlessly withdrew her hand from his grip.

A pleasant fragrance gradually permeated the spacious room, getting stronger by the second. The windows were closed, and the temperature was rising.

Benjamin spared a glance at the thermostat and saw that it was 30 degrees Celsius.

His expression darkened, especially when Grace moved her hands to his clothes.

He couldn't seem to push her away.

As his breathing turned ragged, he asked angrily, "What did you do?"

Chapter 4 I Am No Longer Mrs. Hawkins

Grace took off his shirt and peppered kisses down his abdomen. Her longing for him was so intense that even her ears had turned red.

"Didn't you ask me how I became Mrs. Hawkins? Well, I nearly forgot about my main responsibility—conceiving your child."

Continuing with her actions, she said, "Right now, I'm just fulfilling my duties."

"How dare you!" Benjamin was infuriated. His muscles tensed with his rage.

"I've sprayed some aphrodisiac in the air. Bear with it. It'll end soon.

"I just ... I just want a child too."

She was getting more bold, a far cry from how gentle and obedient she had been in front of him before.

Benjamin's breathing grew heavy in response to her shameless provocation.

He did his best to suppress the effects of the aphrodisiac and fiercely grabbed her hand. "You're so disgusting, Grace!"

The burning desire in Grace's gaze dissipated at once.

"Is it so disgusting for you to make love to me?" She looked up at him with her watery eyes.

"Yes!" Benjamin replied without hesitation as he stared at her intently.

Then, he pushed her away aggressively and picked up the clothes on the floor. He hastily put them on, not even bothering to button up his shirt.

As the door slammed shut with a loud bang, the room fell into silence.

It was only then that Grace slumped to the floor, feeling dejected. She dug her nails into her palms, her eyes filled with self-deprecation.

It was time for her to give up on him.

…

The next day, Grace limped down the stairs while dragging her luggage.

The housekeepers had already set up the table with dishes. Elizabeth wasn't around since she was usually occupied with morning prayers at this time.

"Hey, Grace, are you going traveling after having just escaped death?" asked Benjamin's sister, Celia Hawkins. She was a sophomore at Pamore University.

She had always disliked Grace. "Well, even if you want to go, you'll have to do my hair and take me to school first."

Grace was pretty skilled at styling hair. Celia was often praised by her friends after having her hair done by Grace.

However, instead of giving a damn about her, Grace headed for the first floor straight away. She coincidentally bumped into her mother-in-law, Susan Ford. The latter was dressed rather elegantly.

Michael Hawkins was Benjamin and Celia's father. Susan was his second wife and Benjamin and Celia's biological mother.

Susan had always disapproved of Grace's background and her family. She was always rude when she spoke to Grace.

"Where are you going with that luggage? Put it down quickly and help Patty clean up one of the rooms. Someone will be moving in soon."

Grace's eyelid twitched. She had a vague idea of what was coming. Then, she heard Celia ask curiously, "Who is it?"

"Who else? Of course it's Yvonne!"

"What? Yvonne is back?"

"Yes! And she is pregnant with your brother's child! The environment here is good, so she'll be staying here for a while instead of returning to Quine Residence."

As Susan spoke, she looked over in Grace's direction. In her eyes, Yvonne was her ideal daughter-in-law.

If it hadn't been for that matter, Benjamin would have been married to Yvonne.

"Why are you still standing there? Get moving!" Susan said.

If the past, Grace would have obeyed her. But after hearing what Susan had just said, Grace no longer had any desire to try to please her.

Despite the fact that her heart stung like hell, she forced herself to maintain a calm facade.

"From now on, I have nothing to do with Benjamin anymore. Get someone else to do the work."

* * *

Susan couldn't believe that Grace had actually spoken to her in such a manner.

She pointed a finger, which was adorned with a large sapphire ring, at Grace. "What's with your attitude? Say that again!"

There was no hint of fear on Grace's face.

She fixed her eyes on Susan and said, "Since Yvonne is moving in, you can get her to do the work. I'll never do it again!" She articulated her words clearly.

After she spoke, Grace felt an unprecedented sense of relief wash over her.

Susan, on the other hand, completely lost her temper. "You—"

"Mom!" Celia suddenly caught Susan's arm and lowered her voice.

"Grace is angry, isn't she? I heard that yesterday Benjamin had ..."

Celia told Susan what had happened last night. Judging from how smug she looked, it was clear that she had exaggerated the story.

Susan seemed to understand the situation at once. "How dare you take it out on me when you're the one who couldn't make your husband stay?"

Grace had already walked out of the villa. She slowed to a stop. She turned around, suppressing herself from lashing out at Susan.

Then, she retorted coldly, "Haven't you been doubting my fertility for the past three years? Why don't you have Benjamin undergo a medical checkup as well?

"After all, he couldn't even get an erection after everything I did to him yesterday. I wonder whose fault it truly is that I can't get pregnant."

"You ..." Susan was at a loss for words, and so was Celia.

When Susan came to her senses, she fumed. "Grace, don't you dare think I won't have Benjamin divorce you!"

In the past, Grace hadn't wanted to get into conflict with the rest of the Hawkins family for Elizabeth's sake. So she had compromised. However, she didn't care about that anymore.

"That's up to you," Grace replied flatly, walking away without a trace of hesitation. She left Susan to fume and rage.

After she left, Susan couldn't help but think something was amiss.

"Go up and check if we have lost anything valuable. You saw how heavy her luggage was. Who knows what's in there!" she ordered Celia.

Soon, Celia hurriedly came down with a folder in her hand.

"Mom, nothing is missing. But this was on the bedside table!"

Susan took it and checked to see what it was. Her pupils shrank immediately.

Divorce papers were inside the folder.

Susan immediately called Benjamin and told him what Grace had done.

He was in a meeting at the moment. As soon as he heard Susan mention the divorce papers and that Grace had said that he was impotent, he immediately gestured for the meeting to stop.

Then, he took the coat draped over his chair and walked out of the conference room.

"Calm down, Mom," he said in a deep voice.

"I am calm! It's good that she's gone now since Yvonne is coming back. I'm just angry that she's the one who asked for the divorce!"

Susan was still whining about it when Benjamin hung up the phone. His face was thunderous.

Even now, he couldn't believe that the usually obedient Grace would be so defiant.

However, at the thought of what she had done to him yesterday, he looked for her number in his list of contacts.

This was the first time he had called her in their three years of marriage.

Before the line connected, Larry stepped out of the elevator on the top floor and rushed over to him.

"Mr. Hawkins, I just received Ms. Lewis' resignation letter in my email."

Larry was panting. "Ms. Lewis is in charge of a lot of projects, of which Darai Medical Expo is the most important.

"We haven't even done the handovers yet. What should we do now?"

Benjamin's expression was getting darker and darker, especially when he couldn't reach Grace on the phone.

"Hello, the number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try again later."

Grace had declined his call.