Chapter 3The Other Personality: A Tale of Two Cheaters

"Serena, ever since the day I married into the Vance family, I've never dared to look at another woman!

"Besides, finding a female assistant is for your benefit too, so you can have more time to rest.

"Serena, can't you be a little more understanding? It's not easy for us men to be out there constantly hustling for business."

Chloe naturally reached out and patted Arthur's back, looking at me with an expression that screamed 'I'm doing this for your own good'.

"Mrs. Vance, Mr. Vance is a man. You have to give him face when he's outside.

"I don't have to be his assistant, but Mrs. Vance, you must understand how difficult it is for Mr. Vance as a man."

Watching their overly intimate actions, I played along with Chloe's words, feigning calmness: "Fine, I understand him. So, can you get the hell out of here now?"

Chloe's hand, which had been rubbing Arthur's back, froze. She bit her lip and looked at Arthur with teary eyes.

"Mr. Vance, your wife is swearing. Even uneducated country girls like me know better than to use dirty words."

The look Arthur gave Chloe instantly softened. He coughed lightly and looked at me.

"Chloe's had a tough life, Serena. It wasn't easy for her to get into college, and she has a lot of student loans. If we don't help her, wouldn't that make us the bad guys?"

Watching the man in front of me defending another woman, I couldn't help but remember how he used to defend me in front of my parents.

We were childhood sweethearts, practically raised together. Our parents had arranged our marriage when we were kids.

I had viewed Arthur as my future husband for as long as I could remember.

Whenever my parents scolded me, Arthur would stand in front of me, taking the blame and protecting me from their wrath.

Until the year Arthur graduated high school, and his family's company went bankrupt overnight.

Later, because of our childhood arrangement and reaching marriageable age, Arthur married into my family, essentially becoming a dependent.

In our three years of marriage, I treated Arthur better than I treated my own parents.

But now, for another woman, he was calling me the bad guy.

The corners of my eyes reddened as I forced down the bitter ache in my chest.

"If I don't help her, I'm the bad guy? What about her? Seducing you right in front of my face—does that make her a saint?"

A flash of hidden displeasure crossed Arthur's eyes, and his voice grew even harsher.

"Serena, Chloe is my assistant now, and that's final.

"I have business to handle at the company. I'm taking Chloe to the office first. I'll come home when I'm done."

With that, Arthur grabbed Chloe's hand and walked out right in front of me.

Before leaving, Chloe shot me a provocative, triumphant look.

Tears welled up in my red eyes.

During our month-long cold war, Arthur, under the guise of "business trips," took his little assistant traveling all over.

Rumors were flying throughout the entire company that Arthur was going to divorce me.

The first thing Arthur did when he returned from his trip was bring his assistant to work.

As soon as I reached the door to Arthur's office, I heard him bragging to someone inside.

"Chloe, from now on, just avoid making eye contact with your sister-in-law. She's incredibly petty.

"I can barely tolerate her terrible temper at home. You're so much better—young and obedient."

Chloe giggled out loud. "You're a great guy, Mr. Vance! Handsome and rich. Marrying your wife... it's like sticking a beautiful rose in a pile of cow dung.

"Sorry, Mr. Vance, I'm just very straightforward. You don't mind, do you?"