Chapter 1Three Years In Arranged Marriage, He Grew Arrogant

My husband and I were in an arranged marriage.

In a union built on mutual benefit, he still treated me like a princess.

Until the company charity run, when his female assistant twisted her ankle.

She didn't want to drop out, crying that she absolutely had to get a finisher’s medal.

My husband, without a second thought, carried her on his back for the final mile.

When he crossed the finish line, he was gasping for air, but still smiling, saying, "I'm not tired."

I said nothing.

That night, I had the driver take the car to the winding mountain road.

I threw the spare tire from the trunk at him.

“Carry this.”

“You said you weren’t tired, keep going.”

A man who overstepped.

If he could be managed, I’d keep him.

Otherwise, he could go back to where he came from.

“Ah~”

A scream echoed as Olivia Thorne fell on the track.

Her knees were scraped raw, her ankle twisted.

The medical team was just about to enter the field when Adam Lagerfelt, who was about to cross the finish line, immediately turned back and rushed to Olivia’s side.

I frowned and cleared my throat.

Adam, however, acted as if he hadn't heard anything.

“Olivia, are you alright?”

He rubbed Olivia’s ankle, his eyes overflowing with concern.

The distance between them was as close as a painful thorn.

My vice president cautiously asked, “Ms. Hayes, should I have someone take Olivia off the field first?”

I waved my hand.

For three years of marriage, Adam had always been well-behaved, maintaining a strict boundary with other women.

This was the first time he had shown such tenderness towards another woman in front of me.

I wanted to see if he dared to cross the line.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Lagerfelt.”

“I can push through, I really want to finish and get a medal.”

“I… I can’t let you down.” Olivia’s eyes welled up.

She shakily stood up, took one step, and fell again.

“Darling, if Olivia withdraws, can she still get a medal? She’s young and has a strong sense of pride.”

Adam asked me in a pleading tone.

I looked at him with disappointment and shook my head.

“Mr. Lagerfelt, don’t make Ms. Hayes uncomfortable.”

“I’m your subordinate, I won’t let you down!”

Olivia struggled to get up, limping into the track.

Then, losing her balance, she fell into Adam’s arms.

“Olivia, I’ll help you achieve your wish!”

In front of everyone, Adam knelt down, letting Olivia climb onto his back.

He carried Olivia, straining, as he sprinted towards the finish line.

The previously lively track instantly fell silent.

Only Olivia’s delicate cheering could be heard.

All the executives exchanged bewildered glances.

I said nothing.

The moment Adam carried Olivia across the finish line, Olivia cried with excitement.

They hugged each other, thrilled.

Adam’s face was pale, breathing heavily.

Still smiling, saying, “Not tired.”

Olivia got her medal.

Adam looked like a hero.

I led the applause, a cold sneer playing on my lips.

Adam stopped all movement, nervously looking at me.

“Darling, let me explain.”

I wasn’t interested in listening. I turned and walked away.

That night, Adam squeezed into my Rolls-Royce.

“Darling, let me explain.”

Still the same words.

I ignored him, letting the driver take the car to the foot of Serpent’s Peak.

Adam looked surprised. “Darling, what are we doing here so late? Taking a stroll?”

The driver took a spare tire from the trunk and threw it in front of him.

I pointed at the spare tire, then at the mountain peak.

“Carry it to the top of the mountain, then run back down.”

“A hundred pounds, the same weight as her.”

“You said you weren’t tired, keep going.”

Adam’s face went white.

He tried to force a smile. “Darling, don’t be jealous.”

“Olivia and I truly have nothing going on.”

“If you don’t like it, I’ll throw away her medal when I get back.”

He tried to hug me, but I pushed him away.

“Adam Lagerfelt, know your place.”

“Maintaining boundaries with other women, that’s my bottom line.”

“Now, do exactly as I say, immediately.”

“This is a lesson for you. If you can’t complete it, then it’s time for a replacement.”

I got into the car and closed the door.

Outside the window, Adam’s body was trembling.

A drone followed behind him.

The countdown began.

Twelve miles of mountain road, two hours.

Adam brought this upon himself.

He quickly hoisted the tire onto his back and began running up the winding mountain road. The drone chased him, filming his every move. I sat in the car, monitoring his pathetic struggle. When Adam’s legs cramped and his knees were scraped raw, I reminded him he’d only gone one mile. When he ran and vomited, scrambling and tumbling after the tire, I didn’t even glance at him. It wasn’t until Adam collapsed halfway up the mountain, incontinent and convulsing, that I coldly uttered, “Send him to the emergency room.”

When Adam woke up, he immediately deleted Olivia’s contact information in front of me. He proactively had her transferred to a different department and deliberately kept his distance from her. Compared to before, he was even more gentle and considerate towards me.

I thought he had truly reformed, truly understood.

Until I received a smoke alarm alert from the Southwood Manor.

The moment I opened the security footage, a chill ran through me.