Regretful CEO: Ex-Wife, Don't Leave Me

1.Chapter 1 Starting A War

When I was picking out a gift for our third wedding anniversary, a barrage of intimate photos of my husband and my twin sister popped up on my phone.

In some, they were wrapped in each other’s arms; in others, their lips were locked in lingering kisses. But what truly made my heart clench was the way he looked at her in every shot—his gaze filled with nothing but indulgence and affection.

Three years. I had stood by his side for three whole years, yet he had never once looked at me like that.

Then, a text from my sister bubble appeared. [Look familiar?]

I rubbed my temples as a dull ache pulsed beneath my fingertips. The setting in the pictures felt vaguely familiar, but before I could piece it together, a series of new messages from her popped up:

[This was supposed to be your perfect little love nest after marriage. You don’t recognize it?]

[Oh, silly me. Apart from your wedding night, he never really let you set foot in there, did he? Any idea why?]

[Because this house was meant for me. If it weren’t for his grandmother meddling on your wedding day, you’d have never gotten the chance to step inside. Not in this lifetime.]

Each word struck like a dagger, piercing deep into my heart. My hands trembled slightly, no matter how hard I tried to steady them.

Clutching my phone tightly, I slowly typed out a reply: [Stop sending me photos like these. You two are done long ago.]

But again, more messages flooded my screen.

[Sweetie, you really think we’re done? I’ve been back in the country for two months now. Has he even come home to you once in these two months?]

[Every night he wasn’t home, he was here with me, in your so-called marital home. Do you know what he says about you in bed? He says you’re the most boring woman he’s ever been with, no different from a sex doll.]

[If I were as much of a failure as you, I’d be too ashamed to live. I’d just jump off a building and get it over with.]

[Do yourself a favor and walk away while he still has a bit of sympathy left for you. Otherwise, when all is said and done, you’ll be the one left utterly humiliated.]

*****

Phoebe had no idea how she made it home. Her mind was blank, her body running on autopilot. It wasn't until she heard the soft click of the fingerprint lock engaging that she snapped back to reality.

Declan pushed the door open, only to find her sitting on the floor in the entryway.

His brows instinctively pulled together, annoyance flashing across his face. "Why are you sitting there?"

Phoebe lifted her head, taking in his chiseled features—features that still made her heart skip a beat.

She tried to find even the slightest trace of love in his eyes, but all she could see was impatience, irritation, and nothing more.

For three years, he had always looked at her this way. But now that she had seen the way he gazed at another woman—with warmth and tenderness—something inside her shattered. A sharp, unbearable pain ripped through her chest.

Slowly, she got to her feet, meeting his gaze head-on. "Why did you hide Jennifer's return from me?"

Declan's expression flickered with momentary surprise before his voice turned cold. "You and Jennie never got along. There was no need to tell you."

Phoebe let out a soft laugh. She thought bitterly, 'No need? Or was he just afraid I'd find out about his little affair with Jennifer?'

She shut her eyes for a moment, then spoke, uttering each word with icy precision, "Declan, if you ever truly saw me as your wife, you wouldn't be fooling around with Jennifer in our marital home."

Declan's expression darkened. "How do you know about that?"

"How do I know?" Phoebe scoffed. "Maybe you should ask Jennifer. I'd love to know how she, as the other woman, has the audacity to send me those disgusting photos."

"Phoebe." Declan's voice was laced with anger, his cold gaze piercing through her like an arrow.

In his mind, Jennifer was pure-hearted, incapable of hurting anyone—let alone provoking Phoebe.

"I'm not doing what you're accusing me of with Jennie," he remarked, his tone firm. "She's only staying there temporarily. And Jennie would never send you any photos."

Phoebe felt a sharp sting from his gaze, her eyes instantly reddening. "Staying temporarily? You think I'm stupid? And you say she would never send me those photos—so what, you think I'm framing her?"

Declan's expression remained chilling. "Maybe not about other people, but when it comes to Jennie, things might be different. You've never liked her. It wouldn't be the first time you made baseless accusations against her."

Phoebe pressed her lips together, suddenly feeling ridiculous. He didn't even bother asking for an explanation. He just instinctively took Jennifer's side.

She pondered wryly, 'No wonder Jennifer had the guts to send me those photos. She must've known Declan would defend her no matter what.'

Exhaustion washed over her. She briefly closed her eyes and then said flatly, "Say whatever you want. If you'd rather believe I made it all up just to slander her, then so be it."

Declan's eyes hardened with rage as he scolded, his voice icy, "Jennie doesn't owe you anything. I don't ever want to hear you say something like that again."

Phoebe sneered inwardly, 'I haven't even done anything to Jennifer yet, and he's already rushing to protect her. If I ever really did something, he'd probably destroy me without a second thought.'

She gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Declan, in the three years we've been married, have you ever loved me? Even just a little?"

Declan's cold gaze rested on her face. "I married you, didn't I? That means I'll take care of you for the rest of your life."

Phoebe thought, 'So he won't even give me a straight answer. That means he never loved me.'

A light laugh escaped her lips as she turned her head, not wanting him to see the tears on her face. Her heart felt numb as she spoke, her voice hollow, "Let's get a divorce."

For three years, she had held on, believing that if she just gave him her whole heart, he would eventually love her back. But in the end, she had only been lying to herself. It was time for her to wake up.

Declan's brows furrowed, a hint of irritation clouding his eyes. "Phoebe, stop being unreasonable."

'Unreasonable?' Phoebe echoed in her mind. She hadn't expected that in his eyes, her decision was nothing more than her making a scene.

She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand and looked him straight in the eye seriously, her voice calm but resolute. "I'm not being unreasonable. I'll have the lawyers draft the divorce papers. I don't want a single penny from you."

She had come into this marriage with nothing, and now that she was leaving, she didn't want him to think she was clinging to his money.

The moment the words left her lips, Declan's expression darkened, his entire presence turning ice-cold. "Phoebe, I'm busy. I don't have time to argue with you. I'll pretend I didn't hear a word of what you just said. We'll talk when you've calmed down."

With that, he left without a second glance. It had always been like this. Every time they fought, Declan would shut her out, giving her the silent treatment until she caved and smoothed things over.

But now that she had finally decided to let go, Phoebe realized just how pathetic she had been all these years, so willing to bend that he wouldn't even spare her a comforting word. However, that was all in the past. She would never let herself be that person again.

*****

The next morning, Phoebe went straight to her lawyer and had the divorce papers drawn up.

As the lawyer printed out the documents, he couldn't help but try to persuade her one last time. "Mrs. Richardson, Richardson Group is currently valued at hundreds of billions of dollars.

"You've been with Mr. Richardson for three years, enduring a hidden marriage all this time. Even if you asked for hundreds of millions in the divorce, it wouldn't be unreasonable."

Phoebe let out a bitter smile. "That won't be necessary. I just want to get this over with as soon as possible."

Seeing her determination, the lawyer didn't push further. He handed her the finalized divorce agreement before taking his leave.

Phoebe flipped to the last page, and without a moment's hesitation, signed her name. Then, she slipped the wedding ring off her finger and placed it on top of the divorce papers before she rose to her feet and headed upstairs to pack.

In less than an hour, Phoebe had everything ready. She didn't have many belongings to begin with, and she refused to take anything Declan had bought for her. In the end, everything fit neatly into a single suitcase.

Standing at the doorway of the villa she had called home for three years, Phoebe cast one last glance around. There wasn't an ounce of nostalgia in her eyes. She knew that no matter how much she had tried, this place had never truly belonged to her.

She thought to herself, 'It took me three years to finally understand that. But at least I figured it out before it was too late.'

With that, she turned and walked out. A sleek red Lamborghini was already parked at the entrance. The moment she stepped outside, the driver honked the horn.

Phoebe set her suitcase in the trunk before sliding into the passenger seat.

Behind the wheel sat a gorgeous woman with a stunning figure and a flawless sun-kissed tan. A pair of oversized sunglasses covered most of her face, making her already striking features seem even more refined.

As Phoebe settled in, Cora Wood arched a perfectly shaped brow and asked, "Are you really sure about this?"

2.Chapter 2 Gone For A Month

Phoebe arched a brow, her expression indifferent, devoid of any emotion. "Since I called you, that means I've already made up my mind."

Cora chuckled as she started the car, "I've been waiting for you to dump Declan. You went through all that trouble to help him recover his damn legs, and he still couldn't cut ties with that so-called sister of yours overseas?

"What a jerk. Screw men—you were always better at making money anyway."

As Cora's rant gained momentum, so did the car, speeding up with her frustration. Phoebe couldn't help but laugh, "Take it easy. I just walked out of the graveyard of marriage. I'd rather not end up in a real one."

Seeing that Phoebe still had the energy to crack a joke, Cora finally let out a small breath of relief. Testing the waters, she asked, "So, what's your plan now?"

Truth be told, if Phoebe hadn't reached out to her first, Cora would have gone looking for her soon enough.

Phoebe said, "I'll take some time off first. How's the company doing?"

For the past few years, Phoebe had devoted all her energy to Declan, leaving her fashion brand, Miracle Youth, in the hands of the shareholders. Apart from collecting dividends, she had stepped away completely.

She hadn't even checked her accounts to see how much money she had. She'd figured that as long as they had been following the operational plan she had laid out before leaving, things shouldn't be too bad.

At her question, Cora's expression shifted slightly, and she let out a sigh. "Let's talk about that after you've had some time to rest."

Phoebe raised a brow. Judging from Cora's reaction, she could tell things probably weren't looking great. Still, she wasn't in the mood to take over the company right now. With a nod, she said, "Fine. Just take me to the airport."

Cora asked, "Where are you headed?"

"I haven't decided yet. I'll just pick a place when I get there," Phoebe answered coolly.

She rested her hand on the car door, idly tapping her fingers against it. Her expression was calm, indifferent even. But no matter how composed she looked, the exhaustion in her bones was impossible to hide.

Cora let out a silent sigh, thinking, 'Even the strongest, most capable people lose all reason when it comes to love.'

When they arrived at the airport, Phoebe got out and turned to Cora. "Send my luggage to the villa at Ulmus Bay in the Northern District."

Cora nodded. "Got it. How long will you be gone?"

"About a month."

"Alright. I'll be waiting."

Phoebe gave her a casual wave before turning and walking into the airport.

*****

One month later, inside one of the conference rooms of Richardson Group's Settlea branch, Declan was in the middle of discussing next quarter's development plans with the department managers when his phone suddenly rang.

Seeing that the call was from his mother, Serene Richardson, he frowned slightly. Standing up, he said, "Let's take a five-minute break."

As soon as he stepped out and answered, Serene's displeased voice came through the line. "Declan, I've been to the villa several times looking for Phoebe, and she's never home. Did you two have a fight? Is she giving me the cold shoulder now?"

Her voice was filled with irritation and frustration. She had never liked Phoebe to begin with, and now her opinion of her had plummeted even further.

Declan's brows knitted together. He had been swamped ever since arriving in Settlea, running from one thing to the next with barely a moment to breathe.

At first, he'd expected Phoebe to call and apologize after a couple of days. But as work piled up, the thought had completely slipped his mind.

It wasn't until Serene's call that he realized Phoebe hadn't contacted him in an entire month. That was something that had never happened before.

"I'll call her later," Declan said, his voice steady. "Why were you looking for her?"

Serene huffed impatiently, "Your grandmother's birthday is coming up. I was going to take Phoebe shopping for a gift, but I've been shut out every time I've tried to reach her. Honestly, if you had just married Jennie back then, at least we wouldn't have to deal with—"

Declan cut in with a frown, his tone cool and distant, "Got it. I'll call her and get back to you later."

Ending the call, he immediately pulled up Phoebe's number and dialed. After several attempts, the call kept showing as busy.

His expression darkened in an instant. It was obvious—Phoebe had blocked him.

Suppressing the rising anger in his chest, he turned to Patrick Black. "Call Phoebe."

"Yes, sir." Patrick dialed her number, and this time, the call went through—but no one picked up.

Seeing the storm brewing on Declan's face, Patrick braced himself and said carefully, "Mr. Richardson, she's not answering."

Declan's expression was ice cold. "Okay. I'm going back to the meeting. Get in touch with the property management at the villa."

*****

An hour later, just as Declan stepped out of the conference room, Patrick hurried over, looking nervous. "Mr. Richardson, the property manager said that Ms. Greene left with her suitcase the day after you flew out for your business trip abroad."

Because Declan and Phoebe's marriage was a secret, Patrick had always referred to her as Ms. Greene. In the past, Declan never thought much of it. But now, for some reason, the way it sounded made him instinctively frown.

Pushing down the strange discomfort gnawing at him, Declan ordered, his voice sharp and cold, "Find out where she is now. Book me the earliest flight back."

"Yes, sir. Should I arrange for Ms. Jennifer Greene to return with us as well?" Patrick asked.

3.Chapter 3 Perfect Strangers

Declan hesitated for a moment, silence stretching between them before he finally spoke up, "Yeah. Give her a call."

They had only been in Settlea for a short time on business when Jennifer followed along, claiming it was for a vacation. But everyone at Richardson Group knew she was really there for Declan.

"Sure thing." Patrick quickly booked the tickets, and after picking up Jennifer, they all headed to the airport.

After more than ten hours of flight, they finally landed smoothly at Roseberg Airport. During those long hours, Patrick had witnessed Declan's attentive care toward Jennifer.

After they got off the plane, they walked together toward the airport exit. In crowded areas, Declan instinctively shielded Jennifer, keeping her close.

Phoebe had accompanied Declan on business trips before. But during those trips, it'd always been her looking after him, while Declan remained distant and cold toward her. In contrast, Jennifer seemed more like Declan's wife than Phoebe ever did.

*****

Meanwhile, Phoebe emerged from a different terminal at the airport. She wore a V-neck, sleeveless maxi dress, her sunglasses perched stylishly on her nose, a gentle smile lighting up her face. She seemed to be in great spirits.

Cora had been waiting at the entrance, and as soon as she spotted Phoebe, she waved excitedly.

Seeing Cora made Phoebe's smile widen, and she picked up her pace, rolling her suitcase toward her friend. But just as she was about to reach Cora, she noticed her friend's expression darkening as she looked over Phoebe's shoulder.

A flicker of surprise crossed Phoebe's face. Turning around, she caught sight of Declan and Jennifer walking side by side toward the exit. Phoebe's grip on the suitcase instinctively tightened, and her expression grew impassive.

Before Cora could say anything, Phoebe turned back to her and said calmly, "Let's go."

Seeing her composed demeanor, with no trace of emotion in her eyes, Cora couldn't quite gauge if Phoebe had truly moved on from Declan. She quickly took the suitcase from Phoebe's hand and remarked, "You bought quite a bit this time. It's really heavy."

"Just some gifts for you guys," Phoebe replied, her voice steady.

As the two of them continued talking and walking out, they didn't notice the sharp gaze that was directed at them—specifically, at Phoebe.

Sensing Declan's sudden tension, Jennifer gently tugged at his sleeve. "Deck, what's wrong?"

Declan snapped his gaze away and shook his head. "Nothing."

He wondered, 'Was it just my imagination?'

That woman earlier had reminded him of Phoebe, but he figured Phoebe would never wear a strappy dress. In his eyes, she always chose outfits that gave off an immediate, soft, and gentle vibe.

He frowned, his irritation growing as he glanced at Patrick. "Still haven't found out where Phoebe is?"

Patrick couldn't bring himself to meet Declan's eyes. He whispered, keeping his head lowered, "No, not yet. But we'll have her exact location by the end of today."

Declan's mood turned colder, the air around him growing more tense. "You take Jennie back. I'm heading to the villa," he demanded in a chilling voice.

By the time Declan returned to the villa, it was already past seven in the evening. The house was completely dark, which confirmed Phoebe wasn't home.

He opened the door, and a rush of dusty air greeted him, causing him to frown involuntarily.

In the past, whenever he returned, the first thing he'd see was Phoebe's smiling face. Now, the only thing that greeted him was the emptiness of a darkened home.

He flicked on the living room lights, and a layer of dust covered everything. It was clear, just as the property manager had said, Phoebe hadn't been back.

Phoebe had always had her moods and would sometimes throw a tantrum, but never once had she been gone for a month without a word.

Declan felt a gnawing unease growing within him. That feeling intensified when he saw the divorce papers and the ring on the table in the living room. A thick layer of dust had settled on the papers from the month of neglect.

He picked up the papers and flipped to the last page. Just as he expected, Phoebe had already signed it.

A surge of unfamiliar anger boiled up from deep inside him. Declan clenched the divorce papers tightly, his face contorting into an expression of pure wrath. He thought furiously, 'She actually dared to do it.'

As Declan seethed with rage, his phone suddenly rang. He picked it up, and Patrick's voice came through the line. "Mr. Richardson, we've tracked down Ms. Greene's whereabouts. She's currently in the Northern District."

Hearing Patrick's hesitation, Declan asked, his tone turning icy, "Spit it out. Where exactly in the Northern District?"

"She's in a villa. The owner of the villa is the recently crowned Best Actor, Mason Walton," Patrick replied.

4.Chapter 4 I'm Her Husband

At that moment, Phoebe had just arrived at the villa. She opened the door and was surprised to see Mason standing there. A flash of confusion crossed her eyes as she asked, "What are you doing here?"

Mason gave her a warm, gentle smile. "Long time no see. I had a gig in Roseberg and thought I'd stop by for a night. I didn't know you'd be here, though. If it's inconvenient, I can leave."

Before her marriage to Declan, Phoebe had worked for a time as a behind-the-scenes agent. Mason had been one of the artists she managed—her most hardworking one at that.

She'd always admired his dedication and they'd developed a mentor-mentee relationship that later turned into a genuine friendship. Even after she stopped managing him, Phoebe arranged for him to work with one of the best agents in the industry. Over the years, Mason's fame had only grown.

Back then, when Phoebe learned about Mason's family's financial struggles, she'd given him the key to this villa, telling him he could stay anytime. After Phoebe married Declan, though, she became so focused on helping him recover his legs that she'd completely forgotten about the offer.

Phoebe smiled lightly, "It's fine. It's getting late. You're way too famous now—if you go outside, heads will be turning left and right. It's probably not ideal for you to stay at a hotel, so just stay here tonight. You can leave tomorrow."

As Phoebe grabbed her luggage and started heading upstairs, Mason walked over and offered, "Let me help with that."

"It's fine, it's not that heavy."

"Are you planning to move in?"

There was a hint of cautious probing in his tone, but Phoebe didn't notice. She nodded and said, "Yeah, so it might be a little less convenient for you to stay here in the future."

Mason replied, "Alright, I understand. I've been staying here for so many years already. I'm grateful for it."

Seeing how seriously he was taking it, Phoebe couldn't help but laugh, "Well, you're an award-winning actor now. You could probably buy ten of these villas without breaking a sweat."

Mason couldn't help but smile to himself. He had already bought the villa next door to hers, but he still preferred this one. It was where she had lived, and he couldn't deny the comfort he found in the lingering traces of her presence.

"Want some coffee? I'm brewing a pot," he offered.

Phoebe nodded. "Sure, but I'm going to take a quick shower first."

"Okay." He nodded and, after grabbing her luggage, carried it upstairs.

Mason then went back to the kitchen with a smile, continuing to grind the coffee beans. Just as he finished brewing the coffee, the doorbell rang.

He walked over to the door, looking through the peephole, and was momentarily surprised. Standing outside was none other than Declan, the CEO of Richardson Group.

Mason recognized him immediately—Declan's face was a staple in finance magazines, and Mason had recently worked on a film that Richardson Group had invested in.

Mason wondered, 'What's he doing here? Is he here to see Phoebe? But these two don't exactly seem like the type to have any kind of relationship.'

Before Mason could think further, Declan's patience seemed to run out, and he rang the doorbell several more times.

Finally, the door opened. But to Declan's surprise, it wasn't Phoebe who answered. It was a man he had never seen before. Given the circumstances, he immediately assumed this must be Mason, the "newly crowned Best Actor" Patrick had mentioned.

Declan's eyes darkened with an icy glint, and his anger was practically bubbling over. "Where's Phoebe?"

Sensing the hostility in his tone, Mason furrowed his brows. "She's in the shower. Is there something you need from her, Mr. Richardson?"

Declan let out a low, chilling laugh, each word dripping with icy contempt. "I'm her husband. You tell me, what do you think I want with her?"

5.Chapter 5 The Standoff

Mason's eyes were filled with shock, his grip on the doorknob tightening, turning his knuckles white. He stood frozen, like he had been struck by lightning.

"Mason, why are you standing at the do..." Before she could finish her sentence, Phoebe caught sight of Declan standing across from Mason. Her brows furrowed instinctively. "What are you doing here?"

Declan sneered, his gaze sharp as ice as he fixed his eyes on her, "Am I interrupting something? Did I disturb your little rendezvous?"

Phoebe's hand, which had been drying her hair, clenched slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "You've seen the divorce agreement. When you're free, let's go get the divorce decree."

"Phoebe, I never agreed to the divorce. Come back with me," Declan demanded, reaching out to grab her hand. But before he could make contact, Mason immediately stepped in, positioning himself between Phoebe and Declan, blocking his path.

Declan's icy stare locked onto Mason as he muttered coldly, "If you don't want to get blacklisted in the entertainment industry, get out of my way."

Mason met his gaze with a cold, unwavering defiance. "Mr. Richardson, it won't be as easy as you think to have me blacklisted. And from what I can see, Phoebe doesn't seem too eager to go with you."

Mason had built up a solid network in the entertainment industry over the years, and it wouldn't be as simple as Declan pulling the plug on him.

Declan's eyes flashed with a deadly chill as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

But before he could speak, Phoebe, standing behind Mason, intervened, "Declan, he has nothing to do with this. Don't drag him into this. Let's talk."

Declan lowered his phone, but the fury in his chest only seemed to grow stronger. He glared at her, his voice colder than before. "Can't stand to see him harmed? I've only been gone from Roseberg for a month, and you've already found yourself another man. Nice work, Phoebe."

Phoebe ignored his words, turning to Mason. "Mason, you should go inside for now."

Mason hesitated, his concern evident. But Phoebe and Declan were still married, and he had no right to get involved in their personal matters.

"Alright. If you need anything, just call my name." Mason nodded before stepping inside.

After Mason left, Phoebe turned to face Declan, ready to speak. But before she could get a word out, Declan grabbed her arm and started dragging her out the door.

"What are you doing?" Phoebe seethed, fury building inside her. 'This damn jerk. We're about to get divorced, and he still can't act like a gentleman. What was I thinking when I decided to marry him in the first place?' she thought.

Declan didn't say a word, his face a frozen mask. He shoved Phoebe into the car, then got in from the other side and started the engine.

He drove fast, and within moments, they were halfway up the hillside. Phoebe clenched her teeth, glaring at him. "Let me out. Declan, is this some kind of game to you?"

"Seatbelt," Declan barked, his grip on the steering wheel tightening until the veins in his hand were clearly visible. It was obvious how angry he was right now.

Phoebe didn't budge, keeping her expression cool and distant as she stared at him. "Declan, when I said I wanted a divorce, I wasn't just venting, and I wasn't throwing a tantrum. I meant it."

With a screech of the tires, the black Maybach came to a sudden stop at the side of the road. The abrupt motion sent Phoebe's head slamming into the windshield. The sharp pain made her wince, her breath catching as she fought to steady herself.

Before she could recover, Declan's cold laugh cut through the air. "What, you want a divorce so you can be with that pretty boy? Let me tell you now, it's better to give up on that dream before it ruins you."

Phoebe pressed her hand to her forehead, frustration boiling inside her. "Declan, are you out of your mind? You love Jennifer, so I stepped aside willingly. What else do you want from me?"

Declan's expression was icy. "What does Jennifer have to do with this?"

Phoebe scoffed, her gaze dripping with disdain as she asked, "What do you mean, 'what does she have to do with this'? You want me to believe that she's not the one you're really thinking about?"

The silence that followed her words was thick and heavy, hanging between them like an unspoken truth.

After a long silence, Declan finally fixed his chilling gaze on Phoebe. "What gives you the right to judge me? At least I wouldn't do anything to betray you, while you're spending the night in another man's villa."

Phoebe shot back, "What do you mean by 'betray me'? Am I supposed to catch you in bed with someone else to validate my feelings?"

"Phoebe," Declan growled, his frustration palpable.

Seeing the anger etched on his face, Phoebe suddenly felt a sense of calm wash over her. She averted her gaze and replied flatly, "No matter how you spin it, I'm done with this marriage."

"What if I don't agree?" Declan countered.

Phoebe felt a wave of irritation, her patience wearing thin. She didn't want to waste another word on him.

Declan noticed the shift in her attitude toward him, which felt unfamiliar to him. His brows furrowed as he opened his mouth to speak again, but his phone rang, cutting him off.

Seeing Jennifer's name flash across the screen, he glanced at Phoebe before answering, "Jennie, what's up?"

"Deck, the power's out at the villa, and I'm really scared. Can you come over?" Jennifer's voice trembled as she sobbed, tinged with panic.

Declan knew she'd always been afraid of the dark since she was a child. She couldn't even walk down dimly lit streets back then, and she always had to sleep with the lights on.

So, it was easy for him to imagine how terrified she must be, all alone in the dark, powerless villa.

"Don't worry. I'll be right there. Everything's gonna be alright," he comforted her, his tone softening.

After hanging up, he caught Phoebe watching him with a sarcastic expression. For once, he felt compelled to explain, "The villa's got a blackout. I'm going to check on Jennie. You can take a cab back."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "About the divorce—I advise you to give up on that idea. I won't agree."

Phoebe's expression remained indifferent as she spoke, each word deliberate and cold, "Declan, whether you agree or not, it doesn't matter to me. I don't love you anymore, so I'm going through with the divorce."

6.Chapter 6 His Indifference

Phoebe slammed the car door behind her, turning and walking away without a second glance. The black Maybach sat there for a moment, the engine still running, before it finally drove off in the opposite direction.

Inside the car, Declan glanced in the rearview mirror, watching Phoebe's figure get smaller and smaller. A wave of irritation washed over him.

He couldn't understand why Phoebe, who was usually so gentle and agreeable, was so stubborn this time. He thought, 'I've already humbled myself and come to her, and she still wants a divorce.

'But right now, I need to check on Jennifer first. I'll find a time later to talk things through with Phoebe.'

Phoebe had walked about 100 yards when her phone rang. It was Mason calling. "Phoebe, where are you right now?" he asked, his voice tinged with urgency.

Hearing the concern in his tone, Phoebe felt a warmth in her chest. "I'm halfway up the mountain, on my way back."

"And Mr. Richardson?" Mason asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

Phoebe's expression remained neutral as she replied calmly, "He left."

"What? He just left you here, alone on the hillside in the middle of the night?" Mason's voice raised with disbelief. "I'm coming to get you. Wait for me. I'll be there in five minutes."

Before Phoebe could protest, Mason hung up. She tucked her phone away and stood still, waiting for Mason at the side of the road. By the time he arrived, Phoebe was casually kicking stones along the roadside, looking rather bored.

Hearing the sound of an engine, she looked up and saw Mason's car pulling up in front of her. He quickly stepped out of the car, his expression easing once he saw Phoebe was unharmed. He rushed over to her and opened the passenger door. "Phoebe, get in."

Phoebe couldn't help but smile at his thoughtfulness. She teased, "No wonder so many girls want to be your girlfriend. You're such a gentleman."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Mason's lips. "Well, what about you? Do you think I'd make a good boyfriend?"

Seeing his nonchalant expression, Phoebe knew he was just joking, so she played along and nodded. "Yeah, you'd make a perfect boyfriend. A ten out of ten."

A shadow of disappointment flickered in Mason's eyes, but he still smiled and said, "Too bad the one I love doesn't love me back."

Phoebe gently patted his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. "Funny, the one I love doesn't love me either," she said.

Mason couldn't help but laugh and shake his head. "That's a pretty terrible consolation. Now I feel even worse."

"Alright, enough of that. Let's head back. I've got work starting tomorrow," Phoebe said.

Mason raised an eyebrow. "Back to being my agent?"

She chuckled, "Not really. Besides, you already have an agent. Even if I came back to help, I'm not going to be managing you."

Mason just smiled and didn't respond further.

By the time they got back to the villa, the coffee was already cold, and Phoebe had lost all interest in drinking it. She simply wished Mason a good night before heading to her room.

*****

The next morning, Phoebe got up, washed up, and headed downstairs. She found Cora already waiting for her in the living room on the first floor. She hurried down and said, "Ms. Wood, how about I take another day off?"

Cora let out a cold laugh, her expression like that of a hungry predator, and threw a stack of files into Phoebe's arms. "Three years of rest, and you still want more? Look through these on your way to the office. We've got a tough day ahead."

Phoebe stared at the files in her arms, feeling a bit speechless. "Why does the workload have to be so heavy on my first day back?"

Cora sighed, clearly frustrated, "Don't even get me started. You were gone for three years, and during that time, those old-timers almost ran Miracle Youth into the ground.

"They've stuffed the company with their relatives—just a bunch of freeloaders who show up for the paycheck but never do any actual work. If you don't come back, the company will be done for."

Phoebe was at a loss for words.

On the way to the office, Cora couldn't resist the gossip bubbling up inside her. "By the way, when I went to your place this morning, I saw the new award-winning actor, Mason Walton.

"You just got out of your marriage with Declan, and now you're already keeping a movie star on the side?"

Phoebe shifted her gaze from the files to Cora's face, her expression serious. "First, Mason and I are just friends. Second, I haven't even officially divorced Declan yet, so he's still not my ex."

Cora's eyes widened in shock. "So, you're not even divorced from Declan yet, and you've already moved on to keeping a movie star? That's bold."

Phoebe sneered, "Did you even pass basic comprehension? Or did they hand out straight A's for breathing at your school?"

Cora tilted her chin up proudly. "Excuse your face. I'll have you know I was top of my class."

Phoebe raised an eyebrow. "Was your class just you?"

Cora protested, "Phoebe, maybe you should just keep quiet."

Phoebe didn't respond, returning her attention to the file in her hands. But before she could read much more, her phone suddenly rang. Seeing the unfamiliar number, a flicker of confusion crossed her face.

She answered the call, and Declan's voice, sharp and filled with frustration, came through the line. "Phoebe, take me off your blacklist."

Without a second thought, Phoebe hung up, turned off her phone, and tossed it to Cora. "Go get me a new SIM card. Cancel this one."

Cora, remembering Phoebe's earlier teasing, smirked and responded sarcastically, "I'm not your secretary. You can go find one."

Phoebe closed the file, raised an eyebrow, and shot back, "Fine. Whatever. Since it looks like Miracle Youth is beyond saving, you might as well just file for bankruptcy."

Cora's face dropped, panic creeping in. "No, no, no. I'm sorry. I'll take care of it right away, okay?"

Phoebe watched her groveling expression and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "I was just joking. Don't take it seriously."

Cora rolled her eyes, at a loss for words.

When Phoebe arrived at Miracle Youth, the first thing she did was call a shareholders' meeting. An hour later, the usually cocky shareholders walked out one by one, their faces ashen with anger. Their eyes were filled with frustration.

Soon, the meeting room was down to just Cora and Phoebe.

Cora flashed Phoebe a thumbs up, her face full of admiration. "Ms. Greene, you're still as sharp as ever. I was literally stunned when you put those old-timers in their place. I've never seen them get so embarrassed."

Phoebe gave her a cool glance and said emotionlessly, her expression unreadable, "Get me the list of staff who were planted in the company by the other shareholders. We're starting layoffs tomorrow."

Cora blinked, clearly taken aback. "So soon? Those old geezers just got their egos bruised by you today. They haven't even cooled down yet, and now you're going after their people? They're gonna be pissed."

Phoebe shrugged, her tone cold. "Anyone with a problem can come to my office." With that, she stood and walked out, already knowing the key issues with Miracle Youth. If they weren't dealt with quickly, the company would be bankrupt before the year was out.

Back in her office after three years, Phoebe didn't have time to get nostalgic. She dove straight into work.

Within an hour, news of the return of the founder of Miracle Youth spread throughout the entire Roseberg business circle.

However, Phoebe had never made a public appearance before, so she had remained something of a mystery. Now, everyone was speculating about whether her return was an effort to save Miracle Youth from the brink of bankruptcy.

*****

In the CEO's office of Richardson Group, Declan was still trying to contact Phoebe, but his calls kept going straight to voicemail. His patience was wearing thin.

Patrick walked into the office and immediately felt the chill in the air, as though he'd stepped into a frozen wasteland.

He found himself walking more carefully, almost on tiptoe, as he spoke cautiously, "Mr. Richardson, our plans to acquire Miracle Youth might have to be put on hold. I heard that the founder of Miracle Youth returned today."

Declan furrowed his brows, his focus drifting as he replied absently, "Proceed with the acquisition plan. Add another 30 million dollars to the offer."

Patrick hesitated and then continued, "Back then, the founder of Miracle Youth made a sudden rise in the business world before abruptly stepping back. Now that she's returned, it's probably to save the company. If we're going for an acquisition, Miracle Youth may not be the best choice."

Declan's expression remained cold and indifferent as he ordered, his tone icy, "Continue with the acquisition. If they want more money, then give them more. I don't want to say this a third time.

"Also, send someone to Mason's villa to stand guard. Let me know as soon as Phoebe shows up."

"Understood, Mr. Richardson." Patrick nodded.

He could see Declan's growing frustration, and it made him feel uneasy. Patrick thought to himself, 'He clearly loves Jennifer. So why won't he just divorce Phoebe and marry the one he truly loves?'

But that was Declan's personal matter. Patrick knew better than to get involved and simply followed Declan's orders.

Patrick then asked, "By the way, Mr. Richardson, the Angel's Tear necklace you bought at Settlea has arrived. Are you planning to personally give it to Ms. Greene?"

Angel's Tear was a necklace with a teardrop-shaped blue gem as its centerpiece, surrounded by thousands of diamonds. It sparkled so brightly and beautifully under the lights that it was impossible to look away.

When Declan first laid eyes on it, he'd instantly thought it would be the perfect gift for Phoebe. He'd bought it on the spot, intending to give it to her for their third wedding anniversary. But after their argument, he'd completely pushed the idea to the back of his mind.

Declan pressed his lips together, his expression calm as he said, "Give it to me. I'll give it to her myself."

After Patrick delivered Angel's Tear to Declan's office, he left. Declan picked up a file, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't focus. All he could think about was Phoebe's cold, determined expression as she walked away from him last night.

Frustrated, he slammed the file shut, the sense of losing control leaving him feeling disoriented. Just as he was about to stand up and take a breath, his phone suddenly rang.

7.Chapter 7 Birthday Party Invitation

Declan's eyes briefly lit up with hope when he heard his phone ringing. However, seeing the caller's name, his expression instantly fell to disappointment. It was from Jennifer.

"Hey Deck, my grandpa's birthday is around the corner, and my folks dumped the invite-sending job on me. Are you free later? I'll pass by your office. I can drop off the invitation and maybe grab some lunch with you." Jennifer's voice was cheerful as it came through the phone.

"Sure," Declan replied in a flat tone.

Jeniffer said, "Great, catch you later then."

After hanging up, Declan felt even more irked and could hardly focus on the documents in his hand. He couldn't believe Phoebe had the guts to cut off contact so decisively.

Just then, a knock at the office door sounded, and Patrick walked in with a serious look. "Mr. Richardson, I just heard the Eastern District land is going up for auction sooner than expected."

"Notify the project lead and shareholders. Have a meeting in five minutes," Declan commanded with a frown.

When Jennifer arrived, Declan was still tied up in his meeting, so Patrick stepped in to greet her. "Ms. Greene, Mr. Richardson has just started a meeting. He asked me to take you to his office to wait for him."

"Thanks," Jennifer said with a gentle smile.

After escorting Jennifer to Declan's office and offering to assist if needed, Patrick left.

Jennifer, about to place the invitation on the desk, caught sight of a red brocade box on the desk, and she paused her movements.

The box was used to contain jewelry. With her own birthday nearing, she couldn't help but wonder, 'Could it be a birthday surprise Declan prepared for me?'

After a moment's hesitation, curiosity got the better of her. She thought, 'It's probably something he got for me, so peeking should be fine.'

She opened the box to find a necklace Declan had bought at the Settlea auction. When she had asked whom it was for back then, he hadn't replied. Now it all made sense—it was meant to be a surprise for her.

Feeling a rush of happiness, she smiled, closed the box, and placed it back on the desk.

An hour later, Declan returned from his meeting. Noticing Jennifer, he showed a faint smile, his eyes conveying his apology. "Sorry, I had a sudden meeting."

Jeniffer stood up and watched him with a gentle smile. "It's okay. I get it. I already ordered our lunch; it should be here any minute."

"Cool."

Jeniffer added, "By the way, I left the invitation on your desk. It's my grandpa's birthday next Saturday. Hope you can make it."

Declan frowned slightly and replied, "I might be out of town for a business trip, but I'll try my best."

"Okay, um, have you heard from Pheebs lately? I keep getting her voicemail. Do you know where she is?"

At the mention of Phoebe, Declan's expression turned colder. He asked, "Why are you looking for her?"

Jennifer pressed her lips together, her face filled with concern. "You know Pheebs and her rocky relationship with our family. She was only recognized by them at sixteen, and she always felt our parents favored me.

"Things have been tense, so I thought it could be a good chance for her to mend fences with our family on Grandpa's birthday."

There was a brief silence before Declan icily replied, "I'll talk to her about it."

Seeing that Declan was not keen on discussing further, Jennifer changed the subject to something lighter.

*****

Just as Phoebe finished up a proposal, Liam's call came through. He came straight to the point once the call was connected. "Your grandpa's birthday is next Saturday. Make sure you're there."

Phoebe pursed her lips and said in a cool tone, "I've just landed a new job, so I might be swamped. Not sure I can make it."

Before she could finish, Liam snapped back, his anger lacing his words. "What's more important than your grandpa's birthday? No excuses, you better be there next Saturday. Remember to bring Declan along."

The Greene family's golden days had gone. A month ago, George had made it clear to Liam that getting Declan to attend his birthday party was crucial to ward off any scheming against their family.

Thinking it over, Phoebe realized she needed to break the news of her impending divorce from Declan to her family in person to avoid future drama. So she agreed, "Alright, I got it. I'll try to make some time."

Liam hung up without another word.

Hearing their conversation, Olivia frowned, displeased with Liam's insistence. "You already had Jennie deliver the invitation to Declan, but why do you mention it to Phoebe?"

Olivia had never warmed up to Phoebe, who had grown up away from the family. Despite Phoebe's striking resemblance to Jennifer, Olivia couldn't bring herself to like her.

When Jennifer and Phoebe were infants, a trusted fortune teller warned them that keeping Phoebe at their house would ruin the Greene family.

After careful consideration, they abandoned Phoebe at an orphanage doorstep.

Ironically, when Jennifer fell ill at sixteen, none of the family members were a match for her bone marrow. They had no choice but to get Phoebe back.

Phoebe and Jennifer were twins, so they had a high similarity in their genes. The test result showed Phoebe's bone marrow matched perfectly with Jennifer's. After her life-saving donation, Phoebe was begrudgingly kept in the family.

Yet, the fortune teller's words still lingered, making their treatment of Phoebe still cold, especially Olivia.

Knowing Phoebe had been raised by a rustic family in a remote area, Olivia felt Phoebe carried a certain earthy odor and was far inferior to her cherished daughter, Jennifer.

And Phoebe's defiance only drove a deeper wedge between them. Now, just mentioning Phoebe triggered Olivia's disdain.

Liam shot Olivia a sharp glance and said, "Remember, Phoebe is now Declan's wife."

Olivia snorted, "As if she'd have married Declan if Jennie hadn't gone abroad. Now that Jennie's back, and Declan doesn't even like Phoebe, we might as well push for a divorce and get him to marry Jennie. It's better for everyone."

Liam frowned, mulling over Olivia's words. Every time he hinted at Phoebe to sway Declan in favor of the Greene family, she refused, which frustrated him.

With Phoebe and Declan childless after three years of marriage, replacing her with Jennifer seemed harmless and beneficial to the family. However, cautious as ever, Liam wasn't about to act without gauging Declan's stance.

"Let's table this discussion. And I'm warning you, don't badmouth Phoebe until I give the okay. If this blows up, you'll have to pay the price."

Olivia's face clouded, and she retorted, "Fine, they're bound to split sooner or later. I'm not playing the villain."

After a pause, Liam lowered his voice and said, "Maybe you could be a bit nicer to Phoebe. We do owe her."

A flicker of disgust crossed Olivia's eyes, and she shot back with a glare, "You can be nice to her; don't get me involved. Jennie's my only daughter. And don't forget what that fortune teller said later..."

"Olivia!" Liam cut her off, his eyes blazing. "Stop talking about it, or I'm really gonna show you a piece of my mind."

Olivia paled under Liam's outburst, not recovering until he stormed off.

She shuddered at the thought, and her disdain for Phoebe only deepened—if it weren't for Phoebe, they wouldn't be in this mess.

As Phoebe was about to leave work, Cora burst in, all fired up. "Phoebe, got any plans tonight?"

8.Chapter 8 Meeting In The Bar

Phoebe gave Cora a cool look and simply replied, "Going home."

Cora said, "Home? That's a drag. To celebrate you coming back to Miracle Youth and ditching the marital chains, I booked us a VIP table at Eclipse Lounge. Heard they've got a fresh batch of male hosts. I'm taking you out to see the sights."

Cora's eyebrows danced with uncontainable excitement and thrill, and Phoebe wondered if she might just throw herself at the hosts.

With a half-smile, Phoebe teased, "So is this for my benefit, or are you just looking for an excuse to enjoy a good time yourself?"

Not feeling embarrassed after being exposed, Cora stepped closer and slung an arm around Phoebe's neck. "Babe, for you or for me doesn't matter.

"You've been all about Declan because you haven't seen what you can get without him. Hang with me tonight, and I guarantee you'll forget Declan's name by tomorrow morning."

Phoebe couldn't help but laugh. "Pass. That sounds more like your cup of tea. I'm not interested."

As Phoebe turned to leave, Cora grabbed her arm and insisted, "C'mon, you've got no plans, don't you? Plus, you're about to get divorced. You still wanna stay loyal to Declan?"

Phoebe didn't have that thought in mind, but seeing Cora's insistence, she nodded. "Fine, just this once."

Cora flashed a bright beam and replied, "Got it. Let's go. We'll grab dinner first."

After dinner, they hit the club. The moment they stepped in, booming beats filled their ears, and the dance floor was a riot of colors and screams.

Cora led Phoebe to the second floor. The club had two levels: the first with the dance floor and booths, and the second boasting more private lounges and see-through boxes.

Those see-through boxes could give a clear view of the revelry below, but the privacy wasn't guaranteed. From the outside, people could see clearly what happened inside.

They settled into a glass-fronted box, and soon, their drinks and the male hosts arrived.

Catching a glimpse of the two good-looking hosts, Cora gloated to Phoebe. "Not bad, huh? Which one do you fancy? Pick first, and I'll take the other guy."

The hosts at Eclipse Lounge were pros, and they didn't offer service that was out of the line. They were skilled in more than just small talk; they could sing, dance, or pull off a magic trick.

Sweeping a glance over the two men, Phoebe turned to Cora with a playful offer. "Why don't you take both? You seem to equally like them."

Cora shook her head and said, "No, we gotta share the joy together. How about this? The one closer to you stays with you; I'll keep the one near me."

Right on cue, each host settled next to them. The man next to Phoebe introduced himself with a smile, "Hi, I'm Johnny. Need me to do anything special for you?"

His eyes sparkled with excitement. He had never served such a naturally beautiful guest before. He thought, 'Tonight is going to be a good night. If every guest is as stunning as her, I'll be more than happy to go the extra mile.'

Phoebe glanced at him and said indifferently, "No need. Just sit quietly, that's all."

Feeling slightly out of her element, Phoebe regretted agreeing to come.

Johnny looked surprised but quickly regained his composure. He said, "How about I sing you a song? I'm actually a pretty decent singer."

Phoebe nodded. "Sure."

Johnny picked a tune, and melodious music soon filled the lounge.

Across from her, Cora was already feeding fruit to her host. That scene heated Phoebe's cheeks. She quickly turned away, focusing intently on Johnny's singing.

Ian happened to pass by their box and glanced inside, his eyes widening in shock at the scene.

Apart from the Greene and Richardson families, only a few of Declan's close pals knew about his secret marriage to Phoebe.

Ian couldn't help but smirk when he saw Phoebe at the bar, thinking, 'This is gonna be exciting.' He never pegged the by-the-book Phoebe for the clubbing type.

After sneaking a peek, Ian quickly slipped into a nearby lounge where he was greeted by Scott's laughing voice. "Ian, you're more than half an hour late. This round is on you."

Inside the lounge, apart from Scott Wright and Marcus Baker, there was Declan, who was chilling with a drink and a frosty look on his face.

Scott and Marcus each had a scantily clad lady by their side, yet Declan didn't.

Ian closed the door, shutting the booming music outside. He sat down, cast a glance at Declan, and said, "Guess who I just saw next door."

"Who?" asked Scott, clearly intrigued. "Your ex who faked a pregnancy test to try to snag you?"

Ian was a renowned playboy, yet had recently been trapped by a scheming celebrity. After this, his mother had been pushing him to blind dates for someone who could match his background. To avoid his mother's matchmaking, he had been living in the company for days.

Ian shot back, annoyed, "Pal, nobody would think you're dead if you kept your mouth shut."

Scott's grin grew wider, and he asked, "Come on, spit it out. You're late, and you're lucky we're not making you down three shots for it. Quit beating around the bush."

Ian finally said, "You won't believe it. I saw Declan's wife."

The moment the words left his mouth, Declan paused sipping his wine, and his icy gaze snapped to Ian. "Are you sure?"

Ian nodded, all too pleased to stir the pot. "Yeah, she was with her friend, and each of them had a male host with them. When I walked by, she was staring at her singing host. Looks like your sweet wife is stepping out on you, bro."

Before Ian could finish, Declan slammed his glass down and stormed out. He cursed in his mind, 'Well, Phoebe, you dare to ask for a divorce, block my calls, and now spend time with some guy at a bar. You're growing bolder.'

Watching Declan's retreating figure, Ian turned to Scott and Marcus in confusion. "I thought he was into Jennifer. Why's he so rattled about knowing Phoebe to be here?"

Scott shrugged. "Even if he's not into Phoebe, they're still married. How would you feel if your wife openly flirted with another guy?"

To Scott, Declan's reaction was less about affection and more about not tolerating his wife's blatant betrayal.

Marcus's gaze flickered, and his hand tightened around his drink before he downed it in one go.

"By the way, do you know who Phoebe's friend is? You'll be shocked to hear her name," Ian said again.

"Who?" Scott asked, somewhat less enthusiastically.

"Cora." Ian revealed.

Scott's face instantly clouded, and he said through gritted teeth, "What? Who?"

"Cora, you know, the one whose family went broke a few years back. We used to hang out with her at parties. What's the big deal?" Ian asked.

Scott let out a cold laugh and said word by word, "Nothing, just asking."

He then snapped a selfie with the escort next to him and posted it on his IG Story.

The lady looked at him with hopeful eyes. "Mr. Wright, are you..."

Scott cut her off and said in a cold tone, "Don't get it wrong. I just want someone to see this."

The woman's face fell, realizing she had misunderstood his intentions.

Outside, Declan scanned the area and saw Phoebe in a see-through box feeding her male host fruit, and her delicate fingers almost touched the man's lips. Rage flared within him.

Earlier, Cora noticed Phoebe's lack of enthusiasm, so she suggested they play Truth or Dare. Phoebe lost the round, and Cora asked her to feed the man some fruit.

Just as Phoebe placed the fruit in the man's mouth, the door burst open, and a chilling, furious voice cut through the noise. "Phoebe Richardson!"