The company cafeteria hired a new chef and my wife, Priscilla, said the food hasnt tasted good lately.
Out of concern, I spent the whole morning making her a special homemade lunch for her birthday.
Priscilla loved the meal and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. But a new intern I didnt know happened to see us.
He apologized for interrupting, but his look felt odd. I didnt think about it much until he went online and posted about me.
[What a shameless guy! Hes married and his wife is pregnant, yet he came to work to flirt with my boss. His wife is several months pregnant and he is still working. He must be losing it at home. Whoever Leos wife is, your husband is cheating on you.]
Seeing that random photo of me labeled scumbag, I gave a faint smile and called my wife. I heard you have an intern husband? Priscilla, youre fired.
Priscilla picked up right away. I could hear her typing in the background. Honey, whats wrong?
I didnt reply, my eyes still on Josephs Instagram story. If the finance department hadnt recommended his profile to me, I wouldnt have even known who he was.
His Instagram stories were full of bragging and materialism. Even his bio said he wanted to marry a rich woman.
Priscilla kept asking what was wrong, sounding worried. Only then did I speak. That intern, Joseph I ran into him in the office at noon. I heard you hired him?
I didnt mention the photo directly. I just sent her a screenshot of Josephs Instagram story. He walked into your office without knocking at noon and before the workday even ended, he posted about me online, saying I tried to seduce you.
She went quiet for a few seconds. Then Priscilla spoke, her voice tight with anger. Leo, dont worry. Ill take care of it right now.
How will you handle it? I laughed quietly, my fingers brushing over the photo of Priscillas pregnant belly. This morning, before I left, she was still grumbling about the baby kicking her again.
Since Priscilla was six months pregnant and couldnt move around much, I took maternity leave to stay home and take care of her.
I told her to stop going to the company and just rest at home, but she said she had important things to handle and had to stay at work for now.
Because it was Priscillas birthday, I wanted her to try my cooking. That was what ended up causing this rumor.
He also said youre his wife. So how are you going to explain that?
Something hit the table and Priscilla took a deep breath. Leo, this kid is really immature. He messed up once before and I already dealt with him. I didnt think hed cause trouble again! Dont worry, if he cant handle this, Ill make him pack up and leave right away, Priscilla said firmly.
I smiled a little. Even after all this, Priscilla still wanted to keep that intern? I heard her softly gasp on the phone; her baby was probably moving again.
Priscilla, I dont care if he spreads rumors about me, but he called our unborn child a bastard. You know I cant stand seeing you hurt and I wont let anyone insult our baby.
My voice grew cold. I heard her suddenly stand up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor.
Leo, dont be angry. Its not worth it. Where are you? Do you want me to come keep you company?
Throughout our marriage, Priscilla always valued what I gave her and treated me with humility. Even while pregnant, she was still the same.
No need, I cut her off coldly. Hes just a new intern; young and bound to make mistakes. Just make sure he understands that youre my wife, not someone he can dare to pursue.
Priscilla agreed right away. Okay, Leo. I wont let anyone bully you or the baby. Ill have Finance pay his remaining wages and fire that intern immediately.
Firing him isnt enough, I said, looking at our wedding photo on the wall. Priscilla, I want you to deal with this right away. Make the intern issue a public clarification, apologize to me online and then fire him. I dont want this happening again.
Priscilla confidently assured me she would take care of everything. Half an hour later, Joseph called me.
Leo, are you insane? You really want my wife to fire me? Just because your family has money, you think youre someone important? I know exactly who you are. My wife may work at your company, but shes not your servant! If you keep pressuring her, dont blame me for stirring up trouble online. Posting about you was just a warning. Next time, I wont hold back and your wifes unborn child wont be spared either
I let him finish yelling before replying coldly. You do realize phones can record calls, right? Joseph, I didnt bother with you before because you were just an intern, but now its different. You insulted me and my child for no reason. I can easily have a lawyer take legal action against you.
Joseph didnt sound scared at all. Instead, he mocked me. Oh no, Im so terrified Youre really full of yourself, old man! My wife said shell protect me no matter what. As for you, get ready to be attacked online!
After I hung up, my chest rose and fell in irritation. It had been years since Id met someone so ridiculous. I was about to call Priscilla to check on the situation.
Then I saw Joseph flooding the work group with messages, posting long rants one after another.
He claimed the whole online mess was just a misunderstanding. He said he only posted those comments because hed broken up with his girlfriend and shed been taken by someone else.
[About that casual photo of you, Leo; I didnt know it was yours. I thought it was just some random picture from the internet Im really sorry for the trouble it caused you.]
As I kept reading, Josephs apology looked very sincere. It felt strange to me. It didnt match the person who had just called to yell at me.
His easy explanation made it seem like hed done nothing wrong. I took a deep breath. Forget it, I didnt plan to hold a grudge against a young guy forever.
I decided to treat it as a small incident. But the next day, I remembered I had left my watch in Priscillas office.
I had my driver take me there to retrieve it, but I discovered that the companys access system had deactivated my fingerprint and face ID.
It was ridiculous. It was my own company, yet I couldnt even get inside. I quickly took out my phone and called Priscilla.
Whats going on? Did you change the companys access system?
Priscilla didnt answer at first. I heard some rustling and a womans muffled moans. After Priscilla let out a long breath, she hurriedly picked up the phone.
Leo, what did you say? I was busy and didnt hear you
But that strange sound immediately put me on edge. My blood went cold. I knew that noise all too well. It was the sound Priscilla made when she was aroused. I recognized it instantly.
What are you doing? I asked coldly. Whos with you right now?
Before Priscilla could reply, something clicked in my mind and I quickly opened the security monitor on my phone.
The next moment, my world shattered. The blinds in the office were all closed. Inside the enclosed room, Priscilla was leaning back in her chair while a young man stood behind her, massaging her shoulders.
I recognized the young man; it was Joseph, the intern Id argued with yesterday. My hands clenched and my eyes burned. Priscilla had lied to me!
No wonder she was so ruthless at work, but kept excusing an unnoticed intern again and again. So theyd been having an affair all along
Priscilla stammered, Its nothing, honey, you misunderstood. Id been sitting too long, so I just had Joseph massage my shoulders.
Did he really massage you? Nothing else?
On the footage, Priscilla waved at Joseph, who reluctantly left. Really, nothing else. If I had time for that, Id be at a massage parlor by now, wouldnt I?
She tried to make a joke. Leo, why are you calling? Is something wrong? Do you want me to come?
I watched Priscilla silently on the screen. She was still the same person I knew, but somehow, she had changed for the worse.
She lied to me so easily, so naturally. I usually believed her, but I didnt know how many times she had already lied.
I took a deep breath to calm down. Why was my access to the company gate removed?
I suddenly remembered the advice my friends gave me at the gathering a few days ago.
Everyones wary of gold diggers these days. You should watch your wife. Priscilla treats you really well and spoils you, but you cant ignore a womans vanity and ambition. Now that she knows youre a top tycoon, always under your influence, who would be truly happy? Especially since shes pregnant and wants you to take maternity leave with her. You need to be careful she doesnt try to push you aside.
I usually thought my friends were overreacting. But now, it was frightening. If she wasnt trying to take advantage, why would she be working at the company six months pregnant?
If it wasnt because of guilt or some scheme, why would Priscilla deliberately remove my access to the company?
Priscilla was shocked. What? How is this possible? I didnt do this! Maybe it was deleted by mistake. Give me half an hour. Ill check and have the staff restore it right away.
I wanted to say something, but only managed a soft Mmm before hanging up the phone. Soon, Priscilla gave a convincing explanation. Leo, I checked. Yesterday, when managing attendance, the staff saw you werent here because you were with me on maternity leave, so they deleted your access by mistake. I scolded them and had it restored. From now on, you can enter the company anytime, just like before.
Priscilla spoke casually, as if the company already belonged to her. But she forgot that I was the legal owner and the one actually in charge behind the scenes.
If I hadnt given her this company to manage, Priscilla wouldnt have achieved what she had today, even if she tried for ten years.
Sir, where are you headed?
I sat in the taxi, deep in thought. The driver asked me for the third time. I shook my head and handed him 0-040. Nowhere. Just wait here.
I stared at the office building nearby. All afternoon, I sat restlessly in the taxi, watching its entrance.
Sure enough, I saw Priscilla, her pregnant belly showing, walking out arm in arm with Joseph. I felt my breath catch.
Sure enough, after that brief apology, Priscilla didnt give him any trouble or even mention firing him. At the time, I couldnt understand why she was so lenient with an intern.
Now the truth was clear. I watched Priscilla stop, stand on tiptoe and kiss Joseph on the cheek.
Go back to your apartment and wait. Ill come to you tonight after work.
No way! Joseph protested. Is that old man bothering you again? Using his position as company president to pressure you? Priscilla, you might be scared, but Im not. Ill report him and tell his wife what a scumbag he is
Enough, Joseph, dont give me any more trouble, Priscilla said softly, her tone gentle, like she was speaking to a lover.
Leos family is very powerful; even his parents cant control him. I promise, once I gain real power in the company in the next two years, Ill cut ties with him completely, so our little family of three can be together
I almost laughed in anger and reached for a cigarette, then remembered that I had thrown them all away since Priscilla got pregnant to keep her happy.
No wonder Joseph kept accusing me of seducing his wife. The real problem was clear now. She even said our family of three That child wasnt mine!
After a few more polite words, Priscilla called a taxi and held the door open for him. Joseph, take care. Ill come back to see you tonight.
Joseph reluctantly hugged her and kissed her. They stayed close for a while before letting go. Priscilla, Ill wait for you. Take care of our baby
After the taxi left, Priscilla fixed her clothes, ready to go home. But when she saw me, she froze, her face turning pale with fear.
Leo what are you doing here?
I had expected her to look furious, but I showed no mercy and shoved the surveillance video in her face.
Explain yourself. You said it was just a shoulder massage, so why was Joseph so close to you in the office? A massage is fine, but it turned into something sexual? I said, my face dripping with sarcasm.
Priscilla went pale, her hand shaking as she held the security camera. When did you put a camera in my office? Are you spying on me?
I sneered, Didnt you install it yourself to prove your loyalty? Priscillas eyes darted, her face going pale. She must have remembered.
Three years ago, when I gave her this company, she promised seriously, Ill be a good wife and work for my husband from now on!
But youre not just a worker now. You have your own office. Who knows, young men might be hitting on you!
Priscilla laughed and hugged me from behind. Even with my own office, its fine. My husband can still see me anytime, even at home.
She bought and set up the surveillance camera herself. She even installed the monitoring app on my phone so I could watch her anytime. But now, three years later, I had never used the camera. Even she had forgotten it existed.
Leo, let me explain I tried to walk away, but she ran after me and grabbed my arm.
Today in the office, Joseph did give me a massage. I didnt say anything because I was afraid youd misunderstand. It was just the two of us and he didnt mean anything by it. He was worried about yesterday causing trouble and thought I might fire him. Joseph is a recent graduate and an intern; young men can be naive and make mistakes. I promised not to fire him and this wont happen again
I looked at Priscillas evasive eyes and found it almost funny. Do you really think Im blind? Didnt I just see you two hugging and kissing? You even said your family of three would be together and that the child would be his! Priscilla, how long do you plan to keep lying to me?
At that moment, Priscilla completely lost her composure. She never expected me to be watching her outside the office.
She never expected Josephs jealousy and that small incident to expose her secret in the office. Her face went pale.
Husband, let me explain, its not like that
Priscilla, lets get a divorce! And this company hand it over quickly. You have two weeks. After that, you get nothing. I said calmly and got into the car to leave.
Priscilla screamed from behind and even tried to kneel in front of me, heavily pregnant. But the car engine was too loud and I couldnt hear her. I didnt want to.
That night, I waited until 9:30, but Priscilla never came back. I stared at the large wedding photo on the wall.
I usually felt happy, thinking that finding a capable, ambitious woman like Priscilla was like striking gold. But now, it felt awful.
Priscilla said she was busy with a big project and often worked late, telling me not to wait for her. Every day, I happily believed she was working hard for our family of three.
But I never expected shed be working at a male employees house. From start to finish, she had only used me as a stepping stone.
She liked young men and even promised that after gaining real power in two years, she would be with one of them. Even the child she was carrying wasnt mine.
I grabbed the ashtray on the table and smashed it into the wedding photo. The photo broke into pieces. Just then, someone knocked on the door.
Hello, is this Leo? Were police officers. Someone reported you for threats and extortion. Please come with us.
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