Chapter 1

I never worried about any suitors circling my fiancée, Antoine. Everyone in our social circle knew who she was connected to, and no one dared cross that line.

But after six months studying abroad, I returned to find a young man sitting in Antoine's front passenger seat as she pulled up to the office.

I didn't confront them then. Instead, I had my secretary arrange a dinner, inviting Antoine and all her close confidantes.

How can I put it? A woman who betrays me is easily disposable. But anyone who dares to tempt her, even just thinking about it, will pay the price.

"Mr. Williams, Antoine has arrived with seven guests, but there's one more… not on the list."

Sarah, my secretary, lowered her voice, subtly glancing towards the VIP private dining room.

"Who?"

I put my phone in my pocket and gestured for her to lead the way.

"It's... the man from the passenger seat."

I let out a soft laugh. It was exactly what I expected.

Seven or eight people sat along the long table. When I walked in, they all stood up in unison.

Antoine was seated in the middle. She looked startled when she saw me, then instinctively slid one seat over.

The young man next to her looked to be in his early twenties, dressed meticulously but plainly.

Everyone at the table was silent, the atmosphere thick with tension.

Yet the young man, seemingly oblivious, picked up the glass in front of Antoine and took a sip. He even smiled playfully at her.

"Antoine, aren't you going to eat anything tonight? No way, I'm keeping an eye on you."

I stood by the doorway, unmoving. Noticing the unusual tension in the room, he finally noticed me.

He tilted his head, gave me a quick look, then surveyed the silent, terrified people in the room before turning back to Antoine.

"Who's this guy? Shows up so late without a word. Antoine, the rules around here are way too lax, aren't they?"

Seeing no one respond, he spoke again, his tone innocent yet self-righteous.

"No matter how high your position, basic manners are still required, right? Antoine, you spoil everyone too much; this dinner feels so awkward because of it."

Mark, Antoine's assistant, went completely white with horror. He finally couldn't hold back and tugged on the young man's sleeve.

"Chris, this is Mr. Williams. He's Antoine's fiancé, and also... the actual power behind the entire corporation."

The private dining room fell silent for a long moment.

Chris's hand, holding the glass, froze mid-air. The playful smile on his face slowly solidified.

He put the glass back down. Before Antoine could speak, he piped up.

"Oh, her fiancé. Well, you should have come earlier then. Everyone's been waiting for you."

I sat down, my gaze fixed on Antoine.

"Antoine, your intern is quite... interesting."

She finally looked at me, her expression utterly cold.

"He's just a kid, Alexander. Don't mind him."

"Since when do I concern myself with those who 'don't know any better'?"

I picked up the menu and turned a page.

"Go scrap that car. Get a new one."

Her brow immediately furrowed.

"What?"

"I don't want a car that's had someone else in the passenger seat."

Chris muttered something under his breath. I didn't catch it, and I didn't need to.

"And," I closed the menu and looked at her. "Chris needs to be terminated by tomorrow. You'll personally inform all our partners in the industry: he's never to be hired again."

Chris's face finally changed. He abruptly looked up at me.

"How dare you!?"

"Because I'm Alexander Williams."

Antoine's face tightened as she started to speak, but she bit back whatever she was going to say.

Everyone at the table breathed a collective sigh of relief.

I stood up and patted Antoine on the shoulder.

"Antoine, you'd better remember why you're in the position you are today."

Her voice came from behind me, clearly laced with suppressed rage.

"Alexander, why do you have to be so ruthless?"

"Ruthless?"

I pushed the door open, and a gust of wind swept into the corridor.

"Seems you still don't know me well enough."