Chapter 3

I looked at her calmly, watching how she instantly bristled with hostility.

Polka's expression turned ugly. After a long moment, she forced out a cold snort through clenched teeth.

"If you're incompetent, don't go around being paranoid!"

She grew more agitated as she spoke, her face contorting. That face I'd known for seven years now looked frighteningly unfamiliar.

I finally became certain—Polka had never loved me. These seven years were a complete and utter fraud.

I remained silent, but Polka was clearly dissatisfied with my silence.

She stood up, walked to the bedside, and looked down at me.

"Benjamin, I need you to promise me that from now on, you'll behave yourself and stop chasing unrealistic dreams!

As for our marriage, some things are better left unsaid. It's not good for anyone."

"I should stop dreaming? Why should I?! Once I sign that contract, SUN will be mine!

As for our marriage... Polka, do you really think there's anything left between us?"

I clenched my fist, the burned skin sending searing pain through me.

"I'm telling you! Destroying Maurice is my entire purpose! If not this time, then next time. If not this seven years, then the next seven years!"

"You—"

Polka froze, then crossed her arms and let out a low, cold laugh.

"Very well. I was going to keep up the act a bit longer. Benjamin, since you still want to win, you never will."

My heart tightened. Her laugh sent chills down my spine.

Only then did I notice that this hospital room's facilities far exceeded those of ordinary hospitals. There were even unidentified oil paintings hanging on the walls. This was an expensive private sanatorium.

"What are you planning?!"

Before I could finish speaking, Polka knocked on the door three times.

A man in a white coat with a sinister demeanor walked in.

"Miss Polka, what are your orders?"

She took a document the man handed her, glanced at it twice, her gaze falling on my gauze-wrapped hands, her tone calm.

"Benjamin, a renowned entrepreneur, suffered nerve damage from the fire, resulting in permanent tremors in both hands. He can no longer perform precision work. The facility has done all it can. Understood?"

My blood froze instantly. I stared at her in disbelief.

"This... this might present procedural risks."

The man called "Dr. Polo" hesitated, but after Polka mentioned "original shares in Maurice's biotech company," the doubt in his eyes vanished.

I understood their transaction. A chill rose from the soles of my feet.

I used all my strength to grab the glass water pitcher from the table and hurl it toward the window.

The next second, Polka had already lunged at me, pinning down my arm.

After seven years together, she understood the intent behind my every move.

So she also knew exactly how to cripple me from the root.

"Benjamin, stop struggling. You can't escape."

Polka looked at me, a moment of hesitation flashing in her eyes.

I roared: "You lunatic! I'm your husband!"

I struggled violently, but my weakened post-fire body had no strength. The wounds tore open again in my struggle.

Several nurses rushed in, expertly producing restraint straps.

"Let me go! This is a crime!"

My curses and struggles only resulted in tighter restraints, until cold leather straps bound my wrists and ankles.

I gave up resisting, my voice hoarse.

"Polka! I was wrong! I surrender! I'll never appear before you again, okay?

Let me go! I promise I'll disappear completely!"

Polka crossed her arms, watching my breakdown for a long time before shaking her head.

"Benjamin, I don't believe you. I know you too well. If you can persist in something for seven years, you won't let it go now."

At her signal, the man approached me with a syringe.

Before consciousness was pulled away, I abandoned all questioning and pleading, staring at her intently.

"Polka, I've always given you... everything."

In my daze, the resolve on Polka's face showed a crack, but it quickly returned to cold indifference.

"Sorry, Benjamin. This is the last time."