Author: BTMBeta

Chapter 9: Awakening from a Dream

Three years ago, when Imogen was still in college, she made sure to return to the Marshall family’s mansion every day, despite the distance between her school and the mansion, just to catch a glimpse of Troy whenever he came by.
And one day, she didn’t miss Troy’s arrival. However, she didn’t expect that instead of feeling gleeful at seeing him, her world crumbled as Troy was with someone. And that someone was Sarah. What was worse was he introduced the latter to his family as his girlfriend.
She saw them embrace and kiss in the backyard, witnessing her dreams shatter into pieces. She had always believed that she would only be able to admire Troy from afar, but then fate surprised her. She ended up marrying Troy, and at the time, it felt like a dream, too good to be true.
But dreams always have a way of ending.
Sarah was the one who brought her back to reality.
In her heart, a delicate pain arose, but Imogen managed a faint smile. “Long time no see, Ms. Page. You look even more radiant and charming.”
It seemed she could no longer bring herself to say the word “sister–in–law” anymore. Sarah smiled back and said, “Thank you, you look wonderful too. By the way, Imogen, I remember you’re a big fan of L.X., And coincidentally, she happened to be a friend I met abroad. So before I returned to Canada, I asked her to sign a record for you.” Imogen felt like she had been struck by lightning. The composed and reasonable woman was at a loss, like a clown entertaining everyone with laughs while harboring her own pain.
Her eyes darted hesitantly to Troy, silently pleading for him to clarify that it was he who had arranged the gift, not Sarah.
But Troy looked at her indifferently, delivering a piercing blow to her heart. “What? Don’t you like the gift Sarah brought you?”
Imogen’s face went numb, unable to express any emotion.
After what felt like an eternity, she gathered herself and spoke calmly, “Let’s discuss personal matters privately. We’ve waited long enough; let’s focus on the business at hand.”
“Oh, that’s right,” Sarah agreed and turned to Troy. “Troy, you could go back to the office. Remember to have lunch with me together at noon.”
“Yeah, I won’t forget,” Troy answered and turned to leave.
Imogen watched Troy leave with a bitter taste in her mouth and a heavy heart.
She had believed that maybe, just maybe, Troy held a small glimmer of affection for her.
But it had all been a delusion.
The meeting finally ended at 3 pm in the afternoon. The teams from both sides exchanged handshakes, but beneath the surface, Imogen’s heart remained troubled and broken.

Imogen organized the folders before her and addressed the team, her voice filled with appreciation. “Thank you all for your hard work. I’ll treat everyone to a meal. There’s a new restaurant downstairs that serves really authentic cuisine.”
Ylah Willy, Sarah’s agent, replied graciously, “Thank you for your kind gesture.”
As both teams headed to the elevator together, Ylah walked beside Sarah and inquired, “Ms. Page, Mr. Marshall mentioned wanting to have dinner with you. Why don’t you invite him to join us?”
Sarah smiled, replying, “I’ll ask him, but I’m not sure if he’ll agree.”
Ylah countered, “Oh, come on! He’s always been so kind to you.”
Sarah’s assistant playfully teased, “Ms. Page, don’t be too humble. It’s obvious you have a great relationship with Mr. Marshall. As soon as you returned to Canada, he got you the endorsement from McKesson. That says a lot.”
Sarah brushed off the banter, looking at Imogen apologetically. “Imogen, please go ahead with everyone. Troy and I will join you shortly.”
Imogen felt a flutter of emotion as she saw Sarah’s smile. She nodded silently, placing the folders back in the office. Taking charge, she reserved a private room at the restaurant downstairs, ordered some appetizers, and set the tone for a lively atmosphere. Handling events like these was second nature to her.
The staff from both teams engaged in cheerful conversations and laughter, enjoying the gathering. Ylah then turned her attention to Imogen and asked the group, “I’ve heard of Ms. Forbes for a while now. She must have considerable experience with the company.”
The product manager beamed, patting Imogen on the shoulder with pride. “Indeed! Despite her young age, Imogen has been with us for three years and has achieved remarkable success. She was instrumental in promoting last year’s popular MOBA mobile game as the market consultant.”
Ylah probed further, “I heard Ms. Forbes is related to Mr. Marshall, his sister perhaps?”
The product manager seemed uncomfortable and remained silent. Even though no one explained, it was obvious that Ylah was implying that there had been underhanded means, which was why Imogen achieved all of those.
Even so, Imogen remained composed, offering a warm smile. “That’s true. That’s why I’m truly grateful to Grandpa Henry for taking care of me.”
“You really should because it’s a privilege to have Mr. Marshall’s personal mentorship,”
Ylah remarked, her words carrying a subtle undertone.
Noticing the tension, Imogen’s colleagues looked displeased. However, Imogen maintained her composure. “Well, my father and grandfather were close friends, but despite that fact, I’m still very thankful that I didn’t have to struggle on the streets.”
Ylah persisted, attempting to create an awkward atmosphere. “Is it because your father donated his liver to Mr. Marshall?”

Chapter 8: Bittersweet Generous

Imogen took a deep, heavy swallow, suppressing the sourness that threatened to overwhelm her throat. “But Sarah’s image doesn’t align with the product theme,” she said.
Troy shrugged, his tone resolute. “That’s on you now. You have the means to make it work. This endorsement is crucial for Sarah, and you’ll have to oversee the entire process.”
Numbness spread over Imogen, her face stiff and devoid of emotion. She struggled to comprehend the situation and how Troy could expect her to manage this delicate situation.
‘Does he truly believe I’m just a robot, devoid of feelings?‘ Imogen lamented internally. ‘Doesn’t he understand how painful this is for me?‘
“Okay. I will do my best,” Imogen managed to say, her voice hoarse and strained, as if each word was an immense effort.
In the restroom, Imogen felt the turmoil within her erupt. She retched repeatedly, but nothing came out. She gently caressed her lower abdomen, seeking solace for herself and the tiny life growing within her.
The mirror before her reflected a woman with a pale face and reddened eyes. Imogen splashed cold water on her face, attempting to regain composure.
‘You can handle this. You’re strong, just like you promised your father,‘ she reassured herself. ‘And now, you have another reason to be strong–the baby inside you.‘
Returning to her office, Imogen called Lyka to apologize and appease her. She arranged another endorsement for Xena with a smaller perfume brand, promising that Xena would be a priority for future opportunities. Only then did Lyka relent.
Afterward, Imogen gathered her department staff for a meeting to discuss three potential options for Sarah’s endorsement. She also instructed her assistant to arrange a meeting with Sarah’s agent to finalize the details.
The day proved exhausting, but Imogen refused to let herself falter. She focused on her tasks, determined to deliver the best results.
Finally, she found herself alone in her office, looking wearily at the divorce agreement lying before her.
She flipped through it briefly, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. Troy’s generous offer of two villas, two luxury cars, and three million dollars felt ironic, considering the circumstances.
‘Bittersweet generosity,‘ she thought, managing a bitter smile.
The next day, Imogen hurried to the conference room, followed shortly by Henry, the Director of Operations, the Product Manager, the Chief Designer, and other staff members. However, after a few minutes, Sarah and her team had not yet arrived.

Growing impatient, Imogen turned to her assistant and said, “Go outside and contact Sarah’s agent. Urge them to hurry up.”
Not long after, the assistant returned and reported, “Ms. Forbes, I’ve urged them. They said they’ll be here soon.”
The morning dragged on, and the Operations Director and others expressed dissatisfaction with the delay.
Annoyed, Imogen turned to her assistant again and asked, “What’s the phone number of Sarah’s agent? Send it to me.
me”
Before the assistant could respond, a group of people finally entered the room through
the door.
“Ms. Page. Mr. Marshall, why are you here too?” asked one of the staff members, a hint of confusion in his voice.
Sarah, wearing a stunning goose yellow long dress, clung tightly to Troy’s arm. And Troy, dressed impeccably in a suit she had picked out for him earlier that morning. As the staff observed their intimate behavior, they exchanged knowing glances, seemingly understanding the rumors circulating for a long time. Sarah Page, the Movie Star, was Mr. Marshall’s first love, and the rumors appeared to hold some truth.
Imogen felt a faint pain in her heart, but she clenched her fingers and composed herself. “Mr. Marshall, Ms. Page, since you’re here, let’s start now,” she said, trying to remain professional.
Troy had once said that after their divorce, he would still treat her like a younger sister. But Imogen knew that former couples could never truly be friends. The emotions were too complex, and she couldn’t bear to witness the depth of love between Sarah and Troy. It was torture Imogen couldn’t endure. So, after the divorce, she decided to keep her distance from them.
Sarah was pleasantly surprised to see Imogen and took her hand, saying, “Imogen, you’re here too.”
Imogen glanced at Sarah’s hand, then discreetly withdrew her own, offering a faint nod in response.
Unaware of the turmoil inside Imogen, Sarah continued, “I know we aren’t as close as we used to be, but I still remember when you were in college, you used to call me sister–in–law.”
The remark hit Imogen like a punch to the gut, making it hard for her to breathe. Ms. Forbes was Troy’s foster sister, and Sarah seemed very familiar with her, implying a closer relationship with Troy.
Imogen had always known that she could never compete with Sarah, especially when it came to the bond between her and Troy.

Chapter 7: I Couldn’t Let the Child be Born

Troy’s stern gaze swept over Imogen’s expressionless face and then shifted to Charlene, sending a cold shiver down their spines. “You two are truly interesting,” he stated with a firm tone. “As directors, you argue and fight in front of the employees. Is this the example you wish to set for our company?”
The employees, cowed by Troy’s presence, hastily retracted their necks and avoided eye contact, captivated by the tense exchange before them.
Seizing the opportunity, Charlene swiftly spoke up, attempting to turn the tables in her favor. “Mr. Marshall, I was simply working when Ms. Forbes suddenly rushed over and created a scene, indiscriminately hitting me. Can someone who behaves like that truly be a brand director?”
Troy’s steely gaze turned to Imogen, and he spoke coldly, “Apologize.”
Though Imogen knew she wasn’t at fault, she could not voice her objections. With a deep breath and a clenched fist, she replied resolutely, “After Ms. Johnson.’
Her actions spoke of her determination not to apologize until Charlene did so first. Charlene, however, met Troy’s gaze defiantly and insisted, “But Mr. Marshall, I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Before Imogen could respond, Troy interrupted firmly, “I said apologize.”
His unwavering voice left no room for negotiation, and Imogen looked up incredulously at his cold expression, her heart tingling with unease.
He didn’t even ask for the facts or listen to her side of the story.
Troy’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he reiterated, “I’ll repeat it. Apologize to her.” Imogen’s fist clenched even tighter, her nails digging into her palm, but the pressure was too great to resist. She reluctantly turned to Charlene and managed to force a few words from her throat. “Sorry.”
The word seemed to etch a triumphant smile onto Charlene’s lips, and she responded proudly, “Apology accepted. But don’t think I’ll forgive you next time.”
Ignoring the taunt, Imogen pressed on, determined to know the reason behind Charlene’s actions. “However, Ms. Johnson, would you care to explain why you need to replace the spokesperson for the McKesson brand?”
Still wearing her confident smile, Charlene looked at Troy and confidently replied, “Mr. Marshall told me to do so.”
Imogen’s eyes widened in disbelief as she waited for Troy to deny it, but to her surprise, he remained silent. Instead, he turned and walked toward the CEO’s office.
“Ms. Forbes, come to my office,” he instructed, jolting Imogen from her thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she shot a fleeting glare at Charlene before following Troy, her heart heavy with unanswered questions.
After arriving at Troy’s office, Imogen couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer and asked directly, “Mr. Marshall, why did you replace Xena?”
Troy settled into his chair behind the desk, giving Imogen a fleeting glance but avoiding a direct answer. Instead, he shifted the topic unexpectedly. “What is your reply to the divorce agreement?”
The sudden shift caught Imogen off guard, and she replied, “I’ve been busy lately, so I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. But since you’re in a hurry, I’ll make sure to read it tonight.”

Troy paused, gazing at Imogen intently. “Okay,” he replied simply.
His simple response left Imogen feeling bitter, coupled with the question that had been haunting her for so long. She wanted to know what his answer would be, but she didn’t have a chance to do so. But it seemed fate had given her an opportunity. Thus, she inhaled deeply, mustering her courage, and asked, stuttering, “If… if we have a child, will you still pursue divorce?”
Cruelly, Troy’s swift and decisive reply crushed the last shred of hope within her. “It won’t happen. And even if it were to happen, I couldn’t let the child be born.”
Imogen’s world felt like it was crumbling around her, and she struggled to find words
to say. All she managed to say was, “I see.”
Taking a deep breath, she decided to address the matter quickly and leave so as not to prolong her suffering. “By the way, you already approved the plan, Mr. Marshall. So why do you want to replace Xena?”
It seemed odd for Troy to intervene in such a minor matter.
“I have a plan in mind,” Troy replied briefly, not divulging further details to Imogen. However, this only fueled Imogen’s curiosity. “I’ve been in charge of McKesson since the beginning, and you’ve rarely interfered with its development. If you wanted to change the spokesperson, why didn’t you discuss it with me first?”
Changing the spokesperson was more than just à single decision. It would have ripple effects on various aspects of the brand, from appeasing Xena’s team to redesigning advertising plans and coordinating schedules with the new spokesperson,
photographers, and others. The entire brand direction and promotion plan would need adjustments as well.
Troy leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs as he replied curtly, “I replaced her with Sarah.”
The name hit Imogen like a lightning bolt, leaving her momentarily stunned. It took her a while to regain her composure and ask in a daze, “Do you mean Sarah Page?” Troy confirmed with a nod, tapping his fingers firmly on the table. “She needs this endorsement as her first stepping stone when she returns to Canada for further development.”
Imogen felt as though the air had turned into a sharp blade, stabbing her heart and
lungs with agonizing pain. The news of Sarah being chosen as the replacement shook her deeply, leaving her grappling with the complex emotions within her.

Chapter 6: I’ll Show You How

Lyka Sanders, Xena’s agent, sat on the edge of her seat, trembling with seething fury as she endured the incessant ringing tone. Impatience and eagerness gnawed at her nerves as she waited for the other person to pick up the call. Finally, when the ringing stopped and Imogen’s voice came through, Lyka snapped with immediate anger.
“Ms. Forbes, if you feel Xena isn’t worthy of your company, just say it directly. You’re not our only choice! After we’ve pushed off all other endorsements, you’re just going to replace Xena? Are you playing tricks on us? You must give Xena an explanation for this matter.”
Hearing the aggressive tone and accusation of the person on the other line, confusion immediately surged through Imogen. Still, she pulled herself together and managed to calmly reply, “Lyka, please calm down first. Xena is our spokesperson. How could we possibly do that?”
Lyka seemed to think Imogen was merely feigning innocence, so she reiterated what had happened with a bit of sarcasm. “Huh? You don’t know yet? The director of your public relations department called me in person and said they wanted to replace her.” Finally grasping the situation, Imogen paused momentarily to mentally prepare her response, aiming not to worsen the situation. She then said, “Lyka, I will immediately clarify this matter and provide your side with an explanation.”
The call pacified Lyka somewhat, and it finally ended.
Imogen massaged her temples for a while before getting up and heading straight to the office of the public relations department.
During her three years at the Marshall Group of Companies, Charlene Johnson, the head of the public relations department, had caused her a lot of trouble.
As Imogen stormed towards the public relations department, an employee couldn’t help but whisper, “Looks like a good show is about to happen.”
Sighing, she added, “Ms. Johnson and Ms. Forbes have never gotten along peacefully.” The moment Imogen stepped into the Director of Public Relations office, she didn’t waste any time. Without further ado, she demanded, “Charlene, please explain Xena’s endorsement.”
Charlene was not surprised to see Imogen come over. She crossed her arms and walked over slowly. “Ms. Forbes, why are you so angry? Please have a seat.”
A bit irritated, Imogen replied, “Don’t put on airs for me. Mr. Marshall has already approved the plan. Why are you interfering with our McKesson campaign?”
“So what if I intervened? What qualifications do you have to shout at me? If it weren’t for your short–lived father, could you be in the Marshall family and work as the McKesson brand director? You seem to forget already where you came from,” Charlene taunted, refusing to show any sign of weakness.
Imogen felt the anger boiling within her, but she managed to keep her composure, meeting Charlene’s gaze with steely resolve. “How I got the marketing director position is none of your concern. You don’t know anything, but you talk big,” she retorted.

She wouldn’t allow anyone to insult her father! Never!
As the tension between Imogen and Charlene escalated, the room seemed to shrink, suffused with a charged atmosphere that drew the attention of many employees away from their workstations. Instead, all eyes were fixed on the fiery exchange unfolding before them.
“What? Am I wrong? Aren’t you the one who tried to worm your way into the Marshall family? Didn’t you seduce Mr. Marshall?” Charlene added fuel to the fire, wearing a disdainful smile as she looked sarcastically at Imogen.
She had seen Imogen get off Troy’s car and frequently enter his office at noon several times in the company. Thus, she hired someone to investigate. Later, she discovered Imogen was just a bumpkin out of the mud, relying on her short–lived father to donate his liver to Henry Marshall, Troy’s grandfather. It was said that Imogen even used it to manipulate the Marshall family into adopting her. And now that she had entered the family, she repeatedly pestered and seduced Troy.
Charlene’s jealousy only intensified as she continued her barrage of accusations. “Unfortunately, Ms. Page has returned to her home country! So now, Mr. Marshall won’t even spare you a glance, no matter how much you beg him! If your short–lived father knew—”
Before Charlene could finish her sentence, Imogen’s control snapped. Her hand flew across Charlene’s cheek with astonishing speed and force, the sharp sound echoing through the entire floor, leaving everyone gasping in shock.
Charlene clutched her burning cheek, her eyes wide with disbelief. “How dare you hit me, Imogen! Your father just deserved to have a short life with such a shameless daughter like you. He should have-”
For the second time, Imogen didn’t let Charlene finish her hurtful words. “Since you don’t know how to respect, I’ll show you how,” she said, raising her hand once again.
But just as she prepared to strike Charlene’s face again, someone behind her intervened. Imogen struggled against the restraining hold, but her efforts were in vain. When she finally turned to see who had stopped her, she was taken aback to find Troy standing there, his expression stern.
“Mr. Marshall.”

Chapter 5: Not Divorce?

Imogen felt her entire body tremble. Tears blurred her vision as she heaved a series of heavy sighs. Bitterness and pain hit her, wave after wave.
She had never seen Troy this gentle and happy before. He had always been stoic and quiet with her for the past three years.
Imogen comforted herself by thinking that it was just simply his nature. Always quiet and indifferent.
She lied even to herself.
Now, she witnessed that all her beliefs about Troy weren’t true. He could be gentle and caring, but only for a different woman.
The two passed by her car. They didn’t even notice that it was Imogen‘ s. Not even Troy.
“Mrs. Marshall, you‘ re home. Do you want anything for dinner?” The servant politely asked. Her smile faded when she noticed the traces of tears on Imogen‘ s face
Her question, however, fell on deaf ears. Imogen moved like a robot, walking toward
her bedroom in a daze.
As soon as she closed the door, Imogen leaned on the wall and slid to the floor. She had lost all of her strength.
She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Tears flowed down her cheeks again. She tightly clasped her chest, feeling the pain spread from her heart to her entire body.
She went through so much in her life. Her parents divorced when she was young, so she knew how hard it was to have a broken family. The last thing she wanted for her baby was to have the same life she had.
She wanted her child to grow up in a complete and happy family.
But what could she do now?
After an hour, the maid softly knocked on the bedroom door. “Miss Imogen, your dinner is ready.”
Imogen closed her eyes. She cleared her throat and muttered, “Thanks. I’ll be out soon.” Then, she went to the bathroom to wash her face..
She was wiping her face with a towel when she suddenly remembered Troy‘ s message.
“The gift…” she whispered. She wondered what gift he had bought her.
Curious, she went to the closet and looked for Troy‘ s suitcase.
A soft gasp escaped her lips when she opened it.
It was a limited–edition record signed by her favorite singer.
Imogen carefully lifted the record and hugged it in her arms.
And just that, the pain she felt from earlier slowly subsided.
At least he remembered something she loved. He even remembered to bring her a gift.
‘At least he didn’t forget me, right?‘
The next day, Imogen woke up, in bed aloné.
She sat up for a long time, still in a daze.
‘He probably stayed at Sarah s place last night,‘ she thought.
She released a sigh. She should have been mentally prepared for a long time before.
Or else, she wouldn’t have felt this way–like her heart was about to explode, and her mind was going crazy.
Suddenly, Imogen heard the doorknob click. The door swung open, revealing Troy, who looked at her worriedly. He dashed to the bed and studied her pale face.
“What’s wrong, Imogen? Are you okay?”

Imogen stared at him in surprise. A feeling of joy and hope rose in her heart. She got out of bed and shook her head.
“I’m fine.”
Troy frowned. “What happened? Tell me.”
“Tell him?‘ She inwardly scoffed.
That I don’t want to let him go?‘
Should I tell him that I didn’t want a divorce?
‘He bought me a meaningful gift. He didn’t stay with Sarah last night. Does this mean that he still cares for me?‘
‘If I tell him I don’t want to end our marriage, will he stay?‘
With faint hope and confidence, Imogen turned to him and opened her mouth. But before she could speak, Troy added, “Even if we get divorced in the future, I will still be your brother. You can tell me what bothers you. Just like the old times.”
Imogen blinked. Her knees trembled, making her stumble backward. She felt as if there was suddenly no air in the room. All of her thoughts vanished in an instant, leaving her mind blank.
After a few moments, she looked at Troy and gave him her sweetest smile. “Of course. But really, I’m fine. You should go downstairs. I’ll just wash my face.”
Troy’s brows remained furrowed. He sighed and said, “Imogen, we haven’t divorced yet. Are you really planning to act cold and distant toward me now?”
Imogen pursed her lips, suppressing the bitterness from her throat. She smiled again. and shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
Troy narrowed his eyes at her. “Fine. If you don’t want to tell me what’s really
bothering you, I won’t push it anymore. I’ll go to the company first.”
Without waiting for her reply, Troy got up and marched out of the room.
As soon as he closed the door, the smile on Imogen’s face dropped. Silence filled the room. She didn’t know what to do anymore.
‘Why is he suddenly angry?‘
‘Now, he’s acting impatient just because Sarah has returned?‘
Imogen fisted her hands in frustration. For the nth time, tears pooled in her eyes again.
Imogen arrived at the company on time. There were no traces of pain or tears in her face.
“Miss Imogen, we just received a phone call from Ms. Xena Wilson‘ s agent,” her assistant said, panicking.
The new clothing line of McKesson, Marshall Group of Companies‘ brand, would be launched soon. Xena, the new rising star, would be the face of the brand.
Xena had gained the public’s attention with her youthful and beautiful image, which was very in line with the company‘ s theme this season.
“What’s the matter?”
“She didn’t say anything, Ma’am. However, she insisted that you should talk to her.”
Imogen nodded and grabbed the phone. “Hello. This is Imogen Forbes.”
“Hello, Imogen.”

Chapter 4: His First Love

Imogen‘ s sobs echoed inside the car. She tightly held her phone as she felt her chest tighten in pain.
She connected the dots. Her husband took Sarah to meet his friends when he arrived in New York.
All of his friends knew and supported them.
Only she was kept in the dark.
After all, only the Marshall family knew about their marriage.
Troy had never introduced Imogen to his friends as his wife. Even though they would meet them at parties or events, everybody just assumed that Imogen was the adopted daughter of the Marshalls.
“Ms. Imogen?”
The driver arrived at the garage and saw Imogen‘ s car, he got confused and tried to check on her.
Imogen hurriedly wiped her cheeks. Pretending she didn’t hear him, she started the engine and drove out of the house.
After a while, Imogen arrived at the office, calm and poised. She never mixed her personal dilemmas with work.
This time, she could only pour her whole attention to her job.
Imogen read Troy‘ s email. Then, she copied the file of the plan and sent it to him.
It didn’t take long for Troy to send his reply.
Troy: [Approved. You should keep an eye on it in the future.]
As always, his replies were always short and cold.
Imogen: [This is noted.]
After sending her reply, Imogen started assigning the new task.
Time quickly passed. Imogen was about to get off work when she received a message from Troy.
[You can go home without me. I have something else to do later.]
Imogen pursed her lips. His words felt like needles prickling her heart. With trembling fingers, she types a reply. [Okay.]
Imogen was once considered an important member of the Marshall family. Troy would always inform her about his meetings or dinners with other important people. However, in the past days, he would just say he would simply do “something else.” Of course, Imogen knew what or who this “something else” was. Sarah Page. Troy: [I forgot to tell you earlier, but I bought a gift for you during my trip abroad. It’s in my suitcase. You can check it out later.]
Imogen typed a reply. [Got it.]
Troy scowled as he read Imogen‘ s brief reply. He couldn’t help but feel agitated. He leaned back on his swivel chair, closed his eyes, and rubbed his temples.
Lance, Troy’s assistant, knocked on the door.
“Excuse me, Mr. Marshall. Ms. Page has arrived,” he said as he entered his office.
Meanwhile, Imogen was heading to the elevator when she noticed the employees murmuring and looking at something.
“Did you see the woman who went to Mr. Marshall’s office? Was that his girlfriend? Wow, she has a good figure.”
“Yeah. Too bad she was wearing a mask. I couldn’t see her face properly.”
“Well, don’t you think she looks a bit like Sarah Page?”
“Wait… The Hollywood actress? No way! Was that really her? She had been living abroad, right?”
“That‘ s incredible. She and Mr. Marshall look really good together. Imogen’s eyebrows furrowed. One of the employees noticed her.
‘Ms. Forbes! H–Hi!” She stammered and looked at her colleagues.

The staff zipped their mouths and smiled at Imogen politely. “Good evening, Ms. Forbes.”
Imogen let out a small smile and calmly said, “It’s past six o‘ clock. You all should
rest.
Then, she continued walking toward the elevator. Her back was stiff, and her movements were calculated. Tears pooled on the side of her eyes.
She couldn’t wait to get out of the building. She suddenly couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t bear the idea that she was in the same building with Sarah and Troy, who were now alone.
‘Did she come here to get him?‘
‘We are not divorced yet. Did he forget that his legal wife works in this company? How could he?‘
The employees continued their chatter, but they had already changed the topic.
“Ms. Forbes is so pretty. But every time I look at her, I feel intimidated and nervous. She’s just like Mr. Marshall. They’re really like siblings.”
“Woah! Ms. Imogen is Mr. Marshall‘ s sister?” One of the newly hired employees asked.
“They’re not blood–related, though. Ms. Forbes‘ late father coerced Chairman Marshall to adopt her into their family.”
“Really? Where did you hear that?”

“From the PR department.”
“Well, Ms. Forbes is really smart. She’s a good director.”
In the underground parking lot, Imogen fastened her seatbelt. As soon as she looked up, she saw the last person she wanted to see.
Troy wore the white suit she had chosen for him earlier. It suited him perfectly. It hugged his body well and made him look more regal.
Beside him was a woman covered with a mask and a baseball cap. Her hands were holding his arms as they walked together. Her eyes were focused on him as she spoke. Troy tilted his head, obviously listening to her attentively. His eyes lit up whenever he laughed at her jokes. The woman pouted at him and shook his arm.
Troy gave her a gentle smile and nodded in response. Imogen watched his lips say the word “Okay.”
Sarah Page, Troy‘ s first love, was really back.
The vivid image of the two of them felt like a bucket of water poured over Imogen s head.
A wake–up call.
That man was the father of her baby. They were supposed to celebrate her pregnancy together.
But now, that man would be going on a date with a different woman.