During the Christmas holidays, my wife Chloe insisted that I attend her class reunion. When we arrived at the hotel, the parking lot was filled with luxury cars. Ours, by comparison, looked utterly pathetic. Before we even stepped inside, a whisper of contempt drifted my way: “I just don’t get it. Chloe used to be the a well-known figure in the school at that time. How did she end up marrying a nobody like Alex?” Hearing that, Chloe simply smiled and chatted with her classmates, as if I wasn’t even there. After dinner, Brandon, the former baseball star of our school, walked up to me and grabbed Chloe’s hand. “Alex, I’m very interested in your partner. Name your price. From now on, she’s mine.” Instead of getting angry, I let out a cold laugh. “You two better think this carefully. The cost of divorcing me is far more than you imagine..” I wouldn’t have bothered with this class reunion if Chloe hadn’t begged me to come. Figuring we’d at least spent years together, I took time off work and showed up. Never imagined that during dinner, someone would openly try to poach my wife. What chilled me to the bone even more was that Chloe actually agreed. “Long time no see, your negotiating skills have really improved,” Brandon said, leaning back in his chair, his long fingers toying with his car keys. “The money is my thanks for you looking after Chloe all these years. Think of it as compensation.” “You, of all people, dare to threaten me with jail time? Don’t you know who I am?” Just as I was about to retort, I saw Chloe lean directly into Brandon’s arms. She was wearing a vibrant red dress today, her makeup flawless, but now she looked soft and vulnerable, draped against another man. “Alex, just take the money. It’ll be better for everyone.” A sneer flickered across my face as I watched their close embrace. “Looks like you two planned this all along, didn’t you?” Chloe had called me multiple times recently, urging me to attend this very reunion. It seemed she’d conspired with the school’s most popular guy beforehand, using this opportunity to make me publicly agree to a divorce. No wonder she’d kept me at arm’s length for so long after we got married. Turns out, she had someone else in her heart all along. The moment I spoke, Chloe’s face changed. Her perfectly sculpted brows furrowed. “What nonsense are you talking about! Brandon and I have true love!” “If he hadn’t been forced to go abroad for studies back then, we would have been together ages ago.” I was utterly stunned by her words. The entire school knew Brandon had dumped Chloe back then, and now it was a story of star-crossed lovers? I wasn’t sure why they’d reconnected, but right now, Chloe was legally still my wife. A suffocating anger swelled in my chest. I couldn’t swallow this insult, no matter what. “Chloe, do you even realize the trouble you’re getting into, breaking sacred vows and forcing a divorce?” I stared into her eyes as I spoke, but she couldn’t meet my gaze. Brandon pulled Chloe even closer, adopting a protective stance. “Cut the crap. You’re just upset because you think the money isn’t enough.” “Name your price! I’m loaded!” Facing this once handsome but now smug rich kid, I felt like I was watching a pathetic joke unfold. “Brandon, just a heads-up: if Chloe agrees to this divorce today, you two are going to have some serious problems.” Before I could finish, Chloe snapped, “Stop with the alarmist talk! What can you possibly do to us?” “Since we got married, we barely see each other. Who knows what you’ve been up to outside?” “Frankly, if you hadn’t pursued me back then, you wouldn’t be getting a single cent.” If it weren’t for my unique identity, I would’ve slapped her across the face. Chloe’s words drew peals of laughter from the crowd. “See? I told you, your worth dictates the partner you can get. An inconspicuous man like Alex, with no background, is bound to lose his wife.” “Exactly! He’s dressed so simply, yet he dares to show his face here.” “When it comes to wealth and influence, Brandon is unmatched. He’s generous, and his family has serious connections.” Everyone around us fawned over Brandon, not a single person speaking up for me. In their eyes, I was just a clown for their amusement. These kinds of friends, this kind of reunion… it was better off not attending.
I ignored their snide remarks, ready to get up and leave. But before I could even stand, a hand clamped down on my shoulder. “Going somewhere? Did I say you could leave?” Brandon grinned at me, his eyes full of disdain. “Alex, today you have two choices: either take the money and divorce, or I’ll beat you until you divorce.” “Think it over carefully. Pick one.” Hearing Brandon’s words, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Are you sure you want me to choose?” Brandon hadn’t yet realized the mess he was making, still basking in his smug triumph. “Of course. As long as you agree to divorce your wife, I promise you a good life for the rest of your days.” I suppressed the fury bubbling inside me and spoke slowly: “I can divorce Chloe, and I don’t want the money, but…” I paused deliberately at that point. “You have to let me make a call first, because the divorce isn’t something I can decide alone.” Brandon roared with laughter when he heard me. “Alex, you really think you’re important, huh? I’m giving you a choice out of courtesy; I’m not negotiating with you.” “No matter who you call, you’re getting divorced today. Understood?” I heard the threat in his voice, but I didn’t care in the slightest. In fact, I found it somewhat amusing. “Didn’t I say? I agree to divorce Chloe.” “But this matter needs approval from those higher up. I can’t decide it myself.” Brandon’s face instantly darkened. He was about to get physical when Chloe held him back. “Darling, let’s be magnanimous. Don’t stoop to his level.” “Let him make his call. My heart’s already set on you anyway. What anyone else says doesn’t matter.” Chloe thought I was just looking for an excuse to keep her, and she looked smug. I was about to retort, but she continued: “Alex, don’t say I didn’t warn you. No matter who you call to persuade me, I am absolutely getting this divorce today.” I believed I had treated Chloe well during our marriage. Every month, I gave her my entire salary. She never worked, never did housework, spending her days shopping and playing cards. Even though we only saw each other once a year, she was still unsatisfied. At this very moment, my last shred of feeling for her vanished completely. “Chloe, don’t flatter yourself. I wasn’t trying to persuade you. I just find it utterly disgusting.” “As for you and Brandon, I hope you won’t regret this after I make this call.” “When that time comes, no one will be able to save you.” I had wanted to appeal to our past friendship and talk some sense into her, but clearly, some people don’t appreciate it. Like Brandon, the rich kid beside her. “Alex, you’re still putting on airs in front of me? Who’s going to regret it more!” Brandon tried to continue, but I waved my hand, cutting him off. “Fine. Your words are enough.” With that, I pulled out my phone and dialed my boss’s number.
“Hello, Boss? It’s Alex.” On the other end, my boss’s voice was jovial. “Alex? Why are you calling me now?” “Boss, I have a situation to report.” I quickly explained how Brandon was forcing Chloe and me to divorce at the class reunion. The moment I finished, I heard the sound of a shattering glass on the other end. “Who has the audacity to force you into a divorce?!” Brandon snatched the phone from my hand. “Listen up, whoever you are! I don’t care what your relationship is with Alex. I want his wife, and no one can stop me.” “You’d better stay out of this, or you’ll be in trouble too!” My boss was stunned for a few seconds before speaking. “You’re forcing Alex to divorce?” Brandon, still unaware of who was on the line, remained utterly arrogant. “That’s right, it’s me.” “Across this entire city, there’s nothing Brandon wants that he can’t get.” “A single person? What’s that? I’ve set my sights on her, and who can stop me?” After speaking, he threw my phone to the ground and stomped on it several times. I’d never seen anyone so brazen. “Now that the call’s done, fulfill your promise.” Chloe linked her arm through Brandon’s, and with her other hand, she handed me a divorce agreement. “I’ve got all the paperwork ready. Sign it.” Looking at the stack of documents on the table confirmed my suspicions. Chloe had been cheating on me for a long time. Facing someone like this, I felt no mercy whatsoever. Without hesitation, I signed my name and handed it back to her. Chloe stared at me, surprised. “Alex, what does this mean?” I looked up at her, my voice cold. “What? Wasn’t it you who wanted a divorce from the start?” “Now I’ve granted your wish, signed the papers, and you’re blaming me?” “You should sign it quickly too, before Brandon decides he doesn’t want you either.” Chloe’s face flushed crimson from my retort. “Fine! I’ll sign it! As if anyone cares about you!” She immediately signed the divorce agreement. With that, our five-year marriage finally ended. Seeing her signature, I felt no regret, only a profound sense of relief. “I’ve signed it. She’s yours. Can I go now?” “Wait!” Brandon blocked my path, a sneer on his face. “Your business is done. Now it’s our turn.”
Hearing Brandon’s words, I narrowed my eyes. His face was growing increasingly ugly. “That snitch who got me expelled from school back then? That was you, wasn’t it?” “If it weren’t for you, my dad wouldn’t have sent me abroad, and Chloe wouldn’t have been forced to marry you.” “Alex, do you know, for three whole years abroad, I thought about nothing but getting revenge on that snitch, until Chloe told me the truth.” At this point, Brandon slammed his hand on the table. “Alex! I’ve waited for this day for a long time!” Even with Brandon’s furious outburst, a faint smile remained on my face. “You’re right. I reported you.” “But I don’t regret it. You were useless, constantly getting into fights, even breaking someone’s leg.” “People like you, I’ll report every single time I see them. No hesitation.” Brandon’s expression twisted into a snarl. “Good. I like that arrogance.” “Alex, do you know why I absolutely had to call you back here?” “This isn’t just a regular class reunion. I came for revenge.” Brandon suddenly snapped his fingers. A dozen burly men in black suits stormed into the private room. They looked well-trained. I leaned back in my chair, my fingers lightly tapping the table. “Brandon, this is your last chance. Think again.” “If you lay a hand on me today, the consequences will be more than you can handle.” “Even with all your family’s wealth, it won’t be enough…” The sycophants around us erupted in chatter. “Did you hear that? Alex actually said the Brandon family couldn’t cross him.” “That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard all my life! A nobody challenging Brandon!” “Who is Brandon? One of the city’s richest men. Dealing with him is easier than squashing an ant.” My former classmates quickly took sides, attacking me with their words. They scrambled to curry favor with Brandon. Chloe wasn’t to be outdone. “Alex, what are you shouting about? Look in the mirror and see what kind of pathetic person you are.” “Forget Brandon, anyone here could walk all over you.” I took a deep breath and slowly removed my wedding ring. “Chloe, from this moment on, we have no connection whatsoever.” “As for Brandon, he’s going to pay for his actions today.” Brandon scoffed. “You? You dare say you’ll make me pay?” “Here, I call the shots. Even if I beat you to death today, no one would dare arrest me.” Another roar of laughter filled the room. Looking at those once familiar faces, I felt utterly disappointed. This was their idea of friendship? Seeing my silence, Brandon assumed I was scared and grew even more arrogant. “Today, either get on your knees and apologize to the whole class, and we’ll forget the past.” “Or I’ll have your legs broken, and you’ll crawl out of here.” My gaze sharpened. “Brandon, you keep pushing my boundaries. Do you truly believe you’re invincible?” Brandon didn’t back down; instead, he became even more brazen. “Open your eyes and look at these men behind me. Any one of them could flatten you.” Just then, the private room door swung open. A burly man appeared before everyone. Brandon quickly straightened his collar, a fawning expression on his face as he rushed to greet him. “Marcus, Sir, what brings you here?” Hearing Brandon utter that name, everyone’s face changed drastically. Chloe even cowered in a corner. Only I remained in my seat, my fingers lightly tapping the table. Marcus’s gaze swept across the room, and everyone instantly fell silent. He spoke slowly: “Whose sleek black official sedan is parked out front?” At his words, everyone’s eyes turned to me.
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