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Chapter_92
Selling Off One’s Wife
To my surprise, I spotted that familiar tall figure standing out in the crowd. My heart raced, yet there was an overwhelming urge to avoid him. I felt too embarrassed to face him in such a setting, surrounded by people and celebrations.
Matthew noticed Atlas entering and rushed to greet him. Today’s event, after all, was intended to impress him. I had not yet seen Nick, but it was clear Matthew was anticipating Atlas’s attendance far more.
The two exchanged a handshake. Despite Matthew’s courteous words, Atlas remained composed, his demeanor cool and detached. One of Atlas’s attendants handed me a gift, but unlike others, he didn’t make any pretenses with congratulatory remarks. It was refreshing, and, honestly, it made me feel more at ease. Everything with Atlas was transparent. He didn’t expect me to put on a show, and I appreciated that.
As Matthew and Atlas continued with polite pleasantries, I stood on the sidelines, feeling increasingly out of place. Then, someone gently linked their arm with mine. I turned to find Melanie standing beside me, her face painted with an almost sinister smile. I had never seen such a shameless smile before, and it sent a shiver down my spine.
Seeing my lack of response, Matthew quickly intervened. “Oh! Mr. Atlas, this is my sister, Melanie!” he said, introducing her with an air of pride.
Atlas subtly smiled at Melanie but kept his gaze on me. “Ms. Chloe,” he addressed me formally, “have you been busy? I noticed you missed two of ATL Empire’s meetings.”
The use of “Ms. Chloe” instead of “Mrs. Murphy” made me feel extremely awkward. I quickly smiled and responded, “I haven’t been feeling well, so I’ve been going to the office less.”
Matthew tightened his arm around me, pushing me to engage with Atlas. “Mr. Atlas, please make yourself at home. We’re honored to have you at our celebration! Let’s greet a few more guests, and then we can chat later!”
I managed to come up with an excuse to leave Atlas and give myself some space. I wasn’t ready to spend more time with him, not in a setting like this.
Matthew’s arm tensed slightly as I pulled away, but he forced a smile. “Chlo, ask him if we still have a chance. After all, we need to fight for it. We can’t let this opportunity slip away!”
I glanced at Matthew, my voice calm. “There’s still a chance as long as their people show up. Is there any need to ask?”
Matthew sighed in relief. “Honey, you’re right. Since he’s Mr. Nick’s assistant, he must have some influence. He’s not an ordinary person!”
I couldn’t help but feel a touch of disdain for Matthew’s obsession with appearances and connections. All this extravagance, all this performance—it was all so transparent. But still, I played along.
The party was a spectacle. Matthew looked as handsome as ever in his black suit, white shirt, and rose-red tie. He beamed with happiness as the rich and powerful guests filled the room. Ava, in her cute puffy dress, looked like a little angel, squealing with delight as she basked in the attention.
Matthew was in his element, playing the part of the perfect husband, the ideal host. He was everything the audience wanted to see—dignified, friendly, successful. It felt like a fairy tale, a performance designed to impress, and in some ways, it was.
I gave a speech about how we had weathered storms together since Tanum Corporation’s early days. I shared stories from the past, many of which Matthew likely wished remained hidden. But today, my words touched the hearts of everyone in the room. It brought tears to their eyes, and for a moment, I could see Matthew’s facade begin to crack under the weight of my honesty.
At the end of the evening, Matthew took the stage, thanking me for everything I had done over the years. He declared that I was his source of joy and gratitude. Then, in front of everyone, he dropped to one knee and presented me with a diamond ring. It was a grand gesture, a show of wealth and control. He also revealed the opulent house and car he had given me as gifts for the occasion.
The women in the audience were envious, their eyes filled with longing. I caught Melanie’s glare from across the room. She was seething, her eyes filled with resentment. The entire moment—the perfect family on stage, Matthew holding me while cradling Ava—felt like something out of a fairy tale.
But beneath the glitz and glamour, few knew the dark reality hidden just below the surface. Matthew’s performance had reached its peak, but the night was far from over. There was a shocking turn of events yet to come, one that would shake everything to its core.