Chapter One :Chapter 1

"So we're divorced... Just like that...

"Well, perhaps it's for the best..."

Three years of marriage were no match for a bunch of money!

Standing under the shadow of the towering skyscraper in Crowburgh, Thaddeus Alberry watched the sea of people.

A wave of loneliness washed over him...

Half an hour earlier, at the CEO office of TimeCraft Technologies International.

"Thaddeus, this is the divorce agreement prepared by Miss Jelph. A substantial compensation awaits you if you sign."

Dressed in standard professional attire, the assistant, Tasya Barnbrook, placed a pre-printed divorce agreement before Thaddeus. Her tone carried an unmistakable air of certainty.

"Substantial compensation?"

Thaddeus scoffed, shooting Tasya a derisive look.

"So we're coming to this?" Thaddeus murmured.

Hearing this, Tasya Barnbrook, Miss Jelph's assistant, frowned in evident impatience.

"Thaddeus, Miss Jelph is now soaring high, famed across all of Crowburgh. Who doesn't know about her?"

"You're no longer a match for Miss Jelph. Have you ever thought about how much trouble your presence could cause her?"

"Signing this agreement is beneficial for both you and Miss Jelph, with no disadvantages!"

Trouble?

Such a simple word, yet it stung so sharply.

"In just three years, have I really become a 'trouble'?"

"Is this truly what she thinks?"

Three years ago, the Jelph family plummeted from its once majestic pedestal, becoming the casual gossip of ordinary people.

And Tiffany Jelph regained her position, now worth over a billion, step by step, with the help of Thaddeus.

"Well, you can think it this way!"

"I get it, you might not be happy about it. Sure, you might have assisted Miss Jelph in these three years, but she's cleared all her debts. Now, she's on a level you can't reach!"

At this point, Tasya pushed forward the divorce agreement on the table.

"Just put your sign here, and we'll give you a compensation of ten million. This money is enough for you to live a carefree life for the rest of your days. What more could you possibly ask for?"

"What exactly is marriage?"

"A financial transaction between two people? Can be discarded when no longer needed?"

Shaking his head, Thaddeus gazed at Tasya with deep eyes.

"If you want me to sign this, ask Tiffany to come and speak to me personally."

Seeing Thaddeus's unyielding demeanour, Tasya suppressed the anger within, and in a cold tone, said, "Miss Jelph doesn't have the luxury to meet you. Besides, it's just a matter of signing a paper. There's no need for Miss Jelph to personally show up."

"Just a matter of signing?"

Upon hearing these words, Thaddeus's heart turned utterly cold.

This marriage, in Tiffany's eyes, was nothing more than an optional transaction!

"So, in her eyes, this is just a minor issue. She won't even bother showing up for a divorce. Well, fine, just fine!"

"Make it clear to Tiffany that unless she steps forward, there's no way I'm putting my signature on anything!"

Having said that, Thaddeus got up to leave with a cold face.

"Thaddeus, don't push your luck!"

Just as Tasya was about to lose her temper, the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Following that, a woman enveloped in a black long dress, entered gracefully. She resembled a fairy, ethereal and serene.

"Leave it to me."

After speaking softly to Tasya, Tiffany looked at Thaddeus calmly.

"Sorry for running late, got held up with something."

"Thaddeus, as long as you sign the divorce agreement, I'll compensate you with ten million. Additionally, the car and the house will be transferred to your name as quickly as possible."

It was often said that a marriage bond would last forever. But when Tiffany spoke about their three years of companionship, it sounded like discussing a business deal, devoid of any emotional hues.

"Miss Jelph, do you really believe that everything can be valued in cold, hard cash?"

Staring at Tiffany's exquisite face, a mix of emotions flooded Thaddeus's heart.

Despite their three years of marriage, they treated each other with respect and bore no major conflicts.

But now, they had come to this.

"In your eyes, can you just sever three years of marriage with these trinkets?"

Hearing this, Tiffany raised her gaze slightly. There was a hint of displeasure on her face.

"Is this too little for you?"

"I can toss in another five million."

With a sneer, Thaddeus replied, "Oh, another five million?"

"Fine!"

"I'll sign it. But as for compensation, I don't want a penny!"

As his words fell, Thaddeus picked up a pen from the table and signed his name on the divorce agreement.

Dropping the pen, Thaddeus stood up and cast a gaze back at Tiffany. Abruptly, he inquired, "You're in such a rush for a divorce, is it because of that Leopold guy from a while ago?"

Tiffany pressed her lips together. After a slight shift in her gaze, she regained her former indifference.

"You can think of it that way."

Those simple words completely shattered Thaddeus' heart.

"Are identity, status, wealth and power truly that important to you?"

Thaddeus spoke word by word, looking at Tiffany.

"Thaddeus, you and I are no longer on the same page. You have no idea what I truly want."

In Tiffany's view, Thaddeus simply couldn't comprehend her thoughts; the gap between them had become too vast.

Upon hearing this, Thaddeus stared at Tiffany for a few seconds, then turned and left without looking back.

"Well, then I wish you and Leopold happiness," he said.

His steps were swift and decisive, without any hesitance.

With Thaddeus's departure, Tiffany slowly drew her gaze back from the icy skyscrapers outside the window.

Unexpectedly, Tiffany now displayed a somewhat lost expression. "Tasya, do you think I'll regret what I did today?"

"Miss Jelph, your marriage with Thaddeus has long run its course. With your current status, he's just not in your league. Keeping ties with him will only hold you back in the future!"

"Sooner or later, you'll be the woman every man in Crowburgh dreams of. Thaddeus is nothing compared to that."

The divorce agreement, with black ink on white paper, lay silently on the desktop. The bold and unrestrained words 'Thaddeus Alberry' stood out conspicuously, almost rebellious in their presence.

At the base of TimeCraft Technologies International building...

Thaddeus tightly grasped a jade pendant in the palm of his hand.

It was his mother's heirloom, which he personally handed to Tiffany on their wedding day.

But now, with the marriage ended, Tiffany naturally wouldn't keep it.

Looking at the skyscrapers soaring into the sky around him, Thaddeus thought for the first time that the world could be so cold and heartless.

Holding the finely carved jade pendant, Thaddeus couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness washing over him.

Just like that, three years of marriage had come to an end?

Recalling the past three years, Thaddeus could hardly believe it was just a daydream.

Now, this chapter was closing.

"Ring!"

Suddenly, his train of thoughts was interrupted by a phone call.