Chapter 1

Everyone in the circle knew that Lucien Waldorf, president of the Waldorf Group, was ruthless and decisive in business. In his private life, he was famously indifferent, cold, and distant from women. No woman dared step within three meters of him.

Until that fateful gala, where he met Christina.

He fell for her at first sight and began pursuing her relentlessly.

He showered her with mansions, luxury cars, and jewelry. Fireworks lit up the sky for three nights straight as he declared his love. When she casually mentioned craving a chestnut cake that had been discontinued, he drove through a snowstorm late at night, crossing three cities to deliver the still-warm dessert to her.

But what truly made her accept him was the day her parents died in a car accident.

He was in another city at the time but had abandoned a billion-dollar deal to rush back. When he arrived, disheveled and bloodshot, he pulled her into his arms.

"Christina, don't cry. You still have me. I'll always be by your side."

Looking into his eyes, so full of love, her heart skipped a beat.

'He's the one for me.'

That's what she told herself.

But the man who had once loved her so wholeheartedly had succumbed to temptation three months ago. He had tangled himself with his best friend's sister, who had been staying in their home.

Traces of their affair stained the sofa, the kitchen, and their bed.

Lucien thought he had hidden it well, but he forgot—there were no secrets that can't escape the cracks.

The moment Christina learned the truth, she felt pain, despair, and disbelief. But in the end, she accepted the harsh reality and resolved to leave for good.

The Waldorf family had a military background spanning three generations, and none of them were allowed to leave the country—including Lucien.

If she went abroad, he would never be able to find her.

Clutching her immigration papers, Christina hailed a cab and headed for Sunset Bay.

The moment she stepped into the Waldorf family villa, a musky scent hit her nose.

Two people hanging decorations on the wall turned around at the sound of her entrance.

Lucien froze for a second before his gaze softened. He walked over and held Christina's hand.

"Baby, why are you dressed so lightly? Aren't you cold? Didn't you say you were meeting your friends? Why are you back so soon? I was preparing a surprise for you."

A surprise?

Christina looked up at him but couldn't help noticing the marks on his neck.

Hickeys.

Her eyelashes trembled as she fought to suppress the ache in her chest.

Before she could speak, Vanessa Bane giggled and walked over.

"Christina, Lucien really loves you. He's even throwing a grand celebration for your first meeting anniversary."

Vanessa paused deliberately before pointing at the mountain of gifts stacked on the sofa.

"Look, all of these are presents from him to you."

Christina's gaze followed Vanessa's hand but stopped at the wet stain under the pile of gifts.

In that moment, it felt like her world had collapsed.

The scent lingering in the air and the evidence before her eyes confirmed her worst suspicions.

Love her?

Lucien's so-called love meant preparing gifts for her while indulging in passion with Vanessa on that sofa—so wild that they had left the fabric soaked.

No pain could be sharper than this.

Lucien, oblivious to her turmoil, placed a necklace around her neck. His voice was tender as he said, "Happy anniversary, baby. I also prepared a candlelit dinner."

Christina's body trembled. She shook her head. "I'm not hungry. I… I don't feel well."

Every second spent with him now felt like torture.

She had told him from the start—she was a purist when it came to love. She couldn't accept flaws.

If he couldn't cherish her, then why did he come into her life at all?

Hearing her say she wasn't feeling well, Lucien panicked. He immediately called several private doctors to examine her. Even after they found nothing wrong, he sent his assistant to buy nutritional supplements and personally made her a cup of hot milk and coaxed her to sleep.

Four or five exhausting hours later, Christina finally drifted off.

In the middle of the night, thirst woke her up.

As she opened the bedroom door to get water, she froze.

The door to the guest room stood ajar. Moonlight spilled in, illuminating the two figures entwined on the bed.

"The necklace you gave her costs hundreds of millions, but no matter how long I begged, you wouldn't give it to me. Christina didn't even ask, and you gave it to her right away."

Even after their passion, Vanessa's legs were still wrapped around him, her voice dripping with jealousy.

Lucien frowned, pulled away, and lit a cigarette.

"Don't forget your place. I told you—I only love Christina. If you want to keep this relationship, it has to stay hidden. If she finds out, you know what'll happen."

Vanessa paled. She climbed out of bed and hugged him from behind.

"I know you love Christina, but I love you too. Can't I be a little jealous?"

Lucien didn't respond. Instead, he took a necklace identical to Christina's but in a different color out of the drawer.

"Don't act so pitiful. I bought one for you too, but you can only wear it in private. If she finds out, this ends immediately."

Vanessa's face lit up. She eagerly took the necklace and held it against her hickey-filled neck.

"Thank you, Lucien! I knew you cared about me. But are you really that afraid of Christina leaving you?"

He didn't hesitate.

"Yes. I can't live without her. If she leaves, I'll go insane."

Saying that, he pinned her down again. They resumed their affair. The bed creaked with their movements. Vanessa's satisfying sound echoed through the air.

Standing at the door, Christina's tears fell like rain.

She looked at the wedding photo hanging on the wall, her eyes locked on Lucien's face.

Lucien, in fifteen days, I'll be waiting to see you go mad.