Chapter 2

The HR manager sent over Chloe's resume within thirty minutes.

I scanned through it. Chloe's life after leaving Ethan had been a complete disaster. After they broke up, she got laid off. She hopped from one job to another, but the companies either went bankrupt or let her go before her probation ended.

With the job market getting tougher over the past year, she had been unemployed for months and resorted to working as a low-level collector for a sketchy debt agency.

Years ago, she had worked at a major tech firm. Back then, wealthy clients kissed her feet just to get access to her company's resources. Her ego inflated so much that she demanded an outrageous lifestyle from Ethan, leading to their breakup.

Now that she was back, I knew she had an agenda.

That same evening, I forwarded her resume to a private investigator and paid him a hefty fee to dig up her entire social and personal history over the last few years.

By nightfall, the investigator delivered. Just as I suspected, Chloe's return was entirely calculated.

Over the years, her family's financial situation had worsened. The men she dated became progressively poorer. Her most recent boyfriend was a community college graduate making barely $4,000 a month.

When she broke up with him, she posted a rant on her private social media:

"Once you've tasted caviar, going back to plain oatmeal is depressing."

"When I graduated, I dated this guy. He was broke, came from a family with zero savings, and couldn't even afford a decent engagement ring. I couldn't handle the pressure, so I dumped him."

"Who knew that right after we broke up, he'd marry some wealthy New York heiress? Now he's a billionaire, and his company is about to go public."

"It didn't bother me at first, but now that I know, it's eating me alive. Especially when I look at my sad paycheck and the loser sleeping next to me. I can't stand it."

"How do I get rid of this resentment?"

The post was highly controversial and got hundreds of comments.

Most told her to get a reality check. But one comment stood out:

"Why panic? If you guys had a great connection before, just go get him back. Even if he's married, being his side-chick can easily get you six figures a year. That's way better than your crappy job. Plus, those wealthy heiresses are usually arrogant and demanding. If you act sweet and submissive, he'll fall right back into your arms."

Chloe ignored all the comments criticizing her.

But to this specific comment, she replied: "Thank you."

After reading that, her intentions were crystal clear.

I had the housekeeper print out the entire thread along with the private investigator's report.

When Ethan came home that night, I calmly slid the folder across the coffee table.

"This is the report on Chloe. I suggest you read it."