Halfworld

No Longer Mrs. Cooley: The Architect's Return

Xiao Xiaosu

I went to the City Clerk's office for a routine copy of my marriage license to finalize a trust fund audit. I expected a simple piece of paper, but the clerk's pitying look told me my entire life was a lie. "The license was never finalized, Ms. Oliver. In the eyes of the state, you are single." The three-hundred-guest wedding at the Plaza and the Vogue features meant nothing. My husband, Gray Cooley, had intentionally filed the documents with a "procedural defect" so he could discard me without a legal divorce. Moments later, an iCloud invite titled "Our Little Secret" popped up on my screen. It was a photo of my best friend, Brylee, holding a positive pregnancy test at our Hamptons estate. Gray's text to her was the final blow: "Happy anniversary, babe. This baby is the best gift. Once the trust unlocks today, we're done with the charade." I soon discovered they were even stealing my career, reassigning my architectural masterpiece to Brylee while preparing my eviction notice. Gray's mother called me a "barren mule" in a leaked recording, mocking the infertility I suffered after saving Gray's life in a construction accident. I wasn't a wife; I was a three-year placeholder used to secure his inheritance. How could the man I bled for treat me like a disposable prop? How could my best friend carry his child while pretending to comfort me through my darkest moments? The betrayal burned until it turned into a cold, hard stone of fury. I didn't cry. Instead, I walked into the penthouse of the Barretts, the Cooleys' most powerful rivals. I signed a marriage contract with Kane Barrett, the man the tabloids called the "Beast of Wall Street." "I want a wedding," I told his father, my voice steady and lethal. "Bigger than the one I had with Gray." If they wanted me gone, they would have to watch me become the woman who owns their world.

Modern Revenge Divorce

Download the Book on the App

As Leena Yang glanced at her watch, she immediately rushed into the dressing room. She threw in her shoulder bag, murmuring to herself, "Don't be late. Don't be late!" There were only five minutes left! Leena Yang threw her sneakers to the side of the dressing room before unzipping her shoulder bag. She dug out some high heels and lingerie.

She opened her locker and took out her suit. After getting dressed up, the image of an innocent college student faded away in the picture. Standing there was a strong business woman ready to take on the world.

Leena Yang Yang tied her long hair in a bun, leaving no strands out. She then took out her sunblock and rubbed it on her face. Without another word, she walked right out of the dressing room. Mary, who was outside waiting for her, was stunned.

"Director Yang, I didn't know you were so fast! It only took you three minutes to change."

Mary was just a waitress, and she was also working under Leena Yang. Mary rushed in to put the other stuff away.

According to the rules of their five-star hotel, waiters must be dressed properly. Except for necessary accessories, other jewelries, including watches, shouldn't be worn. It was a strict directive that everyone must follow.

"I slept late last night, and I woke up late," Leena Yang grumbled, frustrated.

"But you're always on time." Mary blinked in surprise. Normally, Leena Yang was never late. In fact, she was always on time that some might believe she was a robot!

Pursing her lips, Leena Yang didn't bother to reply. She actually stayed up last night because she was finishing up her paper. She didn't go to bed till three in the morning. Finally, she went to the hotel at eight in the morning to organize the cleaning staff, so she was almost late.

For these years, she had kept her life as a student a secret from her co-workers.

Leena Yang strutted out the dressing room, nodding at the waiters passing by. It was then when Lewis Liu, the general manager of the hotel, walked in. Seeing that she was in such high spirits, he waved his hand and pulled her into his office. "Promise your Uncle Lewis that you'll finish your work this month. I'll introduce better jobs for you after."

Leena Yang frowned. "Doesn't Simon want me working here?" Simon was the boss of the hotel.

Read Now