Two men are sitting face to face.

"Besides, Nora is much easier to deal with than me. You know at least Nora accepted you to marry you, but she..."

Joshua Hughes’s lips twisted bitterly. Even though Avery Jane doesn’t resist, it’s just her body responding naturally.

That’s why he was so eager to use a child to keep her.

An elderly woman with wrinkles on her face handed a bottle of wine without expression.

The goblet glistened crystal-clear under the light.

Alexander King spoke with a hint of suspicion: "I always find this thing strange. How could I get found out? You know, when we got married, we slept in separate rooms. She hardly went out, and had just returned to the country not long ago. How did she learn about it so quickly? Even though she’s smart, this is so unlikely."

His slender fingers gradually closed, almost squeezing the crystal wine glass to the point of cracking.

If he spent more time with her, perhaps he would understand that Nora was actually the kind of partner he wanted.

Being in the same space with her always felt reassuring, comfortable, with seamless communication—he even liked to hear her reciting Sanskrit poems he couldn’t understand.

But all this came unexpectedly, what really happened?

"Question who benefits most from your unhappy marriage—that’s who’s behind it. You’ve been abandoned by your wife, and your intellect has dipped to its lowest."

Joshua Hughes glanced disdainfully at Alexander King, drank the wine in his glass, thinking this guy had better leave soon. Before coming downstairs, that woman almost crawled to the bathroom weak-kneed, and now she’s showered and fast asleep.

Her small appetite didn’t mean he was satisfied.

"You mean Jade Willow? Impossible. She’s been with me for so many years, always kept to herself."

Alexander King shook his head, clarifying from the start that both just took what they needed, and he could never marry her.

She never discussed such matters, nor asked much when he got married.

"I ask you, is her monthly bill substantial?" Joshua Hughes lazily leaned on the couch, observing the man sitting opposite.

"It’s manageable, though I’m not as wealthy as Eldest Young Master Hughes, I can handle those small expenses."

Alexander King said irritably, but Jade Willow’s spending was indeed high—not lowering her sights for anything less than the best quality. The price of a simple shirt could last an ordinary person a year.

"Alexander, this just proves that woman has greed. When a person harbors greed, nothing given will ever be enough."

Alexander really was blind to it. That woman had been with him for many years, so he was reluctant to consider such possibilities.

But to an outsider, it was obvious: as soon as Alexander got married, he was quickly exposed. Someone had intentionally leaked his outside affairs, and the insider was definitely the outside woman, as she stood to gain the most.

Alexander’s previously frustrated eyes gradually turned clear. He hadn’t ruled out Jade Willow, but after so many years, even if not love, there was some sentiment. However, if she truly did it, then she was indeed foolish.

If she hadn’t done this, then fine—after a couple of years, he’d give her enough money for the rest of her life and let her go. But if she truly did, then it was unforgivable. Coveting something that wasn’t originally hers could only lead to losing more, right?

"Are you still not leaving?"

Joshua Hughes stood up, not wanting to bother any longer, ready to see off the guest. A little girl was sleeping in the soft bed upstairs, dreaming and waiting for his care.

"Of course I’m not leaving; tonight you must accompany me to drink to our heart’s content..." Alexander King poured himself another glass. Hughes Family’s wine was always the best, unavailable outside. Tonight, feeling troubled, only getting drunk would suffice.

————————————Separator Line——————————————

Outside, the light filtered through the plain gauze curtains, shadows of trees adorned with luxurious leisure.

Avery Jane always woke early, and today was no exception. After moderate exercise, she seemed to sleep well.

It’s just that often her idea of moderation and his were entirely different concepts.

That man hadn’t returned all night—had he gone out?

Avery sat in bed, gathering her thoughts, then stretched, realizing her stomach was starving, almost caving in. Yesterday, without eating much, exhausted from his antics, she had slept without wanting to move. Now, she truly felt she could devour a whole cow.