NovelGoldChapter 142
| pretended not to hear and kept walking. Jared caught up, grabbing my arm. “What's wrong now?”
| stared at his face, mentally picturing him as a stack of hundred-dollar bills to keep my temper in check. “What
do you want?” | asked flatly.
“My cousin’s getting married tomorrow. We're going to Shariport tonight,” he said, right there in the middle of
the hallway.
| knew this cousin, a university professor. Scrolling through my memories of my previous life, | vaguely recalled
my mother-in-law mentioning the wedding.
Back then, Jared had gone alone. Of course, “alone” in his world had never truly meant alone. There had always
been a certain companion- Tracy, no doubt.
So, colorsurprised. Jared actually wantedto go this time. Tracy must be seething.
“I've got a lot on my plate right now,” | said, deliberately dismissive. “Maybe I'll sit this one out.”
Part of my new mission in this life was to emotionally detach-and, when possible, subtly needle him. Payback for
the lifetof neglect he'd served me.
Jared's expression darkened. “He’s my closest cousin. My parents can’t make it, so we're representing the family.
You not going would be disrespectful.”
“Are we taking Yvonne?” The last thing | wanted was a long trip with her.
“No. Just us.” His voice was clipped.
A business hub like Shariport was exactly where | needed to be. Networking opportunities, industry elites-
attending as Jared Holcomb’s wife would open doors for my career.
Plus, I'd been planning to grow a TikTok presence for the hotel. This trip could givecontent worth filming.
“Fine. I'll wrap up work and pack,” | said, shaking off his grip and striding toward my office.
Through the glass reflection, | saw him standing rigidly, frustration etched between his brows.
That evening, we rode in silence to the airport. “We didn’t tell Yvonne about Shariport, did we?” Jared asked
abruptly.
1 shook my head. “No.”
“Good. No need to upset her.” His voice softened, the sindulgent tone he always used when it cto her.
I didn’t reply, turning to watch the city lights blur past.
The airport buzzed with travelers. Jared and | traveled light, breezing through security before settling in the VIP
lounge.
He was all sharp angles and tailored businesswear, his million-dollar watch glinting under the lights as he typed
away on his laptop, every
inch the elite CEO.
| took my coffee outside, leaning against the glass to watch planes take off. No need to sit with him.
When | returned, three giggling girls,had clustered near Jared, their cheeks pink as they nudged each other,
clearly angling for his number.
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Chapter 142
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| crossed my arms and leaned against the doorway, watching. Ah, youth. Bold, hopeful, unburdened.
Not like me. Though my body was young again, my soul felt like a wasteland, ravaged and barren. But perhaps
that was the very point of a second life: to rebuild hope, brick by stubborn brick, atop the ruins of my previous
life,
Finally, one of the girls gathered her courage and approached Jared for his number. He looked up from his laptop,
momentarily confused, before his gaze flickered past her, straight tostanding in the doorway.
“Sorry,” he said, voice cool. “My wife is right there. She might get the wrong idea.”
Three pairs of eyes snapped to me. The girls flushed and scurried away like startled deer.
| almost felt bad for them. They were clearly well-bred, dressed in designer labels, probably just smitten by
Jared's sharp suit and CEO aura, hoping for a whirlwind meet-cute.
But they didn’t know Jared. The reckless impulsiveness of his youth was long gone. The man who'd once spotted
longer existed.
Marryingwas probably the one impulsive decision he’d cto regret. Seduced by my face, only to realize
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇttoo late that beneath the pretty packaging, | was utterly mismatched for his world.
Those girls had picked the wrong era. This Jared was calculated, controlled. No longer the type to be swayed by a
pretty smile.
| thought back to what he'd said at the church. “I care about my reputation.” It made sense now. A rising
entrepreneur couldn't afford scandals. Even in our previous life, he’d never been one for affairs. Tracy was the
sole exception.
God, I'd been so petty back then. I'd actually hired a nineteen-year-old to seduce him, just to drive a wedge
between them. It backfired spectacularly.
When the girl tearfully returned his jacket-the one he’d told her to “just throw away“-I'd realized the truth: Tracy
was the only woman he’d ever let in.
“Victoria.” Jared’s voice snappedback to the present. “Lethave a sip of your coffee.”
Without thinking, | tipped my head back and drained the cup, then flashed him the empty liner before tossing it
into the trash. His eyebrow twitched.
At the boarding, Jared stood close behind me. Ahead, a hyperactive kid shoved his parent, who stumbled back
into me, sendingcolliding into Jared's chest.
His arm instantly hooked around my waist, steadying me. “You okay?” he murmured, breath warm against my
ear.
The parent apologized profusely. | nodded stiffly and stepped forward, but Jared's hand lingered-just a fraction
too long-before falling away. When | glanced back, his jaw was tight, expression unreadable.
On the plane, | feigned sleep. Jared didn’t bother me, just slid on his noise-canceling headphones.
Shariport, a city of legends, with a magnetic allure that drew travelers from all over the world. By the twe
arrived, night had already fallen. Jared had booked us a hotel near Victoria Harbour, where the glittering skyline
stretched beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
But | wasn’t here for the view. My mind was preoccupied with a more pressing question: How were we going to
handle sleeping arrangements tonight?
The last twe spoke, Jared had promised he wouldn't force anything between us. | could only hope he'd keep
his word.
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Chapter 142
Fresh out of the shower, Jared walked over, his dark hair still damp. He stood beside me, gazing out at the city
lights before suddenly asking, “Would you like to own a place here?”
| turned to him, startled. He gestured toward a distant cluster of high-rises. “There’s a new luxury development
going up over there. We should check it out tomorrow.”
My breath hitched, my pulse quickening. Again with the money, Jared knew exactly how to dangle the right bait.
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Chapter 142
| pretended not to hear and kept walking, Jared caught up, grabbing my arm. “What's wrong now?”
| stared at his face, mentally picturing him as a stack of hundred-dollar bills to keep my temper in check. “What
do you want?” | asked flatly.
“My cousin’s getting married tomorrow. We're going to Shariport tonight,” he said, right there in the middle of
the hallway.
knew this cousin, a university professor. Scrolling through my memories of my previous life, | vaguely recalled
my mother-in-law mentioning the wedding.
Back then, Jared had gone alone. Of course, “alone” in his world had never truly meant alone. There had always
been a certain companion- Tracy, no doubt.
So, colorsurprised. Jared actually wantedto go this time. Tracy must be seething.
“I've got a lot on my plate right now,” | said, deliberately dismissive. “Maybe I'll sit this one out.”
Part of my new mission in this life was to emotionally detach-and, when possible, subtly needle him. Payback for
the lifetof neglect he'd
served me.
Jared's expression darkened. “He’s my closest cousin. My parents can’t make it, so we're representing the family.
You not going would be disrespectful.”
“Are we taking Yvonne?” The last thing | wanted was a long trip with her.
“No. Just us.” His voice was clipped.
A business hub like Shariport was exactly where | needed to be. Networking opportunities, industry elites-
attending as Jared Holcomb’s wife would open doors for my career.
Plus, I'd been planning to grow a TikTok presence for the hotel. This trip could givecontent worth filming.
“Fine. I'll wrap up work and pack,” | said, shaking off his grip and striding toward my office.
Through the glass reflection, | saw him standing rigidly, frustration etched between his brows.
That evening, we rode in silence to the airport. “We didn’t tell Yvonne about Shariport, did we?” Jared asked
abruptly.
1 shook my head. “No.”
“Good. No need to upset her.” His voice softened, the sindulgent tone he always used when it cto her.
I didn’t reply, turning to watch the city lights blur past.
The airport buzzed with travelers. Jared and | traveled light, breezing through security before settling in the VIP
lounge.
He was all sharp angles and tailored businesswear, his million-dollar watch glinting under the lights as he typed
away on his laptop, every
inch the elite CEO.
| took my coffee outside, leaning against the glass to watch planes take off. No need to sit with him.
When | returned, three giggling girls had clustered near Jared, their cheeks pink as they nudged each other,
clearly angling for his number.
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15:15 Wed, 13 Aug
Chapter 141
35%
“Where are you? I'll cpick up Yvonne. You just got off a flight. | appreciate you looking after her.” A pause.
“Yeah, stay there. I'm on my
way.”
He hung up and turned, only to seestanding there. A flicker of discomfort crossed his face. “I'm going to get
Yvonne. You should head
home.”
“Sure.” | had no intention of joining him anyway. But that fleeting unease in his eyes? My instincts screamed.
Maybe Quinn and Yvonne weren't the only ones at that concert. Maybe Tracy was there too. And that was why
Jared didn’t insist | calong. Because tonight, my presence wasn’t required.
| marched to my car, slid in, and sped off. | didn’t hear them chome. By the tJared and Yvonne returned,
| was already asleep.
The next morning, Yvonne was draped over Jared's lap, rubbing her eyes tically. “Daddy, my tummy hurts.
| can’t go to school.”
Jared sighed, stroking her hair. “Yvonne, Mommy and | have work. If you're really sick, we'll go to the hospital.”
He didn’t allow her to skip
classes.
“Will they givea shot?” Her eyes widened in horror.
“Possibly.”
“Never mind!” She scrambled upright. “School’s fine.”
Just then, | descended the stairs. Yvonne immediately bolted from Jared and latched onto my leg. “Mommy, skip
work today! Taketo the park instead?”
| looked down at her. Mosquito bites
dotted her cheeks, angry red wells
q . )
against her sfin-Nosnkally Fe fuss
CTE hing ointment until the
f ,
swelling faded. Today, | couldn't
muster the energy. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
“I'm busy.” My voice was ice.
“You never loveanymore!” she wailed. “Tracy would never” She caught herself, but the damage was done.
Jared's gaze flicked to me, testing my reaction. | gave none. Instead, | took a deliberate bite of the organic
avocado toast Wendy had prepared, the morning sunlight catching my cheeks.
f a
Lately, I'd been taking better care of
myself. My skin glowed, my om
complexion wager) ahd the
skekly ane | once had was gone. My
eyes, no longer dull and tired, now
shone with clarity. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Jared crouched before our pouting daughter. “Mom's busy. I'll drop you at school, might pick you up if my
meetings clear.”
“Can someone else get me? | want-" Yvonne whisper-shouted into his ear, throwinga sidelong glare.
His jaw tightened. “Pleeeeease, Daddy?” She batted her lashes, the perfect little manipulator.
Defeated, he ruffled her hair. “Finish your chia pudding first.” She devoured it with performative gusto, shooting
After dropping Yvonne off at school, Jared headed to work. | had business at the company too, sfinancial
matters needed sorting out.
The moment | stepped into the finance department, | spotted Tracy. Her expression darkened when she saw me.
As she turned to leave, she suddenly asked, “A transfer of 3 million was made from Mr. Holcomb’s personal
account yesterday. Do you know
where that money went, Mrs. Holcomb?”
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15:15 Wed, 13 Aug VI
Chapter 141
1 blinked. Since when did Tracy have access to Jared's finances? She was really stepping into the wife role,
wasn't she?
“Why ask me? Ask him,” | shot back, no longer the meek woman | used to be.
Tracy's face tightened. “I will.”
¥[35%
| was almost curious how Jared
would explain this. Would he tell her
the truth? If Trac fquiid od, che!"
el
ight jdst Get mad on the spot. But
. )
knowing Jared, he'd probably keep it
to himself. He always guarded his
privacy fiercely. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
As | left the finance office, | spotted Jared stepping out of the elevator. | pretended not to see him and turned the
other way, but he called out, “Honey, cto my office for a minute.”
The entire hallway froze. Honey? Since when did he callthat in public? The man was putting on quite the
devoted-husband act. But everyone in this company knew Tracy was his real love.
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