Chapter 4

After signing, Chloe was in high spirits.

She immediately got dressed and put on makeup, claiming she was going to meet her bestie to share the good news.

But I knew she was actually going to meet that Yale PhD.

I didn't expose her. I even kindly ordered an Uber for her.

"Have fun. I'll pick you up tonight."

As soon as she left, I headed straight to another law firm.

I was there to meet Mark, the best litigation lawyer in town for financial disputes.

"Mr. Miller, your evidence is rock solid," Mark said, pushing up his glasses as he looked at the chat records and the agreement.

"The chat records prove she had intent of fraud and using marriage for financial gain."

"And this agreement, although called a pre-marital gift confirmation, is actually a conditional gift contract."

"Now, all you need to do is make sure that 'condition' is never met."

I nodded. "Mark, if I break up with her now, how much of the money can I get back?"

Mark smiled. "According to the law, since you two didn't marry, the conditional gift must be returned in full."

"Plus, she is the party at fault. Not only does she have to return the principal, but if we play this right, she won't even touch a cent of the property's appreciation."

"However, since she's still going on dates, why don't we..."

Mark leaned in and whispered a strategy.

A cold gleam flashed in my eyes.

"Great. Let's do exactly that."

That night, I didn't pick up Chloe.

Instead, I sent her a Snapchat: *Sudden overtime at the office. Working through the night. Go home by yourself.*

Chloe replied instantly: *Okay, honey. Work hard! Love you, mwah!*

Even through the screen, I could feel her indifference and excitement.

With me out of the way, she could do whatever she wanted with her PhD.

Sitting in my dark living room, I opened Instagram.

Sure enough, using my alt account, I could see the post she had blocked my main account from seeing.

*Finally met a soul who understands me. Wish we met sooner.*

The photo was a selfie at a Michelin-star restaurant.

Opposite her sat a man in a suit. Although his face was blurred, the Patek Philippe on his wrist was screaming wealth.

The location was tagged at the W Hotel downtown.

I sneered and took a screenshot.

Chloe, you think you’re keeping your options open.

You don't realize the backup plan you're riding is actually a tiger ready to tear you apart.

Over the next few days, I acted incredibly busy.

I left early and came home late, treating her with cold detachment.

Chloe was so wrapped up in her new romance and the joy of her new house that she didn't care about my attitude at all.

Until the home purchase invoice and contract were delivered to our apartment.

Chloe tore the package open impatiently, kissing the contract with her name on it.

"Ethan, let's go choose the curtains this weekend. I want the French royal style."

She said casually, posing in front of the mirror.

I sat on the sofa, playing with my lighter.

"Chloe, let's not rush the curtains."

"There's something I need to tell you."

Chloe stopped and turned around.

"What is it?"

I looked up, staring straight into her eyes.

"My parents changed their minds about the wedding."

"They said since the house only has your name, your family should pay for the renovations and appliances."

"It's about $50,000."

Chloe instantly exploded.

"What?! Fifty thousand?"

"Ethan, are you insane? Where would my family get fifty thousand?"

"Besides, I'm marrying you, not buying you! You want my family to pay for renovations? In your dreams!"

She slammed the contract onto the floor and pointed her finger at my face.

"I’m telling you, not a single penny! You will renovate this house beautifully for me, and you will buy me a BMW as a wedding gift!"

"Otherwise, the wedding is off!"

She finally said it.

That was exactly what I was waiting for.

Slowly, I took out the copy of the agreement from my briefcase.

Along with a thick stack of printed chat records.

And photos of her kissing the Yale PhD in front of the hotel.

I had hired a private investigator to take those.

"Wedding off? Perfect."

"I was thinking the exact same thing."

"Chloe, since you called off the wedding, let's follow the agreement."

I threw the stack of papers onto the coffee table.

"The $200,000 down payment, plus the $30,000 I spent on your designer bags and watches over the past few years."

"Plus interest."

"Total of $240,000."

"Wire it to my account within three days."

"Or I’ll see you in court."