My childhood friend, whom I hadnt contacted for years, kept calling nonstop during an important meeting.

After the meeting, he spoke in a sharp tone.

Do you think youre too big for your britches? Im getting engaged and youre not even coming back to help out. Do I have to invite you?

I was representing my country at an international scientific forum, so I could only decline politely.

Unexpectedly, he turned all haughty.

Fine then. If youre not coming back, then just send me a gift with four circles and Ill let it slide.

Four circles? Thinking he meant ten thousand with four zeroes, I immediately agreed.

Dont worry, Ill give you ten thousand dollars as a wedding gift.

Ten grand? Who the hell are you kidding?

My wife is the eldest daughter of the Jeffersons, the most prestigious family in Cirrus. Only the most distinguished people are on the guest list. Seeing that were old friends, Im letting you attend. Its your great honor!

He cursed angrily and sent me the invitation.

I was struck dumb the moment I opened it.

My aloof ice queen of a wife, who kept strangers at bay, was locked in a passionate kiss with her arms wrapped around my childhood friends waist.

Four zeroes, huh? How about four wreaths?

My gaze darkened as I clutched my phone. Four funeral wreaths ought to count as four circles, too!
Chapter 1
Hearing my acquiescence, Fabian Gates was overjoyed.
Thats dope! I knew I hadnt misjudged you! Since Im being considerate, just get me two brand new Audi R8s. If youre short on cash, I can hook you up with an absolutely reliable money lender!
R8? Over three million dollars each? What am I, his sugar daddy?
I sneered and probed cautiously, Have you gotten permission from Ms. Jeffersons husband to marry her?
There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of someone swallowing.
Stop eating, you little glutton! My good friend here says youre married. Explain yourself!
Huffed in displeasure, Tiffany Jefferson said in muffled speech, My husband is none other than my darling Fabian. That useless fool still treasures that fake marriage license like its gold!
Fueled by desire, Fabian tossed his phone aside and pulled Tiffany into a passionate embrace.
Soft moans, curses, and lustful cries filled the air.
The sounds pierced my chest like needles threading through my heart.
Darling, have mercy Im dying!
Snapping the call off, I retrieved the marriage license from under the bed and immediately called the director of the Cirrus City Clerks Office.
Upon verification, the marriage license was indeed fake!
Enraged by the discovery, I summoned my assistant.
Contact the attorney general and the city police commissioner immediately. Launch a full investigation on the Jeffersons. Any illegal activity will be dealt with severely!
And go to the florist and order forty floral wreaths for me!
Once I was done with all the instructions, I stared at the distant faces on the marriage license before crushing the whole thing into a ball.
She mustve forgotten.
Without me, there wouldnt be any Jefferson family.
Her whole family would pay with their lives for her audacity to insult someone like me.
After informing my superior, I drove to the Jeffersons villa to retrieve my daughter.
She was nowhere to be found, and when I asked the servants, they dodged my questions and mumbled vague replies.
Only when I roared at them did one finally lead me to the backyard, where a doghouse crudely made of stacked bricks was located.
Before I could make sense of it all, the servant tapped the dog bowl.
A small, barely clothed girl crawled out.
It was my daughter.
The blood in my veins turned to ice. I couldnt believe my own eyes.
Maddie!
I called out and pulled her tightly into my arms.
She trembled violently, sobbing as she pleaded, Dont hit me Maddie wont eat Maddie goes back to the kennel
Her words stabbed straight through my chest.
I had only been away for a few months. What the hell happened?
That wretched woman, how dare she!
Once my daughter calmed down, I learned the truth.
While I was away, Tiffany had spent her days entangled with Fabian on a daily basis. They even locked my daughter in a doghouse.
She would only clean and dress Maddie up as I was about to return, and threatened the girl not to say a word.
Maddies exposed skin was covered in horrifying bruises and several burn marks, which must be Fabians handiwork.
Seeing her frail, shriveling limbs from starvation, I almost lost it.
Those two scums!
I swore I would turn their wedding into their funeral!

Chapter 2
I had the servants throw all of Tiffanys belongings straight into the recycling bins, then contacted an agent to list the villa for sale. With Maddie in tow, I rushed to the engagement party.
On the way, Tiffany called.
Hubby, why are people from the Attorney Generals Office at the company? Hurry over and sort this out!
Im busy! Stop causing trouble!
What, busy cuckolding me?
I sneered coldly and immediately blocked her number.
Arriving at the hotel Fabian mentioned, I saw the entrance filled with luxury cars.