Chapter 1

I remained rooted to the spot while clutching a medical report, clearly dumbstruck. Apparently, I had a late-stage malignant tumor growing in my lungs. I only had six months left to live. Those words kept getting replayed in my mind over and over again. A nurse walked over and passed me my medication. Then, she looked around the surroundings. "Mr. Richardson, is your family here? I'd like to give them some instructions regarding your healthcare." My family? As in my wife, Luna Sherwood? She'd like nothing more than to watch me die as soon as possible. I just chuckled bitterly before accepting the medication. Then, I replied softly, "You can just let me know what the instructions are. I… don't have a family." Sympathy flickered across the nurse's eyes. She then said, "Well, then, Mr. Richardson, the acts of smoking and drinking will affect your medication's effects and worsen your disease. "Please take note to avoid doing those things. If you recuperate properly, you might still be able to turn the tables in your favor…" Turning the tables in my favor? I clutched the ball of bloodied tissue paper in my hand. My eyes had already gone out of focus at that time. It didn't matter to me anyway. My life was already a mess. There was absolutely no hope left for me. It'd be a blessing for me if I could extend my short life even by a day or two at this rate. I walked out of the hospital, my mind a complete mess. Before I could immerse myself in my sorrows even more, I received a phone call from Luna. Her voice was familiar and domineering as ever. "Mr. Richardson, come to Crown Palace right now." I parted my lips, wishing to tell Luna that I was sick. But she had already hung up on me by then. Well, Luna did host a business gathering in a restaurant named Crown Palace. The thing was, she chose to take the new intern, Samuel Jones, there. I honestly had no idea why Luna wanted me to go to Crown Palace. But I was her husband and secretary, so I had no reason to disobey her orders. After placing the report into my glove compartment carefully, I drove to Crown Palace. The atmosphere inside Room 888 was extremely boisterous by the time I opened the door and walked into the room. The first thing I smelled was a strong whiff of smoke mixed with alcohol fumes. I had to cough violently a few times in a row in order to breathe again. Everyone was too busy mingling with each other to notice my appearance. Still, I spotted a man with a slightly pale complexion sitting next to Luna. It was Samuel—her new love interest. Luna patted Samuel's back gently while murmuring something into his ear in a low tone. This made him turn his head to look at her, a small smile gracing his lips. I had never seen my own wife displaying such a gentle side despite having been married to her for two years. Luna happened to notice me when she looked up. Her gentle gaze instantly went cold. She waved at me, so I approached her along the table. Once I reached her proximity, I saw her pointing at the shot glass in front of Samuel. "You've always had great alcoholic tolerance. I want you to drink on Sam's behalf today." I frowned slightly in response. Samuel was an intern who was currently working in the sales department. Drinking was a skill that all employees had to develop and hone. The reason why Luna brought him to this gathering today was to train him. But now, she wanted me to drink on Samuel's behalf. What the hell? I quickly recalled the doctor's orders, so I rejected Luna's order softly, "I can't have alcohol today." Luna's expression crashed the moment she heard my rejection. She looked like she was about to lash out at me. However, Samuel quickly grabbed her hand. "Ms. Sherwood, please don't make Mr. Richardson's life difficult. I can handle this bit of alcohol. I'll definitely drain the glass dry and help you secure the business deal." His coquettish words only succeeded in making Luna dislike me even more instead of appeasing her. "Edward, what's with the tantrum? Sam has been toughing it out all this time because of his gastritis, and yet, here you are, rejecting such a simple request." Luna's criticizing words made me feel so suffocated that I was unable to breathe properly. I might only be a secretary, but I was still her husband, whom she had married in secret! If word got out that I had drank on behalf of an intern who was potentially faking his illness, how would I be able to maintain my reputation in the company? While the three of us were stuck in a deadlock, a man's rich voice boomed from across the table, "Ms. Sherwood, are your employees even capable of drinking? If they can't, you should take them and leave! You can also forget about getting this contract signed!" The one who was speaking was William Hutton, the most influential man in the room. Whoever was capable of lasting against him in terms of drinking would be able to help the company hit half of its sales target for the next quarter. Luna stood up and introduced me to Mr. Hutton. "I'm sorry for my employees' shameful display, Mr. Hutton. This is my secretary, Edward Richardson. He has an incredible alcohol tolerance. I believe he'll be able to make your night." That was how Luna offered me to Mr. Hutton. She did that just so she could protect Samuel. The room was stifling hot, but all I could feel was stark coldness. It was true that I had great alcohol tolerance. Because of that, I had attended countless business gatherings for the company. That was how I ended up getting stomach ulcers after two years. It seemed that Luna had completely forgotten about my condition. Still, I picked up the shot glass and filled it with tequila. I made sure to plaster a smile on my face as well. "Cheers, Mr. Hutton." Then, I downed the shot of tequila. It left a burning trail from my esophagus all the way down to my stomach. Satisfied, Mr. Hutton told me to sit down and drink with him. But Luna murmured coldly into my ear, "You should've done this from the start. Why must you piss me off just now?" After that, she took Samuel to the hospital. By doing so, she left me in Room 888 to fend for myself. By the time the business gathering was over, I had already vomited countless times into the toilet bowl.