Chapter 1
763words
He had just been named the youngest professor at Central City Hospital, riding high on success, surrounded by a circle of fawning colleagues and friends.
I made my way through the crowd, wine glass in hand, playing my part as the competent and silent wife, smiling at my husband—my enemy.
I glanced around and spotted Iris Sullivan lurking in the corner.
She was a new intern at our hospital—young, pretty, with eyes as innocent as a newborn fawn.
She was staring at Julian with undisguised admiration, her infatuation painfully obvious.
Julian sensed her gaze. He smoothly extracted himself from the crowd and, wine glass in hand, made a beeline for her corner.
"Why are you hiding away all alone?" His voice carried a warmth I hadn't heard since our first anniversary.
Iris's face flushed crimson. "Professor Winters, I—I'm just not used to events like this..."
"Don't be nervous," Julian chuckled softly. He leaned forward, his lips nearly brushing her ear as he whispered something.
Iris's face turned an even deeper shade of red, her chin practically touching her chest.
I watched the scene unfold, my face a mask of indifference as I drained my wine in one gulp.
Then I strode over and planted myself directly in front of them.
"Julian Winters."
My voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to freeze the smile on Julian's face.
He straightened up, instantly reverting to his usual cold, polite demeanor. "Claire, what brings you over here?"
When Iris saw me, she jumped like a startled rabbit. "H-hello, Dr. Shaw."
I didn't spare her a glance, my eyes locked on Julian.
"We're leaving. Now."
Julian frowned. "The reception isn't over yet. Don't make a scene."
"I won't ask again. We're leaving." I pulled my phone from my purse and opened a specific screen.
"Or I could call Director Zhang right now and tell him your important heart valve replacement tomorrow needs to be canceled due to serious preoperative errors."
My voice was soft but carried an arctic chill.
I knew he wouldn't risk his precious career.
Sure enough, Julian's smile vanished. He glared at me, but within seconds had perfectly masked his rage.
He turned to Iris with a forced smile. "Iris, my wife isn't feeling well. I need to take her home."
With that, he grabbed my wrist and practically dragged me from the banquet hall, past the bewildered stares of everyone present.
The hotel had prepared a secluded private room for VIP guests.
Before the door even closed, Julian flung my hand away.
"Claire Shaw, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" The mask was gone—disgust and fury blazed in his eyes.
I rubbed my reddened wrists, meeting his gaze with ice in my own. "That's my question, Dr. Winters. What exactly are you doing flirting with an intern right in front of your wife?"
"Flirting?" He laughed as if I'd told a bad joke. "I was simply encouraging a promising newcomer! Must you project your own filthy thoughts onto others?"
The door behind him creaked open.
Iris had followed us and now stood timidly in the doorway, clutching a glass of red wine, her eyes already rimmed with tears.
"Professor Winters, Dr. Shaw, please stop fighting. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have—" As she spoke, tears spilled down her cheeks like rain.
I sneered inwardly. What a perfect act—advancing by appearing to retreat.
Julian immediately stepped forward, shielding her behind him. "Look at yourself, acting like a jealous shrew! Where's your dignity as a chief physician? Look how you've frightened this poor girl! She's just a kid fresh out of school! Can't you show some damn compassion?"
"A child?" I laughed coldly. "A child who makes bedroom eyes at her married boss?"
"Claire Shaw!" Julian's voice rose sharply. "Don't push me! I married you, and I can damn well divorce you too!"
Iris sobbed harder, peering over Julian's shoulder with puppy-dog eyes. "Dr. Shaw, please, don't blame Professor Winters. Let me offer you this wine as my apology."
With that, she bit her trembling lip and took a small sip.
The next moment, she erupted into violent coughs, wine sloshing in her glass. "Cough—cough—I'm sorry, Dr. Shaw. I'm not much of a drinker."
"Is that so?" My lips curled into a cold smile. "Then allow me to help you."
I snatched the wine glass from her hand and raised it high.
The crimson liquid traced a perfect arc through the air before splashing across Iris Sullivan's oh-so-innocent face.
