Madam has once again resolved to seek a divorce today

In the instant before the alarm was set to ring, a large, well-defined hand emerged from beneath the gray sheets, pressing the button with flawless precision. The shrill clang never sounded. The woman beneath the covers remained in deep slumber. Julian Sterling flipped the alarm clock upside down on the bedside table, rose, and slipped into the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the air, yet Evelyn Ashford lay motionless under the quilt, feigning sleep. Only when the door clicked softly shut did she open her eyes and lift her head from the blankets, letting out a quiet sigh. From below came the distant rumble of a car engine retreating down the street. Evelyn hesitated for a moment before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She padded barefoot to the balcony, watching Julian drive off toward work. It wasn’t until the black Cullinan disappeared from view that she pressed a hand to her forehead, feeling a sudden chill creep through her. Yesterday, they had had a rare quarrel, ending the night in a tense silence. Evelyn was always the one to yield first; she had tugged at his sleeve before bed, murmuring, “Could I have a good morning kiss before you leave for work tomorrow?” Perhaps still irritated, Julian had merely turned off the lights without a word of affirmation. And, as she had anticipated, he hadn’t fulfilled that small request. To Evelyn, it felt like the olive branch she had extended had been coldly rejected. Still wrapped in last night’s silk sleepwear, she shivered as a gust of autumn wind brushed through the balcony. Goosebumps rose along her arms as she lingered there for several minutes, before finally turning back to the bedroom to dress for the day and head to the set. … Rain in Lin City was sudden and unrelenting. Amid the fine drizzle, Evelyn watched the actress on camera, tears tracing delicate lines down her cheeks. She found herself momentarily lost in thought—not because of yesterday’s argument with Julian, but because this scene marked the final shot. The production was complete. Less than a year into her marriage with Julian, his mother, Mrs. Sterling, had already begun subtly—and sometimes not so subtly—pressuring her to abandon her directorial career and devote herself entirely to family life. “It’s not that I oppose your work, but the entertainment industry… it simply isn’t suited to you…” “And with Julian managing so many companies, his time is stretched thin. If you keep yourself so busy, when will the two of you ever truly grow close?” Evelyn had heard such admonitions countless times, memorized each nuance almost as if by rote. The underlying expectation, of course, was not the cultivation of marital intimacy, but the production of heirs. The incessant reminders had already begun, and she had barely been married a year. “CUT!” The assistant director called halt before she could, removing his headset and tapping her shoulder. “Director Ashford, is there a problem?” Evelyn blinked, refocusing on the scene in front of her: the heroine in crimson had completed her final act, shivering amidst the simulated snow, tears and blood trailing down her face. The camera froze, and the drama drew to a close. Picking up the walkie-talkie, Evelyn instructed, “One more take. Let’s bring out more nuance in the heroine’s expression…” She returned to her work, temporarily banishing the vexing matters of home and marriage from her mind. The crew resumed their duties—snow machines whirring, lights adjusted, distractions cleared. When the actress was ready, Evelyn called, “Action!” Luck favored them. Fully immersed, Evelyn guided the scene, and the actress, as if struck by sudden clarity, captured the audience’s breath from the very first second. Finally, after the last shot, the assistant director exhaled in relief. Evelyn smiled in quiet satisfaction. The actress, brushing snow from her gown, ran up to her, cheeks flushed and streaked with red-tinted tears. “Director Ashford! Director Ashford! Was there anything I could improve?” “Nothing. That take was excellent, very natural,” Evelyn replied, stepping aside so the actress could view her performance on the monitor. She offered careful feedback, “Your expression in that freeze-frame is superb, fluid and unforced. Your movements flowed beautifully…” This was a modest, low-budget online drama. The actress, Tang Mian, an eighteen-line celebrity—or perhaps more accurately, a fleetingly popular internet figure—was still in school and had only come to film during her summer break. Despite the project’s limited resources, both women approached their work with utmost seriousness. Tang Mian had no formal training, her popularity born from social media virality, yet fate had brought her to Evelyn’s set due to her affordability and suitability. “Director Ashford, if we edit this well, I think it could actually become popular,” Tang Mian said earnestly. Evelyn chuckled. “Anything is possible.” Tang Mian leaned closer, eyes gleaming. “I’m not flattering you. If this drama takes off, and I become a major star, I will absolutely work with you again. I promise!” Evelyn raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Without pay?” Tang Mian laughed, eyes curved in delight. “Well… a little payment, perhaps.” Evelyn smiled, shaking her head. “I may retire after this next drama. Who knows if there’ll be another chance…” Her gaze grew distant as she reached for her thermos and took a sip. “Director Ashford, shall we head back?” Crew members called out greetings as the assistant director hurried over, bashful. “Director, I need to leave early—my boyfriend’s here to pick me up…” Evelyn glanced at her rosy-cheeked face and smirked. “Go then, take my blessing with you.” As Tang Mian removed her makeup and changed clothes, she teased lightly, “Director, isn’t your husband coming to pick you up?” Few knew of Evelyn’s marriage; her wedding to Julian had been understated. Tang Mian squinted, her tone suggestive. “Ah! Isn’t that Mr. Sterling over there?” Following her gaze, Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat as a familiar figure approached. “He isn’t…” she began. “Oh, stop being shy,” Tang Mian said with a mischievous grin. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” She waved and hurried off, leaving Evelyn to the approaching presence behind her. “Madam,” came the respectful voice of Wei Hanyu, Julian’s assistant, standing with impeccable poise. “Mr. Sterling sent me to pick you up.” Julian had rarely come to the set himself, preferring Wei Hanyu to handle such errands. “Since it’s raining, Mr. Sterling asked that you go directly to the old estate and wait for him,” Wei Hanyu continued. Evelyn’s brow furrowed. Again with Mrs. Sterling? “Yes,” Wei Hanyu confirmed. “Mrs. Sterling arranged dinner for tonight with your husband. The patriarch will also be present. Mr. Sterling wanted you to arrive early.” “And him?” “He has a meeting. With the rain, he decided it’s best you go ahead.” Evelyn pouted. “Can’t we go together?” Wei Hanyu gave a measured glance. “He worries you might be bored waiting at the company.” “Then he can deal with the boredom himself,” she muttered. Wei Hanyu chuckled. “Understood, Madam.” Evelyn turned to the window, thoughts heavy. Dealing with her mother-in-law was far worse than enduring boredom. Pleasing one person was exhausting; pleasing several was even more so. … Arriving at Sterling Enterprises, Evelyn took the private elevator to the CEO’s office. Julian was still in a meeting. She sank into the guest chair, idly scrolling through her phone. “Madam, Mr. Sterling’s meeting may last another hour. Should you need anything, just tell me.” “An hour, huh?” Evelyn retrieved a stack of scripts from her bag. “I’ll just review these. Go handle your own work. No need to fuss over me.” “Yes, Madam.” Wei Hanyu nodded and left, the door clicking softly behind him. Immersed in her scripts, Evelyn flipped through them, slowly losing herself in the stories. She was selective—this would be her final drama before retiring. Time passed. Her neck stiffened. She yawned and stretched— “Ha…” And then her gaze met Julian’s as he stepped into the office. Four eyes locked. Evelyn’s tired, tear-brimmed eyes froze in recognition. Instantly, she composed herself, pushing the scripts aside. “You’re back?” she said, a soft smile gracing her lips. “Was work tiring today?” Julian stood impeccably in his suit, an aura of authority and cold calm radiating from him. His eyes flicked over her. “Hm.” Used to his distant demeanor at work, Evelyn remained unflustered—until she noticed the woman behind him. “She…” Her lips pressed tight as she looked up at Julian, suppressing the irritation rising within. They had quarreled about this very person yesterday, leaving things unresolved. Today, Evelyn had no desire for conflict. Her voice was measured, calm, yet tinged with restrained frustration. “Why is she here?”