THE HIDDEN STRENGTH OF THE CEO'S HUSBAND

“Are you sure you want to come like this?” Marcus stopped in front of the thirty-story glass building wearing his simple suit. His watch was also ordinary, with nothing to indicate who he really was. “I came because I was invited,” Marcus replied briefly. Jessica Victor never liked short answers. It had always been that way. The building where the two of them stood was in the center of Angkasa, the most expensive business district. The Victor family name was emblazoned on the front. Marcus stared at it for a few seconds, not too long. In Marcus's hand was an ancient pendant that he held tightly, containing a promise that he had to fulfill. “You're two minutes late,” a cold voice greeted him as the conference room door opened. Jessica was already sitting at the end of the table. Her hair was neat. Her face was beautiful, but empty. Next to her, a middle-aged man with glasses was closing a black folder. “Sir Cooper,” Marcus greeted politely. The lawyer nodded slightly. “Mr. Marcus.” “I thought you would at least come in a rental car.” Jessica crossed her arms. “I walked,” Marcus replied flatly. Jessica chuckled. “Still like to live a simple life.” Marcus pulled out a chair and sat down without responding. The room was silent for a moment. “Let's get right to it,” Jessica said. “I don't have much time.” The woman's voice was full of cynicism. Sir Cooper pushed the folder to the center of the table. “These are the engagement cancellation documents.” Marcus just stared at the folder in front of him, but didn't touch it. “What's the reason?” he asked coldly. Jessica sighed, as if tired of explaining something so trivial. “You disappeared for years. No news. No assets. No future.” “I sent news,” Marcus replied calmly. “Once. By letter.” “A letter?” Jessica smiled cynically. “You think that's enough?” Marcus was silent. He knew it was wrong, but he had reasons for everything. However, he chose to remain silent because, knowing Jessica's character, Marcus knew the outcome would be the same whether he told the truth or not. “You know my reputation is ruined because of this,” Jessica continued. “People are asking why I waited for a man who has nothing.” “Based on the moral clause and family reputation, our client is demanding ten billion in compensation.” Sir Cooper opened the document. “You're suing me,” Marcus repeated slowly, unable to believe Jessica would do that to him. “Don't be dramatic, just think of it as compensation,” Jessica replied without guilt. Marcus finally touched the folder. He opened it. He read it quickly. His hands were steady. Inside his chest, something burned. “You won't be able to pay,” Jessica said lightly. “But your signature is still needed.” Marcus closed the folder. “I agree to the cancellation.” Jessica blinked. “That's it?” The woman stared at Marcus with a slightly incredulous look. “I won't pay,” Marcus continued. “But I won't fight it either.” “Mr. Marcus, are you sure? Sir Cooper frowned. ”I'm giving up all claims,“ Marcus said. ”Name. Rights. Relationships." Marcus spoke with determination. Jessica looked at him, trying to find emotion on his face. Anger. Despair. Pleas, but she found nothing. “You're always like this,” she muttered. “Acting tough.” Jessica sneered in disgust. “If there's nothing else, I'm leaving.” Marcus chose not to respond to Jessica's words. Jessica laughed short. “Go ahead. Space is no place for a man like you.” Jessica's taunt made Marcus pause at the door. “I'm not back for you,” he said without turning around. Outside the building, the city air felt colder. Marcus opened his palm. The pendant lay there. Old metal with foreign engravings. “The promise is over,” he muttered softly, feeling no regret at all. Shortly after, the man's cell phone vibrated. There was no name, but Marcus answered without hesitation. “Lord Alexander,” the voice on the other end was low and urgent. “The old debt is activated tonight.” Marcus closed his eyes for a moment. “Who is the target?” he asked softly, without emotion. “Ellen Wilson. The legal deadline is five minutes before midnight.” Marcus opened his eyes. The sky still stood majestically before him. “Prepare the contract,” Marcus replied without further ado. *** “Are you sure the address is correct?” Felix stood behind Marcus as the CEO’s private elevator stopped on the top floor of the Wilson Group Tower. “I’m sure this is Ellen Wilson’s place,” Marcus replied casually. The elevator doors opened. A glass hallway stretched out, silent, too clean. At the end of it was the CEO's office with transparent walls facing the sparkling city of Angkasa. A woman stood with her back to them. “The CEO is still working even though it's past ten o'clock at night. That's inhumane.” Felix commented slightly because normal people would have stopped working at that hour. “She has no choice,” Marcus said calmly because he had already investigated who would be with her. Felix, who had been given the code by Marcus, began to knock on the door. “Come in,” the voice sounded firm, but there was a slight c***k behind it. When Ellen Wilson turned towards him, Marcus knew immediately that this woman was used to controlling the room. Her posture was straight, her clothes were neat, but her eyes were red from lack of sleep. On her desk, her laptop screen displayed a sharp downward red graph. Ellen began to stare at Marcus from head to toe. “What is this?” she said flatly. “Is this the person you meant, Felix?” Felix didn't answer. “I don't remember scheduling a meeting with a man dressed casually,” Ellen continued. “Especially tonight.” The woman was firm because she felt disrespected by meeting someone who didn't know the importance of neatness, which she always upheld in her life. “I didn't schedule your financial crisis either,” Marcus replied calmly, not feeling the slightest bit angry at Ellen's malicious comments. “Get out.” Ellen tensed, not expecting the guest to be someone who dared to confront her. “You have five minutes before the black market bank seizes all your liquid assets.” Marcus cleverly and quickly threatened Ellen. Ellen laughed short. “Cheap threats.” But the woman's eyes stared at Marcus warily. Marcus stepped forward and placed an ancient pendant on the glass table. The small metallic sound was so loud that it made Ellen freeze. Ellen finally slowly stood up and approached, then stared at the pendant as if she had seen a ghost. “That?” her voice dropped. “Where did you get it?” “Inheritance, just like you.” Marcus began to smile slightly. “That's the Wilson family symbol,” Ellen stared intently. “It can't be in the hands of an outsider.” “You're wrong,” Marcus chuckled softly. “It's a symbol of a blood pact between two families. Wilson and you know what I mean, right?” Marcus continued speaking softly so that the woman in front of him would realize that he was serious. “No,” Ellen cut in. “That pact died hundreds of years ago.” Ellen tried to remain firm. “A pact only dies when no one claims it,” Felix chimed in. “What do you mean?” Ellen turned quickly toward Felix.