Chapter 2
1094 Words
A week later, I sat down next to him with the family accounting book.
"Annie's enrichment class fees went up," I opened the book. "There's not much left in our joint account. Is the company's cash flow okay?"
"The company is fine," he glanced at it briefly. "The annual party budget was approved long ago. If we're short on cash, use the credit card. I'll deposit more next month."
"The annual party... is it at Moon Hotel?"
"Yes, Star Hall." His eyes flickered. "How do you know?"
"I saw a poster when I passed by." I lowered my eyes. "I heard it's very expensive."
"The company is ten years old. We need to put on a proper show." He put his arm around my shoulder. "Once this is over, I'll take you and Annie to Sea City."
More promises.
"By the way," I looked up, "can I see the annual party agenda? The boss's wife doesn't even know what her own company's party looks like."
After a few seconds of silence, he said, "Fine. I'll send it to you on INS."
A minute later, the digital agenda and seating chart arrived.
"Just take a look. Don't forward it."
"Got it."
He got up and went to shower.
I opened my phone.
Table 1, Seat 01: CEO, David Allen.
Table 1, Seat 02: Administration Department, Ada Green.
Administration Department.
So she was at the company, right under his nose.
I took a screenshot, uploaded it to the cloud, and backed it up on an encrypted hard drive.
I passed by the study. The door was ajar.
That old laptop sat on the desk, the indicator light on.
I pushed the door open.
The laptop had no password.
The folders were messy. I clicked on the Work Backup 2021 button.
As I closed it, my eye caught a strangely named folder: A.
I double-clicked. It needed a password.
I tried his birthday, my birthday, the company's founding date. None worked.
I typed the word for Ada.
The folder opened.
Inside were hundreds of photos spanning three years. There were shots from group dinners, business trips, company celebrations, and hotel stays—and in every single one of them, the same woman appeared.
Young, bright, smiling without restraint.
David's hand on her waist, on her shoulder.
The latest photo was from last week.
The background was the hallway of the obstetrics and gynecology department at a high-end private hospital.
Adareen was holding his arm, looking down at a test result. He was looking at her with an expression I had never seen on his face before.
So gentle.
My nails dug into my palms, leaving crescent marks.
It didn't hurt.
I plugged in a USB drive and copied.
The progress bar moved slowly: 1%... 5%... 10%...
The bathroom door opened.
Footsteps came toward the study.
I yanked out the USB drive, closed the laptop, and turned around with a smile.
"You're done with your shower? Your pajamas are on the bed."
He stood in the doorway, water dripping from his hair, glancing at the laptop. "What are you doing in the study?"
"Looking for Annie's vaccination record. The kindergarten needs it tomorrow." I waved the little blue booklet. "Your old laptop was still on. Such a waste of electricity."
"Forgot to turn it off." He walked over and pressed the power button. "Don't touch my computer in the future. It has trade secrets."
"Got it, President Allen." I laughed and punched his arm lightly, then walked out of the study.
I tucked the USB drive into the bottom hidden compartment of my vanity drawer.
Other things were already stored there: Transfer screenshots, screen recordings of chat logs, unfamiliar phone numbers.
It still wasn't enough.
A few days later, I made an appointment with Diana Wayne.
A college roommate, now a well-known divorce lawyer.
After I finished summarizing, she was silent for a long time.
"Helen, are you sure you want to file for divorce?"
"I'm sure." I looked out the window at the traffic. "I want him to pay."
"If you want to take someone down, you hit where it actually hurts."
"So what is it for him?"
"The company." Diana's pen stopped. "He's the founder, but the stock is community property.
"If he is at major fault, you will have an overwhelming advantage in property division. You might even affect control of the company."
She looked at me. "But this road is long and dirty. You need to be mentally prepared."
"I am ready."
"I died the day I discovered 'Baby Ada.'"
Diana took my hand. "I'll help you."
After leaving the tea house, I went to a digital shop on the west side of the city.
The owner, Luke Brown, was my junior from college. He owed me a favor.
"Helen, here's what you asked for." He handed me a black velvet box.
I opened it. A rose-gold brooch, the flower center set with tiny diamonds.
"4K high-definition, eight-hour battery life, wireless transmission to your phone."
Luke lowered his voice. "And this—"
A lipstick.
"Side-press to shoot, extremely discreet. On the day of the annual party, I'll be nearby to help receive the signal remotely."
"Thank you." I put the items away. "I'll transfer the money to you."
"Helen," Luke's expression was complicated, "be careful."
I smiled. "Don't worry. The one who needs to be careful isn't me."
That night, David came home at two in the morning, reeking of alcohol.
I helped him to bed, wiped his face, and took off his shoes.
He groggily grabbed my hand. "Sweetheart... you're the best..."
"Go to sleep," I pulled my hand out and covered him with the blanket.
As I turned away, I heard him mutter, "Ada... don't be naughty..."
I turned off the light and closed the door.
In the darkness, I opened my phone.
Ada's social media had been updated.
In the photo, she wore a Cartier bracelet, held up a glass of red wine, with the dazzling dome of Moon Hotel's Star Hall in the background.
The caption read: Some rituals are worth the wait. Three days to go.
I liked the post, using David's old phone.
A minute later, Ada sent a private message.
Ada: David? Why did you like it? Didn't we agree not to go public yet?
I imitated his tone.
David: Couldn't help it. Miss you.
She sent a shy emoji: I miss you too. I tried on the gown. It's super beautiful. That day... will you announce it?
David: Of course. I'll give you the best.
- Writer
