Chapter 1 A Life Of Luxury

“Roseanne, let's get a divorce!” Standing before Roseanne Sylvester was Brandon Graham, her husband of two years from a whirlwind marriage. He was clad in a sleek black trench coat, his handsome face void of any unnecessary expressions. His gaze toward her held a hint of apology. “I'm now with Yvonne.” Roseanne stood dumbfounded at the door, her large pajamas draped over her body, highlighting her slender figure. It took her a couple of seconds to comprehend his words. “She doesn't know you're married?” Two years ago, Egrea had experienced a sudden outbreak of a highly contagious disease, which had caused countless deaths and injuries. At that time, Brandon had just graduated from his postgraduate studies and joined a top-notch hospital in the country. Upon learning about the situation, he resolutely decided to go abroad as a volunteer to provide support. Back then, they had just gotten their marriage certificate. Two years had passed and the first thing he did upon returning to his homeland was, astonishingly, to propose a divorce. Even more shocking was that his affair was with the darling daughter of the Scott family. Brandon explained, “Our marriage registration was rushed. She was among the first volunteers, and she didn't know.” Sarcasm played at the corners of Roseanne's lips. “So, you concealed the fact that you were already married when you pursued her?” “I didn't,” Brandon hurriedly denied, a hint of regret flickering in his eyes. “The epidemic was fraught with danger. Yvonne repeatedly risked her life to save me. As we fought the disease together, time made our hearts grow fonder of each other. Roseanne, our marriage was rushed and there's no love between us. If it weren't for your father saving my grandfather, this union wouldn't have taken place. Yvie and I, on the other hand, share a deep understanding and mutual affection. Our love is genuine.” Roseanne scoffed. She could barely suppress the smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. “It was you who made the promise to me. Don't make it sound as if I forced you into getting married.” Having missed out on twenty years of familial affection, she felt like an outsider in the Sylvester family. Brandon's promise was like a warm embrace in the coldest winter, offering her a status that allowed her to remain. Driven by a sense of gratitude, when Graham Group was in a financial crisis, she stepped in to take charge. She invested in the business, taught herself business studies, economics, and management, and worked tirelessly day and night to help the company weather the storm. When Brandon's grandpa ,Kayden Graham, fell ill, she was constantly on the move, tirelessly seeking renowned doctors to treat him. Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law had a fondness for jewelry, handbags, and formal dresses. Whenever they expressed a desire for something, she would purchase it without hesitation. She was in charge of overseeing all the expenses for the Graham family, both for the business and the household. She had given so much, only to be told that there was no love between them. Brandon's face flushed red. “I'm sorry. Grandpa thinks highly of you, and I believed you would make an ideal wife. I followed his plans, made promises to you, and asked you to wait for me. If I hadn't met Yvonne, I would have been content to be a respectful and courteous husband to you.” The conversation had reached its conclusion, and there was no reason for Roseanne to remain. “Fine, I consent to the divorce.” While taken aback, Brandon also breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't expected her to agree so readily. After some thought, he asked, “After the divorce, will you still stay with Graham Group?” “We'll be divorced then. Why should I stay?” “Yvie contributed significantly to the development of a provirus inhibitor. She's successfully joined Kiefyose Medical Research Institute. I'm still in my observation period, so I'll be returning to Egrea.” Roseanne was astonished. “A provirus inhibitor? Yvonne was involved in its development?” Why didn't that bunch of old folks tell me? When the topic of joining Kiefyose Medical Research Institute came up, pride filled Brandon's eyes. “Yvie is a genius in the medical field and can be considered an expert in drug research. The corporate world prioritizes self-interest, full of deception and internal strife. She's too innocent and not suited to join Graham Group. You, on the other hand, are perfectly suited for this line of work, thriving in the professional world like a fish in water. This is why Grandpa values you so much, and he might not agree to our divorce.” Brandon's words conveyed his deep dissatisfaction with the workplace culture. He reveled in the blissful life that wealth had afforded him, standing at the pinnacle of society. Yet, he looked down upon those who contributed to his family's fortune. A smirk of mockery crossed Roseanne's face. She couldn't believe she had actually once thought him to be dependable. Brandon didn't notice the change in Roseanne's expression as he continued, “As long as you stay with Graham Group, Grandpa won't make things difficult for us. If you choose to stay, I'll give you a one percent share, which would allow you to receive dividends of several million every month.” At this point, Roseanne couldn't help but laugh. “One percent? Do you think I care about that? You want me to divorce and make room for her, yet still expect me to clean up the mess in Graham Group and earn money for you. Where on earth would you find such a sweet deal?” Brandon thought his offered compensation was already generous. However, Roseanne's deliberate disparagement of his company felt to him like creating unnecessary turmoil. His face flushed with a hint of anger. “What do you mean by 'mess'? Graham Group can thrive just fine without you. Kiefyose Medical Research Institute is a world-renowned establishment. Yvie and I chose to contribute to our nation by working here. You're living a life of luxury. What more could you possibly be dissatisfied with?”