Chapter 1

Three years ago, Bella saved Grandma Quinn.

She became the wife of the Quinn family heir, Mason.

In public:

"I am so lucky to have met Bella and to have become husband and wife."

In private:

"Mason, you have full control of the situation now, right? Being the 'Mrs. Quinn' really isn't a job for a human being."

Over the past three years, the market value of Mason Enterprises had doubled.

Mason had also grown from someone once coerced by his family into a man who no longer needed to be under their thumb.

"In three months, when the agreement expires, I will fulfill my promise."

Yes, they were a contract couple.

Getting exactly what they each needed.

For these three years, they lived under the same roof with no intimacy and no entanglement, just friends who could hold a conversation.

Once the three years were up, they would go their separate ways.

Now, only three months remained of that three-year term.

At a charity gala hosted by Mason Enterprises,

Bella was forced back into duty.

She clung to Mason’s arm with a standard smile plastered on her face, while internally she was venting wildly:

"Women in high society are so exhausting; you have to be dignified, elegant, and never lose face."

"Mason, Mrs. Quinn."

Someone raised a glass and approached them.

"You two are truly a perfect match, so deeply in love."

"Mr. Miller, you are too kind," Mason responded politely.

Bella chimed in, "Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the ones to be envied. Ten years of marriage, and your love is still so strong."

The smile on Mrs. Miller’s face nearly cracked—ten years of marriage, and their illegitimate son was already eight.

But that didn't matter. It was just polite social banter; everyone understood the game.

Once the person walked away, Bella lowered her voice, "Tell me, why do they love hearing lies so much?"

Mason responded with a smile, his lips barely moving, "Just act the part of Mrs. Quinn, that’s all you need to do."

"I truly admire that about you," Bella smiled back, "A rare romantic."

They whispered to each other, which in the eyes of outsiders, only served as further proof of their affection.

After all, three years ago when Bella saved Grandma Quinn, Mason had offered himself in marriage; that story had broken the internet back then.

Over these three years, Mason’s reputation as a "doting husband" had been firmly established.

Bella didn't feel she had lost out in this deal.

She needed that piece of land—the ancestral graveyard back in her hometown, where generations of her family were buried, along with her ancestors from miles around. Mason Enterprises wanted to develop a resort, and that land was in the way.

The villagers had knelt at the doors of the company headquarters to no avail. In the eyes of capital, what did the graves of commoners matter?

She had begged Grandma Quinn, banking on the favor she was owed. The old lady was kind-hearted, but she held no real power.

It was Mason who had approached her first.

"A contract marriage for three years. The land goes to you."

She had asked then, "Why me?"

"My family wants me to marry for status, which I don't want. You saved my grandmother, so they won’t object. As for the three years—"

He paused, his gaze drifting slightly. "She should have grown enough to be wonderful by then."

Bella understood.

He had someone else in his heart, waiting for that person to return.

And she, without power or backing, with her greatest vulnerability in his hands, was the perfect contract wife—someone who wouldn't cling, wouldn't take it to heart, and would automatically exit the stage when the three years were up.

She signed the papers.

Three years.

Getting what they each needed.

Three months left.

Halfway through the gala, Bella’s face felt stiff from smiling.

Then, she saw Linda.

A bright red backless gown, fiery red lips, looking like a ball of flame.

"Mason, long time no see."

Mason’s body stiffened for a brief moment.

Bella’s eyes lit up—the real deal was back.

"Linda, you're back in the country." Mason’s eyes held excitement he couldn't suppress.

"I just arrived yesterday. I heard there was a gathering tonight, so I came."

Linda glanced at Bella, looking her up and down. "So this is Miss Bella? Mason has mentioned you."

Bella reached out a hand, "Miss Linda, welcome back."

Linda ignored her, cooing to Mason, "I have friends over there, should we go say hello?"

Mason nodded, then looked at Bella, "Find somewhere to rest."

"Okay."

Bella let go of his arm tactfully and watched them walk away side by side.

The surrounding gazes swept over her, filled with probing curiosity, pity, and the thrill of watching a drama unfold.

Bella didn't mind.

It was better if no one paid attention to her; she was happy to be at ease.

But she had only just found a moment of peace when Linda appeared.

"Miss Bella, for someone of your background to hook up with the Quinn family, your ancestral graves must have been smoking with luck, right?"

Bella frowned. She looked good, but her mouth was truly foul.

But Bella wasn't the type to let things slide.

"Miss Linda, was checking out my family’s graveyard the first thing you did after getting back?"

Linda’s expression shifted.

"Just a substitute, yet you're so sharp-tongued. Sooner or later, you’ll be swept out the door."

Being swept out was inevitable, but being belittled like this made Bella lose her temper.

"Sooner or later, we shall see."

She turned away with her juice, not wanting any messy altercations with Mason’s beloved.

After all, her own vulnerability was still in Mason’s hands.

She tried to walk away with her juice, but Linda blocked her path.

"Do you think that because Mason is doting on you, you have the right to provoke me?"

Bella was speechless. If this woman had the energy to cause trouble, why didn't she go get cozy with Mason?

"Miss Linda, I’ve never thought that way. Mason has never been my backing. My backing is myself—I don't break laws, and I abide by the rules."

Linda was likely here to intimidate her, but instead, she was rebuffed by Bella’s firm, unyielding tone.

Furious, she grabbed a wine glass.

A glass of red wine was splashed onto Bella’s face in front of everyone.

A gasp rose from the crowd.

"Oh my god! She threw wine!"

"The current wife and the ex-girlfriend are clashing!"

"Which side do you think Mason will take?"

"The current wife, of course! He’s famous for doting on his wife!"

Bella raised her hand to wipe her face.

In full view of everyone, Mrs. Quinn had been splashed with wine; it wasn't just her face that was lost, it was the Quinn family’s face.

She didn't understand what kind of fit this woman was having. To strike a blow to the Quinn family’s face in such a public setting—no wonder she couldn't marry into the family.

Too stupid.

Linda set the glass down, looking at her triumphantly.

"Bella, what are you feeling so smug about? In my eyes, you are nothing."

Bella didn't speak. She picked up another glass of red wine from a nearby table.

Linda lifted her chin, "Do you dare?"

The surroundings went quiet.

Bella looked at that face, which was written all over with "What are you going to do about it?" and flicked her wrist—

She dared to do anything.

Including marrying Mason in a fake marriage.

The moment the wine was about to be splashed, a hand reached out from the side, gripping her wrist tightly.

Mason had appeared from out of nowhere, his face grim.

He looked at Bella’s disheveled appearance and frowned, "What is going on?"

Linda spoke first, her tone dripping with sarcasm:

"I was in a bad mood and looking for some fun. But your little wife..."

She glanced at Bella, "She’s got quite a temper; she insists on splashing it back."

Bella felt a touch of admiration for Linda’s honesty.

She seemed truly fearless.

But to publicly insult Mrs. Quinn at a gala hosted by the Quinn family—she was bound to pay the price for her actions.

Bella said nothing, only looking at Mason.

Her eyes told him he had to give her an explanation.

Mason looked at Bella, his expression complex.

"Apologize to Linda."

Bella felt a tightness in her chest, as if she’d been punched hard.

They had spent three years together, and their relationship had been harmonious.

She had considered them friends.

She had considered herself to understand him.

He would never let anyone disgrace the face of the Quinn family.

Yet, she was the one splashed with wine in public, the one humiliated.

The Quinn family’s face had also been trampled on, yet the one who should be apologizing was clearly Linda.

And yet, he stood firmly on Linda’s side.