Kill That Lover

I was Joe's childhood friend and also the person he despised the most.

Yet, we were engaged to be married.

Despite this, we never got along.

On the eve of our wedding, Joe arrived with his girlfriend to intimidate me, forcing me to acknowledge my place.

I thought Joe wanted to discuss how we would lead separate lives after our marriage, but to my dismay, he was ruthlessly indifferent.

Sitting beside him was a woman I had seen on TV, Joanne, an insignificant young actress.

Joe affectionately embraced her, but his gaze towards me was as sharp as a knife. He carelessly began, "Pippa, you know how much I despise you, so marrying you is just a necessity."

Of course, I knew.

From childhood, Joe and I never got along. He would report my early romances. I'd tear up his books if he hid my homework. If he had someone block my path, I'd smash his windows...

Joe took a sip of water and continued, "Now, I've found true love, so I hope after we marry, you won’t cause trouble. Just send a message during the holidays, and I'll send you money immediately."

True love? This young actress? Ridiculous. Doesn't Joe understand the saying “Actors are heartless”?

I stared directly at the young actress, a sneer forming on my lips until she nervously looked down, unable to meet my gaze.

Joe pulled her close, looking at me with disgust, and said coldly, "Pippa, stop intimidating her. If I find out you've done anything to Joanne, I won't forgive you."

I shifted my gaze back to Joe, speaking disdainfully, "Rest assured, Joe. I won’t stoop so low as to deal with her. I know you hate me, and I even know you wish I were dead." I deliberately prolonged my tone.

Joe’s expression changed, and his eyes wandered.

I coldly said to them, "Joe, now that you need something from me, don’t act so high and mighty. I know you can’t stand me, but if you mess up tomorrow's wedding, the Sanderson family is finished."

After that, I left without looking back.

I was so angry. Joe had really tried to undermine me!

But he was mistaken. I actually didn't want to bother with him. It was all Mr. Sanderson's doing.

Joe’s penchant for trouble was indeed a headache.

I still remembered when he dragged me into a bar before a fight, got me drunk, and his friends scattered, leaving me nearly dragged into a private room.

He got beaten up for that, and thus, he hated me even more, and of course, I detested him too.

Our families had arranged our marriage when we were very young, so even though Joe hated me, he still had to marry me unless he could stand up to his father and establish himself independently.

In truth, I also didn't understand why we had to get married given our circumstances.

So, I was very resistant to this marriage arrangement until a turn of events when I was nineteen made me accept it.

At the age of twenty-three, Joe and I officially got engaged, but Joe still liked to visit bars and fool around with women.

I had no interest in managing him. There were plenty of things waiting for me at the company.

On the day of our wedding, Joe reluctantly stood at the altar. When the officiant asked if he was willing to take me as his wife, Joe's prolonged silence made the officiant think he was going to call off the wedding.

I wasn’t the least bit anxious because I knew Joe wouldn't do it.

Ours was a marriage of business convenience. The Sanderson family's company was experiencing financial issues, and if Joe publicly called off the wedding, their company would go bankrupt.

Joe was just a pawn for the revival of the Sanderson family.

As expected, he grudgingly said he was willing.

On the night of our wedding, Joe did not come home, and Mrs. Ferguson had prepared a full table of food, all of which I ended up eating.

His absence granted me some peace.

When I went downstairs the next morning, Joe was having breakfast. Seeing me, he left without a word, slamming the door behind him.

Mrs. Ferguson watched everything in a daze.

Even if our marriage was a sham, Joe should have at least pretended for appearances. Otherwise, the media would soon catch on.

Once the news reached my father, not only would Sanderson Group suffer, but the reputation of the Sanderson family would be tarnished in Alderfall.

I explained with a smile that it was business troubles weighing on him, then I paid Mrs. Ferguson a year’s salary, and dismissed her.

I would eat at the company. Joe’s meals were no longer my concern.

Joe couldn’t cook and was picky with his food. He definitely wouldn’t eat at the company.

So when he returned and found out that I had dismissed Mrs. Ferguson, he was furious. He confronted me while I was working on a design draft.

Seeing me ignoring his anger, his voice trembling, he exclaimed, “Pippa, you really think you can just dismiss someone from the Sanderson family just like that?”

I paused my drawing and casually said, “Joe, you need to realize it wasn’t me who dismissed Mrs. Ferguson. It was you.”

“Me?” Joe pointed at himself, then burst out angrily, “Pippa, have you gone mad from all that drawing?”

I calmly walked towards him and stopped not far away. “Joe, you vanished on our wedding night and stormed out the next day. What do you think would happen to Sanderson Group if the media and my father found out? I think it’s you who needs to understand your place.”

Joe’s eyes widened, his lips quivering. I scoffed disdainfully, “Moreover, as a member of the Sanderson family by marriage, I have the right to dismiss whoever I want.”

After pushing Joe aside, I leisurely went back to sleep.

His curses followed, but I closed the door, cutting myself off from the world.

Joe was probably furious with me. He hadn't come home in nearly a week.

That was good since we were tired of seeing each other every day anyway.

As I was eating, I stumbled upon an old interview video of Joe, sparking an idea.

Clicking my tongue, I thought, as his wife, I should check on him and shouldn't let him overwork himself.

I packed some takeout in a lunchbox and drove to Joe’s company, where he was, as usual, not pleased to see me.

I threatened him to come downstairs to meet me, or else. Joe hung up with a snap, but I just laughed, unbothered.

Sure enough, Joe came down to meet me. I pretended to be affectionate and linked arms with him. Although he was disgusted, he couldn’t make a scene in front of so many people.

We walked into the elevator together, and as soon as the doors closed, we quickly separated.

Joe dusted off his clothes as if disgusted by my touch, and I rolled my eyes, undisturbed by his childish behavior.

I strutted into his office and casually tossed the lunchbox aside. He glanced at it and expressionlessly told me to take it away, not wanting it to ruin his mood.

“Alright!” I responded nonchalantly and tossed it into the trash.

He frowned at me as I casually sat on the sofa, played with my phone, and muttered, “It was just for show anyway.”

Joe was too angry to speak.

I wiped my hands and walked around his office. “Such a fine office wasted on a playboy like you. Someone more deserving should have it.”

Joe shot me a glance and turned away. “I really don’t understand. If you hate me so much, why did you agree to marry me?”

As I was touching the office décor, he knocked on the desk. “I’m talking to you. Also, stop touching everything. It’ll need to be cleaned!”

I chuckled without responding to his remark, instead asking with interest, "Is it yours? Why do you cherish it so much?"

Joe's brow twitched as he looked up at me. "Pippa, this is the Sanderson Group. Have you lost your mind?"

I feigned sudden realization and apologized, "Sorry, I thought this was the Hudson Group!"

Joe eyed me warily, but I continued to smile and waved playfully as I said goodbye. Agitated, Joe turned his head away.

Staring at the entrance of the Sanderson Group, the chill in my eyes deepened.

Looking up, I saw Joe standing at the window. I resumed my cheerful demeanor and strode away.

On Valentine's Day, I sent Joe a message, and true to form, he transferred the money swiftly.

I silently counted the zeros, changed my clothes, and left the house.

As I passed by a florist, I impulsively decided to buy a bouquet. The shop was bustling today, every customer leaving with various types of flowers, their faces unable to hide their happiness.

Joe? I suddenly spotted a familiar figure joyously leaving with a bouquet of flowers I didn't recognize. Curious, I asked the shop assistant about him. Joe's distinctive appearance made him easy to remember, and the assistant quickly recalled.

The assistant told me that the flowers Joe bought were called "Jade Bright", which symbolized "waiting for your love”, and also meant “I want you to marry me".

The assistant said he bought the flowers for his wife.

His wife? That young actress? Hadn’t they broken up yet?

I silently calculated how long it would take for the young actress to dump him.

Why was he the one being dumped? Because he wanted to marry the young actress, clearly being manipulated.

After pondering for a while, I suddenly realized the timing of their breakup was entirely up to me!

As long as I was displeased, I could ruin their relationship at any time.

With this thought, I couldn't help but laugh out loud and bought a bouquet of Bellflowers.

Joe obviously wanted a divorce. If it weren't for the company's current crisis, he would have hurried to divorce me and marry that young actress.

Once the company stabilized, divorcing me would be the first thing on Joe's agenda.

I wandered aimlessly down the street and casually entered a clothing store. By chance, Joe and his young actress were there too. I wasn't sure if he saw me, but the young actress definitely did.

She leaned against Joe, and he turned his head to speak to her tenderly, his expression soft as water, his eyes full of love, not the cold smirk he used with me.

Joanne plaintively spoke of being with him without any formal recognition, worried that outsiders might think she was kept by him. She also mentioned that her career was on the rise, and being spotted by entertainment reporters could lead to a scandalous reputation, potentially ruining her career.

Joe gently stroked her, reassuring her that once the company was stable, he would certainly divorce me.

Joanne looked at me triumphantly as if she had won a battle.

I disdainfully rolled my eyes at her. If this wasn't being kept, what was? A mere actress, and not even a prominent one, yet she dared to speak of her career? If she wasn't the mistress, what was she, the legitimate wife?

But she had a point. Since being with Joe, her career had indeed flourished, landing one leading role after another, all in major productions.

Whenever Joe ended up marrying her, it would indeed be a double celebration.

Watching Joanne's arrogant demeanor, I found it amusing. She must think relying on a man could solve everything forever. What a fool!

But then, I wondered if this fool could be of any use to me.