I Don’t Want My Wife Anymore After She Favored Her Assistant
It was a weekend charity auction, and my wife, Jessica, and I were both invited.
During the bidding, Jessica’s assistant, Mark, and I both had our eyes on the same watch.
I was about to make a fair bid, but Jessica, right in front of me, essentially gave Mark the winning bid.
“Tommy,” she sneered, “you’re just my husband in name only. What right do you have to compete with me?”
Just as everyone else gave up bidding, I snapped my fingers at the auctioneer.
“Whatever Ms. Yang bids,” I said, “I’ll bid one dollar more.”
Everyone in the room turned to look at me.
A moment of stunned silence followed, then erupted into laughter.
“Is this guy nuts? He’s even trying to outbid his own wife! Must be burning a hole in his pocket!”
“He’s not just nuts; he’s clueless! A kept man daring to challenge Ms. Yang? Unbelievable.”
“I heard about this. The Yang family took in a son-in-law a few years back. Looks like I’ve found him.”
The whispers grew louder, and Jessica’s face turned red.
She stood up abruptly, pointing at me.
“Tommy, get your hand down! Do you hear me?!”
“You live off my family’s money. How dare you compete with me?”
I leaned back in my chair, calmly observing her.
“Jessica, I’m your husband. Try showing a little respect.”
“I want that watch. Why should I give it to someone else?”
“Besides,” I added, my tone hardening, “I’ve never taken a dime from your family. Don’t just make things up.”
“And besides,” I repeated, my eyes now sharp. “I’ve never taken a dime from your family. Don’t you dare make that up.”
Jessica’s face flushed crimson.
“Tommy, didn’t I tell you to call me Ms. Yang in public?”
“You’re nothing but a kept dog, Tommy. We have nothing to do with each other!”
I sighed, staring intently at her.
“Ms. Yang, are you really going to fight me for your assistant’s sake?”
From the moment we arrived, I knew something was off.
I, as Jessica’s husband, should have been seated next to her, not shoved in the corner.
I let it slide. Jessica’s father, Mr. Yang, was usually kind to me, often inviting me to play chess.
A good man should be able to tolerate his wife’s eccentricities.
But my seat had been taken by her assistant, Mark.
A recent college grad who was pretty but utterly clueless professionally.
And my wife, unbelievably, was sticking up for him.
My anger flared.
But Jessica, this so-called business tycoon, remained oblivious, continuing to berate me.
“Tommy, who do you think you are? I don’t need your input, Jessica Yang.”
“You’ve eaten, lived, and slept off my family for years! What gives you the right to compete?”
Jessica’s voice cracked with fury.
“I’ll let you know now, I’m buying this for Mark.”
Before I could react, Mark himself chimed in, looking at me with blatant disdain.
“Mr. Shen, I suggest you give up. You don’t want to be sleeping on the couch tonight, do you?”
He let out a cruel laugh.
“Living off a woman, you should act like it. Wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Shen?”
His words sparked more laughter, even from the auctioneer. I remained unfazed, waving dismissively.
“So, Mr. Mark, it’s a battle to the death, huh?”
Mark grinned, his eyes full of contempt.
“Mr. Shen, let’s be real. You’re a kept man with no job. What makes you think you can compete?”
“Ms. Yang went all-in. You don’t have that kind of money, do you?”
I slowly looked up, smiling slightly.
“Mr. Mark, you’re wrong. I’m not like you.”
“I don’t need a woman to pay for my things.”
This remark brought another round of mockery.
“Oh my god, this guy’s so full of himself! He’d be nothing without Ms. Yang!”
“Exactly! He’s only here because he’s Ms. Yang’s husband. “
“If it weren’t for Ms. Yang, nobody would even notice him! Let’s get this over with.”
Their taunts didn’t bother me.
It was all true.
If I weren’t trying to spare Jessica’s face, I could proudly declare that the Yang Corporation was mine.
Seeing my silence, Mark became more arrogant.
“See? I told you, if you can’t afford it, don’t try to act rich. You’ve made a fool of yourself.”
Before he could finish, I slowly raised my bidding paddle.
“Who says I’m not playing?”
“It’s just money. I have plenty!”
All eyes were on me.
Even the auctioneer was momentarily stunned, unable to proceed.
Jessica’s roar echoed through the hall.
“Tommy! Are you really trying to defy me?!”
I glanced at her assistant and stated firmly,
“Yes.”
Jessica screamed.
“Fine! I’ll see just how much money you have!”
She raised her paddle without hesitation.
“Ten million!”
Anyone familiar with auctions knows that “going all-in” means no turning back. Either you win big or you go bankrupt.
Since Jessica was willing to risk her company for a junior assistant, I decided to play along.
“Ten million…and one dollar!”
The crowd stared. I could see the disbelief on their faces. Only they didn’t know that I was actually the real owner of Yang Corporation.
Years ago, when the Yang family was on the brink of bankruptcy, Mr. Yang, Jessica’s father, had come to me with a marriage contract, begging me to marry his daughter to save the family.
Out of a sense of obligation to repay a debt from a past generation, I reluctantly married Jessica.
Little did I know, this woman would treat me with such contempt, and now she dared to bid against me for another man! I couldn’t let this slide.
“Tommy, you freaking have the money, do you? This is an auction, not your neighborhood grocery store!” Mark exclaimed.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you can’t pay up, you’ll go to jail!”
I smiled faintly.
“Mr. Mark, whether I have money is none of your business. You should be more concerned with your boss.”
“There’s no turning back when you go all-in.”
Jessica, enraged, raised her paddle again.
“Tommy, you dare lecture my employee?!”
“Since you like to compete, let’s see how much money you have!”
“I’ll add another ten million! Twenty million!”
The room exploded. This was a charity auction, the items on display were valuable, but nowhere near ten million. And this painting was by a child, not a famous artist.
“Ms. Yang, what generosity! I thank you on behalf of the children in the rural areas.”
I applauded while standing up.
“However…since it’s a charity event, more money is always better.”
To everyone’s astonishment, I held up my index finger.
“Twenty million…and one dollar.”
No one expected me to challenge Jessica. The shock was palpable. Everyone here was a prominent figure in the business world, even Jessica, who had recently risen to prominence due to the Yang Corporation’s success.
I could see the amusement in Jessica’s eyes.
“Everyone, let me clarify. This man is my husband in name only, and we have nothing to do with each other.”
“If he fails to pay, Yang Corporation will not be held responsible.”
I almost laughed.
“Ms. Yang, I suggest you don’t distance yourself from me so quickly.”
“After all, you’re the only one who dared to go all-in at a charity auction.”
“If you can’t pay, you might need to beg me for help.”
Mark jumped up, snatching the microphone.
“Tommy, you’re dreaming!”
“A kept man trying to compete with the entire Yang Corporation is just ridiculous!”
I shook my head, calm and composed.
“Though it’s hard to believe, it’s true.”
“If you don’t believe me, ask your boss to try.”
Mark scoffed.
“Let’s try it then. Someone who doesn’t know their own limitations still has the nerve to act so big.”
I didn’t get angry; I simply said,
“Unlike you, I never spend a woman’s money.”
The familiar faces among the guests started whispering again.
“Ha! Easy to say. If you were so successful, why’d you become a kept man?”
“He’s just a show-off! Ms. Yang is a billionaire businesswoman; what is he?”
“Right, he’s a joke! Let’s ignore him.”
I stood and scanned the room.
“I look down on you all here tonight. Not just the Yangs, but every single one of you.”
I might not know business, but I know how to conduct myself. From the moment I entered, these supposed business tycoons were busy sucking up to Jessica, not focused on charity.
My words immediately made me the target of everyone’s ire, including the auctioneer.
“Sir, this auction does not welcome people like you.”
I looked up at him.
“Oh? And what kind of person am I, pray tell?”
Before the auctioneer could respond, Mark rushed to the stage, grabbing the microphone.
“Tommy, you’re trash!”
Mark’s words boomed through the hall.
The business elite applauded in agreement.
Even Jessica watched with malicious glee.
Suddenly, it all clicked. My decision to help the Yangs was foolish.
Seeing my silence, Mark assumed I’d caved and grabbed the microphone again.
“Hey, Tommy, now you understand why Ms. Yang wouldn’t sit with you.”
He raised his voice.
“Because…you’re not worthy.”
I suppressed my rage, and said coldly,
“Are you suggesting I should divorce your Ms. Yang?”
Mark smirked.
“Since you’re so self-aware, I’ll stop pretending.”
“Yes, I think I’m more suitable to be Ms. Yang’s husband.”
I stared at him impassively. “Go on. Then what?”
Mark looked down on me scornfully.
“Ms. Yang wants a divorce!”
I paused, then turned to Jessica.
“Is that true? Do you really want a divorce?”
Jessica raised an eyebrow, her expression full of disdain.
“Mark’s right. I’ve wanted a divorce for ages. Only my father’s pressure kept me from it.”
“It’s perfect. Everyone’s here to witness it.”
“I, Jessica Yang, want a divorce!”
I stared at her emotionlessly.
“Really?”
“Jessica, have you thought this through?”
She pulled out a divorce agreement.
“Tommy, there’s no need to persuade me. I’ve never felt anything for you.”
I observed her carefully and sighed.
“Ms. Yang, you seem well-prepared, don’t you?”
Jessica nodded nonchalantly.
“Exactly! I’ve wanted this every second of every day!”
“It was then, it is now, and it always will be!”
Mark immediately started clapping, followed by the guests.
I glanced around, a slight smile playing on my lips.
“The atmosphere’s just right. I guess I shouldn’t object.”
“Since that’s settled, let’s get on with it.”
“Although I agree to the divorce, the auction must continue.”
“I bid twenty million and one dollar. Ms. Yang, are you still bidding?”
Jessica was thrilled that I agreed to the divorce.
Before I could finish, she blurted out,
“Tommy, since you agree, that’s settled.”
“How much money do you want? I’ll give you whatever you want.”
I waved my hand and stared meaningfully at her.
“Ms. Yang, don’t rush. We’ll talk about money later.”
“Though I agree to the divorce, the auction must continue.”
“I bid twenty million and one dollar, Ms. Yang, are you still bidding?”
