Chapter 4

That night, my man told me the acquisition of WarmGlow TV was done.

I sent a message:

"Go over tomorrow. Bring the lawyers."

By the time I got home, Adeline had food waiting for me.

"Honey, I went out with the girls today. Didn't want it to go to waste, so I brought back what we couldn't finish."

"See? I know how to run a household, don't I?"

I looked at the table.

I recognized it at a glance.

It was the leftovers from Kevin and the rest of them that afternoon.

Whatever hunger I'd had turned to nausea.

I bolted into the bathroom and gagged.

Adeline rushed in right behind me, all worry.

"Honey, what's wrong? Are you overworked?"

She gently wiped my mouth.

I looked at her, remembering the things she'd said about me in front of Kevin.

Hard to imagine that the gentle woman on the surface loathed me that much behind my back.

An anger I couldn't name churned in my chest.

"Get away from me!"

I shoved her hard.

She nearly fell.

Once she steadied herself, her face turned furious.

"Kent, are you sick in the head?!"

"What did you push me for? If something happens to the baby, I'm not letting this go!"

I stared at her, my gaze hard.

"Adeline, what's that sound coming from your room lately?"

"You're not having trouble sleeping, are you?"

"Who are you talking to."

I wanted to see how she'd react, so I could kill off the last of my hope.

At my words, a flicker of guilt crossed her face.

But in an instant, she was righteous again.

"And whose fault is that? All you do is work, day in and day out, never any time for me!"

"I'm carrying your baby, I'm in a bad mood, and I can't even chat with someone?"

"You just about hurt the baby in my belly, and I haven't even settled that score with you!"

I let out a cold laugh and was about to speak when a message came through on her phone.

"Addie, couples' stream battle tomorrow. Come give me a hand, help hold down the room."

Adeline broke into a smile and fired back:

"Don't worry. I'll wear the same outfit as today."

Then she shot me an icy look.

"The only thing you're worth is scraping together that little bit of money."

"I've got things to do tomorrow. I'm going to bed."

She shut the door and locked it from the inside.

Early the next morning, she left the house.

And I, later on, made my way to the WarmGlow TV studio.

The moment I walked in, I ran straight into Adeline and Kevin celebrating their battle win.

The crowd was egging them on as they kissed, deep and long.

Through the crowd, Adeline saw me.

Panic flashed across her face, and she quickly pushed Kevin away.

Kevin followed her gaze and turned his head.

When he saw me, he understood something.

He gave me an amused smile and said to her:

"Addie, this your husband?"

"Didn't think he'd actually find out."

"But that's fine. I'm sick of sneaking around anyway. I'm WarmGlow's number one streamer. I make more than enough to support you and our baby."

At that, Adeline settled down, nodded, and walked over, her tone nasty.

"Kent, are you following me?"

I looked at her coldly.

"Not following you. Throwing you out with nothing."

Kevin sneered, swaggered over, and grabbed my collar.

"Who do you think you are? This is my turf."

"Kowtow to Addie and apologize, then sign everything you own over to her."

"I know more people than you've had hot meals. Believe me, I can have you killed."

He leaned in, sneering.

"Idiot. You had it good playing the sap who cleans up other men's messes. Why come here to get yourself killed?"

My man shoved him off.

"You piece of trash, who do you think you're putting your hands on? Do you know who Kent is?!"

Kevin scoffed.

"Who is he? Just another cuckold."

The whole room burst out laughing.

I ignored them and looked at Adeline.

"I'm giving you one last chance. Sign the agreement, or you'll learn what happens to people who betray me."

Kevin snatched the agreement, tore it up, and threw the pieces over my head.

He jabbed a finger at my nose. "The hell you threatening, huh!"

Then he swung his arm out.

"Boys, this idiot's got the nerve to come act up in our house. Today he walks in standing up and goes out flat on his back!"

At that, the crowd closed in around me.

And right then the head of WarmGlow TV finally showed up, shoving through the crowd to my side, pale with terror, cold sweat pouring down. "Mr. Dickerson, why didn't you tell me you were coming? I'd have had a proper welcome ready."

Then he turned to the crowd:

"What do you all think you're doing? This is the new owner of the platform. Anyone who doesn't show respect can get out!"

The crowd stared in disbelief, every one of them shrinking back.

I walked up to Kevin.

"Now say it again. Whose turf is this?"