Chapter 1

Jessica met her ex-husband in the late summer of 2016, when she was 22 years old.

Having just graduated from university, she applied to only two companies during the job-hunting season: a state-owned enterprise, as per her parents' wishes, and a foreign bank, which was her dream job. Both were Fortune 500 companies, and she received job offers from both.

Jessica was never one to blindly follow orders. Despite her mother's objections, she boldly chose to join the foreign bank, a place her peers hardly dared dream of.

It was there she met her ex-husband.

On July 11, 2016, in the midst of Shanghai's sweltering summer, Jessica, clad in a light gray suit and a pale blue shirt, filled with dreams and enthusiasm for the future, walked into the gleaming skyscraper in Lujiazui. At that moment, she had no idea of the story she was about to embark on, nor did she realize how this decision would shape her destiny.

On the 29th floor of the Citibank Tower, new hires from various universities filled the room. They looked around with faces full of vigor, curiosity, joy, and awe, proud to be part of the elite, eagerly awaiting their employment contracts.

Jessica's gray and blue suit stood out among the monochromatic attire of the others. Her hair, half-tied back, casually fell around her slender, pale neck into her collar. Sitting in a white round chair by the window, the morning sun cast a glow on her light blond hair. Her legs, already slender, appeared even longer in her white high-heeled shoes. These shoes, with round toes and thick heels, reflected her straightforward personality. The men around her covertly speculated which boss had the privilege of working with this beautiful girl.

"Which team are you in? Everyone here today is from CBA and PBA, right?" "Hello, I'm from PBA, in Kevin's team." "Maybe we'll do roadshows together in the future. Let's add each other on WeChat." "Sure."

Jessica was friendly and approachable, without being competitive or aggressive. Her warmth and amiability were why Kevin valued her, and why he and Eric, Kevin's boss, placed their bets on her.

"She'll be our trump card, just wait and see."

Among her team, Jessica's academic background wasn't outstanding. Coming from a small town, she lacked experience. Eric thought she was all show and not enough aggression, doubting her ability to survive in the cutthroat environment.

However, Kevin insisted, and Eric eventually agreed to give her a chance.

As the employment contracts were being distributed in the vast conference room, only the buzzing sound of electricity could be heard. Suddenly, Jessica's stomach let out a loud growl. Her colleagues tried to suppress their laughter, while Jessica, her face flushed, pretended nothing had happened.

Stay calm, look beautiful. From today onwards, you are a white-collar worker in a multinational corporation. Hold on, it's almost lunchtime.

After signing the contracts, the boss introduced the new hires to the team.

Joining Jessica were Kathy and Fiona. Kathy was extremely thin, with her long hair tied up, always responding with a shy smile. Fiona, on the other hand, was outspoken, declaring her ambition to win the 'Newcomer of the Quarter' award and volunteering to lead the new hires. She was another bet placed by Kevin and Eric.

Jessica knew better than to stand out too much as a newbie. Being humble and slightly naive was the best persona for a newcomer. Her introduction was brief and to the point: "For now, just remembering my name is enough."

Hubert was the most well-connected newcomer in the group, with a finance degree from an overseas university and a family that had been in the oil business for two generations. He always kept to himself, sitting in a corner far from the others, interacting minimally. No one knew what he did in his spare time, only seeing him submit passable work at the end of each month. He looked down on everyone, including Kevin.

With his background, he should have been in investment banking, not at a bank unless it was for residency purposes. He was discontent here, finding no common ground with what he saw as mediocrities.

But from the day Jessica walked through the office's glass door, his gaze never left her. Leaning back in his chair, he watched the three new colleagues, showing a hint of a smile for the first time. He watched the girl in the gray and blue suit from afar, contemplating different thoughts.

Jessica, Kathy, and Fiona took their seats, with Jessica on the far left, Kathy in the middle, and Fiona on the right. The seat to Jessica's left was separated by a partition and was meant for the team leader, but Kevin already had his workstation on the opposite row, leaving this spot temporarily vacant.

As Jessica was whispering to Kathy, a voice from behind her asked, "Can I sit here?"

Jessica turned in surprise to the man in TB attire, asking, "Do you need to... ask the boss?"

"If you don't mind, it's fine."

After saying this, he efficiently placed his briefcase down, pulled over a chair, and took his seat.

At that moment, Jessica didn't know what awaited her with this new arrangement.