Chapter 1: Husband's Mistress

"Ma'am, you've been waiting for several hours, I'm afraid the Master won't be coming back."

"That's okay, I'll wait a little longer."

In her three years of marriage, she wanted to properly celebrate their wedding anniversary just once.

Yet her husband was making headlines with another woman.

#World-class Duo! Michael Gallagher personally picks up Isabelle Richardson from the airport, so sweet!#

Isabelle Richardson was her husband's puppy love.

Everyone in the world was rooting for him to win back his "innocent love".

But what these people didn't know was that Michael Gallagher was already married.

No matter how many times she called, all she ever heard was the cold, automated message of a phone switched off.

In the end, it wasn't Michael Gallagher who called. She received a call from the hospital caregiver instead.

"Miss Walker, your grandma's condition is worsening. You should come quickly."

The urgency in the caregiver's voice hit Molly like a thunderclap, sending her into a trembling shock.

She threw on a coat, grabbed her car keys, and rushed out the door

She ran through countless red lights on her way to the hospital, her hands trembling when she finally arrived.

Her grandma had rescued her from a pile of garbage. To Molly, her grandma was her only family.

Now, her grandma was still in the emergency room. Panicking, Molly grabbed the caregiver and asked, "What happened? She was fine yesterday!"

"I...I don't know either." The caregiver hurriedly explained, "Miss Walker, you know me, I have always been devoted to taking care of your grandma."

"Then, was there anything unusual about her before this happened?"

"Right! Miss Richardson visited today."

Miss Richardson?

Isabelle Richardson!

A thunderous "boom" resonated, leaving Molly's head buzzing and her body chilled.

Isabelle Richardson had no connection to her. She wouldn't have visited her grandma without a reason.

Molly forced herself to calm down and asked, "Do you know what she said to my grandma?"

"The door was closed at the time, I was outside and only heard her mention that she was getting married. Then your grandma started arguing with her. When Miss Richardson came out, I went to check on your grandma, but she had already collapsed…"

Molly clenched her fists against the wall, shaking with rage.

She had always shared good news and kept the bad to herself in front of her grandma, fearing that she would find out about Isabelle Richardson and Michael Gallagher.

But now, Isabelle Richardson had sought her out directly!

The light in the emergency room flicked on, and the doctor emerged.

Her heart raced violently.

The doctor removed his mask and said tiredly, "The patient has suffered acute cerebral congestion. She was likely stimulated. As her family, you should prepare for the worst."

She had contemplated millions of possibilities, but none of them included that she was going to lose her.

The doctor's words wrapped around her heart like a steel wire, and she forced herself to walk toward the hospital bed.

The only person who had ever shown her kindness now lay beneath a white cloth, separated from her for eternity.

Overwhelming grief engulfed her; she couldn't even muster the tears. Clutching her grandma's cold hand, she reminisced about their shared moments. The warmth of the past had become a relentless hammer, mercilessly pounding into her heart and leaving her gasping for air.

A soft sob escaped her lips, and she covered her mouth as she slowly slid down the wall into a crouch.

After what felt like an eternity, a familiar voice broke through her haze.

"Molly."

She slowly raised her head.

The newcomer was imposing, handsome, and extraordinary.

"It's you…"

She mumbled to herself, her gaze vacant. "Grandma is gone…"

Her only family had left her behind.

Huddled in the corner in her thin pajamas, she felt like an abandoned child.

Michael Gallagher's throat was dry as he slowly crouched down beside her. "Your grandma wouldn't want to see you like this if she were still here."

Molly Walker's heart felt hollow.

A deep pain penetrated to her very marrow. Despite her attempts to breathe deeply, she couldn't ease the tension and anxiety in her heart.

She numbly watched as Michael Gallagher handled everything until they arrived at the funeral home, where she finally regained a little strength.

On the first night of the vigil, an unexpected guest arrived.

Isabelle Richardson walked in, dressed in black and carrying a floral wreath.

This was Molly Walker's first time seeing her.

In person, Isabelle Richardson was even more stunning than on television. Her waist-length hair cascaded like flowing water, and her delicate features—especially her eyes—seemed as pure as crystal, exuding an innocent and captivating charm.

She approached Molly Walker, her voice clear. "Miss Walker, please accept my condolences."

Molly was reminded of the caregiver's words.

Her grandma had suddenly fallen ill. Could Isabelle Richardson truly claim she had nothing to do with it?

As Isabelle turned to leave, Molly called out to her in a hoarse voice, "Miss Richardson."

"The caregiver said that you visited my grandma the day she died."

Isabelle Richardson paused, a bit flustered.

Molly Walker's voice remained steady. "Miss Richardson, you didn't know my grandmother. Why did you go to see her?"

Isabelle feigned innocence. "What are you trying to say?"

"I want to know exactly what you said to my grandmother."

"I simply had a friend of mine from abroad video call your grandma to ask her about her condition—that's all," Isabelle pouted her lips in mock offense. "I was trying to help your grandma."

"Helping her?" Molly Walker scoffed, "You were strangers, yet something happened to her the day you visited her, I think you were trying to harm her, weren't you?"

"I was the one that asked her to visit grandma."

Michael Gallagher walked over, his voice low and his eyes dark. "Isabelle's friend specializes in tumor surgery, very well-known abroad."

"It's okay, Michael. She just lost a loved one. I can understand her emotional outburst," Isabelle Richardson said soothingly, leaning toward him, her eyes glistening with tears. "If it makes her feel even a little better, I'm willing to apologize."

"Don't overthink it. It was just a coincidence," Michael said softly, turning to Molly Walker. "I was the one who arranged for her visit. If you want to blame someone, blame me."

Molly Walker's face had turned pale as she struggled to steady her trembling body.

She clenched her cold fingers, biting her lip.

This man, whom she had loved for so many years, was now bravely shielding another woman.

"Blame you? How could I possibly dare to blame you…" she said with a bitter smile, shaking her head. Her eyes, now bereft of tears, were red and inflamed.

Seeing her like this, Michael Gallagher frowned. "You're tired. I'll have someone take you to rest."

"No need," she replied, standing on her own, her lips turning white.

Isabelle Richardson's pure, translucent eyes rested on Molly Walker as her cherry lips moved. Her clear voice fell word by word into Molly's ears: "If you suspect that I killed your grandma, you can call the police and let them investigate me."

Investigate?

Molly had already notified the police, but they told her the surveillance was damaged, leaving them with insufficient evidence to proceed. They even suggested she drop the case after learning of Isabelle Richardson's famous name.

This only solidified her belief that Isabelle Richardson was the culprit.

What a coincidence that the surveillance had been fine just the day before, yet it happened to malfunction on that particular day.

She knew that the Richardson family was powerful, and finding evidence against them with her limited resources was nearly impossible.

But she would never give up. She would uncover the truth one day.

"Isabelle Richardson, the Heaven is watching over you, and one day, I will make you pay."

"Molly!" Michael Gallagher's eyes narrowed, his cold voice a warning. "Watch your words."