Only Her Name on the Equity Certificate

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After marrying Alan Naughton, every morning at seven, I would hear the progress of my conquest of him in my mind.

He was unfailingly responsive to my every whim, impeccably perfect.

Yet, the progress bar stubbornly stalled at 95%.

I loved him with all my heart, and naturally, I wanted him to love me just as completely.

So, I shed my sharp edges, embraced his preferences, and transformed myself into the gentle, virtuous Mrs. Naughton.

This mornings progress report finally hit a hundred percent!

He came home early, changed into an off-white linen pajama set, and the cold aloofness that usually surrounded him softened.

We snuggled together, watching an indie romance film. He got up to wash fruit, and I leaned back on the still-warm sofa, my heart full of sweetness.

Suddenly, my tablet chimed twice.

Curiously, I tapped it open and froze.

Your wife is so ugly, ugh.

At 4 minutes 13 seconds, her tummy rolls are practically popping out. You must be suffering, pretending to be in love with her watching this movie.

I stared at the two lines of text on the screen.

Shock, fury, disgust.

All emotions intertwined, but I didnt explode.

How could the man I had completely conquered be live-streaming our time together to someone else?

I knew Alans character. He was aloof and proud; he would never do something so despicable.

It must be a misunderstanding!

Before he explained, I shouldnt blindly lose my temper and accuse him.

Alan walked out, drying his hair, and saw me sitting on the bed, pale, holding the tablet.

Mia, whats wrong? Feeling unwell?

I turned the tablet and pushed it toward him.

Alans gaze fell on the screen.

I didnt miss a single change in his expression.

No panic, no guilt.

He simply visibly darkened, then tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose: Shes at it again.

Who is she?

Alan sat beside me, his voice full of helplessness: A new colleague who joined our department, her names Clara.

He pointed to his head.

Probably severe delusional disorder.

He candidly pulled out his phone, unlocked it, opened his messenger, and handed it to me.

See for yourself.

The chat history was filled with Claras one-sided barrages.

Dr. Naughton, you look so handsome in your lab coat today!

Your spoiled, old-fashioned wife is no good. Only I can help you.

There were also various self-orchestrated fantasies.

Alans replies were few and far between, and entirely about stiff work matters.

I tapped into Claras social media, no photos, just blurred silhouettes and travel check-ins.

Shes harassing you like this, why havent you blocked her? My voice was still tight.

Alan smiled bitterly, pulling me into his arms.

Mia, do you think I dont want to? She was placed by the hospital board, and she has deep connections. The board insisted we work together on several major projects recently. If I blocked her, how would I move forward with my work? To avoid delays, I can only keep her on my contacts and pretend shes dead, just ignore her.

His voice held deep exhaustion.

I thought if I just ignored her, shed get bored and stop. I never expected her to send such disgusting things to you!

Im sorry, Mia. I didnt handle it well; I let you down.

Just then, that voice in my head suddenly spoke.

[Warning: Trust crisis detected with your target. Current approval rating 100%. Please stop baseless speculation and avoid damaging the perfect marital relationship!]

The bloodshot eyes and candid look in Alans eyes filled me with guilt.

I had misunderstood him.

He worked so hard outside, dealing with harassment from a crazy person, and yet I doubted him over two messages.

Im sorry, Alan I hugged him back, my voice choked, I shouldnt have doubted you.

He kissed my forehead: Silly girl, we dont need apologies between us.

The next day.

I personally cooked several of his favorite dishes, carefully packed them, and took them to the hospital.

Pushing open his office door, he was sitting at his desk, rubbing his temples.

Seeing me, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

Why didnt you call ahead? Arent you tired? He smiled, taking the insulated box.

Wanted to make sure youre well fed.

Just as he picked up his chopsticks to eat, his phone screen lit up.

Alan glanced at it, his face instantly changing, and he decisively stood up: Mia, emergency in the ER. Major car accident. I have to go save them immediately!

He grabbed his lab coat and rushed out of the office.

I stood there, stunned, looking at the steaming food, a hollow feeling in my heart.

But there was nothing to do. Lives were on the line.

I could only quietly pack up the insulated box and take a cab home.

As soon as I walked through the door, I received a text message from an unknown number.

The food you cook, just the smell of it is sickening. Not as delicious as my body, though. Dr. Naughton is starving for it~

If last nights message was her one-sided fantasy, what about today?

I had barely delivered the food to the hospital when Alan made an excuse about an emergency surgery and rushed off.

I went straight back to the hospital.

Not to find Alan, but to the HR department.

I want to file a formal complaint against Clara, a doctor in your cardiac surgery department! I slammed both hands on the desk. She has an unprofessional conduct and is severely harassing a colleagues family!

The person across from me was startled. He frowned and opened the system: Clara? Cardiac surgery? Please wait.

A minute later, he looked up, puzzled: Are you mistaken? We have no doctor named Clara in our hospital system, nor any nurse.

Impossible! I raised my voice. Shes new! Shes in the same department as Alan Naughton, how could you not find her!

Truly, no one. The clerk turned the monitor towards me. The entire staff list is here. No one by that name.

I stared at the No matching results message on the screen, my mind a blank.

Medical staff gradually gathered outside, curious.

Isnt that Dr. Naughtons wife?

Why is she causing a scene here?

I heard her mental state isnt very good, always suspicious

Poor thing, Dr. Naughton is so brilliant, how did he end up with a crazy wife.

The fragmented whispers pierced my ears.

I looked around, experiencing panic for the first time.

Just as I was on the verge of collapsing, Alan rushed in, drenched in sweat, pulling me into his arms.

He didnt get angry at me; instead, he bowed repeatedly, apologizing to everyone around us.

Im so sorry, truly! My wife has been under a lot of stress lately, and hasnt been sleeping well. She might have misunderstood something. I apologize for disturbing everyone, please dont mind her!

I was half-hugged, half-dragged by him into the car.

As soon as the car door closed, Alans eyes reddened.

Mia, Im sorry I lied to you.

I looked at him blankly.

Clara isnt a colleague from our hospital. He confessed, choked up, Shes an external pharmaceutical rep. Last night, seeing how upset you were, how much you minded this person, all my energy was spent on calming you down. I didnt want to mention irrelevant people and upset you further, so I just casually made up a lie, saying she was a colleague, hoping to gloss over the matter

I remained silent, showing him the text message.

I really did go for an emergency surgery just now!

Alan looked up, his eyes full of sincerity and urgency.

That car accident patient is still in the ICU! I dont know whats going on with the text message, she must have bribed someone, or she was staking out the hospital and saw you! Mia, I really only lied because I was afraid youd overthink things. I swear, she and I have absolutely nothing going on!

The warning in my mind sounded again.

[Please trust your target! Stop self-sabotage!]

I didnt know who to believe, or even if I should trust my own judgment.

I pushed open the car door, frantically hailed a cab, and returned to my parents home.

This was my safe haven.

Seeing me return distraught, my sister was terrified.

After listening to my tearful account, she angrily smashed the decorative item beside her.

That bastard Alan Naughton!

She hugged me tightly, gnashing her teeth.

I knew that opportunistic guy couldnt be trusted! The whole family disagreed when you insisted on marrying down! Have you forgotten how I used to argue with him? I feared hed show his true colors once he found success!

I leaned in her arms, my thoughts a tangled mess.

What should I do? I feel like Im going crazy.

My sister gently patted my back, her voice chilling.

Dont worry. Mom and Dad and I will back you up! Ill find out right now who that vixen really is!

My sister moved quickly.

Got it.

Shes the daughter of a high-ranking executive at Thorne Group! A notorious party girl in the social circles.

The day I received the documents from my sister happened to be my birthday.

Alan had specifically taken time off, booked out a restaurant, and even gifted me an expensive diamond necklace.

Candlelight flickered, and a violin played a melodious tune.

Mia, happy birthday!

The atmosphere was warm, and he was about to clink glasses with me.

His phone suddenly vibrated urgently.

He glanced at the screen, his face instantly grave.

After taking the call and listening for a few moments, he quickly stood up, looking apologetically at me: Mia, Im so sorry. Theres an emergency in the department, and I have to be the lead surgeon.

But today

Come on, lives are at stake. Ill come right back to you after Im done!

He left the restaurant without a backward glance.

I stared at the untouched glass of red wine opposite me, feeling a deep sadness.

A few minutes later, my sister sent a message.

[I just finished with a client and saw Alan Naughton at the Crystal Club! He went into a VIP room, and Clara is in there too! Ive sent you the location!]

That voice in my head screamed again.

[Warning: Target detected meeting with another woman. Maintain composure and defend your marriage!]

The stress reaction made me lose my ability to think.

I rushed towards the Crystal Club following the location.

Bang!

After kicking open the private room door, Alan and Clara were sitting very close on the sofa.

I shrieked, grabbed the ice water from the table, and splashed it onto Claras face.

You home-wrecker, are you that desperate for a man?!

She recoiled in surprise, shot a glance at a bodyguard, then pulled out her phone and started filming.

So, youre Dr. Naughtons pampered wife?

Claras eyes were contemptuous, her words deeply insulting.

Truly, seeing is believing! Its bad enough you ruin your husband at home, but you come out here pretending to be the wronged wife and hitting people! What? He cant have a normal social life?

I continued to scream and struggle, accusing her of coveting a married man.

Alan looked bewildered, simultaneously blocking the camera and shouting at me: Mia! What are you doing! Why are you suddenly bursting in and making a scene like this?!

You lied to me! You said you were going for emergency surgery!

I cried hysterically.

But the bodyguards strength was too great; I couldnt break free.

Two hours later.

Clara posted the video online.

#RenownedDoctorCaughtWithMistressByCrazyWife#

#WifeThrowsFitLikeMadDog#

The hashtags quickly soared to the top of trending topics in our city.

The entire internet was mocking me.

Saying I had paranoid delusions and wasnt good enough for Alan.

He looked at me, sitting blank-eyed on the sofa, then suddenly slapped himself twice.

Mia, Im sorry I ruined you.

He knelt before me, sobbing uncontrollably, revealing the whole truth.

It turned out he had long grown tired of the stagnant salary at the public hospital and wanted to strike out on his own, opening his private clinic.

But he lacked startup capital.

He disliked the nickname Sterling familys kept man and didnt want to ask me for money, so he had to find other ways.

Clara was the daughter of a Thorne Group executive; she had resources and was willing to provide funding.

Tonight, he was meeting her at the club to discuss the collaboration plan in detail, which was why he had no choice but to go.

If I had known you would misunderstand, thinking we were having a secret rendezvous, I would have told you the whole truth right then!

Im sorry, I was just too concerned about your feelings! I knew you minded her, and I was afraid youd be upset if you knew I was meeting her, that it would ruin your birthday, so I found another excuse to leave

I messed up, I was too clever for my own good Mia, hit me! Just dont look at those comments, please!

I understood his pride, and I knew he hadnt intentionally meant to hurt me. The pain, finding no outlet, left me only with silence.

Later, Alan took extended leave from the hospital.

Ignoring the public criticism, he stayed by my side at home, caring for me constantly.

He cooked for me, coaxed me to sleep, and endured my occasional emotional breakdowns.

I gradually improved, and we became even closer. I wondered if it was a blessing in disguise.

I still couldnt help it. I threw up the noodles Id just eaten, along with the multicolored pills, all into the toilet.

The pills hadnt had time to digest, their edges covered in murky white foam.

For the past two weeks, Alan had been seeking out doctors and medicines everywhere, prescribing me a large quantity of psychiatric drugs.

I took them on time every day, always feeling drowsy and muddled.

My memory began to decline, and I couldn't even walk steadily.

The voice in my head came in snatches, like a fog.

[Please maintain emotional stability]

With the pills completely expelled, my mind cleared.

I propped myself up by the sink: Was this still the spirited second daughter of the Sterling family from before?

I splashed cold water on my face, forcing myself awake.

One in the morning.

The fingerprint lock clicked, and Alan returned.

It wasnt the sound of one set of footsteps, but two.

I like a cat lurking in the dark, slipped silently out of bed and pressed myself against the master bedroom door.

The motion-sensor light in the hallway flickered on.

I saw two intertwined figures, stumbling into the room next door.

A few seconds later.

Nauseating gasps and the tearing of clothes penetrated the wall, stabbing into my eardrums.

Alan dont be so rough!

The womans voice was seductively soft. Even though it differed from her usual style, I easily recognized it.

It was the voice I had heard since childhood.

It was my closest, most trusted sister!

My own sister, and my beloved husband, were fervently entwined in the guest room less than three meters from me.

Ive waited so long, how can I slow down?

Alan gasped, his voice already trembling with passion, completely devoid of any cold aloofness.

Gentle! Mias right next door, arent you afraid of waking her? My sister laughed playfully.

Afraid of what? Alans voice was incredibly certain. She took double her dose tonight; shes probably sleeping like a log. Even if we dragged her out and sold her, she wouldnt know.

After a creaking sound, my sister chuckled softly.

I just said it casually back then, and you made it happen for me? Mia still thinks shes the chosen one, tied to some novels system, right?

I pressed against the wall, my breathing stopped.

It was just a medical experiment, darling. Heaven blessed you and let it succeed, Alan responded proudly. Shes such a fool, doing tasks according to your demands for some illusory conquest progress!

What did that mean?!

All those times I suppressed my true self, trying to conform to his every whim, were actually my sisters demands?

Why does she always have such good luck? Why does she get all the good things? Im going to make her go insane! Only then will Mom and Dad give up on her, and the Sterling family oh my!

My sisters complaints were silenced by his kiss, initiating a new round of passion.

I stumbled backward in shock, unable to listen anymore.

Compared to the pain of being betrayed by my closest kin, I cared more about something else.

So

No conquest system.

No mistress named Clara.

It was all fake?!