Chapter 2

2

Garrett didn't hold back at all, ordering a massive feast of oysters, loaded steaks, and expensive drinks.

“Eat up, Nolan. You look like you need the energy,” Garrett said, taking a huge bite of his steak while casting a suggestive smirk toward Linnea.

“Linnea complains to me all the time about how you can't satisfy her in bed.”

Linnea sat right next to Garrett, separated from me by the table.

Instead of defending me, she covered her mouth and giggled softly.

“Garrett, stop teasing him. Save the poor guy some face.”

Under the table, I could clearly see Garrett's foot rubbing against Linnea's bare calf.

Not only did Linnea make no move to pull away, but she also hooked her ankle around his leg.

【Patience surging... Current progress: 10%.】

The system prompt echoed in my mind.

Garrett popped open a cold beer and slammed it down in front of me.

“Drink up! Stop acting like a total wimp.”

“I heard you only bring home like five grand a month?”

“Linnea really drew the short straw marrying a guy like you.”

Linnea let out a theatrical sigh, looking at me with deep resentment.

“Tell me about it. I asked him for that new designer purse, and he hesitated for weeks.”

“Garrett is so much better. He bought me that four-thousand-dollar necklace last week without even blinking.”

I picked up the beer bottle, completely unbothered, and even leaned forward to refill Garrett's glass with enthusiasm.

“You’re totally right, Coach Garrett. I really am useless.”

“I’ll have to trouble you to take extra good care of Linnea during her training from now on.”

Garrett burst out laughing, throwing an arm tightly around Linnea’s shoulders.

“Don’t worry, buddy. I’ll make sure she gets thoroughly trained.”

Linnea blushed, playfully shoving his chest without actually pushing him away.

When the waiter brought the check over, it totaled eight hundred and sixty dollars.

I pulled out my debit card and purposely let the transaction decline.

“Sorry about that, insufficient funds,” I mumbled, scratching my head in mock embarrassment before pulling out a credit card.

Garrett scoffed loudly and spat on the floor.

“What a total joke. Putting an eight-hundred-dollar dinner on credit.”

“Linnea, what do you even see in a loser like this?”

Linnea rolled her eyes, clinging tightly to Garrett’s arm.

“I guess I just liked that he was obedient and easy to control.”

On the drive home, Linnea sat in the passenger seat with her nose pinched.

“Nolan, what is that awful smell in here? It smells disgusting.”

“Take the car for a full detailing tomorrow, inside and out.”

“Also, Garrett mentioned he’s short on cash lately. Don’t you have a ten-thousand-dollar limit on your credit card? Take out a cash advance and lend it to him.”

The veins on the back of my hands bulged against the steering wheel.

“Sure,” I agreed with a nod.

【Task completed. Reward received: Panoramic Micro-Listening Device.】

Once we got home, I took advantage of the time Linnea spent in the shower.

I slipped the microscopic listening bug into the inner layer of her phone case.

I put on my wireless earbuds.

Instantly, the sound of rushing water and Linnea sending voice notes came through crystal clear.

“Babe, that idiot actually agreed.”

“I’ll make him pull the cash advance tomorrow.”

“Also, we need to hurry up with the plan we talked about.”

“Let’s drain all his pre-marital assets first, and then I’ll kick him to the curb for good.”

Garrett’s sleazy voice replied: “Haha, you’re so wicked, babe. Did I push you too hard in the car earlier?”

“Shut up, you’re awful...” Linnea giggled back.

I took off the earbud and tossed it onto the desk.

My stomach twisted in violent disgust.

The bathroom door clicked open.

Linnea stepped out wrapped in a bath towel, her hair dripping wet.

She walked over and looked down at me with an air of absolute superiority.

“Nolan, I think we should try for a baby.”

She rubbed her stomach, maintaining a straight face.

“I’ve thought it through. We’re not getting any younger.”

“Go to the clinic tomorrow for a full fertility checkup, especially your sperm count.”

“Also, to save up for the baby, hand over all your bank cards and paychecks to me from now on.”

“Men shouldn't hold onto money. Having money only makes you stray.”