Chapter 1

On the day of the UN summit, I noticed a new smartwatch on the wrist of my interpreter wife, Valerie.

She claimed it was a health monitor gifted by her first love, Trevor, sneering that I was never as considerate as an outsider.

Suspicious, I inspected it during her lunch break and uncovered a hidden listening device.

I reported it immediately, sacrificing my own ten-year promotion to shield her from espionage charges.

Trevor became a wanted fugitive and died in a car crash while running from the authorities.

Valerie pretended he got what he deserved and acted deeply devoted to me.

Yet during an international summit, she leaked my classified translation files and framed me as a foreign spy.

"Shane Brooks, you planted that wire in my watch back then! You were just jealous of Trevor and wanted him dead!"

"I regret choosing a monster like you over Trevor! You should rot in hell to pay for his life!"

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Trevor gave her the smartwatch.

This time, I minded my own business and signed my name on the divorce papers.

1,

"Shane, stop blowing things out of proportion. Do you really think Trevor would harm me?"

Valerie's irritated snap pulled me back from the shock of my rebirth.

Her loud voice drew the attention of our colleagues in the briefing room.

"Team Leader Valerie, that new smartwatch on your wrist... did you log it with security clearance?"

A sharp-eyed colleague noticed the gadget and offered a polite reminder.

Valerie frowned dismissively.

"This is a personal gift. It doesn't need clearance."

"But that violates diplomatic security protoc―"

Before he could finish, Valerie cut him off coldly.

"Enough! I am the head of this delegation. If anything goes wrong, I'll take full responsibility."

The colleague turned to me with an awkward grimace.

I lowered my gaze as memories of my past life rushed back like a tidal wave.

Back then, I worried she would destroy her career, so I secretly inspected the watch.

After finding the bug, I traded my ten-year promotion to keep her safe from federal prosecution.

In return, I was met with her psychopathic vengeance.

I could never forget the horrific agony of being dragged behind a speeding truck until I died.

A flicker of cold hatred flashed across my eyes.

"Valerie knows what she's doing. We don't need to worry about her."

Seeing that I wasn't pressing the issue, Valerie's face relaxed slightly.

Just then, Trevor rushed over with a designer rolling suitcase, panting heavily.

"Valerie, take me with you! I haven't been to New York in ages!"

A team member immediately objected.

"No way! You're just a temporary contractor. You don't have security clearance for a UN summit."

"Besides, the roster was approved directly by the Director. Even Team Leader Valerie can't add anyone on a whim."

A flicker of resentment crossed Trevor's eyes, and he adopted a mockingly wounded tone.

"Valerie, I didn't know that as team leader, you don't even have the power to bring an assistant."

"Why does your team look at Shane before speaking? Anyone would think he's the real boss here."

Valerie exploded with fury.

"Who is the lead interpreter here, me or Shane Brooks? If you want to follow his orders so badly, I can request the Director replace the entire team right now!"

Faced with her outburst, no one dared to utter another word.

Her tone softened slightly as she continued.

"Trevor is a contractor, which is why he needs this valuable learning opportunity to grow!"

"He's coming with us on this assignment, and that's final."

"That violates protocol," I said calmly, finally meeting her eyes.

Valerie's face darkened again.

She glared at me with blatant rage and a clear warning.

"I know you're jealous of Trevor, but don't bring your petty personal drama into professional work."

"Anyone who disagrees can pull out of this summit right now!"

The team's expressions changed instantly.

This UN mission was a rare milestone for everyone's career.

Valerie scanned the room with an arrogant smirk.

"If you don't want to quit, shut your mouths. Otherwise, pack your shit and get out of the bureau."

I swallowed the urge to sneer and remained silent.

Valerie, I won't save you this time.

I can't wait to watch your world burn.