Mr. Knight, Your Ex is a Lab Mogul

On the night of their fifth wedding anniversary, Jolie Knight cooked an entire dinner herself.

But it wasn't until nearly ten o'clock that Kaden Knight finally came home-and the first thing he did was head straight for the shower.

The food on the table had already gone cold. Jolie dumped everything into the trash without hesitation.

When she picked up the jacket Kaden had tossed onto the couch, planning to throw it in the wash, her fingers pulled out a lace T-back thong from the pocket.

It wasn't the first time she had received that girl's little provocations. Including this one, it was the ninety-ninth.

The bathroom door swung open, and Kaden stepped out.

He was shirtless, with a white towel loosely hanging around his waist.

He glanced at the pink lace thong in her hand and barely reacted, only lifting a lazy eyebrow.

"Larry can be childish. You don't need to get worked up over her," he said.

Jolie's eyes traveled over the face she used to adore-still handsome, still familiar. How had things fallen apart in less than five years?

"You're crying?" Kaden asked as he approached her, noticing her red, swollen eyes. Instead of softening, he frowned. "This isn't the first time. Haven't you gotten used to it? Or are you mad I didn't come home early for dinner? Work's been crazy. Larry's had a ton on her plate, so I was helping her. Alright, I'm here now. I can keep you company."

He reached out to pull her into his arms, but she subtly stepped back.

"Don't touch me. You're filthy."

"What's your problem now? Jolie, I'm not in the mood to fight. This is about the gift, right? It's not like I didn't prepare something for you."

Kaden pulled a necklace from his suit jacket and handed it to her. "Here. Your anniversary gift."

It was a lily-shaped pendant. But Jolie had hated lilies since she was a child-she was allergic to them.

She had been to his office a few times. His new secretary, Larry Morgan, always kept fresh lilies on her desk.

So the necklace wasn't bought for her. It was for Larry.

"Kaden," she finally spoke, her voice slightly hoarse. "Do you remember what you said when we got married?"

"What did I say? I said I would love you forever. Haven't I?"

He frowned, clearly annoyed. "Jolie, I've told you this before-clingy love is small love, real love means giving space. We're adults. Every guy has something going on outside. What's so hard for you to accept?"

Jolie let out a soft breath. He really didn't remember.

He once told her to give him ninety-nine chances.

And now that the ninety-nine chances were up... it was time for her to walk away.

"Forget it. Doesn't matter."

Jolie shook her head, tossing the thong into the trash.

Then she left the bedroom for the study. And Kaden didn't bother following.

She opened a drawer, pulled out a business card, and dialed the number.

"Hello? Jolie? What made you call today? You've finally made up your mind?"

"Yes, Professor. About that research project you mentioned-I'm in."

The person on the other end froze for a second, then quickly recovered.

"Jolie, you're not joking, right? I've asked you so many times and you always refused because you couldn't bear to leave Kaden. What made you change your mind so suddenly?"

Jolie smiled faintly. "I was foolish before. I'm not anymore."

"But you know this project is completely closed-off. No outside contact for at least three years. And we depart in seven days. What about Kaden-"

"Don't worry about him. I've already decided to divorce him."

"I told you long ago, your absence is a huge loss for the research field. Good thing you finally came to your senses. Seven days from now, at the airport. The team and I will be waiting."

Jolie graduated from the country's top Academy of Sciences. Within just three years of entering the field, she had already become a core member of several major national research projects. She had led multiple teams, and even won a National Science and Technology Progress Award.

Her mentor always said her mind was sharp and she could see angles no one else could.

Five years ago, she suddenly submitted her resignation. Her mentor tried everything to keep her, but nothing worked.

Because she met Kaden. Back then, he was just a clueless young guy trying to start a company.

He had no connections, no backing, and was hitting walls everywhere. It was Jolie who used her network to help him find opportunities.

Later, when his business finally took off, he started pursuing her.

He once told her he liked a wife who could quietly support him without making a fuss. So Jolie resigned from her high-paying research job and became a full-time homemaker, giving him a life with zero distractions.

For the first three years of their marriage, he treated her well. But in the last two years, everything changed.

More business dinners. More late nights. And more perfume on him that wasn't hers.

Recently, things belonging to other women kept showing up on him-lipsticks, eyebrow pencils, perfume bottles, stockings, even underwear...

The first time she confronted him, he panicked. "I'm sorry, Jolie. I was drunk. But you have to trust me, nothing happened."

He cried. He even got on his knees.

And she softened. She believed him.

Until she caught him with his new secretary, Larry, kissing in the break room, she confronted him again.

His attitude flipped completely, turning into the cold indifference he showed her now.

"It was just a kiss. It's not like we slept together. Jolie, no one's taking your spot as Mrs. Knight. Isn't that enough? Without me, you wouldn't be living this comfortable life anyway."

He truly believed she was just an ordinary woman who depended on him to live well.

He had no idea how much Jolie had done for him in the last five years.

Five years-such a short time. He had already rotted. And she was done.

"Kaden, I helped lift you up. I can just as easily drag you back down."

When Jolie walked out of the study with the divorce papers, Kaden was putting on his coat, ready to leave.

She stepped in front of him. "It's late. You're going out?"

"Something came up with Larry, I'm stopping by."

He paused, as if trying to explain, then quickly decided it wasn't worth the effort.

"You're not gonna get mad again, are you?"

"No. I just need a signature on a document."

"What document?" he asked, reaching for it. Before she could answer, his phone buzzed again. He picked up. "I'm coming. Just wait a little longer, okay? Be good."

While sweet-talking the person on the other end, he grabbed a pen and signed the papers Jolie handed him without even looking.

After hanging up, he snapped impatiently, "Don't spend so much. My money doesn't grow on trees. At least Larry helps me with work. What do you even do?"

The front door slammed shut behind him. Jolie looked down at the signed divorce papers and let out a soft laugh.

"Kaden, you really are ridiculous. As for who can actually help you at work, you'll find out soon enough."

Kaden never came home that night.

Early the next morning, Jolie took the signed divorce papers to the family court.

When she walked out, a string of Facebook notifications lit up her phone.

All from Larry Morgan.

The photos showed Kaden naked beside her.

Larry, on the other hand, was holding her chest up proudly and flashing a victory sign at the camera.

"Mrs. Knight, your husband was incredible last night. He had me the whole night. He has never been that obsessed with you, has he?" she texted.

Before Jolie could respond, another photo arrived.

This time, Larry stood in the middle of a pile of gifts, and every single box was decorated with lily motifs.

So it was true. That necklace from last night really had been bought for Larry.

"Mr. Knight bought me so many gifts. I knew yesterday was your fifth anniversary, so I made sure he brought something home for you. Do you like the lily necklace, Mrs. Knight?"

Faced with the provocation, Jolie let out a cold laugh and drove straight to the nearest luxury boutique.

"Bring me your most expensive handbag."

"The most expensive one? Miss, that one is... over five hundred thousand."

"Swipe my card. I'll take five. Have them packaged and sent to my car."

Realizing a massive sale had just walked in, the staff hurried to pack up five handbags and personally carried them out to Jolie's car.

By the time Jolie arrived at the company, Larry was already showing off her gifts.

"Wow, Ms. Morgan, these are beautiful. Who gave them to you?"

"My boyfriend." Larry replied as she lifted her chin, raising the bag in her hand. "And this bag-three hundred grand. He took me to pick it out yesterday."

"Three hundred thousand? That's insane! I'm so jealous. Who's your boyfriend? Bring him out sometime!"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Larry's face. "He... he's busy. Very busy."

"Oh? Very busy? So busy he can't show his face? Or is he just hiding from someone?" Jolie said as she walked in. Larry's expression instantly darkened.

"Mrs. Knight," she greeted.

"Hi, everyone. Christmas is coming up, so I brought presents for all of you."

Jolie ignored Larry completely, pulling out the handbags and handing them to each of the female employees one by one.

By the time she reached Larry, her hands were empty.

The employees glanced up nervously. "Mrs. Knight... Ms. Morgan doesn't get one?"

Larry let out a disdainful little laugh. "It's fine. I don't care. I have something better, anyway. The gifts couldn't possibly cost more than three hundred grand."

Her words had barely dropped when someone screamed.

"Oh my god, Mrs. Knight really gave us such expensive bags?!"

"I've seen this one in fashion magazines! It's the newest model. It's worth over five hundred thousand!"

"For real? That expensive? Mrs. Knight, thank you so much!"

"Mr. Knight is blessed to have a wife like you!"

"That's impossible!" Larry's face shifted sharply. "Jolie, you did this on purpose! Just because Mr. Knight gave me a luxurious bag, you intentionally bought something pricier to disgust me!"

"What? Ms. Morgan's bag was from Mr. Knight?"

"I knew those two were hooking up! You didn't believe me..."

Whispers spread through the office. Jolie stared at Larry, stepping closer and closer.

"Who started this? A few gifts make you so proud? If Kaden can afford it, so can I."

"You? Please. It's all Mr. Knight's money. You're just a housewife. Where would you get that kind of cash? When Mr. Knight comes in later, I'm going to make sure he teaches you a lesson-"

Before she could finish, Jolie lifted her hand and slapped her hard.

The force sent Larry stumbling, nearly collapsing onto a chair.

"Ah! You hit me!"

Larry was furious, clutching her cheek and crying.

Jolie sneered. "And what if I did? Plenty of witnesses here saw you seducing my husband. Ms. Morgan, don't you know being a mistress is shameful?"

"So what? Being a mistress isn't illegal!"

She barely got the last word out before Jolie slapped her again.

"Ah! You hit me again! Jolie, I'll fight you!"

Larry lunged forward, but froze when she suddenly spotted Kaden stepping out of the elevator.

Her eyes widened. She instantly dropped to the floor, clutching her swollen cheek, crying dramatically.

"Mrs. Knight, I swear I never meant to ruin your marriage! I just love Mr. Knight too much, please don't hate me..."