The All-Purpose Wife Chapter 1

I am the perfect wife, cultivated by the Sterling family specifically for Julian Sterling.

Julian loathes me. He distances himself from me.

He thinks I'm just a useless vase, a trophy wife.

Little does he know, "All-Purpose" is literal.

I am the Michelin-star chef who cooks his favorite meals. I am the secretary who handles every detail of his business. I am the mysterious fighter who took down ten men to save him when he was kidnapped.

Even his online confidante, his "soulmate," is just me playing a role.

"No one understands me better than you. I want to meet you, babe."

When I received that message, my hand trembled.

I decided to move up my departure date.

* * *

When I went downstairs, Julian was having breakfast at the dining table with his best friend, Zach.

"Morning, sis-in-law. Just waking up?"

I smiled, tacitly accepting the jab.

Zach glanced at Julian teasingly. "Look at you, wearing her out like that."

Julian let out a dismissive snort.

We've been married for two years, but no one knows we've never slept together.

Julian resents this marriage arranged by his grandfather.

He doesn't know my background. We have no emotional foundation. He thinks I'm a talentless gold digger who used dirty tricks to marry him.

So, he despises me.

In two years, the number of times we've spoken can be counted on one hand.

Julian took a sip of the abalone porridge and frowned slightly. "The porridge tastes off today."

I was pouring water at the island counter and exchanged a look with the butler.

The butler quickly interjected, "The head chef is sick these past two days, sir. We have a replacement."

Zach, unconvinced, took several large gulps. "It tastes fine to me. Julian, you're too picky. A chef who meets your standards must be a god. Let me borrow them for a couple of banquets sometime."

"Dream on," Julian said, wiping his hands slowly. "Grandfather found the chef. Even I haven't seen them. They just send the food over at mealtimes."

The ligature marks on his wrists still hadn't faded.

The purple and blue bruising was shocking to see.

Zach winced looking at it. "Did they catch the guys who kidnapped you?"

"They caught the kidnappers," Julian said, his gaze deepening as he thought of something. "But they haven't found that person yet."

A week ago, Julian returned from a business trip. He was tailed and kidnapped on the way back from the airport in the middle of the night.

It was premeditated. The gang executed a precise plan, snatching Julian and vanishing from all surveillance cameras instantly.

The kidnapping shocked the entire city. The heir to the Sterling empire, taken. Half the business world stayed up all night.

Grandfather Sterling remained calm. He made one phone call, then told everyone to wait.

The police couldn't find Julian. But a mysterious figure did.

Riding a motorcycle, leading a highly trained team, this person raided the kidnappers' den at night, rescued Julian, and dropped him off at the gates of the Sterling estate at dawn without saying a word, disappearing into the morning mist with the roar of an engine.

"Who does that? Doesn't want money, doesn't want fame. Is he Batman?" Zach asked.

"It was a woman," Julian said.

"What?!" Zach's eyes widened.

I slowed my steps on the stairs.

Julian's voice was low. "When she brought me back, my arms were around her waist. It was slender but strong. And her helmet hid long hair. I'm certain she's a woman."

"Did you see her face?"

"No. I only saw a small red mole behind her ear."

...

I subconsciously touched the back of my ear and closed my bedroom door.

The first time I met Julian was at the old Sterling manor.

It was New Year's Eve. After giving out red envelopes to the younger generation, Grandfather Sterling gave Julian a special gift.

"Meet Chloe. Your future All-Purpose Wife."

Julian stood there, stunned.

That day, he threw a massive tantrum.

He smashed dishes, overturned tables, but ultimately bowed to Grandfather Sterling's financial power.

I stood aside, silent the whole time.

Julian probably never paid attention to the words "All-Purpose."

He hated me. He ignored me.

He thought I was just a useless vase.

He didn't know "All-Purpose" was literal.

I am the chef who suits his taste buds perfectly.

I am the secretary who manages his work flawlessly.

I am the mysterious fighter who took down ten men to save him.

...

I was born in a remote village. My biological parents sold me to traffickers when I was five. The Sterling family's charity saved me.

Grandfather Sterling picked me out of a group of children.

He gave me food, clothes, and training in every skill imaginable, all centered around Julian.

Julian grew up studying abroad. He looks rebellious, but he has zero romantic experience and no guard against women.

The moment he returned, business rivals tried to use honey traps on him.

From maids to secretaries, plants were everywhere.

So, I stepped in.

My mission was to eliminate all threats around Julian. Once he securely held the position of Sterling heir, I would vacate the position of Mrs. Sterling.

Then, Grandfather Sterling would send me abroad to study, and I would be free for the rest of my life.

To repay the Sterling family's kindness, I valued Julian's life more than my own.

Unexpectedly, Julian misunderstood my dedication.

"SpongeBob, I've decided to divorce her as soon as possible."

"I thought she married me for money. But I'm realizing something is wrong. She seems to have fallen in love with me."

"If she falls deeper, she won't leave easily. I've thought about it, and I need to propose a divorce now."

Julian sent these messages under the username "PatrickStar."

I sat by the window, smoking a cigarette in silence.

Then I replied: "What did she do to give you that idea?"

Julian would never dream that his online soulmate, SpongeBob, was also me.