The Ninety-Ninth Wife Chapter 1

Rumor had it that Old Man Silas, the billionaire tycoon, built a golden palace specifically to house a collection of one hundred wives.

After forcefully acquiring ninety-nine women, he set his sights on me—pregnant and married.

The day I was sent away, our housekeeper knelt on the floor, begging my husband.

"Sir, please reconsider! They say Old Man Silas is a monster. If the Madam goes, the baby... the baby won't survive!"

My husband, Julian, looked at her coldly.

"Silas asked for her specifically. She has to go. If the baby dies, it dies. I won't divorce her. When she comes back, she'll still be Mrs. Sterling. We can always have another child."

In my past life, I fought tooth and nail not to go. In the end, Julian's assistant, Chloe, volunteered to take my place.

When she returned, she slit her wrists. The autopsy revealed she had been pregnant too.

Julian held his rage until the day I gave birth. Then, he walked to the hospital rooftop and threw our newborn son off the edge.

That was when I realized he had hated me every second of our marriage.

Reborn into this moment, I didn't struggle. I calmly stepped into the luxury car sent by Old Man Silas.

* * *

"Did you hear? Silas demanded the Madam personally, or he'd bankrupt the company! The Master already agreed."

"Silas is over sixty and a known pervert. Going to his 'palace' is a death sentence... How can the Master just watch her jump into the fire?"

"Well, that's the power of a first love, isn't it? If it were Chloe going, the Master would let the company burn before handing her over!"

The whispers of the maids drifted through the half-open door of the living room.

Mrs. Potts, who was packing my clothes, couldn't hold back. "Madam, don't listen to them! Go beg the Master! You're husband and wife, he can't be that heartless!"

I smiled helplessly. "It's useless."

Everyone in our circle knew Silas was untouchable and ruthless.

Julian would never offend Silas for me. I knew that much.

In my past life, the moment Julian heard Silas's demand, he agreed without hesitation.

To make me go willingly, he feigned deep affection, spinning lies about sacrificing the company for me.

Just as my resolve wavered, I saw him kissing his "first love," Chloe, in the garden.

So, I rebelled.

I threatened suicide, holding a knife to my pregnant belly, forcing him to back down.

Then Chloe stepped up, offering to go in my place.

Julian's eyes turned red.

The day he sent Chloe to Silas's villa, he promised her in front of me: when she returned, he would divorce me and marry her.

But Chloe came back and killed herself the next day.

The autopsy report stated clearly: Pregnant.

Julian handled her funeral quietly.

He didn't mention divorce.

I thought that although he loved Chloe deeply, with her gone, he would honor our marriage and live out our days together.

I never expected that on the day I gave birth, he would take our child and throw him off the hospital roof!

Watching my baby turn into a broken heap on the pavement.

I realized he had been acting all along! He never got over Chloe! He hated me!

So, when I heard Silas demanding me again, I didn't fight.

In this life, I'll let them be together.

"Madam, the Master is back. He wants to see you."

I nodded calmly. "I know."

Downstairs, Chloe was there too.

Seeing Julian holding Chloe's hand tightly without shame, I paused.

Did he... come back too?

"Lola, Silas expects you in two days. Go pack."

"By the way, Chloe is moving in starting today."

In the past, I would have screamed and fought. Now, I just nodded. "Okay."

Julian avoided my gaze, guilty but impatient. "What game are you playing? Fighting is useless. Disobeying Silas is a fate worse than death."

Chloe chimed in, "Yes, Mrs. Sterling. This is to save the company. Besides, catching Silas's eye is a blessing."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Is it? Do you want this blessing?"

Julian exploded. "Silas wants you. Why take it out on Chloe? Don't use that tone. Apologize to her!"

I ignored him, but Chloe suddenly dropped to her knees behind him.

A picture of self-sacrifice.

"Julian, don't be mad at Mrs. Sterling for me. I'm just an assistant. It doesn't matter if she looks down on me."

"If it saves the company, I'll go to Silas in her place!"

Before her knees could hit the floor, Julian pulled her up tenderly.

"Chloe, you're pregnant. Don't kneel to her."

He looked at her with adoration. "I know you'd do anything for me, but Silas wants Lola."

Then he turned his cold glare on me.

"I'm warning you, don't touch Chloe. Or I won't let you off."

"If you're worried I'll dump you when you get back, don't be. I promise I won't divorce you over this."

I scoffed internally. I turned around, picked up a document, and handed it to him.

Julian frowned. "What is this?"

I smiled. "Stepping aside for the worthy. Julian, let's get a divorce."