His Mute Wife: He Can't Sleep After She Left-Chapter 21: This Woman Actually Doesn’t Trust Him

Chapter 21: Chapter 21: This Woman Actually Doesn’t Trust Him

Nathan Lawson knocked on the door, and inside came a cool, pleasant voice, "Come in."

Nathan Lawson opened the door and said blandly to Ethan Sinclair, who was working, "President Sinclair, Secretary Sutton is here."

Ethan Sinclair was probably too busy, just replied with a simple "Mm" and didn’t even look up.

Kiana Sutton, though not her first time in Ethan Sinclair’s office, was struck every time by its extravagant atmosphere.

Everything in the office was in three minimalist shades—black, white, and gray. Yet, because of the texture and luxurious decoration, it never felt stifling or harsh; instead, it exuded a grand elegance.

On the walls hung several black-and-white paintings, all previously auctioned at art shows, each worth over five hundred thousand.

As husband and wife, Ethan Sinclair was dripping with wealth, while she was so poor she could barely scrape by.

Kiana Sutton’s gaze unconsciously fell on Ethan Sinclair.

Ethan Sinclair wore a black suit, paired with a white shirt and a black tie.

A black tie!

Kiana Sutton’s heart gave a faint quiver.

Others might not know, but Kiana Sutton knew perfectly well—the tie Ethan Sinclair wore was his emotional barometer.

For example, when in a good mood, he would wear colored ties, mostly red and blue.

But this black tie meant Ethan Sinclair was in a very bad mood, which signaled she needed to be on her utmost guard, sharper and more cautious than ever.

But thinking about it, ever since she married Ethan Sinclair, aside from the blue-and-white tie Kate Lynch gave him, he’d always worn black ties.

In these three years, has he not been happy for even a single day?

After dealing with what was at hand, Ethan Sinclair noticed Kiana Sutton staring down, absentmindedly picking at her nails, her expression hidden. No telling what she was thinking.

"If I find your nail bits on the floor, do you know what will happen?"

Suddenly hearing Ethan Sinclair’s voice, Kiana was startled, quickly hiding her hands behind her back, as if afraid Ethan would chop them off.

This time, Ethan Sinclair’s brow furrowed even tighter.

He got up and walked step by step to Kiana Sutton, his presence overwhelming. Instinctively, Kiana took a step back.

"If you step back one more time, I’ll toss you from the eighteenth floor!"

Kiana Sutton was so scared she dared not move at all.

Why was this man always threatening to chop off her hand, or throw her off a building at the slightest provocation?

Seeing Kiana Sutton obedient for once, Ethan Sinclair’s expression softened a little. "Do you know why I called you here?"

Kiana Sutton shook her head. It’s not like she’s a mind reader—how could she possibly know what he’s thinking.

"I want you to pretend to be my wife."

Kiana Sutton froze. Pretend to be his wife?

She really was his wife. Why did she need to pretend?

At this moment, Ethan Sinclair was already standing before her, as if he could see right through her thoughts. He said coolly, "I’m negotiating an important deal and need a loving, harmonious wife to play the part. You are indeed my wife, but there’s no love between us, so you need to fake it. You understand?"

Kiana Sutton’s heart was sharply pierced.

He felt nothing at all for her.

Yet she loved him—really, truly loved him.

Seeing Kiana Sutton looking down, silent, Ethan Sinclair’s handsome face suddenly darkened. "If you’re not willing, you can leave right now."

Kiana Sutton immediately raised her head to look at Ethan Sinclair, frantically gesturing, "I’m willing, but I have one condition..." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The corners of Ethan Sinclair’s mouth hooked with a mocking smile. "You’re clever, knowing to bargain at a time like this."

Kiana Sutton bit her lip, feeling Ethan’s piercing gaze, but braced herself, "I want to transfer to the Planning Department."

"Oh?"

This woman, didn’t she insist on being his secretary back then, bullying her way in under his grandmother’s protection just to be beside him every day?

Why’s she suddenly so set on joining the Planning Department?

"The Planning Department... pays better!"

Ethan Sinclair: "..."

Kiana Sutton might be Ethan Sinclair’s personal secretary, but her salary really was the lowest in Evercrest Group.

She knew clearly, only by standing firm in a department could she have real leverage, and she’d majored in Business Administration in college—she had plenty of faith in herself.

Ethan Sinclair’s mood abruptly soured.

He didn’t know what tricks Kiana Sutton was up to, but figured she couldn’t make much trouble under his thumb. He scoffed coldly, "Fine. As long as you help me land this deal, you go to Planning—and I’ll give you a cash bonus."

At the mention of a bonus, Kiana Sutton’s eyes lit up. In Ethan Sinclair’s view, she was the very portrait of ’money-grubbing.’

A hint of disdain flashed in Ethan Sinclair’s eyes. "At least a hundred thousand."

A hundred thousand!

Kiana Sutton was both excited and elated, her blood boiling. Evercrest Group really was a top firm—the bonus was sky-high.

If she got the hundred thousand, she could pay off half of the money she owed Quinn.

The other half, if she worked hard, penny-pinched, or ran into more wife-impersonation gigs, then within a year or two, she’d clear it for sure.

Ethan Sinclair watched the bright change in Kiana Sutton’s face, and with a cold splash of reality said, "Let me remind you, earning the bonus and moving to Planning both require you to help me close this deal. Don’t go spending money before it’s in hand."

Kiana Sutton nodded vigorously, then thought of something and looked at Ethan Sinclair, gesturing, "I’m good on my end, but what about you..."

Perfect-couple pretense is mutual. She already loved Ethan Sinclair. But Ethan disliked her, even hated her—could he really treat her as his loving wife?

The facts proved Kiana Sutton’s worries unnecessary.

This whole arrangement was Ethan Sinclair’s idea, and concerned Evercrest Group’s overseas expansion.

Even if he hated it, Ethan Sinclair knew what was at stake.

But with her job and bonus on the line, Kiana Sutton felt safer checking again.

In Ethan Sinclair’s eyes, Kiana Sutton was usually a timid, pliable mute he could mold at will. Seeing her suddenly so serious—over money, of all things—he couldn’t help but feel foul-tempered.

"If the deal falls through because of me, you’ll lose your bonus—but I promise, you’ll still transfer to Planning."

For Kiana Sutton, this was already good news. No matter if this deal went through, her salary would be better than before.

"But... if it fails because of you, not only will you lose the money, you’ll never go near the Planning Department!"

The pressure landed squarely on Kiana Sutton.

But where would drive come from without stress? Kiana nodded firmly.

Then another thought struck; she gestured seriously, "Words aren’t enough—I want it in writing."

Ethan Sinclair: "..."

This woman actually didn’t trust him?

Fine. With it down on paper, it was just formal business—Kiana Sutton wouldn’t get any ideas.

Ethan Sinclair had Nathan Lawson prepare a contract, and as he signed, Kiana Sutton kept her eyes glued to his hand.

Only when she saw "Ethan Sinclair" written on the paper did she finally exhale in relief.

Ethan Sinclair shoved the contract at her. "Is that enough for you?"

Kiana Sutton clutched the contract like a treasure, nodding rapidly like a pecking chick.