The Perfect Wife's Perfect Revenge

The concert lasted three hours, but the two of them spent two and a half eating hotpot, then another half hour sipping tea and nibbling on fruit.

It was Gwyneth Langford's first concert, but she hardly heard a note. By the time her stomach was satisfyingly full and she was finally ready to pay attention, the musicians on stage were already bowing, signaling the end.

"Let's go."

Hawthorne Everhart took Gwyneth's hand, leading her out as she stared at him in confusion. "It's over already?"

He nodded. "We'll leave through a different exit. The car's waiting outside."

By the time they left the concert hall, night had fallen, and a cold rain drizzled from the sky. Hawthorne shielded Gwyneth from the downpour, keeping her tucked safely under his arm as they hurried to the car.

Even after settling into the backseat, Gwyneth still felt a pang of regret. She'd been looking forward to this concert for ages, and this certainly wasn't how she'd imagined it. Especially since several of the pieces performed tonight were classic themes from the cartoons of her childhood-music that defined a generation. As the old composers slowly faded from the public stage, each event like this became more precious, another chance slipping away forever.

"Here "

Hawthorne sat beside her in the back, while his assistant drove.

"What's this?" she asked, taking the package from him. It was stiff and heavy, wrapped in thick cardboard.

"These are recordings of tonight's classic pieces. I had someone press them onto vinyl for you."

Gwyneth hadn't expected anything like this. Her eyes filled with tears.

The car flowed through a sea of city lights, like a fish joining the current on the main road. Hawthorne reached over, gently brushing away her tears.

"You're so easily moved. Good thing I married you first."

Otherwise, would any simple gesture from another man have her in tears, he wondered.

Gwyneth hugged the record to her chest, her eyes shining with memories and affection for a youth already slipping away.noveldrama

That night, back home, the two shared a quiet intimacy.

By morning, Hawthorne had breakfast ready. They ate together, and he announced he'd take her to the office with him.

"Let's go separately today," Gwyneth suggested, not wanting anyone to get the wrong idea. "It's better if people don't know about us just yet. Otherwise, who'd ever let me get any work done?"

After marrying him, Gwyneth had worried he'd prefer her to stay home, which would have felt no different from living in Starfall City-stagnant and useless.

She didn't want to become someone with nothing to do.

Hawthorne saw the stubborn pout on her lips, but he didn't press her. Instead, he tapped her nose playfully. "Fine. There are cars in the garage-pick whichever you like, I'll get you the keys."

Gwyneth's eyes lit up at the mention of cars, though she tried to hide her excitement.

She'd grown up around race cars. Just the thought of driving made her heart race.

Of course, Hawthorne had no idea she'd won several rally championships. The last time she'd driven him somewhere, she'd restrained herself, keeping to a reasonable speed.

Riding as a passenger in Hawthorne's car never gave her the same thrill-nothing beat being in control.

Careful not to let Hawthorne see just how much she was looking forward to it, Gwyneth nodded as if she only wanted to pass the time before work.

Hawthorne left for the office first. In the garage, Gwyneth's eyes fell instantly on the red Ferrari. Her blood thrummed with excitement as she gripped the key.

The butler gave her a sidelong glance. "Ma'am, would you like the driver to take you?"

"No need. I have a license," she replied, already moving toward the car.

The butler said nothing more. Before she could get in, her phone rang-Leonie Everhart.

"Aunt Gwyn, has Uncle Hawthorne left yet?"

It was surprising to hear Leonie, who usually seemed terrified of Hawthorne,

asking about him. Gwyneth figured she must need something important.

"He's gone," she answered.

"Oh, no-" Leonie groaned on the other end.

"What's wrong?"

"I have to get to the theater for rehearsal. My brother ditched me early, and I was

hoping to catch a ride with Uncle Hawthorne."

So that was it just looking for a lift. Gwyneth stifled a smile.

"I'll come get you," she offered.

There was a pause. "You? How?"

"Your uncle let me take a car. Wait for me at home."

Gwyneth turned the Ferrari around and sped down Greenvale's tree-lined avenues for the first time, letting the wind whip through the open window. The morning air was tinged with the sweet scent of flowers.

She pulled off a perfect drift, coming to a stop right in front of Leonie just as she stepped out the door-though Leonie completely missed the maneuver.

"Aunt Gwyn, wow, this car is gorgeous!" Leonie exclaimed, Leoni hopping in and immediately launching into her complaints.

"Uncle Hawthorne is so much a net

to you than anyone else. I wish I had a sports car too, but my parents won't let me. They say I can't even tell a red light from a green one."

Usually, Layne Everhart chauffeured her to the theater, but after a spat this morning, he'd stormed off and left her stranded.

If you want something done right, do it yourself, Leonie thought. Maybe it was

time to convince her parents to buy her a car.

"Come on, you're not colorblind," Gwyneth laughed. "Your parents are just worried about you."

The two of them chatted as they drove, Leonie chattering away like a songbird, barely pausing for breath once she got started.

Sometimes Gwyneth wondered if Leonie just didn't have many people to talk to,

and that's why she unloaded every time they were together.

Once they hit the open road,

Gwyneth couldn't resist

anymore she pressed harder on the

gas, the Ferrari surging forward. Leonie too busy talking, didn't even

notice the speed, though she did start to squint against the wind, her words whipped away as her throat filled with air.