Part 3The Smart Speaker That Exposed My Husband's Second Love

At the "Skyline Center" project bidding conference, the venue was buzzing with noise.

I sat in an inconspicuous corner, watching Starlight Design's representative walk onto the stage.

It was Aria.

Today she wore a well-tailored business suit, her long hair tied up, face delicately made up, shedding her previous innocent look for a more professional elite aura.

She took a deep breath and began to explain the design concept.

"My design inspiration comes from the 'Eye of the City'. We hope it's not just a cold building, but a living entity that breathes with this city, witnessing its development..."

These words, every single one, were what I had said to James countless times during late nights, drinking coffee with bloodshot eyes.

I once thought it was the most tacit soul resonance between husband and wife.

Now I know it was just my one-person show, and he was the most patient thief.

More ironically, James was sitting in the VIP guest seat of the judges' panel.

Suit and tie, hair neatly combed, exactly the elite image I was most familiar with.

He listened with extreme attention, nodding from time to time, his eyes looking at Aria with a light I had never seen before - a kind of regarding the other as a treasure, eager to show off to the whole world.

He completely ignored me sitting in the corner of the audience, as if I were just an insignificant background.

My phone vibrated in my palm. It was a message from Emma.

"Need me to bring a brick and crash the scene?"

Looking at the screen, the corners of my tightly pressed lips actually curved slightly. I replied with two words: "Stand by."

On stage, Aria's speech reached its climax, the PPT showing the final effect drawing, exactly the one stolen from my computer.

A low murmur of amazement rippled through the audience.

The speech ended to thunderous applause.

The host walked on stage: "Thank you for Ms. Aria's brilliant presentation. Now let's invite our special guest judge, a very senior figure in our industry, Mr. James from Dreamscape Design, to give a few comments on this proposal."

The microphone was passed to James.

He cleared his throat, his gaze falling tenderly on Aria, and began to speak.

"To be honest, I'm very impressed."

"Ms. Aria's design perfectly balances artistic aesthetics and practical functionality, especially the minor adjustments to several key load-bearing structures, very bold, very inspired."

He used the word "inspired".

The word he used to describe Aria, to hurt me.

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the audience.

"I believe this work is undoubtedly today's best."

Applause erupted again, even more enthusiastic than before.

At that moment, my world went silent except for the dull thudding of my heart in my chest.

The host smiled and took over: "Thank you for Mr. Chen's high praise! It seems our 'Starlight Design' is determined to win this time! So, does anyone in the audience or any of the judges have questions for Ms. Aria?"

The venue fell silent.

After this "authority" James had stamped his approval, there seemed to be nothing left to ask.

Aria bowed on stage, her face unable to hide her pride and joy.

I put away my phone and stood up during the pause before people were about to applaud again.

The movement wasn't big, but it instantly attracted everyone's attention.

The host was stunned for a moment: "This lady, may I ask who you are?"

James's smile froze.