Chapter 3
“You’re jealous of her? About what? How calculating she is?
The way she wraps people around her finger? Or her world-
class tolerance? Did you see the trending topics that night? She
went for another cover-up for Ellsworth. None of us could ever
do that.” Another woman clicked her tongue.
Then a male’s voice rang out. “Ellsworth, they say you and Ms.
Graham were doing it when Harriet walked into the room.
That’s truly heartbreaking! Did she cry?”
Amused, Ellsworth asked, “Where did you hear that? That’s
quite a story”
The truth was, when he and Kelsey were having dinner that
night, the waiter accidentally spilled juice on them, so they
went upstairs to change their clothes. That was all.
But he didn’t explain anything. He didn’t give a damn about
what others thought, let alone Harriet’s feelings.
“Ellsworth, you’re way out of Harriet’s league. Why don’t you divorce her and give someone else a shot?”
Harriet stood frozen outside the door.
Inside, Ellsworth was talking about his affair as if he were
discussing the weather, looking nonchalant and even happy.
Her gaze fixed on him.
Ellsworth’s current project was assigned by the government
and was being handled by some of his close friends.
He had never allowed Harriet to get involved in projects like
this.
After getting married, he kept her at a complete distance. She
was excluded from his social life and his personal life, and their
relationship grew more strained than it had ever been.
Lounging on the chair, Johnathan Burton, one of Ellsworth’s
friends, said, “Ells, ignore their nonsense. Hara’s been managing
things at work and taking care of everything at home.
“She not only tolerated your affairs. She even dealt with them.
What other woman would do that?
“You’re like the luckiest man in the world. If I were you, I’d keep
her close and never let her go.”
Brittany Vaughn, Ellsworth’s loyal admirer, immediately
retorted, “I can do those things too, and I’d be even better.
“Ellsworth, divorce her and marry me. My family’s significantly
wealthier, and I’d be a stronger ally in every way!”
“Get real, Brittany. Have you forgotten about Kelsey?”
Ellsworth joked with a smile, “Brittany, let me know when
your family has the wedding gifts for us ready!’
Laughter broke out in the conference room. Harriet turned
around and went back to her office in silence.
She did come from an ordinary family.
Her mother, a teacher, died from an illness when she was eight
years
old. Her father, a police officer, died in the line of duty a
few years ago.
Though her grandfather, Ralph Chavez, had been in the
military, he wasn’t exactly high-ranking-he drove for
Raymond.
That was why she and Ellsworth had known each other since
childhood.
After the marriage, Raymond had arranged for her to be the
company’s VP, supporting Ellsworth.
She knew what he really wanted was for her to keep Ellsworth
in check.
But she had failed.
Harriet took the divorce papers from the drawer, gazing at
them for a long time.
She should have stopped lying to herself a long time ago. Deep
down, she had always known she could never win Ellsworth’s
heart.
All of a sudden, she wanted to give up.
She didn’t want to separate him from the love of his life.
So, when the meeting was over, Harriet went to Ellsworth.
As she reached his office door, he happened to open it from
inside.
He seemed a bit surprised at the sight of her. “What’s up?”
She said, “A couple of documents need your signature.”
He sat back at his desk and picked up a pen.
After he signed the documents, Harriet slid two copies of the
divorce agreement across the desk and said flatly, “When
you’re free, let’s get a divorce.”
His right hand, still holding the pen, hovered mid-air as he
looked up at her.
