Chapter 4
After a while, Ellsworth said with a half-smile, “This is so
typical of you, always following your own rules. This marriage only happened because you insisted on it. And now, you want a
divorce?”
Harriet didn’t withdraw her hand holding the divorce
agreement. “I gave it some serious thought. I don’t think we’re
cut out for each other. Besides, I didn’t know about you and
Kelsey back then. And I didn’t know…
He interrupted her before she could finish, “Harriet, it’s true
that Kelsey’s back. But that doesn’t mean you get to play games.
Also, playing hard to get doesn’t work with me.”
To him, Harriet had always coveted his family’s fame and
power. With her calculated charm, she had sweet-talked
Raymond into welcoming her as part of the family.
She actually claimed she wanted a divorce? Did she really
expect him to buy that?
Harriet didn’t know what to say, facing Ellsworth’s prejudice
against her.
He thought she was playing hard to get?
There was nothing she could do to change the way he thought
of her.
Back then, he had loved Kelsey and hated her. But how could
she possibly know that?
She clutched the papers so tightly that the veins on the back of
her hand were bulging.
But she had to maintain her composure and elegance. She said,
her voice still steady, “Ellsworth, I don’t care what you think
this is. You’ll know whether I’m serious about the divorce once
we go to the courthouse.””
Sensing the resolution in her voice, Ellsworth glanced at her
before saying indifferently, “Alright. You want a divorce?
Sure.”
Then he added, “But is Sir Chavez OK with this? Have you
gotten the birth certificate? Have you told my grandpa? Has he
agreed to this?
“If you really want a divorce, get them to agree first before
coming to me. Don’t waste my time.”
Chapter 4
His casual questioning left Harriet speechless.
He was right. It was impossible for her to get a divorce just
because she wanted it.
Marriage was never just about two people. She had to take their
families into consideration.
Pale-faced, she looked at Ellsworth, not saying a word. He stood
up and said, still deadpan, “Otherwise, stick to your roles as the
company’s VP and my wife.”
Her right hand, gripping the papers, hovered mid-air. She
parted her lips, wanting to explain, but no words came out.
After quite a while, she said, “I didn’t think it through. I’ll talk to
them as soon as possible.”
This time, he didn’t bother to respond. He just left the office
with both hands in his pockets.
She wanted a divorce?
Yeah, right.
Till today, he still vividly remembered how thrilled she had
been the day they got married.
As he closed the door, Harriet pinched the bridge of her nose
and exhaled deeply.
***
Back at her office, Harriet told Kathie Townsend about her
conversation with Ellsworth.
Kathie was Ellsworth’s younger sister, and she also worked at
the company.
She was the same age as Harriet, and they had been thick as
thieves since childhood.
Kathie had been away on a business trip for the past few days.
She and Ellsworth had an older brother, Kenneth Townsend,
who worked in the military.
“Finally, Hara. I’m so glad you thought it through.” On the
phone, Kathie sounded both relieved and surprised.
“Chill. I’ve got your back. Just ask Sir Chavez for your birth
certificate. With his and my grandpa’s approval, I’m sure you
can get a divorce. I’ll talk to my grandpa.”
“Thank you, Kat!”
“Don’t say that.”
To Kathie, with everything Ellsworth had done, he didn’t
deserve to be Harriet’s husband at all. Otherwise, she wouldn’t
have helped Harriet get a divorce.
With Kathie’s support, Harriet instantly felt much more
confident.
Come evening, she clocked out and went home.
The Chavez’s mansion was located in an old alley downtown.
