Chapter44
Chapter44
After a pause, she added, “I can’t go back anymore.”
Ellsworth’s compromise was just a fleeting impulse, but she had been severely depressed for two years. She didn’t dare try again, didn’t dare to hope or dream anymore.
Especially those times when she was driving and felt the urge to plunge into the river-she was scared.
She was afraid that if she kept going like this, she wouldn’t even be able to keep her life, afraid she wouldn’t live to see her grandfather off, afraid her grandfather would have to bury her.
For these three years, she had tried, and she had done her best.
Now, she had to save herself.
When Harriet said she couldn’t go back, Ellsworth didn’t say
anything more.
He lowered his eyes to look at Harriet, seeing how sad and
upset she was.
***
Chapter 44
The next day, Ralph was discharged from the hospital.
Harriet also returned to work as usual.
That noon, just back from the project site, Johnathan called out
to her, “Hara.”
Closing the file in her hand, Harriet looked up and greeted him
with a smile, “Mr. Burton.”
Johnathan walked over and said cheerfully, “You haven’t had
lunch yet, have you? Let’s go find something to eat together.”
Harriet glanced down at the file in her hand, but Johnathan took
it from her. “No matter how busy you are, you still have to eat.
And don’t be too good to Ells-don’t work yourself to death just
to make money for him.”
Johnathan’s words made Harriet laugh.
She said, “Let me put the file back first.”
So, after putting the file back in the office, Johnathan drove
Harriet to a nearby private restaurant.
The two of them sat in a small private room. Johnathan
snapped his fingers to call the waiter, ordered a few signature
Chapter 44
dishes, then handed the menu to Harriet so she could order as
well.
Harriet added two more dishes.
Soon, the waiter brought tea for both of them. Johnathan
poured tea for Harriet and said with a smile, “I heard from Ells
that you’re planning to resign, and you’ve even drafted a
confidentiality agreement.”
Across from him, Harriet smiled, “It’s just workplace protocol.”
Johnathan handed her the tea. “Ells also said you don’t want
anything at all.”
Harriet took the tea with both hands and smiled faintly, “When
we got our marriage certificate, we didn’t involve any assets, so
the divorce isn’t that complicated either.”
At that moment, the waiter began serving the dishes, and the
two of them paused their conversation.
It wasn’t until all the dishes were served that Johnathan
continued, “Hara, don’t be foolish. If you want to divorce Ells, I
won’t try to stop you, but don’t be stubborn about work and
alimony. Take what you deserve.”
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Before Harriet could speak, Johnathan added earnestly, “The job market is tough these days, every industry is fiercely competitive. Your three years at the Townsend Group basically count as a blank resume-the starting point is too high, and
outsiders won’t recognize it.”
“If you can’t bring yourself to discuss the divorce details with
Ells, I can help you talk to him.”
“Hara, remember this: only the benefits you can actually get
matter. Making life a little easier for yourself is true happiness.
Life is what matters most.”
Back in school, everyone knew Harriet had good grades.
But practical work and textbook knowledge are two different
things. Her years at the Townsend Group went smoothly
because she had the Townsend family backing her.
As the saying goes, when the wall falls, everyone pushes.
If she really divorced Ellsworth and stepped down from the vice president position, who knows how many people would kick her
when she’s down, how many would come to step on her.
People love to watch you rise, but they also wait for your fall.
Chapter 44
So, taking the money and continuing as vice president was the wisest choice.
Hearing Johnathan’s heartfelt advice, Harriet smiled and said, “Mr. Burton, thank you.”
Then she added, “I’ve already found a new job. As soon as I leave the Townsend Group, I can start right away.”
Johnathan’s concern moved Harriet.
But she also felt helpless-why did everyone think she couldn’t survive without Ellsworth?
When Harriet said she had already found a job, Johnathan just
looked at her.
After a moment, he asked, “Which company? What kind of
work?”
Harriet replied, “A tech company, in the field I studied.”
Since Harriet said she had found a job, Johnathan couldn’t persuade her further. He just smiled and said, “So you really are going head-to-head with Ells. And the divorce? Are you really
planning to leave with nothing? Three years, and you’re not
giving yourself anything?”
Chapter44
Taking a sip of tea, Harriet smiled faintly, “None of that matters
anymore. Besides, if I really tried to calculate everything with Ellsworth, he wouldn’t agree to it anyway.”
