Chapter 6
As Selena glanced at the caller ID, she hesitated for a moment before answering the call. "Hey, Uncl Brook," she said.
"Selena, do you have time to grab dinner tonight?" Brook's voice was warm and inviting, as usual.
"Your aunt recently visited a popular fortune-teller and got you a fertility charm. She said it's incredibly effective. She insisted I give it to you. I also have some health supplements meant to help with fertility."
Selena was on the brink of divorcing Everett, so why would she need a fertility charm or those supplements? After years of consuming them, the thought made her mouth dry and bitter, and even hearing about them made her feel nauseous. No amount of praying could overcome Everett's constant vigilance.
Without the divorce papers in hand, Selena was reluctant to see Brook. She knew he would oppose the divorce, and she wasn't sure she could hold her ground in his presence.
It was better to act first and explain later.
She was mulling over an excuse to bail when Brook added, "Selena, don't worry. I didn't invite your aunt this time. I know how her comments can make you uncomfortable. It'll just be a chat between us; we haven't caught up in ages." With that, Selena felt she couldn't refuse, "Alright." She owed Brook so much and regarded him as a father figure.
Snapping back to reality, Selena tried calling Everett, only to find his phone turned off. Frustrated, she put it down and spent half an hour venting, cursing until her throat was dry.
At eight o'clock, Selena arrived at the restaurant's private room.
She didn't want Brook to sense anything was off, so she had spent the afternoon pampering herself at the salon-skin treatment, makeup, the works, all to appear her best.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org
Like every other time, she wanted to show she was doing well so he wouldn't worry.
But as she opened the door, she was startled to find not only Brook but also Everett, sitting smugly at the head of the table.
Her dear uncle was clearly trying to curry favor, smiling obsequiously like a servant.
Everett's dark eyes scanned her with cold disdain as if to say: One moment, you are claiming you want a divorce, yet here you are dressing up and having your uncle arrange a dinner to win me back.
Selena ignored him and turned to Brook. Forcing a smile, she asked, "Uncle Brook, didn't you say it would just be the two of us? Why is he here?"
Brook, unfazed, replied, "Everett's your husband, not some stranger. Why are you so formal? He had some free time today, so I invited him."
Free time? She had begged him countless times to join her for a family meal, to no avail. Now that a divorce was on the table, he suddenly had time. Brook gestured to the seat beside Everett, "Come here. Grab a seat."
Selena walked stiffly to Brook's side and sat next to him.
Everett glanced at her coolly, his lips pressed tightly, remaining silent.
Brook, with an awkward smile, couldn't pretend anymore. He had arranged this dinner after hearing whispers of their divorce. The rumors had spread from the boardroom executives. Initially skeptical, Brook now had to believe it. He shot Selena several imploring looks, hoping she'd back down, but she just stared at her freshly manicured nails, saying nothing.
Brook cleared his throat and tried to
smooth things over. "Everett, I've
spoiled Selena since she was a
child. She's a bit headstrong. Shmet
only asked for a divorce to get your attention. Please don't be upset. I apologize on her behalf."
As he raised his glass to drink it down, Selena snatched it from his hand, her face a mix of discomfort and anger.
Why should she apologize when Everett was the unfaithful one?
After a few tense seconds, she slammed the glass down and said, "Uncle Brook, I'm not feeling well. I think I'll leave." "Selena..."
Ignoring Brook's call, Selena left, her heels clicking defiantly as she walked away. She didn't even spare Everett a glance. Just moments later, outside the private room, someone grabbed her wrist tightly and pushed her against the hallway wall. Under the soft light, Everett's strikingly handsome face was illuminated.
But all Selena wanted was to knock some sense into him. She thought, 'What a jerk! He knows how much I care about her uncle, and he deliberately involved him to mess with me, didn't he?'
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Before she could react, Everett's stern voice came from above. "Your uncle mentioned he's interested in investing in a new project at Bennett Corporation."
The project mentioned was about developing a fully Al-integrated business district and promised lucrative returns, and Brook wanted a piece of it.
Hearing this, a sense of dread washed over Selena.
Sure enough, Everett's tone grew even colder, laced with mockery. "So, is this why you're pushing for a divorce? Divorce papers, moving out, partying at night-anything to get what you want?" "Selena, you and your uncle are getting greedier. I can give you anything, but aren't you afraid you'll overreach?"
Selena's face turned pale.
From her reaction, Everett assumed
she had finally realized her mistake. His anger softened a bit, and he gently caressed her face, kissing her softly. "Stop this nonsense. Come back with me, okay?"