Chapter 17 The Perfect Ending
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Clarence had always been so full of himself. He had known for a long time that Ivana came from a completely different world, and now, he wanted to divorce her.
But of course, she wasn’t going to let go that easily. After all, she had gone to great lengths just to land a man like him.
Ansel told me the two of them had started tearing each other apart. It got ugly, like they were determined to go down swinging.
Rumor had it Ivana even sabotaged a few of Kirk Group’s business deals.
Eventually, Clarence had no choice but to bring her home.
Lately, the two of them had stopped fighting. They’d even started appearing at all kinds of upscale events together. Meanwhile, I’d begun attending the same events as a representative of the Sawyer family.
When I ran into Clarence again, there was something unreadable in his eyes as he looked at me.
In the end, my family secured the West City project. The Kirks, on the other hand, were teetering on the edge of collapse.
With no other choice, Clarence came to me, pleading, “Janelle, I’m sorry. I know I messed up. Can you help me? Your family has the resources. If you invest a little,
we can bounce back.”
I couldn’t believe he still had the nerve to ask for help. Did he have any idea how much I had sacrificed for him during those three years?
I gave him a weary smile and said, “Clarence, I’m not stupid. You bled my family dry and abandoned me. I told you I loved you and tried to warn you that Ivana wasn’t right for you. But you were the one who insisted on choosing her.”
He wanted to explain, but I cut him off. I drew a breath before adding, “This is the last time we’ll ever see each other.”
After that day, I never saw him again.
The last time I saw Clarence, something in me ached when I saw how worn down he looked. People always said women could be soft–hearted enough to lose themselves. I worried I might be the same, so I made sure not to see him again.
But Clarence didn’t give up. He started showing up every day, waiting for me.
I began leaving the house early and coming home late to avoid him. I nearly passed out more than once from the lack of sleep.
Then, one day, Benson showed up.
“Janelle, Ansel said you were a huge help to him,” he began. “He told me
You added real value at Reed Corporation while you were working there…” He kept going, but I could already tell he was building up to something. So, I cleared my throat and replied, “Why don’t you just get to the point?”
At that, Benson chuckled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head.
“Janelle, come downstairs with me.”
“Downstairs?” I echoed, confused.
I glanced at the time and shook my head without hesitation, “Clarence-
e is down there. I’m
However, Benson didn’t take no for an answer. He grabbed my arm and pulled me along before I could stop him.
The second we showed up downstairs, Clarence rushed toward me.
“Janelle, you finally came down. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting? I missed you so much!”
The man standing in front of me had sunken cheeks and looked utterly pathetic. It took me a moment to recognize him.
Later, Benson told me that Clarence and Ivana had finally divorced. On top of that, she’d taken most of his assets with her.
Clarence and I weren’t even in the same league anymore.
Word around the industry was that he had been telling people he was still my husband. He even claimed I’d help the Kirks get back on their feet.
Yet, no one believed him. When that didn’t work, he started camping outside my office.
One day, when Clarence saw Benson and me coming down together, he snapped.
“You bastard! You’re a homewrecker! Why are you bothering my wife?” he yelled, eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Benson.
“That’s enough, Clarence. You still don’t get it, do you? You did this to yourself. Whatever we had is long over.”
kept my voice steady and my expression serious as I spoke. I knew he could tell I wasn’t joking.
With Clarence still staring at me in disappointment, Benson slipped his arm around mine and added, “Clarence, Janelle and I are getting married. The more you keep showing up like this, the more pathetic you look.”
Seeing how close we were broke something in him. With that, he turned and walked away.
After that, he never came looking for me again. I finally had peace.
In the meantime, Ansel kept coming around, encouraging me to give Benson a chance.
Chapter 17 The Perfect Ending
Three years later, I married Benson. And a year after that, we had our first child.
As for Clarence, I heard he was barely scraping by, living off what little he had left. He’d lost nearly all his connections in the industry.
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Ivana, on the other hand, bumed through everything she’d gotten in the divorce. Then, she got involved with a married man and ended up getting beaten to a pulp by his wife.
But none of that mattered to me anymore.
I had finally started enjoying my life.
KG WM S
