Chapter 12
I quickly came up with an excuse. “Well, no man wants people to know he got divorced shortly after getting married. It’s not exactly something to be proud of.”
However, Luther didn’t seem to care. “What’s the big deal? Quick marriages come with quick divorces. No shame in that.”
He was quite chill about it, but not everyone has that mindset or courage.
I said, “Things between us were pretty stable. If we suddenly announced our divorce, his parents would definitely ask questions. That’s why I don’t think he’ll tell anyone.”
He frowned. “Stable? Are you sure he was the one who gave you that so–called stability?”
I froze, caught off guard. Of course not. When it came down to it, that sense of stability had always come from Luther.
He noticed my silence and gently tugged the blanket up over my shoulder.
“If your version of stability depends on someone else, then it’ll always be fragile and uncertain,” he added.
I looked up at him. “I’m just an ordinary woman. I don’t have big ambitions. I’m happy with a home, a loving husband, and a stable job. That’s the kind of life I want.”
Luther pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Now that you’ve left him, you still have peace. You might not have a husband, but you have love.”
In the darkness, our eyes met. For a moment, I felt conflicted. Since being with Luther, many of his views had challenged the traditional values I had always believed in.
I said, “You’re famous, rich and powerful. Being single means freedom and endless parties for you. All I want is to be with someone I love, to get married, have kids, and build a warm little home.”
Just as I expected, he let out a dismissive laugh. I decided not to dwell on that any longer. “Alright, enough of that. I’ll never reach your level anyway. Did you check out the exhibition hall details?”
Luther said, “Yeah. Go for the biggest one–Hall 22 in Zone A.”
Hall 22 was the spot I had immediately set my sights on. It was spacious and located right on the main path where visitors had to pass through. Next to it was the exhibition hall of a major foreign oil company.
I frowned. “It’s big, but that also means it’s expensive. We might go over budget.”
Luther replied, “Money isn’t an issue. Just make sure we get Hall 22.”
I nodded. “Alright, I’ll talk to my friend first thing tomorrow and try to get a discount.”
Luther inquired, “Is this friend male or female?”
“Male,” I replied.
“Did he have a crush on you?”
I rolled my eyes. “Do you really think there has to be romantic drama between men and women?”
Luther touched my face gently. “Why not? Who wouldn’t fall for a beautiful woman like you?”
Suddenly, he grabbed my waist and said warningly, “You can talk business with him. But if I find out there’s anything else, don’t blame me for being harsh.”
“You’re being ridiculous,” I said, turning my back on him.
Luther hugged me from behind, and I could feel his warm breath on my neck.
“I’m not joking. I don’t like other people touching what’s mine,” he murmured.
I replied, “Don’t worry, no one’s touching anything.”
Luther said, “One more thing. Make sure the exhibition hall fees are paid properly. Keep it professional, and don’t bring personal connections into it.” His words reeked of jealousy. “Got it,” I said.
The next morning, Luther wanted to accompany me to the office.
In the elevator, I took a deep breath. “Mr. Stone, I think I’ll take a taxi to work today. If I always come and go with you, the colleagues might start talking…”
Luther glanced sideways and said, “Who would say such things to me? Do they not want their job anymore?”
I shrugged. “They won’t say it to your face, but they’ll definitely talk behind your back. I don’t mind since I’m just a regular employee. You’re the boss, and it doesn’t look good if people gossip about you. Besides, when you have business dinners at night, I still take a taxi home.”
Just then, the elevator stopped on the basement floor.
Chapter 1
We walked out, and Luther told me to wait by the car. I watched as he took something out of the storage box inside.
He pressed a button on a car parked nearby and handed me the keys. “You can use this car. It’ll make your commute easier.”
I looked at the luxury car worth a million and felt pressure rise inside me.
“Mr. Stone, what if I crash this? I don’t have the money to pay for it.”
He smiled. “It’s fully insured. You won’t have to pay for anything.”
I tried to protest, “But…”
He interrupted me. “That’s enough. If we don’t head out now, we’ll be late. I’ve got an early meeting.”
He got in and drove off. I watched the tail lights disappear before getting into the driver’s seat myself.
With my hands on the steering wheel, my heart was pounding. I used to drive Ryan’s old second–hand car with extra care, but now I was behind the wheel of a million–dollar car, and it had me on edge.
The drive to the office was smooth. Just as I pulled into the parking spot and stepped out, I saw Ryan’s car pulling into the space across from mine. We locked eyes across the lot. I felt a storm of emotions, and he looked just as awkward. He shot me a smile and nodded, but I just looked away coldly and walked off with my bag.
We ran into each other again in the elevator, and it was just the two of us inside. Ryan probably hurried to catch up with me because he was a bit out of breath.
“Sapphire, did you drive Mr. Stone’s car here?”
I didn’t expect him to chase me down just for this.
“Yes,” I replied.
He looked more excited than I did. “Really? I knew you had it in you! Mr. Stone has so many women around him, but he’s never let any of them drive his car before. You better hold on tight to this chance.”
I clenched my jaw, struggling to hold back the flood of curses inside me. “Ryan, I didn’t realize how disgusting people could be before I met you. But after meeting you, you completely changed my definition of shameless.”
He put on a pitiful look. “Sapphire, don’t be so harsh. After all, we were married.”
He was still trying to play the victim, but I wasn’t buying it anymore.
I took a deep breath. “How dare you bring up our marriage? Now, I finally see the truth. You were scheming from the very start, trapping me in a loveless marriage. When you saw a chance for a promotion, you offered me up.”
I turned away, hatred boiling inside me. Through clenched teeth, I spat, “You ruined my life.”
Faced with my anger, he had the audacity to smile smugly. “You might hate me now. But someday, you’ll thank me.”
“Thank you?” I snapped. “Thank you for turning me into his mistress?”
Ryan clicked his tongue, fumbling for words. “You can’t put it like that…”
I pressed on. “Then what should I call it? What exactly is my relationship with him?”
The elevator reached his floor. Before stepping out, he muttered an apology, “Sapphire, please don’t be angry. I’m sorry.”
I rolled my eyes and said coldly, “Get lost.”
The doors closed, and I knew he was headed to the HR department. He probably wouldn’t be around long. I didn’t want to see him again.
When I got to my office, Luther and Matthew were in a meeting. I closed the door and called Zachary.
He answered cheerfully. When I said I wanted to discuss Hall 22, he quickly started listing its advantages. I already knew most of this from the materials.
Near the end of the call, he hinted that since we were old classmates, he would talk to the higher–ups to try to get me a discount.
I thanked him sincerely. “Thanks, Zachary.”
He replied, lowering his voice slightly, “Sapphire, the discount is no problem. It’s been ages since we last met. When you come to Hilstone, I’ll take you out for a few days. How does that sound?”
If I didn’t get the hint now, I would be an idiot.
Lather’s words came true. I was slapped hard in the face right in front of him.
