Chapter 92
At 8:30 AM, Doris arrived at Cornton Heights City Hall.
The weather wasn’t great–light drizzles fell from the sky.
At exactly 9:00 AM, a black Magotan pulled up beside her.
The driver’s side window rolled down slowly, revealing Lewis‘ sharp brow line and well–defined nose in profile.
“Get in.” Lewis ordered coolly.
Doris was confused, thinking. Aren’t we here to finalize our divorce? What does it mean for him to ask me to get in? Is he not going through with it?”
“Mr. Hartman, we agreed to finalize the divorce today,” Doris reminded him of the purpose of their meeting.
“Did I agree to it?” Lewis lifted his gaze and looked at her.
Doris thought, ‘If you didn’t agree, why did you even come?‘
Lewis had already stepped out of the car and walked up to her.
Doris looked at him. “Mr. Hartman, maybe we should discuss the divorce terms again.”
“Discuss what?” He raised an eyebrow.
“What do I have to do for you to agree to the divorce?” Doris asked directly.
“Are you really in such a hurry to divorce me?” Lew
stared straight ahead.
“We’re going to divorce in a year anyway. I’m just moving up the timeline,” Doris reasoned.
“You said you have someone you like. Is it the person
who
gave you that necklace?” Lewis‘ voice was calm.
Doris glanced at him sideways. Instead of explaining, s
and she loves me too.”
Lewis‘ lips curved into an obvious smile. “Understood.”
went along with the misunderstanding. “Yes. I like her very much,
Doris felt a bit lost in his response. She thought, ‘What did he mean by that word? So if I said I liked someone else, would he agree to the divorce?‘
“Since we’ve made everything clear, shouldn’t we go to City Hall and finalize the divorce?” asked Doris.
“I won’t divorce you.” Lewis‘ words extinguished Doris‘ hopes.
“Why?” Doris couldn’t understand.
She thought, ‘I already have someone in my heart, yet he still refuses to let go?‘
“We agreed on a year, so it’ll be a year. Doris, one must honor their contracts,” Lewis added generously. “I don’t mind that you like the person who gave you that necklace.”
Doris opened her mouth in shock but found herself speechless.
Just then, Doris‘ phone rang. She picked it up and saw that it was Laura calling.
1/3
Chapter 9g
Doris, where are you?” Laura’s voice carried urgency
Laura, what’s wrong? Doris thought something had happened.
Tm asking where you are and what you’re doing” Laura’s tone was serious and indemn
Doris pressed her lips together. She didn’t want to lie to Laura, In the ale didn’t want to tell the truth. Just handling something”
Laura asked bluntly. “Are you at City Hall? Are you divorcing Lewis?”
Doris, realizing Laura had figured it out, didn’t bother hiding it. “Laura, how did you know?
Laura said, “Doris, when I was at the hospital, I overheard Dad telling Mom that you had already made up your mind to finalize the divorce with Lewis. That way, Ryan wouldn’t have to repay the one million dollars, and Rupert could return to Watson Group”
Laura added, “Doris, you can’t fall for Dad and Ryan’s scheme and foolishly give up someone who actually cares about you. No matter what you’re thinking. I don’t agree with your divorce
Doris could feel Laura’s strong emotions.
“I made the mistake of listening to our father before. My marriage turned out miserable, but I won’t let you make the same mistake,” Laura smiled bitterly, “All I want is for you to be happy.
“Doris, I’m at Mom and Dad’s house. Come over now–there’s something you must know before you decide if this is worth it.” Laura then ended the call.
Doris held her phone, lifting her gaze to Lewis, who stood tall and elegant. Her emotions were complicated.
“Mr. Hartman, my sister needs me for something. I have to go.”
Lewis asked, “Where? I’ll take you.”
“No need. I’ll just get a cab,” Doris declined his offer.
Lewis reached out, grabbed her wrist, and with his other hand, opened the car door, pushing her inside.
He walked around the front of the car and got in swiftly. “Seatbelt.”
Doris pulled the seatbelt over and buckled it. “Then I’ll trouble you–take me home. Maplewood Estates, you know the place?”
Lewis had dropped Jimmy off there before, so he remembered the way.
Lewis drove Doris to the Reed family’s residence and parked downstairs. “Go ahead. I’ll wait here. Call me if you need anything.”
“No need. If you’re busy, go ahead with your work. I don’t know how long I’ll be.” Doris didn’t want to inconvenience Lewis, but she realized she had already troubled him a lot.
Lewis ignored her words and simply stared at her, his gaze intense and commanding.
Doris pressed her lips together before turning and entering the building.
She went upstairs, and Laura opened the door for her. “Laura, what is it? Why are you in such a hurry?”
“Are you alone?” Laura glanced behind her.
2/3
1097 TIM, N MH!
Chapter 2
He’s downstairs Dons answered homely
Laura pulled her in the living mom and cat hes down the threw me in froke of bone sex for yourself
Boris picked them up in confusion and opened them
One was a critical illness insurance policy, and the other was an acridend death inhum pedicy–th with high conerige
“Laura, where did you find these? Dons‘ heartbeat quickened, mixed with panic.
“I was doing laundry for Mom and decided to wash Dad’s clothes as well. While looking for some of Morris personal items to bring to her, I stumbled upon these Laura hadn’t expected to find them either
Laura added, “As their daughter, I shouldn’t think so poorly of our parents, but these documents explain why Mom kepe refusing surgery. With these insurance policies, the surgery won’t come truch, so it is never a money
“Even if there is no insurance, Dad has enough savings to cover Monis surgery with ease.
“Then Mom had that car accident. If she had died from being hit, the driver would have had to pay compensation, and the insurance payout would have been a sizable sum as well. That money could have been used to pay off Ryan’s debts.
“But since Mom didn’t die, they conspired to use her life as leverage to force you into divorcing Lewis. Once you get divorced, Ryan won’t hold you accountable for the debt, and Rupert can return to work.
“Without Lewis protecting you, who knows what Ryan might do to you in the future? Doris, your kindness’s been used by them to manipulate you, I also hope Mom will get better, but not at the cost of sacrificing your marriage. That scheme shouldn’t come from parents,”
Laura’s speculation made sense to Doris, but Doris was reluctant to acknowledge such an underhanded possibility.
Laura said, “I can’t do much to help you, but you need to know the truth. If you still choose to get divorced after knowing all this, I won’t stop you. I just hope you never regret this decision.”
