CHAPTER 199: CHAPTER 199: DO I LOOK LIKE SUCH A FAILURE IN YOUR EYES?

The smooth porcelain counter was lightly tapped twice, and the receptionist looked up to see a delicate and gentle face. The voice was amicable: "Hello, I need to see your President Gardiner."

The receptionist was startled. The woman in front of her was elegantly and nobly dressed, with a seemingly gentle demeanor but an invisible aura of authority. She nodded: "Do you have an appointment?"

"No."

"Then what is your name?"

"Florence Fuller."

The receptionist was shocked and quickly said, "Mrs. Gardiner, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was you; I’ll contact President Gardiner for you right away."

She hurriedly reached for the phone, but in her flustered state, knocked over a cup, spilling water all over the table. She glanced nervously at Florence, who didn’t seem to blame her and spoke gently: "No need to contact him, I’ll go up myself. Please swipe the door for me."

The young woman nodded repeatedly and took out a card to lead her over.

Florence had come alone. The receptionist escorted her into the elevator and pressed the floor button. Florence gave her a slight smile and said thank you.

The elevator doors closed, and the receptionist breathed a sigh of relief.

This Mrs. Gardiner, she looked both beautiful and gentle.

Florence arrived directly at the top floor. As she exited the elevator and headed toward Luke Gardiner’s office, a group of senior staff stood at the entrance.

They stood upright and formal.

Seeing this unexpected woman appear, they were slightly puzzled, with some feeling she looked familiar.

What’s going on today? Two women have arrived one after another, and President Gardiner is in a fit of anger. The first group who got scolded hasn’t even come out yet, and they are the second group waiting to be reprimanded.

Florence wasn’t concerned whether Luke Gardiner was busy or not. For a week, she had amused his summoned lawyer like a dog. She had to come in person.

"Excuse me." She said calmly.

The group exchanged looks and made way, but someone attempted to dissuade her: "If you’re planning to go in, I would advise against it. The company lost a significant project, and President Gardiner is very angry. Better not go in."

Florence replied with a simple "Hmm" and pressed down the door handle without knocking.

Inside, the sound of angry rebuke could be heard.

"Is the large sum the company pays you feeding a pack of dogs? Are you so bored lying in the office every day?"

"Just a minor mistake has led to such a huge loss!"

"What’s the point of explaining! Can explanations recover the project?"

"All of you, those who need to get out, get out right now, don’t..."

Inside the office, Luke Gardiner was infuriated, and the group getting scolded shrank their necks, not daring to speak, their expressions full of sorrow, heavily oppressed.

Another sound caught attention, and Luke Gardiner turned to see Florence appear, his cold and angry face showing slight surprise. He softened his tone: "Why are you here?"

Florence opened the door and looked at the people being scolded, as timid as quails: "You can leave first."

Luke Gardiner seemed to understand why she had come: "I’m busy working right now."

"Busy for a week, don’t you have any time at all?" Florence’s expression wasn’t pleasant: "If you want to make a big fuss, I don’t mind; after all, the only one who will look bad is you."

She didn’t seem afraid of Luke Gardiner, attracting curious looks from the scolded ones towards Florence. Without President Gardiner’s signal, they dared not leave.

Luke Gardiner’s face turned stiff with anger, and he told them: "Leave!"

The group nodded and hurriedly walked out.

Edward Johnson, who was standing on the side, also planned to leave, but Florence called to him: "Go and bring Luke Gardiner’s lawyer."

Luke Gardiner’s expression changed dramatically: "Florence!"

"What." Florence looked at him: "Didn’t you say you wanted to consult with your lawyer? So many days, a week now. My lawyer came so many times and waited so many times, and you keep saying you don’t have time. What, but you have time to meet a lover?"

He was stunned: "You... how do you know so much." Realizing, he said, "You had someone follow me."

Florence looked at him: "I came today; I have to get a divorce!"

Luke Gardiner gritted his teeth but explained first: "Nothing happened between her and me. I didn’t even touch her, I..."

Florence raised her hand to interrupt him: "I’m not interested in hearing that." She turned to Edward Johnson: "Contact his lawyer."

Edward Johnson looked at Luke Gardiner with difficulty; after all, he was Luke Gardiner’s assistant.

"Just leave." Luke Gardiner said.

Edward Johnson nodded and quickly walked out.

"Let’s have a good talk." Luke Gardiner calmed his tone, pleading: "Okay?"

"There’s nothing to talk about." Florence said coldly: "If you’re willing to sign the divorce agreement, I might consider it."

"Are you really so harsh on me?" Luke Gardiner walked towards her, looking deeply at the woman in front of him: "Does that guy named Ji really mean so much to you? To be with him, you’re pushing me to the brink of divorce."

Florence didn’t feel like clarifying further: "Luke Gardiner, if you don’t sign, we’ll have to go to court. Your infidelity is more than enough for me to make a big issue out of."

"Do you not care about grandfather’s health?" Luke Gardiner asked in disbelief.

"I’ve already considered it, but I don’t need to accompany you in this act any longer." Florence replied.

Luke Gardiner grit his teeth: "Florence, how can you be so heartless, am I that insignificant to you? I desperately want to save and be with you. I promised you, why won’t you even give me a glimmer of hope and a chance? Is that guy named Ji so great, yet he abandoned you for three years."

Florence looked at him coldly.

Luke Gardiner reached out and grabbed her arm, his voice low and hopeful: "Just pity me, give me a chance. I can promise you’ll be the only one from now on, I can revolve my life around you... I won’t mind your relationship with him. Just don’t get divorced, we’ll be together, I’m willing to endure his presence."

This statement put him in the most humble position.

If it could keep Florence, he was willing.

Florence sighed softly.

She was silent for a moment and then spoke more calmly, trying to reason with him: "Luke Gardiner, what you feel for me now may not be genuine affection. Would you like someone who dislikes you? And think, what about me is worth your affection? I’ve never done anything for you, you’re not..."

"See." Luke Gardiner cut her off: "You’re denying even the idea that I like you. Do you see me as such a failure?"