CHAPTER 207: CHAPTER 207: HE GOT MARRIED

"Two skewers, please."

Florence picked two skewers at random. The owner of the barbecue stall was a woman, and as she grilled, Florence stood beside her, watching intently.

The owner thought she was quite a classy young woman and smiled sheepishly, "Miss, you might want to stand back a bit, the smell is quite strong."

"It’s okay."

The owner kept grilling and kept glancing over at her. Finally, unable to resist her curiosity, she asked, "Miss, have you been here before?"

Florence was a little surprised, "Yes."

"I thought so," the owner laughed, "Back then, you weren’t alone. You had a very handsome man with you. How come you didn’t come together this time?"

Florence knew she was talking about Ethan Harper.

Knowing that Amelia Linney was sick, she had sneaked back several times, always accompanied by Ethan. When they were twenty, the two came to Southtown, and Florence took him down the paths she used to take during school and tasted the foods she used to eat.

That time, they also came in the evening and bought from this barbecue stall. For someone like Ethan Harper, a nobleman, who had never been to such a place, he didn’t show any disdain. Instead, he was eager to try the things Florence had eaten before, seriously commenting on whether they were delicious or not.

At that time, Florence also bought a few skewers from the stall. She asked for spicy ones, and when Ethan took his first bite, he was choked and started to cough, his handsome face turning red, and the owner immediately brought out a bottle of water for him.

Once Ethan had recovered, Florence stared at him, "This is the first time I’ve seen you cough like this, I must say you look quite charming."

Ethan, having caught his breath, heard her words and felt a bit helpless, "Then let me choke again for you."

"He had something to do and couldn’t come," Florence said.

"Oh, I see," the owner said, unsure if her words were true, and didn’t ask more.

In her heart, she just thought, how unfortunate it would be if such a handsome man and beautiful woman separated.

Soon, Florence took the grilled skewers and walked out.

After taking two bites, she couldn’t help but remember Ethan Harper’s face turning red from being choked, the corners of her lips involuntarily curling up, but her eyes gradually turned red.

——

After returning to SJ, Florence was busy between work and divorce proceedings.

For the second lawsuit, she submitted evidence of Luke Gardiner’s infidelity from the beginning of their marriage, as well as large financial expenditures on other women. Luke himself attended the court session, but Florence did not.

She waited in the parking lot outside the courthouse, but, just like the first time, the result was failure.

Although she could guess the outcome, the reality of it still made Florence angry.

Luke followed her lawyer over and knocked on her car window, his tone and attitude very humble, "Can we talk?"

Florence lowered the car window, looking at him displeased, "Talk about what? Talk about how powerful the Gardiner family is, that neither my lawyer nor yours can make it happen unless you agree to divorce?"

"Three months, two lawsuits," Luke said in a low voice, "If this continues, the result will be the same."

Florence really wanted to pin him down and give him a good beating.

Why just because he didn’t want a divorce did she have to be dragged along too? He liked her, so they had to be together?

But she didn’t have a bit of liking for him!

"Get out!" Florence said coldly, raising the car window.

"Ethan Harper got married!"

The window left a half-gap open, and the words floated inside.

Luke knew she was listening, "Last week, I went on a business trip to France. After finalizing a deal with the local tycoons, I learned this during dinner and a chat."

The inside of the car was very quiet.

Luke continued, "If you don’t believe it, you can check it out. It’s known in the circles over there."

Lily Hart was shocked as she listened. She turned to look at Florence on the back seat and found her remarkably calm.

"Boss..."

Although not knowing what had happened between Florence and Ethan Harper, since a few months ago when Ethan came back to find her and then left again, Florence seemed as usual during that time, but as someone who stayed by her side for a long period, Lily knew she was heartbroken.

Florence remained silent, and Lily spoke awkwardly, "Should I check it out?"

"No need," Florence flatly refused, "Drive back to the office."

As if she didn’t care at all.

But did she not care, or did she truly not mind?

After returning to the office, Chloe Quinn had something waiting for Florence to discuss. Taking advantage of the moment, Lily Hart made a call to Lily Lancaster in France.

"Mr. Harper really got married."

Lily Lancaster was woken up by the statement, "Boss... does the boss know?"

Lily Hart was stunned, in disbelief, "Really... really!"

"Yes," Lily Lancaster also knew, "Our company’s chairman attended a small banquet Mr. Harper hosted about a month ago. Not many people were there, he just invited business moguls, seemed like he deliberately wanted to keep a low profile. The bride’s identity hasn’t been disclosed, but those who went saw the wedding portrait, reportedly painted by a famous artist."

Lily Hart trembled within, "I said something was off with the boss a few months ago, turns out they really separated ... but how could he be married now?"

Lily Lancaster sighed, "Is the boss alright?"

"She doesn’t seem any different," Lily Hart replied.

Lily Lancaster worried, "That’s the biggest sign that something’s off."

Florence took on the project of launching a jewelry brand from Chloe Quinn, beginning an intense period of nonstop work.

She lived at the company, focused solely on the new jewelry launch situation, until the day of the sale’s release, she finally had some free time, but her mind was overwhelmed with the news of Ethan Harper’s marriage.

She took the project from Chloe Quinn to dull her senses, to have no spare moments, staying up late to the point of exhaustion then sleeping, and once awake, continue working. Occasionally, she allowed her mind to wander, but as to whether Ethan Harper got married, it mattered not to her anymore.

She didn’t care nor did she have a reason to care. Verifying it was unnecessary.

"Boss, our first day’s sales have broken a record and exceeded expectations." Lily Hart looked at Florence’s dazed expression, "You’ve worked hard so long, should you go home for a good rest?"

This was supposed to be exciting news for everyone, as the company achieved new heights, and the employees downstairs were already celebrating with champagne.

But Lily Hart knew she couldn’t be happy. Florence’s heart was weighed down by another matter.

"Give me the car keys, I’ll go back myself." Florence stood up gathering her things, "You go celebrate with them, I’ll go home and have a good rest, after all, I’ve been very busy lately."

"Why don’t I drive you then?" Lily Hart worriedly offered.

"It’s okay, I’ll go back myself," Florence replied.