CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 15: IN-LAWS VISIT

"Huh? Are you going?" Leah Lane asked in surprise.

"Of course, if the right opportunity comes along, why not? Otherwise, what else would I do?" I also thought about starting from the ground up in my family’s company, but my ambitions lie elsewhere. Right now, my parents are in good health, so they don’t need me just yet. I want to relive my dreams.

Leah Lane slapped her thigh, "I’ve been wanting to say this for a while now, you were the cello goddess of University A back in the day. It’s such a waste for you to be a full-time housewife at home. Don’t worry, if there’s a classy music event or something, I’ll definitely recommend you!"

I clasped my hands in gratitude, "Alright, no need for big thanks, all the expenses tonight are on me, don’t be shy!"

After drinking, I parted ways with Crystal Dawson and the others, each heading home.

I called Lane to ask him to come over and drive. Just after I hung up, I heard a familiar voice, "Miss Hathaway?"

I turned around, and it was Joel Sutton.

"Sutton, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"Just finished a part-time job nearby, Miss Hathaway, have you been drinking?" Joel Sutton seemed to have caught a whiff of my booze-laden self.

I held my forehead and nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable as the alcohol hit me, like my brains were scattering, "Sutton, can you drive?"

Joel Sutton replied, "Yes, if you’re not up to driving, I can do it."

What a good kid, I tossed the car keys to Joel Sutton, then called Lane to tell him not to come.

"Miss Hathaway, this... is your car?" Joel Sutton saw the black Panamera and his eyes visibly flashed with surprise and envy.

No matter their age, men are always eager about cars.

I answered groggily, "Yes, my car, just navigate to Maplewood Gardens for me."

"Maplewood Gardens?" Joel Sutton was stunned again. The property prices there were notoriously high, he must have heard of it too.

"What are you staring at? I’m really dizzy." Seeing Joel Sutton seemed a bit shocked, I moved a little closer and leaned my weak body on his shoulder. This kind of seemingly inadvertent move after drinking easily creates a sense of ambiguity.

Joel Sutton regained his composure, realizing the closeness between us and quickly supported me, his face flushed, "Miss Hathaway, be careful not to fall."

Joel Sutton and Azure Vaughn seem to have similar personalities, both not easily swayed by money, remaining clear-headed even upon meeting a wealthy woman.

I pretended to smile drunkenly, "Sutton, you’re so considerate, your girlfriend must be very happy, right? Unlike me... marriage failed, all I have left is money. You see, this car is the most ordinary one in my family. If you like it, I’ll give it to you!"

Henry Preston can give cars and houses to other women, and so can I. It makes me feel extremely balanced.

"No, no, Miss Hathaway, you’ve had too much to drink. Let me just take you home," Joel Sutton quickly shook his head and then helped me into the car.

Joel Sutton drove cautiously and slowly, probably scared of accidentally scratching the car and not being able to afford the compensation.

I pretended to doze off in the passenger seat, occasionally opening my eyes to see how far we’d gone.

After a while, Joel Sutton spoke, "Miss Hathaway, we’ve arrived at Maplewood Gardens. Which building are you in?"

"Building A08." I answered with my eyes closed.

Joel Sutton entered the specific building number into the navigation and then took me to my doorstep.

After parking, I took a stack of bills from my wallet and handed it to Joel Sutton, "Take this, for your driving and a tip."

Joel Sutton was dumbfounded, then quickly returned the money to me, "Miss Hathaway, you don’t need to pay me. I was just helping out, it’s not a transaction."

"Just take it, it’ll be a hassle getting a cab this late. Just drive this car back home and we’ll contact each other tomorrow. I’ll have the driver pick it up from you." I undid my seatbelt, got out of the car, and went back without waiting to see if Joel Sutton agreed.

Once home, I woke up Laura Lawson and asked her to make some hangover tea for me.

Laura Lawson, without a hint of displeasure, hurried to the kitchen to get busy.

In two or three more days, Henry Preston would attend a business forum, bringing him closer to meeting the love of his life, and me closer to my freedom.

After a while, I heard the sound of a car engine shutting off outside and soon enough, Henry Preston appeared before me.

He glanced at me sprawled on the living room sofa, then sat down on the other side. He smelled strongly of alcohol, no better than me.

"Madam, the tea is ready." Laura Lawson placed a cup of freshly made hangover tea in front of me and respectfully greeted Henry Preston, "Mr. Preston, welcome back."

Henry Preston looked at her with an indifferent expression, not responding in any way.

I sat up and gave Henry Preston a bright smile, "You’ve been drinking too, haven’t you? Come, have this cup of hangover tea first. Auntie Lawson, please get me another one."

Laura Lawson nodded and went back to the kitchen.

"No need," Henry Preston didn’t even touch the cup.

I was a bit schadenfreude, the hangover tea was made by his future mother-in-law herself. In the future, he’ll have to put up with indifference while trying to court Azure Vaughn.

He might ignore the maid today, but he won’t be able to aim high enough for the future mother-in-law.

Laura Lawson came out with another cup of hangover tea, and I said to Henry Preston softly, "Auntie Lawson was woken up from her sleep by me to make this tea, wouldn’t you feel guilty not drinking at least a sip?"

Laura Lawson quickly replied, "Mr. Preston, Madam, it’s my duty to do this, no trouble at all."

"He lacks manners and has a terrible temper, Auntie Lawson, don’t mind him." I spoke gently, but I was actually just belittling Henry Preston in front of Laura Lawson.

Isn’t he madly in love with Azure Vaughn? I’m adding a bit of difficulty to his future pursuit.

"No, no, Madam, you’re overthinking it!" Laura Lawson seemed a bit flustered.

"Alright, Auntie Lawson, you can go rest." I waved my hand.

After Laura Lawson left, I drank half a cup of hangover tea and then went upstairs to take a shower, while Henry Preston, as usual, went to rest in the guest room.

Just as I finished my shower and came out, I found Henry Preston sitting on the main bed, still in his pajamas.

I frowned, "What are you doing in my room?"

Henry Preston had the same weary expression, "My parents are here, they’re staying in the guest room tonight."

I was shocked and puzzled. In my previous life, my in-laws longed for Preston and me to have a child, yet never supervised us at Maplewood Gardens. Why are they visiting today?

"So sudden?" I was a bit caught off guard.

"Sudden?" Henry Preston sneered, "Don’t you know what you told Ivan Underwood?"

So that’s why Henry Preston would come back tonight, to handle a late-night room check.

I swear I never expected Ivan would report and bring my in-laws over, this damned butterfly effect.

"I didn’t tell him anything, just asked him to persuade you to get a divorce." I didn’t want to take the blame, "I didn’t know he’d talk to your parents."

"How long do you plan to keep up this act?" Henry Preston was already irritated, his tone unfriendly.

I didn’t answer, just opened a drawer and took out the divorce agreement I’d drafted earlier. I’d already signed it and didn’t ask for any of Henry Preston’s assets, just a divorce.

I handed the divorce agreement to Henry Preston and began applying a face mask, "Sign it if you want to know if I’m playing hard to get."

The atmosphere instantly became tense. I could see from the vanity mirror that Henry Preston’s face was getting darker.

Just when he was about to tear up the divorce agreement, there was a knock on the bedroom door.