CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: THREE DIVORCE AGREEMENTS

Joel Sutton looked at me with a complicated expression, and finally nodded, "Thanks, Miss Hathaway."

I believe Azure Vaughn’s departure taught him some things as well. If there were an easier path in life, why would one insist on taking the muddy road?

"Miss Hathaway, I’ll be leaving now." After sitting for a while, Joel Sutton got up with the chubby orange tabby in his arms to say goodbye, "Goodbye."

"Okay, let me see you out," I stood up with him.

Joel Sutton shook his head repeatedly, "No need, I’ll just catch a cab outside. It’s too cold out, and the roads are too slippery for driving. You better stay indoors."

I didn’t insist. After watching Joel Sutton leave, I hugged Bonnie and kissed it several times, then took it upstairs to play the piano.

Bonnie is much more well-behaved than Henry Preston, listening quietly to my piano playing and never protesting that I’m too noisy.

Outside, the snow was getting heavier. After playing a few pieces, I took Bonnie to the windowsill to watch the snow. As night fell, the lights in the manor emitted a faint glow, reflecting coldly on the snowy ground.

Suddenly, a servant appeared below, hurriedly running to open the large iron gate. Henry Preston’s car appeared outside. He got out, slamming the car door irritably, and strode towards the house.

I widened my eyes, the words "You damn well wait for me" from Henry Preston resounded in my mind like thunder.

Did he really come all this way back to settle scores with me? I felt a pang of anxiety. In the past, I longed for him to come home and argue with me, counting my efforts and trying to awaken his guilt to keep him by my side.

But now I’m not good at getting into explosive fights with him, at most a tussle of a few words.

"Where is Zoe?" Just as I stepped out of the music room, I heard Henry Preston’s voice rising from below. I peeked out from the corridor to look down, just in time to catch Henry Preston looking up at me.

So I quickly went downstairs, rushing towards the master bedroom on the second floor, with Henry Preston swiftly ascending to corner me.

Being tall with long legs, he caught up in just a few strides. As I opened the door, he had already grabbed my hand.

"Why are you back?" I had to feign calmness as I asked.

"Did I interrupt your little scheme?" Henry Preston’s foul mood was visible, and his usually cold eyes now held a smoldering anger.

Not wanting the servants to overhear our argument, I lowered my voice, "Let’s talk in the room."

Henry Preston pushed the door open and dragged me inside.

After steadying myself, I sat by the bed, twisted my hand which he’d pulled painfully, and looked up at him.

He paced in front of me, stopping eventually to ask, "Zoe, what exactly do you want?"

"Isn’t that a question I should be asking you?" I became angry too, "What do you want? There’s nothing between Joel Sutton and me, we’re just friends, but you’re clearly pursuing Azure Vaughn. Don’t you think you’re the one who needs to explain yourself?"

"From the first day you met me, you knew there would be no shortage of women around me. Didn’t you consider this when you married me?" Henry Preston looked at me with a dark expression.

"So, was I born to be your pet?" I laughed bitterly, standing up to meet his gaze, "I’ve told you, I no longer want to be a lapdog. You pursue your Azure, and I’ll make my friends. Is there a problem?"

Saying this, I took several documents from the drawer, spread them one by one in front of Henry Preston, and calmly said, "Here are three divorce agreements: one in which I leave with nothing, one in which you give me 3% of The Preston Group’s shares, and one with 8%. See which one suits you, and sign it."

There probably isn’t another wife in the world as considerate as me, preparing three different divorce options for him to choose from.

Unfortunately, Henry Preston didn’t appreciate my thoughtfulness. Instead, he grew even angrier. He shredded all three divorce agreements before tossing them into the trash bin, then threw his coat onto the bed, and went to the window to smoke without a word.

"Our issues should have been resolved long ago—why drag it out until now?" I sighed softly, looking at his back and continued, "I’ve mentioned divorce several times; if you’d agree, we’d both be relieved."

He still said nothing, just smoked one cigarette after another. His silent figure struck me as slightly sad.

Crystal Dawson doesn’t wish to marry, Leah Lane found a financially stable guy, Tiana O’Connell is all about her career. They all understand that in our circle, marriage is synonymous with business arrangements.

Is it possible for a wealthy man not to fool around? Hardly. Even if he were naturally impotent, he’d still find ways to play.

It’s unlikely for a man like Henry Preston to remain faithful. When I was getting married, my mother asked if I’d regret it. Back then, filled with dreams of love, I certainly wasn’t.

My dad has stayed with my mom for nearly thirty years; why couldn’t I move Henry Preston to grow old with me?

"Tomorrow is my mom’s birthday. Come with me." After a long pause, Henry Preston didn’t answer my questions but mentioned another matter.

I knew he still refused to divorce, certainly not out of love, but after weighing the pros and cons, feeling Azure Vaughn isn’t worth sacrificing the marriage alliance just yet.

"Alright," I nodded. By now, Henry Preston had controlled his temper significantly. If I kept arguing, I might provoke a storm. I decided to just go along with it; if he wasn’t in a hurry for divorce, neither was I.

Anytime he came to trouble me, I’d bring up divorce—a strategy that worked well.

Henry Preston went to the bathroom to shower. I sighed in relief, changed into pajamas, and lay on the bed playing with my phone. An hour ago, Azure Vaughn posted an update, a selfie while rehearsing, but her expression seemed dim.

Maybe it’s because Henry Preston came back, so she’s not in a good mood. Just as I was about to scroll down, she suddenly sent me a message: Miss Hathaway, has Mr. Preston arrived home?

I was very surprised she was discussing Henry Preston with me?

I replied: He’s home, taking a shower.

There was silence for a few minutes before another response: That’s good. He’s such a good man, saying he had to come back for his mother’s birthday tomorrow.

I wondered what role Azure Vaughn considered herself to be in for discussing these topics with me. She hadn’t even clarified her relationship with Henry Preston but was talking about these private matters.

Thinking for a minute, I figured Azure Vaughn probably assumed I already knew everything, finding no need for a typical confrontation between the wife and the other woman.

I quickly typed back: Yes, he is a filial man.

Azure Vaughn: Miss Hathaway is quite charming; I heard you and Joel Sutton went to the pet store today?

How did she know? Did she see the short video I sent to Ivan Underwood, when not only was Henry Preston there, but Azure Vaughn too? Why didn’t he tell me?

Just as I was unsure of how to reply, Azure Vaughn delivered a shocking news: I suspected Joel Sutton had special feelings for Miss Hathaway before, so I broke up with him. Now I think my decision was right.