CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: MEN JUST LIKE INNOCENT GIRLS

"Hello～"

On the other end of the line, a male voice came through, "Hello, Mr. Gallagher. I am Ms. Thompson’s lawyer. My surname is Kane."

"..." Nathaniel Gallagher furrowed his brows, feeling his heart sink.

"Here’s the situation: Ms. Thompson will not accept pre-trial mediation and still hopes you’ll appear in court this Wednesday."

"Alright, I understand."

"Okay, sorry to trouble you."

Nathaniel paused for a moment, then silently hung up the phone!

It’s Monday today.

The day after tomorrow is the court date.

If he wanted to see her, it would likely have to be in the courtroom.

Afterward, he quietly lit a cigarette, standing at the window smoking.

One after another.

Secretary Owenhart approached cautiously, "President Gallagher, the directors are still waiting for you to start the meeting."

"Got it."

Nathaniel extinguished his cigarette, calmed his emotions, and walked into the meeting room again.

He tried to focus on the meeting, but he couldn’t concentrate.

What was supposed to be a two-hour meeting.

Ended hastily in less than an hour.

After the meeting.

Nathaniel didn’t engage in small talk and left directly.

Several shareholders sensed something was off and couldn’t help gossiping, "What’s going on with President Gallagher? He seemed off today!"

A chubby shareholder with glasses nodded repeatedly, "It seems the rumors about the marital crisis are true."

"Why? Isn’t President Gallagher very affectionate with Mrs. Gallagher?"

"I don’t know. It seems there’s something on President Gallagher’s end!"

"Haven’t seen Deputy Secretary Shaw at the company these past few days. I heard she’s President Gallagher’s kept woman."

The other three were shocked, "Huh? What’s President Gallagher thinking? What does Secretary Shaw have to compete with Mrs. Gallagher? Not to mention anything else, with the Thornton Family’s hundreds of billions in assets, Mrs. Gallagher surpasses all socialites in Audenburg."

"Exactly, Secretary Shaw is so plain-looking, like a sickly beauty. How can she compare to Mrs. Gallagher’s striking and dignified, beautiful presence?"

An oily middle-aged man smirked, "You don’t understand, do you? Men go for that type, pure! Young! Sweet!"

"Didn’t you see Secretary Shaw sticking to President Gallagher every day, almost wanting to grow on him? Her coquettish voice makes your bones shiver, calling ’brother’ all day long, which man could resist? I’m sure she’s even more charming in bed, more..." Director Warren laughed slyly as he spoke.

Two female shareholders glared at him in disgust, "Director Warren, you’re so disgusting!"

"The family flag stands tall, while the colorful flag waves outside. Even if you’re tired of a full Han banquet, you might crave a simple porridge meal."

"Uh... let’s stop discussing this. If this reaches President Gallagher’s ears, we won’t be able to bear the consequences."

The gossiping shareholders couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.

...

Mooncove Bay.

Nathaniel Gallagher returned home, gazing at the empty house, feeling a sense of emptiness and loss.

Reflecting on the four-year marriage, it didn’t bring him negative feelings.

It made his heart feel peaceful.

Even a fierce and ruthless dragon has moments of exhaustion.

These four years, constrained and bound by marriage, made him consciously suppress his aura of arrogance and hostility. Facing competitors, he no longer resorted to underhanded tactics over minor disagreements.

Family made him more humane.

"Beep beep beep..."

"Hello, the number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later..."

Josephine Thompson’s phone was still unreachable.

He could only send her a few more messages on WeChat.

[Josephine, even if you want a divorce, there’s no need to avoid me. Please contact me as soon as you can, I want to discuss the divorce with you.]

[If you’ve truly made up your mind, I will respect your decision. Nonetheless, I hope you’ll consider our marriage carefully. I don’t want to lose you, and I love you very much.]

He sent a few messages every day.

Unfortunately, no matter what he sent, there was no response.

...

Wednesday.

Today is the court hearing day.

Nathaniel Gallagher got up early and took Henry Gallagher to the court.

At half-past nine.

A few cars arrived at the gate.

Josephine Thompson got out of the car, wearing sunglasses and a mask, dressed in a blue and white Chanel-inspired suit, looking sharp and stylish.

After getting out of the car.

A large group of security personnel quickly surrounded her.

Nathaniel Gallagher had been waiting for a long time. Seeing her get out of the car, he immediately wanted to approach her, "Josephine, you finally appeared. Did you know how worried I’ve been about you lately?"

"I want to talk to you privately..."

Josephine looked at him coldly, with no trace of emotion in her eyes, "Mr. Gallagher, we can discuss anything in court!"

With that, she turned and walked towards the courthouse hall.

Nathaniel felt a pang in his chest, took a few steps forward, "Josephine, do you have to make it come to this?"

Seven or eight security personnel immediately stepped in to block him, "Mr. Gallagher, please don’t approach President Thompson."

Concerned that Nathaniel might control her or that she wouldn’t be able to leave safely after the hearing, she brought an entire professional security team with her to court this time.

Nathaniel, unable to force his way closer, patted his son, signaling for him to act.

Henry Gallagher understood immediately, running after her, wailing desperately, "Mommy, Mommy, don’t you want me anymore? Let me through, I want my Mommy."

He cried and yelled, slipping past the security to hug Josephine Thompson’s leg.

"Mommy, don’t divorce Daddy, okay? I’ll be obedient from now on. I know I was wrong. Please, Mommy, don’t abandon me and Daddy, okay?"

"..." Josephine froze, looking at her son in disbelief!

In the past.

Henry was very resistant to her, not wanting to be held, not wanting to be touched, even calling her Mommy was forced!

Today, he was clinging to her, completely beyond belief.

Henry Gallagher’s tearful acting could make anyone’s heart ache.

However, he wasn’t truly afraid of losing his Mommy.

But because Daddy promised him very generous conditions, as long as he could win Mommy over, Daddy would build a big playground at home and even create a zoo for him.

For the playground and the zoo.

He happily agreed.

"Mommy, my dear Mommy, please, don’t divorce Daddy."

Seeing her son crying so pitifully.

Josephine felt intense pain in her heart, even though she suspected that Henry might not be her biological child.

Nevertheless, she carried him for nine months and risked her life to give birth to him.

Therefore, as long as he recognized her as his mother, she would always consider him her child.

"Henny, please don’t be like this. Mommy won’t abandon you. Even if Mommy and Daddy separate, we will both still love you just the same."

"Josephine, we just live separately, but it doesn’t affect our love for you! Your life won’t be affected, and my love for you won’t decrease."

"Boohoo, I don’t want to hear it, I don’t believe it, I just want Daddy and Mommy to live together." Henny continued to sob and howl.

"..." Josephine Thompson felt as if a knife was twisting in her heart, helplessly and sorrowfully watching her son.

Nathaniel Gallagher stepped forward at the right time, "Honey, let’s reconsider for Henny’s sake, so he can have a complete family. Let’s not easily break up our home!"

"I love you and our family. There’s no need to go this far over a trivial matter."

What he said was sincere, each word filled with earnestness.

Upon hearing this, Josephine looked at him with mixed feelings.

She knew, coaxing was his usual tactic.

Right now, she just wanted a speedy resolution and didn’t want to drag it out any longer.

"Nathaniel Gallagher, let’s talk in court!"

"As for Henny’s custody, if you want it, then it’s yours. If not, then I’ll raise him."

Nathaniel Gallagher furrowed his brows, looking at her with extreme helplessness, "Josephine, is it truly over such a tiny insignificant matter? Do we really have to go this far?"

Josephine looked at him coldly, "It might seem trivial to you because you’re not the one hurt."

"For me, it’s like there’s manure in the bowl, and I can’t stomach it."

Upon hearing this, Nathaniel felt even more frustrated, "I’ve told you a million times, I really only see Vivian as a sister."

"You don’t need to explain anymore, and I don’t want to listen either, let’s talk in court." Josephine said coldly, before pulling Henny away and turning towards the court.

Nathaniel, feeling helpless, could only follow her inside.

...

Sometime later.

The courtroom session began, and both lawyers started their debates.

Nathaniel Gallagher resolutely expressed in court, "I do not agree to a divorce."

His lawyer defended assertively, "My client, Mr. Gallagher, believes that the couple’s relationship is solid, and the misunderstandings and friction are minor, insufficient to lead to a marriage breakdown!"

Josephine Thompson’s lawyer, Matthew Kane, slowly took out a stack of photos.

The projection screen showed Nathaniel Gallagher and Vivian Shaw at a private club late at night.

Under the spotlight, the man’s hand gently supported the woman’s back, their posture intimately piercing to the heart.

Even the judge couldn’t help but adjust his glasses.

"Ms. Thompson has provided multiple photos of Mr. Gallagher dating other women, as well as giving gifts with special meanings. It can be concluded that the defendant has improper relations with other women."

"Additionally, the defendant has a history of domestic violence, causing bodily harm to Ms. Thompson..."

Nathaniel Gallagher’s lawyer also began defending, "Objection, these claims are false."

"Mr. Gallagher has not engaged in infidelity, and the evidence presented is just normal human interactions. Regarding the claims of domestic violence, it’s merely a reaction in a moment of emotional excitement, with minor incidents. Mr. Gallagher has apologized and made amends, and has not caused any substantial harm..."

After more than half an hour of debate.

Because Nathaniel Gallagher firmly disagreed with the divorce.

The judge ultimately rejected Josephine Thompson’s divorce request.

Regarding this outcome.

Josephine was unsurprised; her lawyer had already informed her beforehand, and she was prepared.

She then submitted a request for separation, as well as an appeal.

Once both parties formally separate.

No matter how he tries to drag it out, within two years, the divorce will be forcibly judged.

After the court adjourned.

Josephine walked out of the courtroom.

The midsummer sunlight stung her eyes.

She put on sunglasses and a mask, glancing at the watch on her wrist; there were two and a half hours until the flight.

She needed to rush to the airport now and return to the training base by afternoon.

Nathaniel chased after her, "Josephine, wait..."

Security staff immediately stepped in, "Mr. Gallagher, please stay away."

Henny squeezed through the gaps in the crowd, his little face still stained with unclean tears: "Mommy, Uncle Judge said there’s no need to divorce! Just come home with Daddy and me; we need you."

He reached out for her to hold him.

Josephine hesitated for a few seconds but decisively walked towards the car.

"Mommy, Mommy..."

At the entrance of the parking lot.

A large number of gossip journalists had already gathered.

Despite their divorce case being low-key and confidential, news still leaked.

Sighting Josephine, reporters rushed over eagerly, "Mrs. Gallagher, are you in court for a divorce case today with President Gallagher?"

"Some say there is a change in your marriage with President Gallagher; is this true?"

"Mrs. Gallagher, may I ask why you are divorcing President Gallagher? Is it due to infidelity?"

Security personnel quickly formed a human wall to prevent the reporters from getting closer, "Do not approach."

"Mrs. Gallagher, please say a few words..."

Josephine felt a tightness in her chest, and after a few seconds of contemplation.

She decided to take hold of one of the reporter’s microphones: "Mr. Gallagher and I are indeed undergoing a divorce case."

"However, it’s not as rumored, due to infidelity or other false statements. Mr. Gallagher is a very good person; we simply have incompatible personalities, hence are not suitable for living together. I hope everyone stops making wild guesses, thank you for your understanding."

After speaking, she returned the microphone and, under the protection of security staff, got into the car.

"To the airport."

"Alright."

"Do not approach the car."

The car slowly drove out of the crowd, heading towards the airport.

Josephine leaned back in the car seat, slowly removing her mask and sunglasses.

Her heart suddenly became calm again.

This time, in filing for divorce, she didn’t ask for any alimony or compensation, nor did she compete for custody of the child.

Everything Nathaniel Gallagher had given her, she returned without exception.

No defamation, no entanglement, no contention, no debt, quick and decisive.

This was her final dignity.

Love without reservation. When exiting, no dragging or lingering.

This was her principle.

"Miss, we’re at the airport."

"Alright."

After disembarking, she made a phone call to her grandfather.

"Beep beep beep..."

The call was quickly connected, "Hello, Josephine, did the case go smoothly?"

"Hello, Grandpa, the first trial didn’t result in a divorce. I’ve already filed an appeal and formally requested a separation."

"Then how are you feeling now?" The old man sounded a bit worried.

He worried she was pretending to be strong.

After all, how could one not be saddened by such a major event as a divorce?

"Grandpa, I’m fine, I’ve already arrived at the airport. I still have to rush back to the training base this afternoon, and the exhibition will start in a week, I must give it my all now."

"Hmm, hmm, then take care of yourself, and don’t put too much pressure on yourself."

Josephine nodded, "I know. Grandpa, you take care too. Don’t worry about me; I’ll look after myself."