Chapter44

Chapter44

After a pause, she added, “I can’t go back anymore.”

Ellsworth’spromise was just a fleeting impulse, but she had been severely depressed for two years. She didn’t dare try again, didn’t dare to hope or dream anymore.

Especially those times when she was driving and felt the urge to plunge into the river-she was scared.

She was afraid that if she kept going like this, she wouldn’t even be able to keep her life, afraid she wouldn’t live to see her grandfather off, afraid her grandfather would have to bury her.

For these three years, she had tried, and she had done her best.

Now, she had to save herself.

When Harriet said she couldn’t go back, Ellsworth didn’t say

anything more.

He lowered his eyes to look at Harriet, seeing how sad and

upset she was.

***

The next day, Ralph was discharged from the hospital.

Harriet also returned to work as usual.

That noon, just back from the project site, Johnathan called out

to her, “Hara.”

Closing the file in her hand, Harriet looked up and greeted him

with a smile, “Mr. Burton.”

Johnathan walked over and said cheerfully, “You haven’t had

lunch yet, have you? Let’s go find something to eat together.”

Harriet nced down at the file in her hand, but Johnathan took

it from her. “No matter how busy you are, you still have to eat.

And don’t be too good to Ells-don’t work yourself to death just

to make money for him.”

Johnathan’s words made Harrietugh.

She said, “Let me put the file back first.”

So, after putting the file back in the office, Johnathan drove

Harriet to a nearby private restaurant.

The two of them sat in a small private room. Johnathan

snapped his fingers to call the waiter, ordered a few signature

dishes, then handed the menu to Harriet so she could order as

well.

Harriet added two more dishes.

Soon, the waiter brought tea for both of them. Johnathan

poured tea for Harriet and said with a smile, “I heard from Ells

that you’re nning to resign, and you’ve even drafted a

confidentiality agreement.”

Across from him, Harriet smiled, “It’s just workce protocol.”

Johnathan handed her the tea. “Ells also said you don’t want

anything at all.”

Harriet took the tea with both hands and smiled faintly, “When

we got our marriage certificate, we didn’t involve any assets, so

the divorce isn’t thatplicated either.”

At that moment, the waiter began serving the dishes, and the

two of them paused their conversation.

It wasn’t until all the dishes were served that Johnathan

continued, “Hara, don’t be foolish. If you want to divorce Ells, I

won’t try to stop you, but don’t be stubborn about work and

alimony. Take what you deserve.”

Chapter44

Before Harriet could speak, Johnathan added earnestly, “The job market is tough these days, every industry is fiercelypetitive. Your three years at the Townsend Group basically count as a nk resume-the starting point is too high, and

outsiders won’t recognize it.”

“If you can’t bring yourself to discuss the divorce details with

Ells, I can help you talk to him.”

“Hara, remember this: only the benefits you can actually get

matter. Making life a little easier for yourself is true happiness.

Life is what matters most.”

Back in school, everyone knew Harriet had good grades.

But practical work and textbook knowledge are two different

things. Her years at the Townsend Group went smoothly

because she had the Townsend family backing her.

As the saying goes, when the wall falls, everyone pushes.

If she really divorced Ellsworth and stepped down from the vice president position, who knows how many people would kick her

when she’s down, how many woulde to step on her.

People love to watch you rise, but they also wait for your fall.

So, taking the money and continuing as vice president was the wisest choice.

Hearing Johnathan’s heartfelt advice, Harriet smiled and said, “Mr. Burton, thank you.”

Then she added, “I’ve already found a new job. As soon as I leave the Townsend Group, I can start right away.”

Johnathan’s concern moved Harriet.

But she also felt helpless-why did everyone think she couldn’t survive without Ellsworth?

When Harriet said she had already found a job, Johnathan just

looked at her.

After a moment, he asked, “Whichpany? What kind of

work?”

Harriet replied, “A techpany, in the field I studied.”

Since Harriet said she had found a job, Johnathan couldn’t persuade her further. He just smiled and said, “So you really are going head-to-head with Ells. And the divorce? Are you really

nning to leave with nothing? Three years, and you’re not

giving yourself anything?”

Chapter44

Taking a sip of tea, Harriet smiled faintly, “None of that matters

anymore. Besides, if I really tried to calcte everything with Ellsworth, he wouldn’t agree to it anyway.”