Chapter <b>10 </b>
Ryder’s ending was beyond my expectations.[]
The once–morous heir had be theughingstock of our circle because of one female bestie.[]
He tried to find Wren, that “innocent and harmless” female friend who had captivated him.]
To escape debts, she’d gone far away and hooked up with some much older wealthy man.[]
She was no longer the delicate girl who used to hold a puppy.]]
He came looking for me more than once.[]
Outside mypany building, at my apartment door.[]
Like a ghost, gaunt and hollow.]
Sometimes he’d demand hysterically why I was so heartless.]
Sometimes he’d cry and repent, saying he finally saw Wren’s true colors, iming I was the only one in his heart.[]
Most often, he’d ramble drunkenly, cursing fate and everyone around him.[]
I never saw him.[]
Security would dutifully “escort” him away.
Thest time, he tried to force his way in. During the scuffle, he fell into the muddy puddle after rain, his suit filthy, struggling but unable to get up.
Through the car window, I saw his empty, desperate eyes looking this way.[]
In that moment, I felt no stirring in my heart–just the calm detachment of something that was none of my business.]
My former mother–inw had someone deliver a document-[]
An asset list of her independent holdings, and… a pregnancy test report.[]
She asked to meet me at a quiet Coffee <i>shop</i>.[]
After months apart, her well–maintained face showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, her protruding belly added a certain glow.[]
“It’s a boy.”
She got straight to the point, fingers gently stroking her belly, “Four months along.“]
I said nothing.
She smiled–a smile devoid of warmth.]
F10 Dure Friendship? <b>Then </b><b>Why’s </b><b>the </b><b>Baby </b><b>His</b>? Enjoy Your Cells, Soulmates!
<b>99.3</b>%
“Ryder is finished, and his father is… useless too.“]
She omitted describing my ex–husband’s condition, but the meaning was crystal clear.[]
The Hawthorne family needed an heir, and she wasn’t too old yet.[]
Training a new ount from scratch was far more cost–effective than trying to salvage one rotten to the core.]
She pushed the asset list toward me.]]
Her posture was humble, her meaning clear.]
Making arrangements for the unborn child in her womb.]
I looked at the figures on the list–not enormous, but enough for a baby to grow up in luxury and receive the finest education.]]
Whether he could make aeback in the future would depend on this “new ount’s” abilities and his mother’s skills.]
“You’re a smart woman.“[]
I spoke tly, not touching the list, “As long as you don’t block my path, I have no interest in making trouble for a child.”
She seemed relieved: “Thank you.“[]
Walking out of the shop, the sunlight was somewhat blinding.
I raised my hand to shield my eyes, the bracelet on my wrist reflecting cold light.]
An eight–million–dor bracelet.[]
It had bought off the “female bestie approval rights,” witnessed the Hawthorne family’s copse.
Now it had also observed my former mother–inw’s chess move for the future.[]
It hadpleted its mission.]
I went to a top–tier auction house I knew well.[]
The manager’s eyes lit up when he saw the bracelet.[]
Authentication, appraisal, consignment agreement–everything flowed smoothly.[]
“Rest assured, Ms. Sterling, this quality will definitely fetch a high price.“[]
The manager was confident.]
I smiled: “The sooner<b>, </b>the better.”
The money hit my ount quickly.]
Those digits felt much more substantial than when the bracelet was on my wrist.]
Kade burst outughing: “Damn, Jessa, that was efficient! What’s the n for the money? Investment?“[]
I leaned back in my spacious office chair.]
“Spend it,” I said, “Go somewhere.“]
“Where?”
“d, maybe.” I said casually, “I heard the Northern Lights there can wash away all the dirty things in people’s hearts.“[]
Kade paused.
His smile softened, “Good idea. Together?“]
I nced at him.]
“You’re paying.”
“Fuck!” He clutched his chest: “Typical business women!“]
The ne soared above the clouds, then was swallowed by thick cloud cover.]]
After removing that wedding ring, my wrist was finally free of the heavy.]
An unprecedented sense of lightness.]]
Across the aisle, I caught Kade looking at me with bright eyes.]
With that emotion we both recognized.[]
But-
In this lifetime, we could only maintain a pure business rtionship.]
I turned toward the clouds.
What does the future hold?]
Perhaps new coborations, new games, new storms.[]
But from this rotten marriage, I’d at least learned to keep a clear head.[]
I’d figured out what a pure business rtionship really meant.]
May we always love money and possess wealth!]
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