Eleanor Sutton and Joy Thatcher were lounging in a cozy café nearby when Eleanor''s phone buzzed. She nced at the screen and said to Joy, "It''s your old college buddy."


    "Hurry, answer it! Maybe there''s news about the divorce," Joy urged, her eyes lighting up.


    Eleanor picked up the call. "Hello, Attorney Jeffries."<fn6e9f> This text is hosted at </fn6e9f>


    "Miss Sutton, do you have a moment to meet?"


    "I do. Is there some progress on the divorce?" Eleanor couldn''t help asking.


    "Yes. If you''re avable, could youe by my office?"


    "Of course. I''m with Joy, we''ll head over right now."


    The two women made their way to the parking lot, and Joy drove them straight to Frazier Jeffries''w office.


    Once inside, Frazier nced at Joy. "Joy, would you mind waiting outside for a bit?"


    Joy shed an OK sign and slipped into the break room next door.


    Eleanor settled onto the office sofa, and Frazier looked at her seriously. "Miss Sutton, Mr. Goodwin is willing to pursue a standard divorce, nowsuits involved."


    Eleanor tensed at the mention ofn Goodwin. His sudden change of attitude put her on edge.


    Frazier slid a document across the table. "Mr. Goodwin has agreed to the divorce terms."


    Eleanor stared at the newly drafted settlement contract fromn. Frazier continued, "I''ve reviewed the agreement. There aren''t any issues. You''ll have full custody of your daughter. What''s more, Mr. Goodwin is transferring ownership of eight investmentpanies-currently valued at over ten billion dors-to you as part of the marital assets. In other words, once the divorce is finalized, you''ll have both custody and majority control over these businesses."


    Eleanor looked up in shock. What wasn ying at? Why would he hand over so much in the settlement-what was his angle?


    "Attorney Jeffries, if I ept these eightpanies, does that mean I''ll still be tied to him in some way?"


    "At present, all of Goodwin & Co.''s businesses are interconnected. There will be some ovep, but ultimately, it''s your decision. If you want to avoid contact with your ex-husband, you absolutely can."


    "Are there any hidden financial risks?" Eleanor pressed.


    "I''ve consulted financial experts. These eightpanies are the most stable investments under Goodwin & Co., with no current legal disputes. If you''re still concerned, I can draft a supplemental agreement. As long as Mr. Goodwin signs off, it''ll protect you from possible futureplications."


    Eleanor mulled it over. Ifn was willing to give her all this, why refuse? At the very least, it would secure her daughter''s future.


    "Miss Sutton, Mr. Goodwin has three conditions for the divorce that require your agreement," Frazier said.


    Eleanor clenched her jaw. She knew it wouldn''t be that simple.


    "What are his conditions?" she asked.


    "First, Mr. Goodwin wants visitation rights-eight times a month with your daughter. Second, you must remain unmarried for five years after the divorce-no new marriage, you must stay single. Third, you cannot sell any of the eightpanies to an outside party; if you ever decide to sell, Mr. Goodwin gets the right of first refusal."


    Eleanor''s hands curled into fists. Even after divorce, he wanted to control her future rtionships-and even what she could do with thepanies?


    "Miss Sutton, these are Mr. Goodwin''s non-negotiable terms. If you can''t agree, the divorce could drag on for another six months to a year. My advice: this is an opportunity you may want to seize."