âWellâ¦â
Gerda glanced at Rebecca, then quickly looked at Adrian to gauge his reaction. Since Rebeccaâs funds came from Adrian, the decision rested with him. When Adrian remained silent, Gerda decided to speak up. âMiss Lloyd has been a loyal customer of our shop for the past four years. Her purchases have totaled close to a million.â
Katherine laughed at this and mocked Adrian. âWow, Adrian, youâre quite generous. Funding her beauty treatments and skincare? Youâve made it way too easy for her to spend your money!â Her words were a jest directed at Adrian.
Rebecca, caught off guard, clung to Adrianâs sleeve. He, however, pulled away with a look of cold indifference. The thought of a girl from a modest background spending a million on skincare was hard to believe. Adrian chose not to question Rebecca about her spending. He had given her much more over the years, so he saw no issue with her indulgences. Joelle nodded and looked at Adrian calmly.
âSince youâve given the money willingly, it isnât my place to ask for it back. However, as your wife, itâs concerning to see you continuously fund another woman.â Adrian was unmoved. âWhat do you propose?â
Joelle smoothed her hair back. âMiller Group supports various charitable causes annually, and Rebecca is certainly eligible. The funds you spend on her and her brother should strictly cover her medical and basic living needs. Shopping trips like today, however, should be excluded going forward.â
She aimed to use her position as the legal spouse to suppress Rebeccaâs influence completely. Adrian responded flatly, âIs that everything?â
Joelle advanced, her tone confrontational. âI want you to cease all financial support for her. If thatâs not possible, we should consider divorce.â
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The argument had lasted long enough, and Adrian was ready to conclude it. âFine.â
Rebecca gasped, her shock manifesting as a faint, her eyes rolling back as she collapsed. Adrian promptly scooped her up and carried her away from the prying eyes. Joelleâs smile vanished slowly. She hadnât been defeated, yet she hadnât triumphed either.
Gerda offered a flattering smile. âMadam, about the skincare set you were interested in purchasing?â Joelleâs smile returned. âOf course. I always keep my promises.â
Gerda eagerly fetched a bag, praising the product profusely. Joelle maintained her smile but remained silent. Once they had departed, Joelle turned to Katherine. âGo ahead and call Bobby now.â
Gerda smiled as she saw them off, but her phone soon rang. It was her manager. âYou donât need to come in tomorrow.â Shocked, Gerda inquired, âWhy?â She had always performed well in sales.
âBecause youâve offended someone you shouldnât have.â Immediately, Gerda thought of Joelle. She never envisioned that the skincare set she had just sold to Joelle would be her final sale.
Bobby was in the country, prompting the trio to arrange a dinner meeting that evening. Joelle arrived home somewhat late, yet Adrian returned even later. Upon her arrival, Leah informed her that Adrian had not yet come back. He was probably still at the hospital with Rebecca. With no particular concern in her voice, Joelle called Adrian.
âAdrian, I was serious about what I said today.â She strictly forbade Adrian from spending any more money on Rebecca, at least not in a way that could be observed. She doubted Adrian could adhere to this, and frankly, Joelle didnât mind. If he couldnât sever his financial ties to another woman, a divorce seemed justified.
âOkay, I understand.â Adrianâs calm acceptance surprised Joelle. She had not expected him to agree so easily. Yet, she realized that even if Adrian were to continue supporting Rebecca discreetly, she wouldnât know. Joelle had hoped to provoke a significant argument to hasten a divorce, but now she found herself unable to initiate an overt dispute. She felt ineffective, like swinging at air.
âWhere are you? Why havenât you come home yet?â Adrian replied patiently, âIâll be home in ten minutes. If you canât wait, go ahead and sleep.â
âI wasnât waiting for you,â Joelle responded, her tone icy. Adrian chuckled, seemingly in a light mood as he teased while driving, âMichael mentioned that women often say one thing but mean another.â
Joelle settled onto the sofa. âI had been waiting for you in this house for three years. Did it change anything? Adrian, I wonât wait for you anymore.â
She took a moment, her voice steady. âAdrian, I donât want to continue this way. Shall we talk about getting a divorce?â
At that instant, a harrowing screech erupted from Adrianâs side.
Bang!
Joelle, jolted by the noise, sprang from the sofa. âAdrian! Adrian?â
âIâm alright,â Adrian responded, his voice tense as he inspected the damaged dashboard. âIt was just a minor accident.â
A minor accident? The intensity of the noise suggested otherwise. Filled with apprehension, Joelle grabbed her phone and hurried out the door.
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