Chapter 33
Beyond the Divorce
Surprise, Surprise The timing was uncanny as Johnson slowly entered. Immediately after, he exclaimed, âWhere is everyone?! Where the hell did they-â
Before he could finish, he became wideâeyed and froze when he saw me sitting on the couch. I smiled and tipped my head at him. âMr. Hyger.â
It took him a while to close his mouth, and he stammered, âMâMrs. Murphy!â
âAre you surprised to see me?â I continued smiling at him. âCome and sit down. Donât worry. Iâve already sent the workers away.â
âUh⦠I need to call the foreman to calculate the work hours first,â Johnson excused himself and rushed out.
âJohnson, calling the foreman isnât that urgent, is it?â I was calm, but my icy tone echoed throughout the spacious room, Johnson halted, then turned around in panic and confusion. His lips twitched, and his face paled.
âI thought you might want to listen to what I have to say,â I observed the beads of sweat forming on Johnsonâs forehead. âDo my words carry no weight to you anymore, John?â
My words dripped with sarcasm. Back then, Johnson used to rush toward me, calling out âChloâ from a distance.
He wiped his face. His expression was pale and heavy as he approached the couch hesitantly.
âCâChlo! How can that be? Youâve always been like a sister to me. Without you, the Johnson of today wouldnât have existed!â He chuckled awkwardly.
I nodded, gesturing for him to take a seat.
âI think Iâll stand, Chlo. I didnât expect you to come! Haha!â Johnson tried to hide his unease.
âIs that so?â I looked at him provocatively, saying, âShouldnât I have shown up here?â
I raised an eyebrow and looked around the room, pretending to admire it, âLovely house. Itâs just what I like.â
Johnsonâs eyes narrowed slightly, and he clenched his fists. âYâYes, itâs good that you like it.â
âToo bad it isnât for me, right?â I focused on him again. âSo, you need to tell me who Mr. Murphy prepared this for.â
Johnson cleared his throat. âWâWhat are you talking about, Sis? Mr. Murphy did this for you, of course!â
âIs that so?â I replied, pretending to be appreciative. âMatthewâs always full of surprises. Always doing things for me.â
I chuckled as the words left my mouth. I even blushed.
âOf course. You two have been quite the team.â My words were sharp and witty.
Johnsonâs lip twitched as he forced a smile. âAs we should be. Oh, I mean, itâs not like that. IâI didnât mean it that way.
*Johnson, youâve been at Tanum Corporation for a few years. Things have changed, havenât they? |
remember when we used to roam the streets, eating buns and pickles by the roadside. Thinking back, itâs quite different from now.â
I thoughtfully continued, âBut I must admit Iâm ashamed. Matthew knows how to play the game and treats you well, right? Hidden bonuses and all. Thatâs how he gains peopleâs loyalty.â
âSis, you shouldnât say that. Iâ¦. Johnson wiped the sweat from his forehead.
âOh, I havenât seen your wife in a while. Howâs she doing? I should visit her sometime!â I casually changed the topic, âThey say pregnancy clouds the mind for three years. Avaâs already four, and Iâm still clueless.
huh? Many people around me have moved on. I guess thatâs my fault.â
âMy wifeâs doing great. Sheâs pregnant.â Johnson wiped his sweaty face again, flashing a sheepish grin, Thanks for your concern.â 1 âOh, sheâs pregnant? Thatâs wonderful news! It must be exciting since youâll be a dad soon,â I feigned excitement, âHow far along is she?â
âSix months. Haha,â Johnson laughed nervously.
âGreat!â I nodded. âWell, you better treasure it.â
My tone carried a suggestive playfulness, the hidden meaning clear in my words. My Intense gaze shook Johnson as he stammered, âCâChlo, Iâ¦â
I redirected my gaze and asked, âWhoâs the new woman in Matthewâs life?â
The sudden question caught Johnson off guard, and he stood up from the couch. âChlo, I donât know!â
âYou⦠donât⦠know?â I emphasized each word, my expression growing colder.