Chapter 109
Alexander had just finished a video conference when his phone rang.
He swiped to answer, and Natalie’s cold voice came through the line. “I don’t need any of this. Please, tell them to leave p>
Her friend lived in a normal apartment building. Having these people coming and going every day would surely cause trouble for Arianna.
“Arianna Mitchell doesn’t cook, and you get off work late. Who’s supposed to make dinner for whom? My wife is staying at someone else’s house; I should at least show some courtesy. Or, you could just come home early.” Alexander’s voice was calm as he leaned back in his chair, fiddling with a pen.
Natalie was silent for a moment. “You’re forcing my hand p>
He had promised not to bother her, but everything he was doing screamed that this would all stop the moment she agreed to go home. Get full chapters from ͟.net
“It’s a common courtesy, Natalie. I am trying to apologize for what I did. I can tolerate you being upset with me, but I just hope there’s a time limit.” After all, he wasn’t entirely to blame. He was willing to turn a blind eye to her affair with Eugene; he had no intention of pursuing it further. He could let go of something that damaged his pride as a man, so why was she still holding onto this?
“You think I’m just throwing a tantrum?” Natalie glanced at the cartoon desk
calendar. There were still ten days left until the one-month deadline they had agreed upon.
“Just know when to stop. We can have a good life together, like a fresh start,” Alexander said.
Natalie laughed humorlessly. “A fresh start just because you say so? Alexander, there are ten days left p>
There was no fresh start for them. The loss of their child was a pain she could never
erase.
Alexander frowned, knowing exactly what she meant by ten days.
“I’ve already moved past my grievances, and you’re still insisting on this? Natalie, don’t you have a conscience p>
Natalie took a deep breath. “I don’t want to fight with you. In ten days, I’ll see you at the courthouse to honor your promise. I know you’re not the type to go back on your word p>
With that, she ended the call, her hand gripping the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her body felt limp, and she leaned against a nearby dresser for support before slowly sinking to the floor, wrapping her arms around herself.
“Natalie, are you okay p>
Arianna had guessed she was calling Alexander. When Natalie didn’t come out of the bedroom for a long time, she grew worried and went to check, finding her friend huddled on the floor with her head buried in her arms.
She rushed over. “Did that jerk say something to you again? I’m going to call him and give him a piece of my mind p>
Arianna pulled out her phone, ready to dial.
Natalie stopped her, shaking her head. “No, I was just reminding him not to forget our divorce date. And don’t worry, the people outside. shoul be gone in a day or two. They won’t disturb your life anymore. Since she had brought up the
divorce with Alexander, he would
probably recall his staff.
Arianna gently wiped the tears from Natalie’s red-rimmed eyes. “It’s no disturbance.
Besides, having someone cook and clean for us is actually kind of nice p>
Aaron Lee entered the president’s office to report on the staff sent to Arianna’s apartment.
“The two chefs are from Michelin-star restaurants, and the housekeeper is top-rated.
I’ve already informed them of Mrs. Ramirez’s preferences p>
After his report, an unnerving silence filled the office. Aaron risked a glance at Alexander and saw that his face was dark, like a sky heavy with storm clouds. He had been in a perfectly fine mood earlier. What had happened in the short time Aaron was away to make him change so drastically? It wasn’t hard to guess who was responsible for his boss’s volatile moods.
“Mr. Ramirez, it’s getting late. Shall I drive you home?” Given his boss’s foul temper, Aaron doubted he’d be spending the night parked outside Mrs. Ramirez’s building.
After a long pause, Alexander tossed his pen onto the desk. “Go to Sagebrush Community p>
The next morning, Natalie returned from the appraisal department to find Ava Thompson waiting for her. Ava told her that Eric Bailey was in the conference room.
She hurried over. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Eric stated his reason for the visit. He produced a wooden box, opened it, and took out a pocket watch.
“My grandfather would like your company to auction this pocket watch for him p>
Natalie took it and examined it carefully. When she opened the watch, a delicate melody played filling the air with an old world charm. She turned it over and saw a single word engraved on the back.
“This watch must hold special meaning for Mr. Bailey,” Natalie said. “Is he certain he wants to auction it p>
If it weren’t significant, it wouldn’t have an inscription on the back, and the elegant script suggested it was written by a woman.
Eric sighed. “This watch belonged to my grandmother’s secret love. My grandfather only recently discovered it among her belongings p>