Chapter 117 Did You Go Through All This Trouble Just to Threaten Me?

A faint, cold laugh echoed in the air.

What followed was an overwhelming wave of Christopher's fury. His jawline was tense, and his voice was as cold as ice. "So, you went through all this trouble just to threaten me into a divorce!"

I retorted, "What else?"

It couldn't possibly be to make Christopher see Evelyn clearly and return to our broken marriage.

That would be too far-fetched.

Christopher's anger surged, and he gritted his teeth. "Hope Royston, are you sure you want a divorce?"

"Yes." I spoke without a hint of hesitation.

A shadow crossed Christopher's face. He asked, "What if I don't agree?"

I replied, "Then I'll make sure the things you want to keep hidden come to light."

I was certain that with Christopher's personality, he would never allow this to be exposed.

It would be humiliating and would affect the Valence Group's stock, causing turmoil.

On a small scale, it was a private matter; on a larger scale, it was a scandal for the wealthy.

Although every wealthy family had its secrets, exposing them was a different story.

Christopher's temples throbbed, his fists clenched tightly, veins bulging, and he spat out a single word through gritted teeth. "Get out."

I ignored Christopher's fury. "I hope the divorce happens as soon as possible."

Christopher's dark eyes glared at me. "Get out!"

"Alright." I swiftly got out of the car and set a deadline before closing the door. "Mr. Valence, by tomorrow. Otherwise, if I'm in a bad mood one day, this video might be leaked."
Before Christopher could respond angrily, I quickly shut the car door and walked away!

After a few steps, I realized I had forgotten my coat and felt the chill.

When I turned back to get it, the black Maybach had already sped off.

Seeing that Cecil hadn't replied to my message, I knew he was still busy. I found a sheltered spot and took out my phone to call a ride.

The guests hadn't all left yet. While waiting for the car, I turned my head and locked eyes with Jerry.

Mrs. Lewis from the Patel family was personally seeing Jerry out.

In the backyard, Jerry had agreed readily, but now that things had calmed down, I wasn't sure if he was serious, since Jerry always gave off a laid-back vibe.

Jerry seemed to see right through my thoughts. While dealing with Mrs. Lewis, he mouthed to me from a distance, 'Trust without doubt.'

I hoped so.

Feeling slightly reassured, I got into the car, and Cecil called.

Cecil's voice sounded apologetic. "Are you home yet? I got held up by something and just saw your message."

I replied, "Almost there."

He asked, "Were you with Christopher?"

Even though it was a phone call, I instinctively shook my head. "No, I took a cab."

Cecil seemed to hesitate for a moment, then said, "Let me know when you get home safely."

His tone was more relaxed than before.

"Okay," I agreed, then couldn't help but ask, "Why did you say the thing you want to give me is 'returning it to its rightful owner'?"

Cecil's voice carried a hint of a smile. "It's a secret for now. I'll bring it to you in the next couple of days. You'll like it."

Back at Riverside Garden, I thought about my conversation with Christopher in the car, feeling much lighter, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from my heart.

After taking a shower, I was about to make some instant noodles when Elissa suddenly appeared in my living room, slumped on the couch, groggily looking at me.

I made a cup of honey water and handed it to Elissa. "You drank. Why didn't you let me pick you up?"

Elissa gave me a silly smile and obediently drank the honey water. "I called a designated driver! I... I want to stay at your home for a few days."

I nodded happily and looked at Elissa with curiosity. "Sure, is Ivan Garcia bothering you again?"

Elissa hiccuped while drinking, her eyes a bit dazed but her thoughts still clear. "Yes, he said he doesn't want to break up with me and is even willing to call off his arranged marriage for me."

I was a bit surprised. "Really?"

"You're too naive!"

Elissa, with her perfectly manicured fingers, poked my head, completely sober. "It doesn't matter if it's true or not. Even if he's willing, his family won't agree. The Garcias might be less influential than the Valences, but still, they wouldn't let someone like me marry in. Love, no matter how passionate, can't withstand the firm opposition of his family. Even if I did marry in, what life would I be living? Only a fool would fall for it!"

After hearing Elissa, I pinched her cheek. "You've had so much to drink, but you're still so clear-headed?"

Elissa gave me a bitter smile. "It's because I'm clear-headed that I drank so much."

Too clear-headed.

She didn't even give herself a chance to indulge or find temporary happiness.

Elissa rested her head on my lap and said, "Cinderella could be with the prince because she was noble by birth. I'm at best a lowly girl selling things."

I looked at Elissa with pity. "Then I'll use all my savings to buy everything you have and make you rich."

After all, Christopher had given me plenty of things, enough to support Elissa.

The next day, I woke up naturally and went to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Simple milk and sandwiches.

Elissa sat at the dining table, looking listless, and observed me. Her voice was weak. "Why do I feel like you're in a good mood today?"

I placed the breakfast in front of Elissa. "Yes, I arranged to go to divorce with Christopher today."

Elissa yawned and thought for a moment. "Today? Aren't you planning to divorce next month?"

I replied, "He agreed."

Elissa was annoyed. "Is he that eager?"

I smiled, sat across from Elissa, took a sip of milk, and dropped a bombshell. "It was my idea. You were right before. Charlie Valence and Evelyn Valence are really together."

Elissa was stunned and blurted out. "Really? Did you see them having sex with your own eyes?"

I said, "Yes."

Elissa grabbed my phone. "Did you record it? Let me see!"

"It's bad for your eyes." I kindly reminded her.

Elissa was fearless. "I've watched enough porn."

After watching, Elissa gave a brief review. "Middle-aged men, what else can you ask for?"

I almost choked on my breakfast and glared at Elissa, telling her to hurry up and eat.

After breakfast, Elissa volunteered to wash the dishes. I walked to the balcony and dialed Christopher's number.

Christopher answered quickly but remained silent, waiting for me to speak.

I asked, "When do you have time today? I'll meet you at the courthouse."

The sound of something being smashed echoed loudly. Suddenly the call was disconnected.

I clenched my fist and stared into space on the balcony. Just as I was about to go back inside, the phone rang again.

It was Donald.

I answered, "Hello."

Donald sounded a bit unsettled. "Mrs. Valence, Mr. Valence asked me to tell you, 2 PM."

I took a deep breath. "Okay."

At the moment of actually getting divorced, I felt a sense of unreality.
Before heading to the courthouse, Elissa intercepted me and meticulously applied a vibrant red lip gloss, her fingers steady and deliberate.

She whispered conspiratorially, "Girl, you gotta slay on such a stellar day. Alright, you’re ready to rock!"

Content with her handiwork, Elissa sent me off with a triumphant grin.

I let out a soft chuckle, feeling a sudden lightness despite the weight on my shoulders.

This was what I had been anticipating—finally.

Steeling myself, I walked out the door. When I arrived at the courthouse, the clock struck exactly 2 PM.

After three years of waiting on Christopher's whims, my patience had worn thin. Today, I wasn’t about to wait a minute longer.

But as I alighted from the car and scanned the vicinity, there was still no sign of Christopher. Once again, I found myself waiting.

Thankfully, he didn’t leave me hanging for too long.

Within moments, a tall figure emerged from a sleek black Maybach, emanating an air of power and razor-sharp intent. His expression was cold, deeply etched with displeasure.

Since initiating our divorce proceedings, Christopher's true colors had become glaringly evident.

The facade of gentleness had dissolved; he didn't even bother with the pretense anymore.

Yet, Christopher wasn’t alone. Evelyn, clutching Brenda tightly, trailed behind him, blissfully oblivious to the fact that Christopher knew all about Evelyn’s little secret.

Christopher abandoned Evelyn and Brenda as he strode purposefully toward me, not even pausing a beat. "Aren’t you the one chomping at the bit for this divorce? What’s keeping you?"

"Got it." I shot a glance at the duo behind him and smirked, "So, you're aiming to kill two birds with one stone today? Divorce and marriage in one go? Really pulling out all the stops to ensure your father doesn't commit bigamy, huh?"

Christopher's eyes narrowed, his voice icy. "I never pegged you for such a sharp tongue."

I quipped back, "I used to get a kick out of you."

I adored him so much that I lost myself completely.

I could never muster the courage to utter a harsh word to Christopher.

His body tensed slightly, yet he continued walking. His blue eyes remained inscrutable as he asked, "Do you feel nothing for me now?"

His tone was so nonchalant, as if he were inquiring if I wanted coffee.

Caught off guard, I lowered my gaze to mask my emotions. As we entered the courthouse, I managed to say, "I'll go and contact the staff."

"No need." As soon as the words left Christopher's lips, a middle-aged man in a crisp suit approached from the office area, saying, "Mr. Valence, please."

"Alright." Christopher gave a slight nod and turned to me. "Weren't you in a rush? I'm just saving you some time."

I smiled. "I never realized you could be so considerate."

I wasn't being sarcastic; unlike Christopher's earlier remarks, my comment was genuinely intended.

During the past, Christopher's displays of gentleness and thoughtfulness were merely superficial; they lacked sincerity.

He never bothered with my true needs.

I hadn’t expected to witness such a gesture of consideration during our divorce. It was surprisingly pleasant.

The middle-aged man guided Christopher and me into an office. His subordinates promptly collected our documents and presented us with the papers we needed to sign. The divorce was imminent.

Everything was progressing seamlessly.

Until Christopher received a phone call, poised to snatch away my long-awaited freedom.

Just as we were about to sign the papers, his phone began ringing incessantly. He answered brusquely, "Speak."

After a few seconds, whatever was said on the other end made Christopher abruptly stand up. He turned to the middle-aged man, his voice like ice. "We're not doing this today!"

The coldness in his tone was palpable.

With that, he stormed out.

Something urgent must have transpired.

I rose as well, a gnawing sense of dread settling in my heart. "Why? We’re almost done. Are you backing out again?"

"Why?" Christopher turned to face me, his eyes blazing with cold fury. Each word seemed to be spat out through clenched teeth. "Don't you know why, Hope Royston? You accuse me of breaking promises, yet you're just as guilty."

His anger was almost suffocating.

Baffled, I shot back, "What are you insinuating?"

Christopher’s expression was razor-sharp, intimidating. "Stop playing dumb."

I stared at him in confusion, feeling my own anger ignite. "Are you deranged? I haven’t done anything. What am I supposed to admit?"

"You know you're in the wrong but won't own up to it." Christopher’s lips curled into a sneer, his expression growing even more menacing. He picked up his phone, tapped a few times, and shoved the screen towards me. "Look at this—this is on you."

Shock froze me for a moment. My eyes slowly focused on the phone screen—an article fresh off the press.

When I saw the content, it was as if a bolt of lightning had struck me.

It was a newly released scandal involving Charlie and Evelyn.

An accompanying video thumbnail showed the Patel family backyard from last night.

I recognized it instantly, a chill running down my spine. My fingers itched to tap the video and confirm if it was the one I had filmed, but it had already been taken down.

Blocked.

Worse, someone had unearthed evidence of Christopher's and Evelyn's recent outings together.

The online comments were merciless.

Christopher sneered, "Got nothing to say?"

My mind was whirling, but I vehemently denied it, "It wasn't me. Christopher, I'm not that dense. Even if I were to release it, I wouldn't choose now."

Sure, I had intended to release it.

But not like this.

I would have waited until the ink was dry on the divorce papers before pulling a stunt like that.

"Then explain how this video ended up in someone else's hands."

Christopher's gaze bore into me. "Or are you implying you had a viewing party last night?"

In an instant, clarity hit me—Jerry!

But I couldn't be certain.

And I knew, no matter how I tried to explain, Christopher wouldn't believe me.

With a resigned sigh, I said, "It doesn't matter if you believe me or not. We're here; let's just finalize the divorce."

Christopher's lips curled into a mocking smile, his voice frostbitten. "You think I'll let you have your way? Hope Royston, keep dreaming!"

With those chilling words, Christopher stormed out.

I took a deep breath, watching his retreating form, and shouted in frustration, "Fine! If you won't cooperate, I'll take it to court! See you there!"

Time was on my side.

Christopher, not me, was the one in a rush to remarry or continue his escapades with countless women. We'd see who had more stamina.

He paused briefly, his voice chilling as ice. "Remember what you said!"

Fury surged within me. I fumbled for my phone, intending to confront Jerry, only to realize in my anger that I didn't even have his contact information.

As soon as Christopher left the office, Evelyn and Brenda, who had been lurking outside, dashed over with grins plastered on their faces, saying things too muffled for my ears.

But Christopher ignored them and continued walking briskly away.

With Bentley's recent passing and the Valence Group just beginning to stabilize, this scandal was a time bomb ready to explode their fragile recovery.

Christopher gave no heed to Evelyn and Brenda. They didn't chase him but instead sauntered over to gloat in front of me.

Blocking the doorway, Evelyn raised her chin and smiled slyly. "What did you say to Christopher to enrage him during the divorce?"

She was clearly blind to the fact that she had already been berated publicly. Evelyn hadn't checked her phone.

Brenda, oblivious to her own downfall, strutted with misplaced arrogance and asked, "So, did you get divorced yet?"

Her ignorance was almost laughable.

But I wasn't in the mood for laughter.

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Chapter 117 Did You Go Through All This Trouble Just to Threaten Me?