Chapter 118 Getting Both Divorce and Marriage Certificates
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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