Chapter 12 Jessica Signs the Papers
Gabriel looked up at her. "You're sure you want a hundred million?" he asked in contemplation.
"Having second thoughts?" Jessica asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"If that's really what you want, I'll agree," Gabriel replied.
Enraged, Jessica tore the divorce papers in her hands to shreds and tossed every piece in his face. "I'm such a failure, Gabriel. In your eyes, I'm just a materialistic woman, only after your wealth."
"So, you love Diana that much? You'd give me a hundred million without batting an eye for her?" she sneered.
"It's not about Diana. I've said it before, as long as your demands are reasonable, I'll do my best to grant them. I'm the one ending the contract early; I'm the one in breach. If you want money, fine, I'll give you money."
Jessica laughed, a laugh that turned into tears. Clenching her fists, she managed to say, "If you've already made up your mind, then nothing I say makes a difference."
"Just go. I can't stand the sight of you," she said with disdain.
After Gabriel left, Oscar entered carefully, step by cautious step.
Jessica glared at him with anger etched on her face. "What do you want?" she asked.
Oscar laid out the documents on the table, one by one, and looked at Jessica. "Gabriel had me print out five copies and send you the digital version too. He said to sign them when you've cooled down."
Without a glance, Jessica snatched the pen and signed her name. She threw the papers at Oscar, and said begrudgingly, "Tell him I don't want a dime of his money."
When she joined The Walton Family, she didn't bring any money with her. And she wouldn't take any with her when she left.
After securing Jessica's signed divorce papers, Oscar immediately called Gabriel, "Gabriel, she's signed."
"She signed?" Gabriel was genuinely surprised it went so smoothly. "Did she say anything?"
"Jessica said she doesn't want a cent of your money," Oscar relayed truthfully.
Hanging up the phone, Gabriel massaged his brow, his mood suddenly sour for reasons he couldn't fathom.
Across the table, Diana smiled gently and asked, "Gabriel, what did you say you just signed?"
"A divorce agreement," he replied, his tone indifferent.
Diana was stunned, disbelief etched on her face, trying to confirm, "You mean she's agreed to the divorce and already signed it?"
"Yeah," he replied.
"That's wonderful, Gabriel! After so many years, we can finally be together without any secrets." Diana rose to her feet, hugging him with sheer joy.
But Gabriel’s reaction was tepid. For some reason, hearing that she had signed the papers without hesitation brought him none of the relief nor happiness that he had anticipated.
"I need to use the restroom," he said.
After gently disengaging from Diana's embrace, Gabriel stepped outside to light a cigarette. With the smoke curling up, his chiseled features blurred within the haze.
So quick to sign the papers, he thought, ‘She must have been eager to see her true love.’
The recognition that he, Gabriel, was second to another man who had already been married once, hit him hard.
When Oscar delivered the "divorce agreement" to their home, it happened to be during Diana's visit.
"Let me take that, I’ll hand it to Gabriel later," Diana said as she tried to hide her eagerness.
Believing that Gabriel would soon be marrying Diana, Oscar handed it over without suspicion.
Diana's hands clenched involuntarily when she saw the terms of the settlement, all the assets Gabriel was offering Jessica.
‘So much stuff?’ Diana’s envy stirred within as she glanced over the document. An unimaginable fortune that ordinary folks couldn't amass in several lifetimes. Gabriel was willing to let go of all that for her?
Jessica hadn't brought a penny into the Walton family when they married; Diana seethed at the thought of her walking away with so much now.
The next day, as Jessica packed her belongings to leave the hospital, an unexpected visitor appeared.
"Why are you here?" Jessica eyed Diana with evident distaste.
With today's purpose in mind, Diana exerted control over her emotions and managed an exceptionally tender smile. "Let’s have a drink, shall we? I’d like to apologize."
Jessica scoffed at the idea of Diana apologizing. Impossible, she knew instantly it was a trap.
Downstairs at the coffee shop, Diana ordered a latte and turned to Jessica. "What would you like?"
"Just a cup of hot water," Jessica said aloofly.
Diana's face twisted awkwardly, sensing a deliberate provocation.
"Let’s cut to the chase, shall we? I don’t have all day to waste here," Jessica said bluntly.
"Look, I may have been out of line the other day. Please don't take it to heart,” Diana said, acting all politely.
"And what if I do?" Jessica's unpredictable move caught Diana off guard, but she quickly recovered with a laugh. "All right then, my sincerest apologies, Jessica. I never meant to hurt you."
That apology was as suspicious as a wolf wishing a sheep a Happy New Year. Diana was surely up to no good. A woman like her, offering an apology? She must have something up her sleeve.
"Let's get to the point. Speak now, or I'm leaving," Jessica said firmly.
Diana, sensing the urgency, grabbed Jessica's arm and hurriedly dug something out of her bag, placing it before Jessica.
Another "Divorce Agreement"? When Jessica caught sight of those words, she couldn't help but scoff, "I've already signed it. What's the matter? Do you think I'm duping you? Want to watch me sign it again right here?"
"No, that's not it," Diana replied with a smile. "I just thought there was a slight issue with the division of assets in your divorce, so I made a little amendment. I'd like you to sign it once more."
‘A slight amendment?’
Jessica raised an eyebrow, picking up the "Divorce Agreement." But when she saw the compensation fee had been reduced from "ten million" to "one million," she couldn't help but laugh. "Who made this change, you or Gabriel?"
Diana had braced for an outburst but was met with Jessica's calm demeanor.
"I made the changes," Diana admitted.
Jessica regarded her coolly. "Does Gabriel know? Are you sure he agrees?"
"Of course. What I want aligns with what he wants," Diana proclaimed.
"Then why not tell him? And why sneak it to me behind his back?" Jessica challenged. "For someone born into the prestigious Bush family, you would sink to such lows for money, despite your pride – or rather, because of it."
Diana fumed at Jessica's words.
"And you?" Diana retaliated. "You brought not a penny to your marriage with The Walton Family, no dowry at all. What makes you entitled to such a hefty share upon divorce?"
"Who says I had no dowry?" Jessica rebutted.
Diana sneered dismissively. "What could your broke mother Giselle and your Gambler Dad possibly give you? Even if they did, it would surely be pitiful."
Jessica simply lifted her wrist, pointing to the jade bracelet adorning it. "Oh? Would you call this 'pitiful'?"
At the sight of the bracelet, Diana's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible. How could you have that bracelet?"
"When my mother saved Dad and Xavier, Xavier personally gave this token to her. Later, when I married Gabriel, Xavier said it was my dowry. Though it's my dowry, it belongs to me for life. It's not meant for anyone else," Jessica said proudly, aiming to put Diana in her place.
Diana staggered, chilled to the bone by Jessica's words.
Of course, she recognized the jade bracelet. It was a Walton family heirloom, never to be passed to outsiders, only bestowed upon the daughters-in-law of the Walton lineage.
The fact that Xavier had given it to her explained her audacity.
But Diana was no stranger to adversity. Steeling herself, she decided to make a daring proposition, "Jessica, how about we make a deal?"
