Chapter 99 Divorce Compensation
John waved dismissively. "Why would I need a lawyer out of the blue?"
Lily looked serious. "Mr. Baker says he's from Smith Corporation's legal team."
"Smith Corporation?" John squinted, clearly suspicious. "Rachel, did he send a lawyer over because you ticked him off at the press conference?"
Rachel frowned and pursed her lips. "Let him in."
"Okay," Lily nodded and left.
A few moments later, Nicholas walked into the office, nodding politely at Rachel and John. "Ms. Williams, Mr. Davis."
Rachel gestured to a chair. "Mr. Baker, have a seat."
Nicholas thanked her, pulled out a chair, and sat down. John poured him some coffee, which Nicholas accepted with a nod before speaking. "Ms. Williams, as you might have guessed, I'm here on behalf of Mr. Smith."
"To deal with me?" Rachel leaned back, her gaze steady.
Nicholas shook his head with a slight smile. "No, I'm here to renegotiate the asset division after the divorce, per Mr. Smith's instructions."
"The asset division after the divorce?" John echoed, clearly surprised.
Rachel looked just as shocked.
Nicholas pulled a document from his briefcase. "Ms. Williams, this is the asset division plan drafted by Mr. Smith. It includes five villas, two apartments, five cars, and two hundred million dollars in alimony. Please take a look."
He handed the document to Rachel, but she didn't take it. Nicholas placed it on the table, and just as he was about to push it forward, John grabbed it.
John flipped through the document, his expression turning into a sneer. "Just these things? Michael's being way too stingy. Shouldn't Rachel get half of Smith Corporation's shares too?"
Nicholas started to sweat and explained awkwardly, "Mr. Davis, please don't joke. When Ms. Williams and Mr. Smith got married, they signed a prenuptial agreement. The shares don't belong to Ms. Williams."
John knew this but stayed silent, pursing his lips.
Rachel took the document back, her eyes narrowing at Nicholas. "Why is Mr. Smith suddenly proposing this?" she demanded, her voice steady.
At the time of the divorce, she had chosen to take nothing. Now, nearly a month later, why was Michael suddenly proposing a huge asset division?
Nicholas adjusted his glasses. "Mr. Smith was cold to you during the marriage because he thought you insisted on marrying him even after knowing about his relationship with Miss Brown. But after today's press conference, he realized he misunderstood you, so he wants to compensate you."
John scoffed, crossing his arms. "Compensation? Rachel's heart is full of cracks. Can compensation heal that? I think this is just a way to save his reputation."
Nicholas looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Mr. Davis?"
John's expression hardened. "Rachel exposed her experiences with the Smith family today. Now Michael's reputation is damaged, so he sent you here to try to save face."
Nicholas's mouth twitched slightly. "Mr. Davis, Mr. Smith has no such intention."
Rachel pushed the document back toward Nicholas. "No matter his intention, take these back. I won't accept them. I said I wanted nothing at the time of the divorce, and it's the same now."
Nicholas looked troubled. "Ms. Williams, please reconsider. Mr. Smith sincerely wants to compensate you."
Rachel's attitude was firm. "No need. I don't need his compensation."
Nicholas had no choice but to leave.
After he left, John took Nicholas's seat. "Rachel, are you sure you won't regret it?"
Rachel picked up the documents, her expression calm. "What's there to regret?"
John shrugged, about to say something more when his phone rang. It was a call from Samuel.
"Rachel, there's an urgent matter at the company. I have to go. Call me if you need anything," he said hurriedly, making a phone gesture.
Rachel nodded. "Okay, be careful."
After John responded and left, Rachel buried herself in the documents. In the evening, the driver took her back to her apartment at Starglow Valley Estates.
During dinner, the doorbell rang. Rachel, leaning on crutches, went to open the door.
Outside, Michael stood in the night. Rachel was stunned, then pursed her lips, ready to close the door.
Michael quickly reached out to hold the door. "I need to talk to you."
"There's nothing to talk about. Mr. Smith, please leave. If someone sees you here, it'll cause another public uproar," Rachel said sarcastically.
Michael frowned. "No, I was careful. No one knows I'm here."
"Oh? So you came to bother me?" Rachel's lips curled into a cold sneer, her eyes icy.
Michael's heart tightened. She really didn't love him anymore. Otherwise, how could she look at him with such cold eyes, just like he used to look at her?
"Why didn't you accept those things?" Michael's voice was heavy.
Rachel retorted, "Why should I?"
"That's my compensation to you. Over the years, I owe you," Michael said, his eyes full of guilt.
Rachel sneered. "Didn't Nicholas convey my message? I don't need your compensation. Since we're cutting ties completely, I won't take anything from you. As for owning me, it was my choice. Mr. Smith, you don't need to apologize. You can leave now."
Michael stood still, his posture upright. Rachel tried to close the door, but Michael blocked it, causing her to feel a surge of annoyance. She tried to push him away.
In her frustration, she forgot about her injured foot. The push not only failed to move Michael but also caused her to lose her balance and stumble backward.
Michael's eyes widened, and his pupils contracted as he lunged forward to catch her.
Unfortunately, at the critical moment, his fingers merely grazed her arm, and they both tumbled to the floor together.
Rachel landed on the soft carpet of the foyer, while Michael, with his arms on either side of her, knelt on one knee, in a close and awkward position. Their eyes met, both filled with astonishment.
Rachel's cheeks flushed, her heart pounding, not expecting things to turn out this way.
Her embarrassed and angry look fell into Michael's eyes, deepening his gaze. His thoughts involuntarily drifted to that night when she was slightly tipsy, her allure and seduction.
This memory caused a heat to rise within Michael, his Adam's apple moving slightly, his gaze fixed on her slightly parted red lips. He slowly lowered his head, intending to get closer.
At that moment, Rachel's cold voice broke the silence. "You can get up now."
Michael snapped back to reality, realizing his inappropriate behavior. His face tensed, and his thin lips pressed into a line. "Sorry."
He stood up, extending a hand to help her, but Rachel, supporting herself with her hands, slowly got up on her own.
Michael's hand hung in the air, slowly clenching into a fist and retracting, his eyes darkening.
Suddenly, Rachel let out a slight sob.
Michael unconsciously showed concern. "What's wrong?"
Rachel glared at him angrily, her eyes reddened, full of grievance. "Michael, because of you, my foot, which was finally getting better, is now hurting again."
Without him, everything was peaceful; but once he appeared, accidents followed, making her extremely frustrated.
Seeing her aggrieved and tearful look, Michael's heartstrings were inexplicably tugged, but he remained calm on the surface. "I'll take responsibility."
With that, he bent down and lifted her horizontally.
Rachel instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, touching his warm skin, then quickly let go. She demanded, "Put me down!"
Michael acted as if he didn't hear, taking a few steps into the living room and placing her on the sofa. He then dialed David. "Please send a doctor to Starglow Valley Estates."
Starglow Valley Estates? Wasn't that Rachel's residence? David was full of doubts but didn't dare to ask, only agreeing.
The doctor arrived quickly.
"Check her foot," Michael instructed simply.
The doctor nodded and approached Rachel.
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