Chapter 34
"Sure," Selena replied nonchalantly. She wasn't used to chatting about this stuff, so she came off a bit distant.
Alice's eyes lit up with joy, happy with her answer.
The car pulled up at The Fair Manor, and Selena was ready to take off right after dropping Alice off.
Just then, James was in the yard watering the flowers, with Nick hanging around.
Selena frowned a bit as Alice hopped out of the car and ran over.
"Dad, Nick," Alice called out.
James was in the middle of a company chat with Nick. When he spotted Selena's car, he paused.
Selena had no choice but to get out and say, "Hey, Dad."
James handed the watering can to a servant and sighed, "Good to see you back. Come on in. Beatrice made a bunch of good food tonight, and I need to talk to you."
Alice still had to meet Raymond, and time was ticking.
"Dad, I gotta go. We can talk later. It's about the Fair Group."
James looked serious, giving Nick a satisfied pat on the back.
Selena had a bad feeling, and then James continued.
"Nick hasn't had a steady job all these years. Your Aunt Beatrice asked me to let him intern at the Fair Group. I checked his report, and he's been working hard. What do you think?" James asked.
Selena stayed quiet, her eyes calm but with a hint of understanding.
Beatrice's plan was clear. Getting Nick into the Fair Group, she probably wanted him to take over everything from the Fair family someday.
"Selena, it's rare for everyone to be here. Let's talk inside. Dad was just talking about you," Nick cut in.
Selena looked at Nick without expression. Nick was all smiles, playing the brotherly role.
But Nick's eyes had been glued to Selena since she arrived, with a dark look in them.
Nick and Alice stood on either side of James, cracking jokes with him.
Even though they were just a few feet apart, it felt like there was an invisible wall between them.
Selena felt like an outsider who had barged in, totally out of place.
She paused, feeling a strange sense of loss, and said, "Dad, I really have to go."
As soon as she spoke, the smile on James's face faded, "Selena, I've seen how Alice has treated you over the years. Today is her birthday. She got out early to celebrate at home. Do you really have to leave now?"
James's words were already pretty intense.
Alice quickly grabbed Selena's hand. "Selena, let's go inside first."
Then she turned to James, "Dad, don't be mad. Selena just doesn't know how to show her feelings."
Selena gently pulled her hand away from Alice's, speaking honestly.
"I have a meeting with Raymond at noon to talk about the divorce," Selena said calmly. As she looked up, she saw James raise his hand, furious.
"You!" James shouted, his face red with anger.
But the slap never came. His face turned pale, he gasped a few times, clutched his chest, and then collapsed backward.
Alice and Nick quickly caught him. "Dad!"
Hearing the commotion, Beatrice rushed out. Seeing what was happening, she freaked out and called for the family doctor.
Beatrice shoved Selena away from helping James, pointing at her and cursing, "If you don't want to come back, then don't! Your dad hasn't slept well for days because of the company's issues. Do you really want to drive him to his grave?"
Selena's face was tense. Amid the chaos, the family doctor arrived in a hurry.
After some emergency treatment, James finally woke up, weakly waving his hand.
Selena looked at him, her eyes red. "Dad, I..."
Before she could finish, James interrupted her, panting slightly. "Selena, Barbara passed away early, and it was my neglect of your feelings that has led to the distance between us now. If you want a divorce, I agree. But can you at least wait until after the Fair Group's second round of financing? I'm begging you."
Selena lowered her gaze, finally nodding in compromise.
Seeing Selena's reluctance, Beatrice sarcastically remarked, "Do you even realize how lucky you are to marry someone like Raymond?"
Selena felt like a hand was squeezing her heart, making it hard to breathe.
Not wanting to stick around and ruin the mood, she murmured, "Dad, you should rest more. I'll come back to see you later."
"Are you still going to divorce Raymond?" James asked.
"I'll talk to him about postponing it," Selena replied.
James finally breathed a sigh of relief, looking utterly exhausted without another word.
Selena walked outside, checking the time. It was already ten past twelve.
Was Raymond still at Montague Manor?
Would he agree to postpone the divorce?
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