Chapter 36 Contract Termination
Even though Chloe had entertained thoughts about Donovan, she never deluded herself with fantasies about their marriage. She wasn't going to bemoan her situation.
She even sent a message to Jacob on WhatsApp: [Look, you tried to blackmail Donovan, and he took it out on me by kicking me out. Do you think I mean anything significant to him? He tosses me some change when he's pleased. I hardly dare to reach for it, and you try to shake him down!]
Chloe sent this to discourage Jacob from trying to extort Donovan any further, showing him that Donovan was not someone to be trifled with.
When Jacob read the WhatsApp message, he was livid.
Jacob could tell that Donovan wasn't known for his pleasant disposition, nor was he a pushover.
"Heartless!" Jacob murmured under his breath.
"Talking about who?" Brayden asked.
Jacob, who happened to be the Perez family's chauffeur, was driving Brayden to his accounting firm that day. Brayden owned his own practice.
"Donovan, he kicked Chloe out!" Jacob remarked sulkily.
"On what grounds?" Brayden inquired with surprise.
"Who knows? Probably just to demean us less wealthy folks," Jacob replied with a venomous smile. This visibly irked Brayden, who furrowed his brows in concern.
After a moment, Jacob continued, "Also, last time I went to see Donovan, he admitted that his marriage to Chloe was in name only. He said it was because Samuel fell ill and he needed to show he was settling down by getting married, so he chose Chloe."
Jacob had thought this through thoroughly.
On his last visit to Donovan's house, the maid had mentioned Samuel was sick and sleeping, urging Jacob to keep his voice down. Jacob had also noticed medical equipment like syringes and various medications around the house.
Later, Jacob found out that Donovan's grandfather had moved in only recently, possibly in critical condition. It seemed as if Donovan might have staged the whole marriage—quietly getting hitched and just as quietly getting it annulled, with no one the wiser except Samuel.
Donovan's coldness in driving Chloe away seemed emotionless, and it was understandable why he wouldn't show any favoritism towards Jacob.
Therefore, Jacob concluded that the crux of this marital issue must lie with Samuel. He was the critical point!
Jacob believed in playing both sides. He needed to handle Donovan carefully while also cultivating some ambiguity with Brayden.
He was working hard to bring Brayden and Chloe closer together.
"No wonder Donovan has been so harsh on Chloe," Brayden remarked angrily. "For Donovan to treat Chloe this way is utterly despicable!"
Upon hearing the conversation, Jacob thought, 'There's a chance. The Perez family is reliable.'
Jacob didn't disclose the details about Chloe and Andrew Price's situation, fearing that Brayden might get uneasy about Chloe's former crush.
"I'm actually looking forward to their divorce now. I hope Donovan doesn't make Chloe suffer anymore in that marriage!" Jacob exclaimed with the protective fervor of a brother.
"How do you know they'll get divorced?" Brayden asked.
"It's obvious. A marriage without love can't last forever. Donovan's not going to stay married to someone he doesn't love for the rest of his life, right? With all his money, why would he put up with that?" Jacob spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Brayden felt there was a lot of sense in Jacob's words.
When the class ended, Brayden had thought Chloe was married, and he intended to back off quietly. But Jacob's words rekindled hope in Brayden's heart.
Chloe has not been in a good place recently. If she had remained an ordinary employee, no one would have paid her much attention, and if she had married Donovan, she would have been surrounded by praise.
But her situation was unique. From an unknown worker to a sought-after individual, and now she had fallen back down. People seemed to relish her fall from grace, and the mockery was constant.
James Turner often made Chloe work overtime, assigning her the heaviest tasks under the guise of "getting experience."
Chloe didn't complain. She just quietly got on with her work.
She knew James was giving her a hard time, but she bore no resentment. After all, with great power comes great responsibility, and since Donovan had helped her overcome practical difficulties in life, she accepted the repercussions.
One day, Chloe worked overtime until five in the morning. As she packed her bag, she stared at the umbrella inside, lost in thought.
She wanted to see Donovan again, yet they never seemed to cross paths.
As Chloe, yawning, boarded the elevator with her bag, a man appeared before her.
Thinking she was seeing things due to tiredness, she rubbed her eyes.
"Surprised to see me?" Donovan inquired coldly.
"Mr. Blake? What brings you here so early?" Chloe said pleasantly, surprised.
Chloe had longed to see him but always seemed to miss the chance as if God just couldn't hear her pleas. And now, in this very moment, Donovan stood in front of her.
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