Chapter 8
She didn’t know how Penny had managed to forge his signature, but honestly-it didn’t matter anymore.
She picked up the pen and signed her name without hesitation.
“There’s a 30-day period before the divorce becomes official,” Penny added, her tone turning sharper. “During that time, you’d better keep your mouth shut. Don’t say a word to Clayton.”
Aline raised a brow. ‘So that is the plan-to keep it hidden from him until it is finalized?’
“Fine,” she said flatly.
Penny paused, then changed her tone. “Actually, I’ve been thinking… 30 million dollars is too much. For someone like you-a parentless nobody-6 million dollars should be enough.”
To her, even 6 million dollars felt like a stretch for someone without a background.
Aline gave a cold smile. “If we did this through the courts, I’d be entitled to half of Clayton’s marital assets. If you think 30 million dollars is too much, I could take 500 million dollars instead. Your choice.”
Penny nearly choked in rage. She clenched her jaw so tightly she could barely get the words out. “Fine! 30 million dollars. But don’t you dare back out.”
Aline’s smile didn’t waver. ‘Why would I?’ She wanted nothing more than to leave this marriage behind-completely and forever.
That afternoon, she met her best friend Clarice Nunez for a casual shopping trip and picked up a few things.
When Clarice heard Aline was finally divorcing Clayton, she threw her arms in the air in triumph. “Finally! You should’ve left that bastard ages ago. Every gossip site is plastered with stories about him and Joyce-cheating, sneaking around, acting like they’re some golden couple.”
Aline’s expression was calm. “They can do whatever they want. Once the divorce is finalized, it’s no longer my con- cern.”
“When are you taking your parents’ ashes back to your hometown?”
“In a month,” she said. “Once the divorce is official, I’ll take them home to be buried properly.”
*****
That evening, the two of them went out to dinner at an upscale restaurant.
They’d just taken their seats when they overheard laughter from the next table. The tables were divided by privacy screens, but voices carried-and Aline recognized a name immediately.
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Chapter 8
“Clayton, when are you and Joyce getting married? You better invite us to the wedding!”
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“Shouldn’t be long now,” another voice chimed in. “I mean, what even was Aline? Graduated from some no-name university. If Clayton hadn’t given her a chance, she probably wouldn’t even have a job, let alone the nerve to pretend she belonged in the Hill family.”
“Joyce’s on a whole different level. Graduated from Evergreen University, total department beauty. And now she’s the first female captain at Skyreach Corp-she’s basically a legend over there.”
The men laughed, voices full of arrogance and mockery.
Because of the partitions, they hadn’t seen Aline at all.
Clarice was so furious she nearly snapped her fork in half. She was about to leap to her feet when Aline stopped her with a hand.
“They’re talking about me. Let me handle it.”
She stood up, walked calmly around the screen-and faced the group directly.
“How about this?” she said coolly, her voice clear and cutting. “Why don’t I buy you all that celebratory drink right now?”
The table fell silent as every head turned toward her.
Clayton’s expression darkened instantly.
“Come on, don’t make a scene. They were just talking trash-no harm meant,” Clayton said casually.
Disappointment flickered across Aline’s face. Even after everything that had been said about her, he still wouldn’t speak up for her.
“Oh? So what exactly would count as harm?” she shot back, her voice edged with cold sarcasm. “Do I need to bow and slap myself while apologizing for ever marrying you? Would that be enough for you?
“Don’t forget, Clayton-it was you who begged me to marry you.”
The men at the table-his so-called best friends-exchanged awkward glances. Even Joyce’s expression soured.
