Chapter 2

Stella's POV

Before the party ended, Bryan suddenly came over to me. "Roxy's had a bit too much to drink. I'll take her home first. You'll have to tend to the guests instead."

After saying that, he looked at my unusually calm expression. For some reason, his heart clenched, and he added, "She doesn't handle alcohol well. If she starts making a scene later, it'll disturb the other guests, and it'll embarrass you, too. You understand, right, Stella?"

Ordinarily, I would've kicked up a fuss by now. But this time, I simply smiled. "Of course. Drive safe."

Bryan frowned. It looked like he had more to say, but at the very next second, Roxy collapsed into his arms and draped herself all over him.

With her cheek pressed against his neck, she said in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Let's go, Mr. Sable… My body's burning up… I want you so badly…"

Before she could finish, Bryan loudly cleared his throat to drown out the rest of her suggestive words.

He grabbed the mink coat I had draped over the back of my chair and wrapped it around Roxy before turning to me. "It's snowing heavily outside. I'm worried she'll catch a cold. We have to leave on a business trip in three days, so I don't want our work to be affected."

I smiled. "It's just a coat. You don't need to give a long speech just to explain yourself. If you want to take it, just take it."

I turned to leave, but Bryan abruptly called out to me again. He couldn't resist asking, "Stella, you're not angry, are you?"

Although I paused to answer him, I didn't bother turning around. In a matter-of-fact manner, I said, "You've already used a free pass, so I have no reason to be angry."

I picked up a glass of wine and started chatting pleasantly with some of the guests, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.

Only then did Bryan let out a breath of relief and leave with Roxy in his arms. He left in such a hurry that he didn't notice how cold my gaze had become.

After the party ended, a few of my old friends couldn't help but express their indignation on my behalf, but I just smiled and said nothing.

Once the guests were all gone, I looked down at the gown I ended up wearing for the entire duration of the party and let out a long sigh.

I proceeded to call Simon Kirkwood, a lawyer specializing in divorce cases. I wanted him to draft a divorce agreement for me.

As soon as Simon answered the phone, the first words out of my mouth were, "How do I reclaim all the money and resources I invested in Bryan throughout our marriage?"

Simon pondered briefly before giving me a suggestion.

"If you want to secure a larger share of your marital assets, you can have Mr. Sable transfer them to you, making sure it's clear that it's a voluntarily made gift to you."

But after saying that, he couldn't resist laughing. "It's not like you need the money, Ms. Ludlow. Why do you care about the chump change he has?"

After a moment of silence, I chuckled and replied, "It's true that I couldn't care less about that money, but people have to pay for what they've done, don't they? Anyway, email me the divorce agreement within the next two days."

"Two days?" Simon was taken aback. "Why the rush?"

I fiddled with the wedding ring around my finger and let out a self-mocking snort. "Because I'm certain he'll be using up his last three chances within the next three days."

Just then, Bryan came in.

"What chances?" he asked with a puzzled expression, my mink coat draped over his arm.