Chapter 2 Will You Really Not Save My Dad's Company?

To prevent further damage to the company, the news of my dad's death was kept strictly confidential.

Yet, I had told Jeffrey. A simple glance at our chat would have revealed that something was amiss. But predictably, he never checked.

"If you really cared, why didn't you answer my calls? Why didn't you reach out on your own?" I asked, my voice dripping with indifference.

"I… I've been busy with the company," he stammered.

"Busy meeting your lover?" I dismissed his excuses and turned to leave.

But he quickly grabbed my wrist, his grip firm. Leaning close, he whispered insistently, "Melinda is sick. What are you fighting her for? You're already my wife."

"Melinda is ill? Then, she should seek treatment. What does that have to do with me?" I laughed bitterly, finding it amusing.

As I pulled my arm free and my resolve to leave hardened, his tone became colder, more urgent.

"Don't forget, I'm the only one who can save your dad's company now!"

I stopped and faced him with unwavering calm. "If I begged you to save it, would you even consider it? My dad's accident happened because he was trying to reach you for help. The drunk driver has paid for his crime, but the true culprit… is you!"

Melinda, who had been smirking from the sidelines, let out a mocking laugh. "Your dad's still recovering from that accident? Maybe I should send him some chicken soup to speed up his recovery.

"Jeffrey married you out of necessity, not choice. The company needed him. Do you actually believe he loves you? He's always been mine, so if you came here for money, don't bother—"

I cut her off with a sharp slap across her face, my anger boiling over.

"There's no need for chicken soup, especially not when it's filthy, stinky, and rotten. Only Jeffrey could stomach such garbage!"

Melinda staggered back from the force of my slap. Before she could say anything, Jeffrey was already by her side.

"Evalyn, have you lost your mind? Attacking people like this? What, am I showing too much deference?

"Can't you talk without being passive-aggressive? Are you seriously putting on such a dramatic show just for money?"

As I moved to confront her again, Jeffrey blocked my path.

"Jeffrey, get out of my way!"

"I just mentioned chicken soup? Did I hit a nerve?" Melinda taunted.

She then called out frantically to the bodyguards by the door. "What are you waiting for? Restrain her!"

In an instant, Jeffrey's bodyguards pinned me down, pressing my face against the cold, hard floor.

"Tell them to let go of me!" I demanded, glaring up at Jeffrey with all the fury I could muster.

He returned my gaze with a chilling indifference. "Evalyn, you're in the wrong here. You struck her. Apologize to her now!"

"In your dreams! She's nothing more than a sewer rat. Apologize to her, huh? She's not worth the breath," I retorted vehemently.

Ignoring my comments, Melinda patted Jeffrey on the shoulder, acting as if she hadn't heard a word. "Jeff, just forget about it. Divorce her immediately. You've seen her true colors now."

Jeffrey's eyes lingered on me for a long moment. "Evalyn, just apologize now, and we can pretend this never happened."

"Absolutely not! And I will divorce you!" I responded icily.

Throughout this exchange, Melinda wore a facade of dejection, but upon hearing the word 'divorce,' her demeanor shifted.

"Divorce!" she echoed, her eyes flashing with sudden interest.

I couldn't help but laugh sarcastically. "Congratulations, Melinda. You've finally gotten what you wanted. Are you satisfied now?"

A brief smile flickered across her lips, quickly masked yet revealing her internal victory.

I tried to struggle, but it was useless.

"Do you think you can just marry into the Hood Family and leave as you please?" Jeffrey taunted. "You were the one who demanded this marriage! You promised to love me forever. Have you tired of me so quickly?"

Pulling out his phone, he gave me a cold, mocking smile. He looked as if he was ready to threaten me again.

He had done this before, vanishing for a month and giving me the silent treatment for two months just to force me into an apology.

But this time was different. I no longer cared. His power to intimidate me had evaporated.

"Andrew, hold off on gathering the funds for now," he spoke into the phone.

I met his gaze with a calm defiance.

When I first learned of my dad's company's troubles, I swallowed my pride and sought Jeffrey's help.

He had always known how much it meant to me. Unfortunately, he never shared my concerns.

"Evalyn, apologize to Melinda, and I'll arrange a financial bailout for your dad's company."

I laughed bitterly. "Jeffrey, if I don't apologize, are you really going to let my dad's company fail?"

A heavy silence fell between us before he finally answered, "Yes."