Chapter 3

My reply had clearly enraged Jade.

"Fine! You'd better remember what you said!" she snapped.

She turned sharply and stormed off.

She hadn't gone far before I saw Nicholas lean close to her and ask with a smile, "Ms. Quinn, are you still taking me to the economic forum tomorrow?"

Jade glanced back at me before replying loudly, "Of course. In fact, I'll stay with you for the entire day."

She held absolutely no reservations.

That afternoon, I was summoned to the library management office.

The head librarian, Michael Reese, slid a complaint form over to me with a troubled expression.

"Denny, all of us working here recognize your hard work, but the administrative department has found someone more suitable for your role," he said.

I glanced briefly over the complaint form.

Most of the names listed belonged to Jade's students, and among them, Nicholas' name appeared most frequently.

I looked at Mr. Reese and asked, "Who did they recommend?"

After a moment's silence, Mr. Reese looked away and replied, "Nicholas Dion."

I nodded.

I didn't argue or ask any further questions.

As per Mr. Reese's instructions, I worked until 6:00 pm, handed over my employee ID card and access card, then left.

As I reached the school entrance, I suddenly recalled one of Jade's mocking remarks from an argument we'd had.

"You wouldn't even be able to set foot in Falsing University without me, so what right do you have to kick up a fuss?"

She had once again proven that I was nothing without her. I wasn't even qualified to be a part-time employee at the library.

Just as I stepped through the entrance to the hotel my grandparents were staying in, Jade sent me a text message.

"Aiden, as long as you withdraw the divorce request and apologize to me now, you'll still be able to work at the library."

I stared briefly at the message before pressing the delete button.

The elevator chimed.

I instinctively forced myself to smile, turned left out of the elevator, pressed the doorbell, and called out to my grandparents loudly.

As soon as Grandma and Grandpa opened the door and saw me, they smiled so widely the corners of their eyes crinkled up.

"Where's Jade?" they asked.

I was caught off guard for a moment before quickly spinning a lie.

"She's been busy organizing an economic forum lately, but she said she'd come along to visit you two over the new year."

Grandpa immediately slapped his thigh and laughed heartily. "Good, good! I'll make sure to have braised beef short ribs and some white wine ready and waiting for you two."

Seeing Grandma and Grandpa smiling so broadly made me feel like someone had stabbed me with a knife and twisted it hard.

Taking advantage of their good mood, I took out a check and handed it to them. "Grandpa, Grandma, please hold onto this 30 thousand dollars. Let me know if it's not enough."

Grandma and Grandpa exchanged a glance.

They said nothing, but they didn't take the money either.

I pinched my thigh hard, then laughed loudly.

"Come on, this is from Jade! It's part of the bonus she just received, and she also asked me to apologize on her behalf. She's been too busy to entertain you properly as of late."

Grandma and Grandpa tugged on each other's clothes before finally accepting the check.

Just as I was getting up to leave, Grandma suddenly teared up but stopped short of speaking.

When I met her clouded, teary eyes, I felt like my heart was being gripped in a vice.

I practically fled from the hotel, stumbling along the way.

Jade returned punctually at 6:00 pm, which was a rare occurrence.

I ignored her in favor of entering the bathroom with a change of clothes.

A moment later, I heard a faint rustling sound.

A second after that, there was a knock on the door, followed by Jade exclaiming with fake joy, "Aiden, I'm pregnant!"