Chapter 5

Thaddeus had only frozen Jessamine's card to force her to return to the villa. She was usually so demure and timid that she wouldn't even talk to him loudly, yet she'd done something like this. It was out of his expectations.

Not even a day had passed since he'd asked for a divorce, and she was already changing his impression of her.

She actually had the nerve to ask for 100 million dollars!

Thaddeus stood up and buttoned his suit jacket as he strode out of the office. Jordan hurried ahead of him to press the button for the elevator.

When they arrived at the bank, Jessamine and Shane were just leaving. They were complaining because they hadn't gotten the money.

Before they could get into the car, Thaddeus got out of his car and strode over to them. "I can't believe you're asking for such a massive alimony! 100 million dollars? Seriously? It feels like you're trying to take advantage of me and drain me financially!"

His domineering air made Jessamine back up until she was pressed against the car. He tilted her jaw up and scrutinized her.

She coughed softly. "It hurts …"

Thaddeus' eyes darkened. He looked at her pale face, which wasn't even the size of his hand. He felt like he could snap her neck if he weren't careful. His heart softened for just a second, and he released her.

Jessamine composed herself. She rubbed her jaw and said, "It's all because you froze my card."

"I did freeze your card, but there's only several thousand dollars in your account. You're demanding 100 million dollars from me!"

"Why did you freeze my card, then? I earned every cent in that account. What right do you have to freeze it?" Jessamine snapped.

Thaddeus was taken aback. They'd been married for three years, but this was his first time seeing her snap at him like this. She'd always been obedient and accommodating around him.

"You, earning money? And how did you do that? There are 365 days in a year, and you spend 300 days at jewelry exhibitions." Thaddeus was implying that Jessamine would've starved to death without him.

Shane couldn't take it anymore. "What the fuck are you talking about? Jessie's—"

"A bloodsucker. Yes, that's exactly what I am," Jessamine interrupted. Her eyes were filled with sorrow.

She was an internationally renowned jewelry designer who only released her designs under a pseudonym. Thaddeus just didn't know about it.

She'd never made a point of concealing this. Sometimes, she would design some stuff at home. It was just that Thaddeus had never paid attention to her, so he wouldn't spare a glance at her designs. To him, those were probably just her scribbles.

Throughout their three-year marriage, Jessamine had focused on keeping the marriage going, yet all she'd gotten in return was Thaddeus' scorn. The way he saw it, she couldn't do anything other than spend his money.

It was only at this moment that Jessamine realized how highly she'd thought of herself in the past.

A phone call broke the tension. It was from Thomas.

"Jessie, you and Ted should drop by for dinner tonight. The shrimp I imported from Newland have just arrived, and I know they're your favorite. I didn't allow anyone to lay a hand on them, you know? I'm keeping them for you."

"Grandpa, I—" Jessamine suddenly realized how hard it was to get away from Thaddeus for some peace and quiet. She couldn't say no to Thomas—he loved and doted on her like she was his actual granddaughter.

Thaddeus snatched her phone away. "We'll be there, Grandpa."

Then, he hung up and said impatiently, "C'mon, let's go. What are you still waiting for?"

Jessamine remained rooted to the spot for a few seconds before Thaddeus dragged her into the car.

She'd just settled into her seat when Thaddeus flung an exquisite little box at her. She looked at him in confusion while holding it.

"This is the company's flagship design for the upcoming season. After the press conference on its release, there will only be limited units for sale. You can wear that for fun if you want."

Jessamine opened the box. The piece inside made her jaw drop.

Wasn't this the pendant she'd designed last month? Her draft had gone missing when it was about 80% complete. She'd searched the whole study but hadn't found it.

How had it ended up in Holt Jewelry's lineup for the upcoming season?

"May I know who the designer for this piece is?"