Chapter 2

Fearing I might cause trouble for Ivy again, Julian forcibly dragged me home.

Julian’s parents looked utterly displeased. They had already read through the divorce papers, then tossed them straight into the trash.

“Clara, what do you think you’re doing? We haven’t mistreated you, have we? If you want a divorce over a stupid cat, so be it, but on top of that, you want Julian to leave with nothing?

“Did we spoil you so much that you think we’re pushovers?”

My parents’ faces were red from being ashamed of me. “You’ve gone too far. We can’t support such unreasonable actions.”

I offered no further explanation and repeated myself. “If you refuse, we’ll settle this in court.”

The unfaithful party deserved to walk away with nothing.

Julian’s voice trembled with panic.

“Clara, are you divorcing me just for the assets? You know the passwords to all my cards. They’re all free for you to spend. Isn’t that enough?”

Not all of them.

Or rather, I used to. Julian had since acquired several new cards, secretly spending who knows how much on Ivy behind my back.

Just as I was about to point this out, someone knocked on the door.

Ivy greeted us sweetly. “Everyone, sorry to disturb you so late.

“Earlier downstairs, Mr. Shane and Ms. Hill had a misunderstanding because of me. I felt bad about it and came to check.

“Truthfully, Ms. Hill didn’t cause me any trouble. She was taking out her frustration on the cat. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing, so I tried to intervene. It was my fault. It was only right that Ms. Hill hit and scolded me.”

Julian’s parents’ faces darkened. “Clara, you would actually abuse cats and assault people?”

My parents lamented my lack of decorum. “Clara, how did you end up like this?”

None of them noticed the crucial issue.

“Mr. Shane?

“Ivy, so you know my husband after all. It must have been tough holding back all those times we passed without a word, huh?”

Like a deer caught in headlights, Ivy immediately lowered her head in panic. She stole a glance at Julian. Her expression was innocent and pleading, as if she was begging for mercy.

Her right hand, adorned with a sparkling diamond ring, drifted toward her rounded belly.

A flicker of alarm and tenderness passed through Julian’s eyes before he composed himself. “I do know Ivy. She’s a junior employee at my company. We’ve crossed paths a few times.

“I didn’t think she was important enough to mention, and I didn’t want you to overthink things. So I just treated her like a neighbor I barely knew. Clara, be good. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

I could not help but chuckle.

If he had nothing to hide, why was he afraid I would overthink things?

Also, how could an entry-level employee afford a spacious apartment in a high-end downtown neighborhood?

When I remained silent, Julian’s father rose angrily. “Clara Hill, if you have evidence, I won’t say another word about the divorce and property division! But if you’re trying to strip Julian of everything based on mere speculation, I’m giving you a warning. You’re delusional!”

Just as I was about to respond, Ivy blinked and interjected, “Divorce and leave him with nothing? Ms. Hill, isn’t that a bit too much?

“Even though you’ve never visited the company, every employee knows how doting Mr. Shane is to his wife. Everyone knows how deeply he loves you! Ms. Hill, could you have found another man? Are you deliberately using me as a pawn to seize Mr. Shane’s assets?”

I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.

“Watch your mouth.

“Julian may indulge you, but I certainly won’t.”