Chapter 4 Just a Formality

Gavin hadn't come looking for me in a week. I was too busy liquidating my assets to pay much attention to him anyway.

He suddenly showed up one day, and I quickly hid the house sale contract.

"Alex went through another psychological assessment. His anxiety score is worse now."

I said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"According to his doctor, it's best for both parents to be there for him throughout his six-month treatment…"

Gavin looked pretty awkward. After a long pause, he finally spoke again. "Getting remarried might be the most effective thing we can do for his recovery."

At once, I understood what he was hinting at. "So we're breaking up?"

"Of course not!" He grabbed my hand. "It's only a formality. I'll divorce her after six months, then marry you. You don't have to worry. I'll make it up to you."

He added, "I've already had the lawyers draw up the paperwork. Ten percent of the company's shares will be transferred to you. You'll be a shareholder at Grant Group. No one will dare question your status after that."

I lowered my head, pretending to be devastated. "Gavin, have you really thought this through?"

"I…" Gavin was caught off guard by the question.

I smiled gently. "As long as you've thought it through, that's enough. I trust you."

Gavin let out a breath of relief. "Thank you, Vivian. With you in my life, I'll have no regrets."

He moved to hug me.

I stepped aside and handed him his coat instead. "Go be with your son. He needs you."

Gavin took the coat but didn't move.

I silently counted to three. 'Three, two, one…'

Sure enough, his special ringtone went off again.

Without another thought, Gavin put on his coat and headed for the door. "This time, we'll just make it legal. No wedding. That's the least I should do for you."

I gave a soft hum in response. All I could think about was how quickly I could cash out those shares.

Suddenly, he turned back and glanced at me. "What's that? A sales contract?"

My heart skipped a beat.

He'd seen it.

I didn't panic, though. I merely answered indifferently, "I'm thinking about making a few investments. I can't rely on you to support me forever."

Gavin smiled and didn't bother looking at the details. "Don't overwork yourself, okay? I can support you for the rest of your life."

I managed a faint smile.

He meant those words sincerely, but it was also true that he'd called off our wedding three times.

After Gavin left, the legal department at Grant Group contacted me and asked me to sign the Equity Transfer Agreement.

Upon signing it, I immediately messaged Lillian. "I'm going to Lichtenau next Monday."

Lillian replied with a thumbs-up emoji.

…

Gavin and Claire officially remarried.

On my way to the airport, I saw that Claire had posted their marriage certificates side by side.

The caption read, "After everything we've been through, we've finally found our way back to being a family."

The comments were filled with congratulations.

Someone took a screenshot and posted it on social media.

The comments were entertaining.

"That gold digger finally lost, huh?"

"Serves her right. This is so satisfying."

"The Grant family cares most about carrying on the family line. Claire has sealed her fate now."

I chose to remain silent.

A short while later, Claire deleted the post.

Soon, Gavin contacted me. "I'm sorry. I didn't know she made it public."

I didn't reply.

A moment later, he transferred another $3 million to me.

This time, I didn't reply with a simple "Okay."

I'd gotten enough out of him, and anything extra was just a bonus.

The announcement came over the speakers. "Passengers traveling to Lichtenau may now begin boarding."

I stood up and got in line.

Just then, I heard two voices behind me.

"The doctor said getting away for a while would be good for Alex."

"That doesn't mean you can call it a honeymoon."

I turned around and saw Gavin, Claire, and Alex standing there.

Before I could say anything, Claire burst into tears. "Ms. Hayes, we're taking Alex on a trip to help him unwind. Are you following us there, too?"

Gavin frowned and glanced at the ticket in my hand.

He snatched it from me. "You're going to Montavia too! Are you seriously following us?"

I shook my head gently. "I didn't know about your plans."

"How could you not know?" Claire cried even harder. "When you went to the company to finalize your shares, didn't you ask Daniel about our plans?"

At once, I realized Claire was trying to frame me again.

Gavin was predictably displeased. "Vivian, go home. Don't be unreasonable."

I frowned, but I knew there was no point explaining. I could always change my flight.

I picked up my luggage and turned to leave when Alex suddenly lost it and lunged at me. "You're a bad woman! Get out of here!"

He shoved me with all his strength. The heel of my shoe snapped, and I went tumbling into one of the nearby seats.

The commotion drew everyone's attention, and people began gathering around us.

Gavin started toward me, but Claire grabbed his arm. "Let's go. We can't let Alex see Ms. Hayes again. He can't handle the stress."

Gavin hesitated. He looked at Alex, who had begun clutching his chest, and stopped.

In the end, he made his choice. He took Alex's hand and led him toward the gate.

Suddenly, someone nearby cried out, "Oh my God, she's bleeding. Could she be having a miscarriage?"

Gavin stopped dead in his tracks. He released Alex's hand and rushed straight toward me.