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Home / Urban / Contract Over: You're Free to Go / Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

All Chapters of Contract Over: You're Free to Go: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

187 Chapters

Chapter 41

Midnight Oak was an exclusive whiskey bar hidden inside an old mid-century villa. Instead of the usual deafening bass music, soft vinyl jazz floated in the background.When Teresa opened the door to the private room, Carlton had already poured two glasses of whiskey.He had taken off his jacket, wearing only a dark turtleneck sweater. His gold-rimmed glasses reflected the dim wall lights.Seeing her enter, he rose and pulled out a chair for her. He also took her coat, still chilly from the outside air, and hung it up on the side. The practiced ease with which he did all these made the two seem like an old couple.Teresa sat down on the couch and picked up the glass of whiskey on the rocks, shooting half of it in one go. The fiery liquid burned down her throat, but it somehow made her feel better.Carlton took the seat across from her and watched her in silence without urging her to drink.In this dim, private space, Teresa had shed the armor she wore as the CEO of TRS Group. The

Chapter 42

As it was, even Teresa was stunned to hear the words she just said. During her argument with Silas back home, she'd accused him of flirting with other women behind her back and used the most biting remarks to confront him.But now, when another man attempted to pin those sleazy assumptions onto Silas, her instinctive reaction was to refute him and defend Silas.Because deep down inside, she knew better than anyone the pride and sense of righteousness that were carved into Silas' bones. If he truly had a change of heart, he would decisively ask for a divorce instead of having secret rendezvous at cafes.The faint smile at the corner of Carlton's lips finally faltered. He set down his glass, his eyes flickering with well-hidden discontent. He had gone to great lengths to get that photo and to produce it in front of Teresa at just the right moment.His goal had been to watch the marriage crumble under their mutual suspicion.But instead, although Teresa did get into a fight with Sila

Chapter 43

Carlton paused, his tone becoming exceedingly tender as he continued with a sigh, "Teresa, you shouldn't have to suffer like that."You deserve a man who can stand shoulder to shoulder with you in battle and understands all your exhaustion—not a burden who hides behind you and upsets you with this kind of ridiculous silliness."He couldn't have chosen harsher words to say. Just like that, he'd given Silas the humiliating label of being a burden while simultaneously exalting Teresa as the righteous, superior one who'd been made to suffer a great grievance.If any woman exhausted by her marriage were sitting here, she would likely have already collapsed into the arms of the man who seemed to understand her so well.Teresa looked at Carlton's hand, which was still cupped over hers. It felt warm and powerful. Yet, for some reason, the memory of Silas' hand wrapping around hers in his pocket as they walked down the street that weekend came back to her.She could still recall the warmth

Chapter 44

The next morning, the rainy weather in Bellmere finally broke, and the sun returned to the sky.Silas arrived at his studio early in the morning. Rather than a proper office, it was really just a rented one-bedroom apartment used to store material samples and renders of high-precision architectural drafts.He sat at his computer, staring at the final quotation and production schedule from Glimmer Studio. After much deliberation, he decided against responding to the email with his acceptance and called Estelle."Morning, Mr. Langston. Is there an issue with the quotation?" Estelle queried, her voice crisp and professional."The quotation is fine, and the pricing is fair."Silas leaned back in his chair, looking out at the bright sunlight outside. In a steady voice, he continued, "But I'm sorry, Ms. Lockwood. I'm afraid I have to cut short our collaboration for the glass facade."There was a clear pause on the other end. After a few seconds of silence, Estelle asked carefully, "Mr.

Chapter 45

The only thing Silas felt was disgust.He was repulsed by people like Carlton who hid in the shadows like sewer rats, relying on manipulative deception and secretly taken photos to stir up conflict. He was even more put off by the double standards of Teresa's logic and the way she sullied both his character and his career with such accusations.Since she had already decided that his business meetings at the cafe constituted flirting and that he was actively seeking the admiration of other young women, then so be it. He would put an end to such possibilities.Silas eradicated the problem at the root, making sure it was no longer available for Carlton to use to his own benefit or for Teresa to attack him with this so-called evidence. He refused to allow his honest, decent work to be weaponized against him in this crumbling marriage. It was the final boundary he kept as a man and also the dignity he insisted on maintaining for himself.He also proceeded to delete Estelle's number

Chapter 46

Teresa only saw the food left in the kitchen, but not the person who made it. The emotional chasm between them had already grown wider than she realized.…On Friday afternoon, at the CEO's office in TRS Group, Louisa came in with two gold-embossed invitations."Ms. Sloan, the arrangements for the company's annual gala tonight have been finalized," she said as she placed the invitations on the desk. "These are your cards for the seats reserved for you and Mr. Langston at the main table."Teresa flipped through them and nodded. "Has Silas been notified?""I sent him a reminder this morning. Mr. Langston said he would be sure to arrive at the hotel on time," Louisa said, pausing for a moment before she continued. "Also, Mr. Unger has confirmed his attendance. As the representative of Seek Capital, he's assigned to the first VIP table, right next to the main table."The pen in Teresa's hand paused for a fraction of a second before she resumed signing the documents in front of her.

Chapter 47

The worst was yet to come.Ronald Knox, an investor who was already pretty inebriated, winked as he called out, "What old debate partners? I heard you two were a couple back in college! After all this time, now that you're back in the country again, Mr. Unger, I doubt it's just TRS Group you have your eye on. "Dare I say there's also someone you're after?"The moment those words fell, the atmosphere at the main table turned tense.Several senior executives from TRS Group exchanged glances, secretly stealing sideways glances at Silas' expression. He was holding a glass of sparkling water, sitting there with his spine perfectly straight.His expression was impassive. Even his hand didn't shake. He just sat in silence, as if the woman in the flirtatious insinuations wasn't his legally wedded wife.All attention shifted toward Teresa, and her expression stiffened a little. There was no denying that it was hugely inappropriate for these people to be teasing her about being involved w

Chapter 48

The spotlight in the ballroom was so bright that Silas had to narrow his eyes. It felt like a scalpel, cutting him out of the main table, where a forced calm ensued, and exposing him to the hundreds of people in attendance."Go on. Just say a few quick words," Teresa turned and instructed him quietly.Under the table, she lightly patted the back of Silas' hand. Her tone carried a hint of reassurance, but her eyes held urgency—rushing him to get up on stage and complete the KPI that involved presenting a harmonious family image to the public.Silas stood and adjusted the hem of his suit jacket. He had actually prepared a speech. Before coming over to attend the company gala, he had practiced it several times in front of the mirror.It was a fairly unassuming speech, only containing some tender words of confession. He wanted to say, "I'm honored to have witnessed the way TRS Group has grown from the ground up over the past three years, and I'm proud of Teresa's achievements. I hope

Chapter 49

The words flowed smoothly and effortlessly out of Carlton's mouth as he talked about the wonderful past he and Teresa shared, speaking of a period of Teresa's life that Silas was never a part of. The employees and business partners below listened with rapt attention, applauding from time to time."I'm happier than anyone else that I was able to come back to the country and help Teresa out this time. It's my way of making up for the regret I have for leaving the country back then without being able to build up her company with her."Carlton spoke with deep sincerity. Toward the end of his speech, he even lifted his glass toward Teresa in the audience."I offer this toast to you, Teresa. Here's to finally coming full circle and leaving no regrets behind."As cheers and thunderous applause rang out from below, Silas gripped the microphone, standing alone on one end of the stage.The spotlight was still on him, making him seem like a statue, frozen in the middle of preparing for a s

Chapter 50

"That was just business etiquette! He's representing the company's investors!" Teresa raised her voice, as if volume alone could give her the moral high ground."If I didn't play along with him, what am I supposed to do if the funding for the West District project cuts off? Don't you know how much pressure the company is under right now? Can't you be a little more mature and stop being so petty over these meaningless and unimportant things?""Meaningless and unimportant things…" Silas repeated, deeply sensing the outrageousness of this situation. "So my dignity is meaningless and unimportant, and so is my presence. Compared to your so-called bigger picture, our three-year marriage is also meaningless and unimportant, right?""I didn't say that!" Teresa fired back with an impatient wave of her hand. "I'm just asking you to learn to prioritize the important things!"You spend all your time at home, Silas. You have no idea how the business world works. Sometimes, compromising a little

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