Chapter 166 Discussing Divorce
Nora took Olivia's hand and looked at the two people across from them. "Are you here to talk to Olivia about the divorce?"
Eleanor choked for a moment, then said with a forced smile, "Nora, you've got it wrong. We asked Olivia out today because we want to talk to her about things with Willie."
If it weren't for the property, Eleanor wouldn't be here saying nice things.
She said to Olivia, "Olivia, everything before was just a misunderstanding. About what happened with Willow, we thought about it when we got home, and it really was Willow's fault, so our family won't hold it against you anymore."
"These past few days without you at home, I've felt the house is so empty, not as lively as before. Willie often says he misses you. Things were better when you were home. You made the house feel like a real home." Eleanor said, glancing at the people across from her.
All three remained expressionless, completely unmoved.
Eleanor continued, "What married couple doesn't fight? But once the misunderstanding is cleared up, life goes on, right?"
"Everything before was a misunderstanding. Let's just forget about it and all be more understanding. Willie told me you weren't comfortable living with us. He said he wants to move out and live with you, and I agreed. Young people don't really like living with old folks, I get it." By this point, the three people across from Eleanor still weren't responding.
Eleanor had to continue, "Olivia, you're married now. It's not really appropriate to keep staying at your sister's place, is it? How about this - come home with us tonight, and tomorrow I'll have Willie take you to look at places. You can rent wherever you like. I won't object anymore."
"I'm not planning to go back with you," Olivia spoke up. "If you want to talk about divorce, let's talk. If not, we're leaving."
She was too tired to listen to this kind of persuasion now.
They had been bullying her all along, and now they were suddenly being nice - it was definitely because of Apex Technologies Corporation.
Olivia understood their nature very well now.
"Olivia, Willie makes good money every year. Wouldn't it be wonderful to stay with him and be a stay-at-home mother? We'll hire a servant for you. During the day, you can go out shopping and eating, no need to worry about making a living. Wouldn't that be a good life?" Eleanor thought this kind of life was what most women dreamed of.
"No need," Olivia was unmoved. "After the divorce, you give me the money I deserve. I can earn my own money, I don't need yours."
She never wanted to experience that hellish life again.
After this divorce, Olivia didn't want to get married again. She'd earn her own money and spend it herself - that would be a much freer life.
Seeing how cold Olivia was, Willie tried to reach for her hand. "Olivia, our family wronged you before. We can have more children in the future. Come back with me, let's live a good life together, okay?"
Nora's sharp eyes caught Willie reaching out, and she swatted his hand away before he could touch Olivia.
Eleanor felt uncomfortable. Willie was her precious son, yet Nora and Olivia were treating him this way!
If it weren't for Willie's property, Eleanor wouldn't be here putting up with this!
After all, in Eleanor's eyes, Hazel was much better than Olivia!
At least when Hazel came to the house, she was always respectful and knew how to flatter her, which was so much better than Olivia's arrogant attitude.
Eleanor was unhappy inside.
But Willie genuinely wanted to coax Olivia back. Seeing that she'd lost the baby and become so beautiful, his lust was stirred again.
Actually, he'd always liked Olivia, but men occasionally have physical needs that need satisfying, and with Olivia's poor health, he could only find women outside.
Plus, he didn't want Olivia working at the company. If Olivia went to the company, she'd keep tabs on him, making everything inconvenient.
What he hoped for most was to keep Olivia at home, not asking too many questions about his business, just staying home as a devoted wife and mother.
This was also why he hadn't objected when Eleanor didn't let Olivia go to work. That's what he'd been thinking at the time. He hadn't expected Eleanor to mishandle things, causing Olivia to lose the baby, and now Olivia wanted a divorce and to split the assets.
And clearly someone was giving Olivia advice behind the scenes, otherwise, with her mindset, she probably wouldn't be this decisive.
Thinking about this advisor, Willie glanced at Steven.
Steven was listening to them talk with an indifferent expression, as if judging their intentions.
Willie suddenly felt that this Steven was not simple.
"I'm only going to say this once more," Olivia spoke up, looking at Willie. "Willie, we can't go back. I'm serious about divorcing you this time. If you really want to talk about divorce, let's lay it all out - how to split the assets. If you're not sincere, then I'll just have to get a lawyer to go to the company and assess the value."
"Willie, going to court to divide assets means paying taxes. Think it through yourself. With our assets, we'd have to pay at least several hundred thousand dollars in taxes. If you think it's better for us to split it ourselves, we'll settle it privately. If you're still going to have this attitude, don't come looking for me to talk again. I don't have time to listen to this nonsense."
Olivia's attitude was very firm.
Both Willie and Eleanor's faces darkened.
But Nora felt satisfied. Olivia had finally learned to stand her ground. Sure enough, once Apex Technologies Corporation was threatened, the Reed family immediately backed down.
Steven had guessed right - the Reed family had the most to lose if Apex Technologies Corporation went under.
Their whole family relied on this company to escape poverty. If the company collapsed and Willie was buried in debt, then the Reed family would go bankrupt too.
"Olivia, shall we go eat?" Nora saw that the Reed family wasn't sincere about talking, so she wanted to leave with Olivia.
Anyway, talking about divorce and figuring out how to split the assets couldn't be decided that quickly. Let the Reed family members go back and discuss it.
"Okay." Olivia got up and left with the couple.
"Olivia!" Eleanor suddenly called out, standing up with a cold look in her eyes. "Willie is excellent and successful in his career. If you don't treasure him properly, you'll definitely regret it later!"
There was a threatening tone in Eleanor's words.
She was just short of saying Hazel's name outright.
Olivia paused, then realized - Eleanor must have met Hazel!
Looking at Eleanor's current attitude, Olivia gave a mocking smile and walked away.
Willie's face changed, and he snapped at Eleanor, "Mom! What are you saying!"
Seeing Willie's cold eyes, Eleanor felt some regret. Yes, they came to find Olivia this time because they were afraid of splitting assets in the divorce. She shouldn't have acted on impulse!
After the three left, they went up to a private room on the second floor.
Nora gave the coupon to the staff, then looked at Olivia's somber face. "Olivia, next time if they want to talk about divorce, you need to bring us along. Don't face the Reed family members alone. They're full of tricks. You're just one person, you can't handle their whole family."
"I know," Olivia responded.
Her six years with Willie had come to this - the child was gone, Willie had cheated, and now they were divorcing, but Willie didn't want to give her money. She was already heartbroken.
Olivia looked at Steven. "Steven, about Willie and that mistress - have you gotten any evidence yet?"
"Not yet. You can ask Alton about this; he should know better than me." Steven answered while eating dinner elegantly.
Olivia didn't really want to ask Alton.
She didn't want to get too close to him.
She'd already paid Alton for the lawyer fees and medical expenses. She just hoped for a professional relationship, nothing more.
"I think I need to go back to work at Apex Technologies Corporation tomorrow." Olivia looked at Nora and Steven. "Their attitude is so unclear right now, I need to push harder."
Steven nodded. "Go if you should. Olivia, remember your identity as a shareholder. Don't be afraid of them."
"OK, tomorrow I'll have someone clear out Terry's office, and I'll work in his office," Olivia said, then looked at Nora. "Nora, after you set up your online store, tell me what products you need. I'll supply you. I'm a shareholder anyway, so I'm entitled to take inventory from the warehouse."
Nora was surprised. "Olivia, that's a good move."
If they won't divorce, she'll go work at the company and use Apex Technologies Corporation's goods. Let's see if the Reed family can keep putting up with it.
Olivia smiled. "If he won't divorce me, I won't make it easy for him either."
This time, she was going to make the Reed family members feel the hostility, just like when she was in the hospital, and the Reed family kept pressing her.
"Olivia, do you need me to come with you?" Nora was a bit worried, afraid Olivia would be bullied.
"No need. You have your own things to do. Let me handle my own matters." Olivia felt she needed to learn to grow. "I'll call you if something comes up. If nothing happens, just do your own thing. Don't waste all your time on me."
After all, everyone has their own life.
Besides, divorce wasn't that easy. Even if Willie agreed to divorce, they still had to assess the assets, then negotiate the agreement, sign it, register the divorce, and go through a one-month cooling-off period before they could actually divorce.
Even if things went smoothly, it would take one or two months.
If not smoothly, it could take six months to two years.
Alton had said before, "Divorce isn't something to rush. Don't just agree to whatever they say because you're eager to divorce. You need to check their accounts, see if they've transferred any assets, and get all the assets clearly divided. Otherwise, it'll be too late to go after the property after the divorce."
Nora felt that Olivia had really matured a lot. It's true that people grow quickly through hardship.
After hearing Olivia's words, Nora went home that night and threw herself into her work with determination.
She'd given her room to Olivia, so now she used the computer in Steven's room, while Steven used the one in the study.
Nora logged onto the website and quickly registered a store.
After ten o'clock, she was still learning at the computer. Steven, who had been reading in bed, was getting restless.
"Nora Adams." He looked up at her.