Chapter 59
The next morning.
Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
The room still held the lingering scent of last night's passion.
Elsie slowly opened her eyes.
Her thick, curled lashes fluttered gently. Her long, lustrous hair spilled over the pillow like a waterfall, highlighting the glow of her skin.
Ronald's presence was already gone from the room.
Only Spud was there, contentedly munching on its cat food, making satisfied noises.
Elsie propped herself up, trying to sit.
A wave of soreness washed over her, making her gasp.
She looked down and saw her collarbone and shoulders covered in faint, suggestive marks.
Memories of the previous night flooded back, filling her with a mix of shame and anger.
She bit her lower lip so hard it nearly drew blood.
Inwardly, she cursed inside, 'Ronald, you bastard!'
Elsie placed her bare feet on the floor.
A chill spread from her soles, clearing her foggy thoughts a bit.
She staggered to the wardrobe, grabbed a loose T-shirt and a pair of jeans, and quickly put them on.
She tied her messy hair into a simple ponytail, giving her a fresh, efficient look.
In the living room, Elsie's gaze fell on the table.
A black card caught her eye.
She picked it up, feeling its cool, smooth texture. The card had no designs or text, just a subtle gold pattern on the back, understated yet luxurious.
She realized it was likely Ronald's secondary card.
Next to the card was a note with a few words: [The password is your birthday.]
Those simple words shattered her heart.
A surge of anger flared up inside her.
She grabbed her phone and snapped a photo of the card.
Then she sent the photo to Ronald without hesitation.
[What do you mean by this, Ronald? Do you see me as nothing more than someone to sleep with for one night and then dismiss with money?]
The message carried all her fury and resentment.
Like an arrow, it shot straight to Ronald.After sending the message, she threw her phone onto the bed.
The soft mattress made a dull thud.
Spud seemed to sense her mood and walked over to her, rubbing against her leg with its soft fur.
Elsie bent down, picked up Spud, and buried her face in its fur.
She took a deep breath.
The York Group Building.
Ronald sat at the head of the conference table, leading the York Group's quarterly meeting.
The atmosphere in the room was tense and silent.
Suddenly, his pocket vibrated again.
Ronald frowned impatiently.
He casually reached into his suit pocket and pulled out his phone.
The screen lit up with a photo from Elsie.
A ripple of emotion crossed his otherwise calm face.
A barely noticeable smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
This slight change didn't escape the sharp eyes of the employees in the room.
Ronald didn't care.
His long fingers danced quickly over the phone screen.
[Divorce compensation. I don't want you going around saying Ronald mistreated his ex-wife.]
After sending the message, he tossed the phone onto the table.
"Mr. York, is there something urgent?" the marketing director cautiously asked, breaking the suffocating silence.
He watched Ronald's expression nervously, afraid his report had angered him.
Ronald looked up, his gaze as cold as a blade, sweeping over everyone.
Ronald said, "Personal matter."
Everyone exchanged glances, not daring to make a sound.
The marketing director awkwardly sat back down, discreetly wiping the sweat from his forehead.
He thought to himself,'Mr. York is arguing with someone, why drag us into it?'
Ronald didn't care about his subordinates' thoughts.
He twirled the pen in his hand, his mind drifting to Elsie.
That Elsie always managed to stir his emotions easily.
Just then, without him realizing it, Ronald's phone connected to the conference room's big screen.
The screen displayed his WeChat chat.
The phone vibrated again, and Elsie's reply was short and sharp.
[I don't need your fake kindness. I don't want your money!]
Followed by a "vomit" emoji.
Seeing her reply, Ronald's lips curved into a meaningful smile.
Ronald: [Quite the temper. Seems I didn't satisfy you last night?]
This message made the atmosphere in the room even more awkward.
A few young female employees blushed, sneaking glances at Ronald.
Their eyes were filled with curiosity, and whispers spread through the room.
Ronald cleared his throat, realizing his mistake.
He muted his phone and looked up. "Continue."
Later, Ronald glanced at his phone, noticing Elsie hadn't replied. His face darkened.
The long meeting finally ended, and Ronald left the room with a scowl, leaving everyone whispering behind him.
He sped to Elsie's apartment building, tugging at his tie in frustration.
He didn't understand; giving her the card was a gesture of goodwill, a concern for her. How did she take it as an insult? Elsie was really ungrateful.
He sat in the car for five minutes, but didn't go up.
If he saw Elsie, he feared he wouldn't be able to control himself.
Inside the apartment, Elsie looked at Ronald's message and sneered.
She didn't need his money!
Elsie petted Spud's head, then walked to the door leading to the rooftop.
On the rooftop, the morning sky was a brilliant blue.
A breeze brought a slight chill.
Elsie slowly watered the plants.
Spud circled her feet, occasionally nudging her leg with its wet nose.
Elsie gradually calmed down.
Since deciding to divorce Ronald, she felt much lighter.
She no longer had to face Ronald's perpetually cold demeanor or endure the ambiguous relationship between him and Missy.
Spud suddenly barked at something below.
Elsie followed Spud's gaze.
A black Maybach was parked below, and a familiar figure stepped out.
It was Ronald. He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture straight, his demeanor stern.
The sunlight cast a golden glow on him, making him look even more striking and unapproachable.
Elsie's heart raced.
She instinctively wanted to hide, but then thought better of it.
They were almost divorced. Why should she hide from him?
Ronald looked up and saw Elsie on the rooftop.
He strode towards the building entrance.
Elsie watched him approach, feeling a bit nervous.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.