Chapter 13
As soon as Nicole finished speaking, the sound of a car pulling up came from the entrance.
Soon after, Chris walked in wearing custom-made leather shoes. Seeing Joanna and Nicole sitting together, he pinched the bridge of his nose with a headache.
Whenever these two got together, it always turned into chaos.
"Mom, if she screwed up, just chew her out. Don't keep dragging me back from work every time you two get into it. I'm swamped there."
Nicole glared at him and threw the agreement she was holding at him. "Look at this crap! Does she think she can just waltz into the Cooper family whenever she feels like it and bail whenever she wants? Chris, what the hell have you been doing, letting her walk all over you!"
Chris quickly skimmed through the terms, then flipped to the last page where Joanna had already signed her name.
Joanna hadn't waited for him to go to court for the divorce—she'd actually gone ahead and drafted a divorce agreement herself!
Chris found it ridiculous and laughable. Joanna had been making too much of a fuss lately, and his patience was running thin.
Chris crumpled the agreement, suppressing his anger. "I've been too busy lately and neglected her. I'll take her on a trip in a while to help her relax."
Chris still tried to speak up for Joanna. He knew that if these two started arguing, Joanna would definitely lose, and then she'd be unhappy again.
Considering he'd hit Joanna before, he'd cover for her this time.
Joanna was surprised by Chris's defense of her. In the past, when Nicole bullied her, Chris would only tell her to be patient, saying Nicole was an elder.
But she still said very calmly, "I'm serious about the divorce. Just sign the divorce agreement so you can quickly marry the woman you love."
Nicole didn't expect Joanna to dare speak like this. She used to be so careful and timid, but now she was determined to divorce!
She let out a cold laugh. "Chris, have the legal department draft a divorce agreement right now. She must leave with nothing!"
Chris had a terrible headache. He didn't understand why Joanna had become like this!
He'd already covered for her so much, yet Joanna still insisted on making a scene!
"Mom, Joanna and I will handle our own affairs! Have the servants make you dinner first. I'll talk with Joanna and be back in a bit."
With that, Chris dragged Joanna to the villa's garden. "Joanna, don't you want the surveillance video anymore? Aren't you going to save your brother? And what about your mom lying in the hospital—where are you going to get the money for her surgery? Don't think that threatening me with divorce will make me fire Cynthia for you. Her talent is recognized by the whole company, unlike you, just a housewife. I don't expect you to contribute much to our family, but at least don't hold us back!"
Once again, putting her down as worthless, once again threatening her with her family.
She used to compromise over these things because she loved Chris, but now that Chris and Cynthia were involved, she no longer loved him, so she wouldn't compromise on anything!
Joanna asked with a cold laugh, "So if I don't divorce you, you'll give us the surveillance video?"
Hearing this, Chris's mood instantly improved. He thought Joanna was testing him.
Sure enough, he still had her under control.
He knew Joanna couldn't possibly divorce him! Who else would treat Joanna this well?
But he couldn't let Joanna get too cocky. He still needed to teach her a lesson—she'd really gone too far lately!
"Of course, it can't be that simple. You need to apologize to Cynthia and satisfy me. And my mom—you need to apologize to her too. How could you talk to her like that! Do all this, and I'll consider it. Otherwise, your brother can stay in prison and reform himself for a while!"
Joanna didn't know where his confidence came from. All she wanted now was a divorce. "There's nothing to discuss. Just sign."
Chris didn't expect that even after he'd compromised so much, Joanna would still threaten him with divorce!
He angrily tugged at his tie, loosening it. "Joanna! Don't be ungrateful. Without me, your father's third-rate company will go bankrupt in less than two weeks! And about this divorce—have you told your dad? Should I call him right now?"
"Don't!" Joanna refused instinctively.
Chris knew this would work!
"Like I said, what you need to learn now is to behave. Joanna, I don't have much patience to watch you make a fuss. Go apologize to my mom, then after dinner, I'll take you to the company to apologize to Cynthia! If you keep acting like this..."
Hearing this, Joanna steeled herself again. At worst, she'd let her father know—what could he do? "Go ahead and call Henry. His name isn't on our marriage certificate, so no matter how much he objects, it won't matter! Now that Chad's locked up, if you call him, he'll immediately pester you to help him find Sean, and ask you for a few million while he's at it! Go ahead and call!"
Chris was so angry his veins bulged. He stared at the determined Joanna and furiously tore up the divorce agreement in his hands. "You want a divorce? When I'm in a good mood someday, then I'll sign!"
Chris was being arrogant, acting like "I just won't sign, what can you do about it?"
Joanna knew this matter wouldn't be settled today. She didn't want to waste any more time here.
"Whatever. You tore up one copy, I'll print another one for you! If you tear it up again, we'll go to court!" After saying this, Joanna turned and left.
Chris wanted to rush up and drag Joanna back to teach her a good lesson in bed, but then he thought better of it—that would be falling into Joanna's trap. He turned and went back to the villa. Nicole was sitting on the sofa waiting for him, still angry.
"Did you sign the agreement? You're too soft! Their whole family are leeches—how much money have they taken from us over the years? She should leave with nothing!"
Chris plopped down next to Nicole, threw his arm around her, and rubbed her back. "Mom, Joanna's been taking care of me just fine all these years! Plus, the sex is good. If we split up, I'd have to go through the whole dating thing again. What a pain in the ass! Right now, I just want to focus on growing the business and making this company huge! Joanna works for me!"
Hearing her son say this, Nicole became even more irritated. "Well, you handle it yourself then! By the way, how's it going with getting Dr. J to do surgery for your grandfather?"
"They didn't agree. I'm thinking of other ways."
Speaking of this made Chris angry.
That Dr. J was just like Joanna lately—wouldn't respond to either soft or hard approaches, wouldn't even meet in person!
Cynthia's mentor personally went to ask and offered very good terms, but was still refused.