Chapter 71 Talk to Sandra
Joanna's face immediately turned cold. She ripped off her face mask and shot back: "First of all, my share of Chris's assets is the compensation I deserve. Your son cheated and got his mistress pregnant - he's clearly the one at fault. If it weren't for the money Cooper Corporation spent on the Joneses these past three years, I would've gone through legal channels and left him with nothing!"
"Second, my mom raised me just fine. At least I wouldn't stoop to spreading rumors about an innocent person's private life. Finally, I want to ask you - are you making this call because you're upset for Cynthia, or because you don't want me getting my share of the divorce settlement?"
"You!" Nicole was so furious she couldn't speak, her body trembling.
She hadn't expected that after just a few months, Joanna had become so sharp-tongued, completely different from her former timid and accommodating self.
Nicole felt uncomfortable with this change. "Well, well, now you don't even respect your elders. I should really be glad you're divorcing Chris. Otherwise, if people found out my son's wife was someone like you, they'd laugh their heads off!"
"If you truly treated me like a younger family member, of course I would respect you. But ask yourself - have you really done that?"
During those three years, Nicole had found fault with Joanna every time they met.
For Chris's sake and family harmony, Joanna had always endured it.
This was the first time she could express her true thoughts without having to put up with the grievances Nicole caused her.
"That's none of your business! Just drop the lawsuit. Making such a fuss over something so trivial in court - you might not find it embarrassing, but I do!" Nicole said through gritted teeth.
But Joanna narrowed her eyes and asked, "Why would you be embarrassed? Wasn't it Cynthia who spread rumors about my private life?"
"It was... so what if it was me!" Nicole felt guilty at first, but thinking about how much money Joanna had taken from Chris, she became defiant again.
"But I paid good money for those photos. You know in your heart whether they're fake or not! You betrayed Chris and still want to take half his assets - it's not that easy! Joanna, you'd better voluntarily change the property division in the divorce agreement with Chris, or I'll keep releasing more information!"
Joanna was so angry she almost laughed.
She really couldn't understand why Nicole thought she was taking advantage of Chris in this divorce!
Didn't her three years of youth, the career she sacrificed for the family, and all the grievances she suffered with the Coopers deserve compensation?
"Since you've admitted you released those photos, please show up in court on time. As for whether it's slander or not, let the judge decide!"
With that, Joanna hung up.
When Nicole called several more times, she blocked her directly.
No wonder she could raise someone like Chris - they think exactly alike!
After some thought, she decided she needed to push the divorce through quickly, or Chris would back out again.
Joanna quickly contacted Matthew and, after checking recent schedules, made an appointment for next Wednesday morning.
Worried Chris might ignore it, she specifically called Wednesday morning to remind him.
"Chris, don't forget to come to the marriage registry office today to finalize the divorce!"
Chris was clearly busy on his end, with frequent sounds of papers shuffling: "Got it."
Then he hung up.
Joanna waited at the entrance of the marriage registry office for a while, but only saw Matthew arrive.
She asked anxiously: "Where's Chris? The appointment time is almost here. If he doesn't come, we'll have to reschedule!"
Matthew looked guilty: "Mr. Cooper said to have me handle the divorce registration for him."
With time running out, Joanna had no time to listen to his jokes.
"Even a three-year-old knows both parties have to be present in person for divorce registration. What does Chris mean by this? If he doesn't want to divorce or is busy today, why didn't he say so earlier? Does he have to toy with me like this!"
After speaking urgently, she called Chris.
But no one answered.
Matthew quickly explained: "Mr. Cooper is in a meeting. The new pharmaceutical research project is about to be announced, and Mr. Cooper hasn't had proper rest in a long time because of it."
He said this hoping Joanna would feel sympathetic and understanding toward Chris.
But all Joanna could think about was that Chris wanted to back out again.
Previously at the police station, he'd signed the divorce agreement, then immediately changed his mind and tore it up.
Now he'd finally proposed this fake divorce himself, but he still couldn't keep his word!
Joanna's eyes turned red with anger, filled with grievance and resentment.
Matthew felt helpless and handed her a tissue: "Don't worry, maybe Mr. Cooper is doing this because he doesn't want to divorce you?"
"Well, that would be the worst news of the day!" Joanna said angrily.
After waiting anxiously for what felt like forever, Chris finally answered his phone, his voice somewhat weary: "Didn't I send Matthew over? What are you freaking out about?"
Joanna laughed bitterly: "Chris, without both parties present, how can the staff process the divorce registration? Should Matthew tell them he's my husband?"
Chris was stumped. He'd been so busy and dizzy these past few days, he'd forgotten.
However, he would never admit his mistake to Joanna!
The next moment, he spoke irritably into the phone: "It's just a divorce, why are you so anxious? I'll have Matthew schedule another time with you. I'm very busy right now, stop calling me."
Hearing the dial tone, Joanna felt helpless and angry.
In the end, she could only take a taxi and leave.
At the same time, the court's second summons was delivered to Nicole.
She was so angry she wanted to tear it up, but reason held her back. "This Joanna has really lost her mind!"
Cynthia wasn't feeling well today and didn't go to the office, but she knew today was when Chris and Joanna had scheduled their divorce.
So she'd specifically asked a colleague in the design department to keep an eye out, and they'd just sent feedback.
[Mr. Cooper didn't leave the office today, but Matthew went out for a bit and came back looking upset.]
Chris didn't go?
He still doesn't want the divorce?
Cynthia felt uncomfortable, and hearing Nicole mention Joanna, she came up with an idea.
She poured Nicole a cup of tea: "Miss Jones is probably just angry that Chris wants to divorce her, so she's deliberately making a big deal of things. You're being generous by not arguing with her, but she's too inconsiderate. As an elder, arguing with her would be beneath you. Why not find a chance to talk with Miss Jones's mother?"
Nicole had met Sandra before, and thinking of her made her annoyed: "Wasn't Sandra supposed to be in a vegetative state? Has she woken up?"
Cynthia smiled lightly, "She has. Chris even visited Sandra before. Matthew, who's always with Chris, must know the address."
Nicole understood and called Matthew directly.
Ten minutes later, the nursing home address was sent to her phone.
Since Joanna didn't know better, she'd go talk to Sandra. What kind of daughter-in-law sues her elders in court!