Chapter 18

Howard's distrust was written all over his face; he didn't buy for a second that Elisa was actually going to help him.

He sneered, "Cut the crap. If you don't spill what you really want, forget about the divorce."

Elisa's mind raced, and she quickly came up with another excuse. "I'm worried that if we announce it, the company's stock will tank. It's our joint property, after all."

Howard wasn't falling for it. He replied slowly, "Didn't you say you were leaving with nothing? Why do you care if the stock drops?"

As he spoke, he reached for some meat, only to find the plate empty.

He was momentarily stunned. He had polished off the entire plate without even realizing it. This was the best his appetite had been in ages. Ever since Elisa had left, all food had tasted the same, and he often put down his fork after just a few bites.

Elisa's eyes widened, and she stood up. "Do you want me to leave with nothing, Howard? Planning to take all that money to the grave?"

She had initially planned to leave with nothing, but after Harper's recent hospitalization, which had cost a fortune, she realized she needed to keep some money for Harper as a safety net.

Harper was getting older and wasn't in great health. She would likely need to go to the hospital frequently in the future. Although Elisa didn't want to think this way, she had to be prepared for the worst.

Given Walter and Elaine's attitude, it was entirely possible that one day they would get fed up and abandon Harper.

Moreover, she had thought that given Howard's usual generosity, he would at least give her a few million dollars and a house after the divorce, but she hadn't expected Howard to actually plan on giving her nothing.

Howard's face instantly darkened, and he stared at her coldly. "You said you would leave with nothing. Can't you bear to part with my money?"

Elisa's face turned cold, and she denied, "I didn't say that. But after all, we were married. If you don't want to give me money, at least give me a house in the city center, okay?"

With the money from the sale of the house and her own savings, she could ensure Harper's future was secure.

Flora and Lexine were the people she trusted the most. She would leave the money and Harper in their care.

Howard said coldly, "The houses under my name are for my wife. Once we're divorced, we're strangers. Do you think I would give you one?"

Elisa instantly became angry, threw her utensils on the table, and cursed, "Howard, you bastard! You deserve to die alone. I curse you to never find another wife after our divorce. Death will come knocking before you could spend the money!"

With that, she grabbed her coat and stormed out.

Howard's face was as cold as ice. She thought she could just curse him and leave? No way!

He got up and chased after her. "Elisa, stop right there!"

Elisa didn't stop. She opened the door to run out and bumped into a woman who was about to enter.

The woman exclaimed and fell backward with her suitcase, landing hard on the ground.

Elisa also stumbled back a few steps and was caught by Howard's hands.

He held Elisa in his arms and instinctively asked, "Are you okay?"

Elisa was momentarily stunned, then pushed him away with a cold face. "I'm still alive. Sorry to disappoint you."

As she pushed him away, Howard felt an emptiness in his arms, just like the empty house he had been facing for days, and he didn't like it.

"Howard, I'm the one who fell. Shouldn't you be worried about me?" The person who had fallen finally spoke up, grabbing Howard's attention.

He quickly helped her up, surprised. "Caroline, why are you back? Why didn't you give me a heads-up? Do Mom and Dad know?"

The woman was his younger sister, Caroline Brown. She had been studying abroad for years and only occasionally came back. She had graduated this year but had continued staying abroad because of someone.

Their parents had worried a lot about her.

Caroline smiled sheepishly, "There was an emergency, so I didn't tell them I was coming back. I came straight to find you after getting off the plane. Who knew I'd get knocked over before even getting in the door? It hurts."

She looked displeased and glared at Elisa, who was standing behind Howard, "Hey, you hit me and didn't even apologize, that's shameless!"

Howard raised his hand and tapped her on the head, "Show some respect! Do I need to teach you how to speak to your sister-in-law?"

Caroline rubbed her forehead, her face gloomy. "I think she's just a stranger. I never acknowledged her as your wife."

She complained, "Howard, it's been three years. Why do you still let her stay in our house?"

Elisa looked at the maturely dressed Caroline, and memories of the past came flooding back.

On the day she and Howard had gotten married, Caroline had come back from abroad just for the wedding. That was also the first time she had met Caroline.

Who knew that Caroline's smiling face would instantly turn sour when she saw Elisa, bluntly expressing her displeasure to Howard, "Who is this ugly woman? Why isn't it Victoria? Howard, how could you marry someone else?"

Caroline had only acknowledged Victoria as Howard's wife.

So Caroline had never been nice to Elisa. Fortunately, she had spent most of her time abroad, only coming back for important holidays, so they hadn't seen each other often.

Caroline had always been difficult to get along with.

Caroline didn't like , and Elisa didn't have any good feelings toward Caroline either.

But it was indeed her fault for bumping into Caroline. Elisa slowly apologized, "Sorry."

As soon as she spoke, both Howard and Caroline were stunned.

Elisa glanced at Howard, "A 10-90 split, I'll hold ten percent, and you hold ninety percent. No less. We can discuss the details later. When you're free, let's finalize it. No more delays."

With that, she left.

Howard's face instantly turned extremely gloomy. He wanted to call Elisa back, but Caroline, clueless, asked him, "Howard, what did she mean? What are you finalizing?"

Howard frowned and irritably shook off her hand. "This is adult business. Stay out of it."

Caroline was indignant. She had graduated from college; she was an adult, too.

Howard looked up when Elisa had already hailed a cab and left. He couldn't bring himself to chase after her, so he went back inside with a dark expression.

He sat at the dining table. There were still a few dishes left, but he had no appetite.

He had felt hungry just a moment ago, but now he was too angry to eat.

"Howard, wait for me. I just got back. Is it appropriate for you to show me this attitude?" Caroline dragged her suitcase inside, and a servant came to help her with it.

She sat down next to Howard, asking for a set of utensils and starting to eat unceremoniously, "Howard, I need your help with something."