Chapter 39
Alexander's voice carried an ominous undertone beneath its apparent calm.
Emily hesitated, reluctant to follow him. The Foster Mansion atmosphere had become increasingly toxic, but she wasn't eager to be alone with Alexander either.
After a moment's consideration, she rose from her seat with a slight nod and walked toward him, her steps measured and dignified.
They walked in silence down the hallway, the tension between them almost tangible. Alexander suddenly broke the quiet. "Stay away from my grandmother. Her health is fragile."
Emily nearly laughed at the hypocrisy. Where was this concern when he was carrying on with Sophie right under Eleanor's nose?
"Divorce," She began softly. "I promise I'll never..."
"Enough!" Alexander cut her off coldly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her toward him. "Stop testing my patience, Emily. I've told you before that divorce is not an option."
His grip tightened, his eyes boring into hers with glacial intensity. Emily knew this wasn't about any lingering affection. It was about control, about humiliation, about protecting Sophie from scandal.
She closed her eyes briefly, struggling to contain her surging emotions.
"Our marriage was kept private. Not many people know about it. After we divorce, I won't tell anyone," She reasoned, her voice steady despite her racing heart.
"Are you incapable of understanding what I'm saying?" His voice suddenly dropped to a dangerous whisper.
Before she could respond, Alexander pushed her against his car, his mouth claiming hers in a punishing kiss.
There was nothing tender or loving about it—just raw dominance and control.
Throughout their three-year marriage, moments of intimacy had been rare, but this wasn't the first time he'd forced a kiss on her.
"What are you thinking about?" He murmured against her lips, his voice laced with menace even as the intimate sound of their kiss lingered between them.
"You insisted on marrying me, and now you want me to let you go? To run off with some other man?" His breath was cool against her face. "Dream on. Even if you die, you'll still be my wife."
Despair washed over Emily like a wave. Even death wouldn't free her? How deeply did he hate her?
When the car finally stopped in the Foster Group's underground parking garage, Emily stirred from her thoughts.
"Alexander," She said, her brow furrowing slightly. "We agreed that once I defended Sophie, you'd let me go. I've fulfilled my part, so I'm no longer Foster Group's legal counsel."
"Defended?" His laugh was hollow. "Is that what you call what happened?"
Emily's heart sank further.
Sophie had inexplicably requested the presentation of evidence that only served to confirm her status as "the homewrecker." But of course, being Alexander's beloved, she remained untouchable.
With one command from Alexander, the online criticism had vanished overnight, and the lawsuit had simply disappeared.
Remembering how she'd fainted from pain while Alexander comforted Sophie made Emily's determination to leave him grow stronger.
"Whether it was effective or not doesn't matter. I fulfilled your request, so now it's time for you to honor mine," She insisted.
"Your request?" Alexander turned to face her, his hawk-like gaze filled with suspicious hostility. "To leave Foster Group so you can wait tables at some hotel and play the victim to my grandmother? Is that your plan?"
Hearing his words, Emily almost laughed at the accusation.
There was no point in explaining herself. Let him think whatever he wanted.
She pressed her hand against her chest, trying to calm her irregular heartbeat. "Don't worry. I won't involve your grandmother in our matters again."
Eleanor was kind, but she was Alexander's grandmother first and foremost.
Alexander narrowed his eyes, studying her pale face. "What exactly are you planning?"
Before she could say "divorce," she felt the chilling aura emanating from him.
Separation through negotiation clearly wasn't possible. She would need another approach.
Instead of pursuing that topic, she changed tactics. "My bachelor's and master's degrees were in pharmaceutical science. That's what I've always wanted to do. So I won't be continuing as legal counsel."
"Is it really about your interest in pharmaceuticals, or is it because Sophie has a PhD in the field, and you're trying to get my attention?" Alexander's hostile expression suddenly softened.
If she had looked more carefully, she might have noticed a flash of pleasure in his eyes, but it disappeared too quickly to catch.
Emily missed this fleeting emotion, feeling defeated and reckless.
"A manipulative woman like me would do anything, wouldn't she?" She replied with bitter sarcasm.
"Hmm." He made a noncommittal sound, his long fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel. "The Foster Group has a pharmaceutical division. Report there."
Realizing he agreed, Emily was momentarily stunned.
When they first married, she had asked him to let her pursue her passion for pharmaceutical science, but he had flatly refused.
When things seemed too easy with Alexander, there was always a catch.
She made a mental note of his suspicious compliance but didn't press the issue. She simply got out of the car without another word.
However, instead of heading to Foster Pharmaceuticals, she went to the library to research more about the fish herb.
Before she could settle in, her phone rang. It was Matthew.
"Matthew," She answered, her voice softening with genuine respect.
His deep voice came through the line. "I've organized all the materials my father collected about the fish herb over the years. I have both digital and physical copies. When would be convenient for you to receive them?"
Emily hesitated.
Was it appropriate to have her boss deliver research materials to her? Especially considering Matthew was not only her direct academic senior but also the son of her mentor.
Most importantly, he had advanced her an extremely generous salary when she desperately needed it.
With all these factors combined, asking him to deliver the materials seemed rather presumptuous.
After a few seconds of consideration, she tentatively asked, "Are you free for lunch? We could meet then?"
Worried he might misinterpret her invitation, she quickly added, "You've helped me so much. I'd like to express my gratitude."
"Alright," Matthew agreed without hesitation.
Emily was still feeling cold from her encounter with Alexander when Matthew continued, "Just send me the address. See you at lunch."
Then he hung up.
He really was quite reserved.
At noon, they met at the Red Square restaurant.
As Emily accepted the thick envelope of materials, she felt the weight of her mentor's years of dedication.
She absolutely could not fail Richard again!
While making this silent vow, she became aware of an intense gaze upon her. Looking up, she unexpectedly met Matthew's eyes.
Between a man and a woman, even the smallest spark during eye contact could potentially ignite into something more.
She wasn't a naive girl anymore and could interpret that look, but instinctively chose to avoid it.
"Matthew, why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" She asked lightly.
"No," He replied, taking a sip from his cup with casual grace before continuing, "The way you just looked—with your eyes lighting up at the research materials—it's exactly how my father described you."
Emily relaxed. So she had misinterpreted his interest.
Of course, why would someone as accomplished as Matthew be interested in a married woman? Especially one who was about to be a divorced woman.
She mentally chided herself for her assumption, feeling more at ease as their conversation continued.
Then Matthew abruptly changed the subject. "About your divorce... do you need any help with that?"