When he said it, he seemed pretty normal.
But those who knew him could tell he was fuming inside.
Josephine was in for a rough ride.
Not just her, but the whole Kalmien family and her friends too.
In Hustalia, Stuart was a big deal. The Haustia family had businesses all over the country and even abroad.
Stuart could mess with Hustalia's economy.
What was Josephine thinking, crossing someone like him?
Stuart glared at Josephine; if looks could kill, she'd be dead.
His stare was terrifying, but Josephine didn't seem to care.
She even had the nerve to put the divorce papers in front of him and say coldly, "Sign it!"
Stuart didn't budge. "My lawyer will contact you."
"Alright," Josephine nodded. "In front of everyone here, I hope you keep your word. I want your lawyer to contact me soon so we can finalize the divorce quickly."
Then she turned and left.
William glanced at Stuart and said, "Mr. Haustia, don't go back on your word."
Stuart clenched his fist, his jaw tight.
After William spoke, he followed Josephine out.
The room felt like it froze.
The assistant, Ronald, spoke up, "Let's adjourn for now, everyone..."
"No," Stuart interrupted, "Continue."
The meeting went on, but the atmosphere was something the shareholders never wanted to experience again.
No one dared to meet Stuart's gaze.
They thought, 'Maybe out of anger, Stuart's eyes are bloodshot, like a demon in a TV show.'
In wealthy families, couples rarely had real feelings for each other.
So, about Josephine's divorce request, Stuart wasn't heartbroken.
He just felt his pride was being challenged. That had to be it.
No one knew that amidst his anger, a part of Stuart's heart began to ache.
But this pain was buried under his anger, so much so that even he didn't notice it.
As for Josephine, when she walked out of the building, Laura was waiting below.
Laura asked, "How did it go?"
Josephine nodded. "It went smoothly."
"I told you!" Laura laughed. "No man can stand that; he will definitely agree to the divorce!"
Josephine was set on getting a divorce, and Laura had given her this idea.
To bring it up in public, forcing Stuart to agree out of pride.
Bringing William along to provoke Stuart, no man would want to stay married if he thought his wife was cheating.
Actually, William hadn't said anything inappropriate, but others would imagine some gossip.
This was the effect Laura wanted.
If Stuart still refused to divorce, he'd be a laughingstock!
"Let's go!" Laura waved her hand. "Time to celebrate!"
Such an occasion naturally included Liam and Claudia.
At the dinner table, Josephine raised her water glass. "Mr. Campbell, I really appreciate your help this time. I'll toast you with water instead of wine."
William smiled. "We've been through a lot together, and you still call me Mr. Campbell? Isn't that too formal?"
Laura added, "Exactly! Just call him William like I do! Josephine, William's really brave; not many people dare to cross Stuart."
Josephine did owe him a favor.
The first time they met, she was in a wheelchair, and William helped her.
She smiled. "Alright, William, I toast to you."
William happily drank his wine.
Liam asked, "Do you want to share your plans next?"
Liam already knew but wasn't sure if Josephine wanted others to know.
Josephine said, "There's nothing to hide. I might go abroad and might not be back for three years."
Claudia was stunned. "Three years?"
Laura was also unhappy. "I just got back, and now you're leaving?"
"No choice," Josephine said, "I need a change of scenery."
William said, "Don't worry, wherever Josephine goes, I'll go. I'll take care of her."
"Wow, you really care about her." Laura teased. "William, what do you mean by that? We asked you to help with the act, and now you're really into it?"
William laughed. "My feelings are genuine; I've never been acting. I just hope Josephine will give me a chance in the future."
He knew Josephine wouldn't want to discuss this, especially in front of so many people.
So he quickly changed the subject. "With transportation being so convenient nowadays, you can visit abroad quickly."
He expressed his feelings but didn't dwell on the topic, leaving a good impression on Laura and Claudia.
After dinner, William offered to drive Josephine, but she thanked him and said she had hospital matters to discuss with Liam, then got into Liam's car.
Logically, if Josephine got divorced, Claudia and Laura should support Liam and Josephine being together.
However, Claudia and Laura both knew that Josephine only saw Liam as family, her best friend.
Honestly, if Liam had any chance, there wouldn't have been a Stuart in the first place.
They would have been together long ago.
Now, regarding Josephine's future relationships, they naturally hoped for her happiness and respected any choice she made.
So they never joked about Liam and Josephine.
In the car, Liam asked her, "For your safety, try not to meet Stuart alone in the next few days."
"I know," Josephine said. "Although Grandpa said he would talk to him and not let him take it out on others, I'm still worried he might target you. Liam, if you see him, avoid him."
Liam said, "My family's business hardly intersects with his; even if it did, I'm not afraid of him."
"Who knows what he'll do when he goes crazy," Josephine said, "Being cautious never hurts."
Liam asked, "What are you going to tell your family?"
Josephine replied, "Grandpa said he would contact my parents. Otherwise, I'd definitely get scolded to death by them."
Liam uttered, "Andrew is a good man."
Josephine nodded. "It's a pity I made him sad."
"It's not your fault." Liam looked at her. "Josephine, don't feel guilty."
"I know..." She hadn't finished speaking when her phone rang.
She looked down at it.
Seeing her not reacting, Liam asked, "What's wrong?"
Josephine said, "Stuart is calling."
Liam said, "Answer it, see what he has to say."
Josephine took a deep breath and answered.
Stuart's cold voice came through. "Where are you?"