In the following days, Stuart was unusually busy.
Although Josephine lived in the same hotel as him, she never saw him.
It was only through the hotel staff that she learned Stuart had been shopping with Doris and even going to various performances with
her.
She didn't know if he stayed with Doris or got a separate room.
The clothes Claudia needed for the competition were almost ready, and she had arranged for the models. With everything settled, they decided to go out and relax.
They went to a bar quite far away.
They found a quiet spot and took a seat, ordering drinks and snacks.
Claudia told Josephine that it was her friend who recommended this bar to her.
It would only get busier after midnight.
Now it was still early, but there would be performances later, including a tie show.
In the so-called tie show, the male performers would wear only ties with their bare upper bodies.
Excitedly, Claudia said, "I've heard that the performances here are quite bold."
Josephine chuckled, "You're still like a child."
Despite experiencing a huge change in her family, Claudia's mindset had always been positive.
She had her days of spending money recklessly, but now she earned her own money through her abilities. Even though she might not be able to afford the purse she used to buy, she was already content.
She rested her chin on her hand, her big eyes still showing a hint of innocence. "Josie, you're the most outstanding among us, but your life is so difficult."
Josephine lowered her head and said softly, "I asked for a divorce a few days ago."
Claudia was surprised. "You've come to your senses? Does he agree?"
In her opinion, Stuart should readily agree with Josephine.
Josephine shook her head and said, "He didn't disagree, but he said some things that made me feel divorcing him was irrational."
"It's because he's so rational that heartless!"
Claudia said angrily. "He doesn't understand what love is!"
"Don't say that," Josephine said, feeling lost. "He just doesn't have feelings for me."
"Even if he's a stone, he should have developed feelings for you over these years, right?" Claudia grew angrier as she thought about it. "He's even with a woman who's not even comparable to you! Jerk!"
Josephine didn't dare say more, afraid that Claudia would get even angrier. "Don't be angry. I've come to terms with it. At least I won't be as foolish as before, only caring about his feelings."
"Yeah!" Claudia said happily. "He found a mistress, and you should retaliate in the same way! With your conditions, what kind of man can't you find! The man from a few days ago, I think he's not bad."
Josephine smiled and said, "Okay, I'll try to find one."
Claudia could tell from her expression that she was just placating her. Just as she was about to persuade Josephine again, her phone rang. It was the model she had contacted.
A few minutes later, she hung up and looked at Josephine. "Josie, I have to go back to the hotel. You wait here, and I'll be back in at most an hour."
Josephine said, "What's wrong? I'll go back with you."
"It's okay. There's a place on the dress that need to be altered. The model is waiting for me at the hotel. You don't have to come with me. I'll be back to watch the performance later, you wait here!"
She was also worried that Josephine's injured ankle would be inconvenient, so she instructed the waiter to take care of Josephine before leaving.
Not long after, the bar started to fill up.
Josephine was dressed plainly, without any makeup, but she was so beautiful that she attracted the attention of many men.
One man after another tried to strike up a conversation with her. Josephine, who hadn't even seen the performance yet, was already impatient to leave.
Josephine had no choice but to maneuver the wheelchair and temporarily leave the bar. She wanted to get some fresh air outside and wait for Claudia.
At this time, Stuart was also in this bar with Doris.
In addition to Stuart and Doris, there were a few of Stuart's friends in the private room. They had heard that he had gone abroad and invited him to get together.
The others were all working in this country, and one of them was Stuart's friend, who happened to be his childhood friend, had come to visit.
He was the same man Josephine had seen when Stuart bought menstrual products for Doris.
His name was Robin Bailey, he and Stuart had grown up together,
sharing a close bond.
Naturally, Robin didn't like Josephine or her friend Liam.
None of them had supported Josephine's decision to marry Stuart.
Josephine was both beautiful and capable, with an excellent family background that made her suitable for Stuart.
Robin believed Stuart had other options and didn't need to choose Josephine, his archenemy.
Robin had strongly opposed their relationship. He still remembered the humiliation that Josephine and Liam had caused him in school.
There were too many unresolved conflicts between them.
They had always harbored mutual animosity over the years.
Robin never expected Stuart to end up marrying Josephine.
But what comforted Robin was that Stuart and Josephine's relationship hadn't improved, and there were even rumors about Stuart.
As long as Josephine wasn't happy, he felt content.
So, Robin was particularly friendly towards Doris, who was now by Stuart's side.
Since everyone was meeting Doris for the first time, Robin and she were relatively familiar.
After all, Stuart had brought Doris to several gatherings.
Doris had initially been a bit anxious, worrying that Stuart's friends wouldn't accept her.
Now, she could joke around with Robin.
While Stuart was on the phone, Doris smiled at Robin and said, "Mr. Bailey, I've noticed that you seem to have very few female friends around you."
Robin chuckled and replied, "Stuart has few female friends. Doesn't that make you feel more at ease?"
"I trust him," Doris said shyly, "But you must have some close female friends too, right?"
Robin looked at her and said, "Doris, you should be well aware of how much Stuart loves you. He doesn't have any close female friends.
If you don't believe me, you can ask them."
Just as he finished speaking, Robin's phone also rang.
He got up and said, "I'll take this call."
Stuart answered the phone; it was Cliff.
Josephine had injured her foot and hadn't dared to go back recently.
Cliff called to ask Stuart and Josephine to return to the Haustia Manor.
Stuart casually made up an excuse to evade him.As he was about to return to the private room, he overheard two men next to him discussing a beauty.
Listening to their conversation, Stuart frowned.
He thought, ‘A beauty without making up, but still charming.’
‘She's in a wheelchair.’
‘Are they talking about Josephine?’