Chapter 102
Looking at Jerry's smug, triumphant face, a surge of anger rushed through me.
Since he wanted to throw all the dirt on me, I didn't mind tearing apart his filthy thoughts and twisted logic.
I said coldly, "Jerry, you rushed over here so eagerly, working so hard to speak up for Sarah, even willing to twist the truth and slander your own daughter. Are you some kind of messenger sent by George? Here specifically to persuade me to be smart and hurry up with the divorce?"
Jerry's face stiffened.
I continued staring him down, my tone dripping with undisguised sarcasm. "Instead of wasting your breath trying to convince me, why don't you go talk to George and get him to sign the divorce papers sooner? Wouldn't that be more direct?"
"And another thing," I paused, my voice growing colder, "you keep going on about how great Sarah is, how wronged she is, how she's the real deal. People who don't know better might think Sarah is your long-lost illegitimate daughter! Otherwise, why would you be more anxious and concerned than George, her actual lover?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Jerry jumped up in rage, his face instantly turning red. He rolled up his sleeves, looking ready to hit me. "You little bitch, I think you need to be taught a lesson!"
But just as he raised his hand, his eyes caught sight of the closed banquet hall doors behind me. Remembering that Violet and many important guests were still inside, his movement froze, and he could only reluctantly lower his hand in frustration.
His chest heaving violently, he pointed at my nose, grinding his teeth as he hissed, "Keep running your mouth! Let's see how long you can keep it up! I'm telling you, George absolutely won't come today! Even with Mrs. Violet Smith here, he won't show up! He's out shopping and having a great time with Sarah right now! You can wait until dawn, until the party ends, and he still won't come!"
He thought these words would completely crush me, leave me desperate and humiliated.
But I just smiled slightly. "I know. I never expected him to come. And I never expected anything from you either. You're all the same."
This confrontation with Jerry actually helped the last faint ripple in my heart caused by George's absence completely settle, leaving only a clearer determination.
This marriage had to end, and soon.
Even if it would disappoint and hurt Violet, even if I'd face more gossip and difficulties, I couldn't stay in this suffocating relationship for one more second.
Jerry was so angry that he was practically fuming, about to say something even more vicious.
Just then, a deep, familiar voice came from not far behind him: "What's my father-in-law making a fuss about here?"
All of us, including Jerry, instinctively turned toward the voice.
At the other end of the hallway, George had actually appeared.
He wasn't wearing his usual impeccable suit, but a high-quality dark gray casual outfit. It made him look less like a rigid business elite, and surprisingly made his figure appear even taller and straighter. The severity in his features had softened somewhat, and in the hallway's dim lighting, he showed a rare, distant kind of handsomeness.
He walked over at an unhurried pace, his face expressionless, but when those deep eyes swept over everyone in the hallway, they carried an undeniable presence.
It was the natural pressure that came from someone long accustomed to authority.
Jerry spun around, and seeing that George had actually shown up, his expression became incredibly interesting.
The arrogant, mean-spirited attitude he'd had with me vanished without a trace, like he was a different person.
William and Emily both frowned, looking at this uninvited guest.
Their eyes held doubt, scrutiny, and more than anything, concern for my situation.
The banquet was almost over, and George was only just arriving—what was that supposed to mean? A sudden attack of conscience, or some other scheme?
But they didn't speak rashly, after all, this was between George and me.
Jerry recovered from his initial shock, his eyes darting between George and me as he said sarcastically, "Truly my daughter—quite the skilled manipulator, able to call him back here."
I knew he was convinced I'd used some method—maybe bringing up Violet, or using Milly—to force George to show up and maintain this final bit of dignity.
I didn't explain, and I couldn't be bothered to explain.
With someone like this, every word was a waste.
I watched coldly as George approached step by step.
He was holding an elegantly wrapped small gift box. He stopped in front of me, his gaze resting on my face for a moment.
Then he extended his hand, offering me the small box, his voice in its usual flat tone: "Traffic on the way, and I went to pick out a gift for my mother-in-law, which delayed me. I hope I'm not too late."
He looked at me, his gaze focused, his tone gentle, even pulling his lips into the faintest smile.
This appearance, combined with his outstanding looks and deliberately softened demeanor, was enough to create an illusion for anyone. As if he deeply loved me, cared about my feelings, and was genuinely sorry for being late.
If I didn't know his usual coldness toward me so well, I might have been fooled by this brief facade for a moment.
I didn't reach out to take the box, just looked at him expressionlessly, my voice cold: "No need. We appreciate the thought, but you can keep the gift. They're about to leave inside. Grandma is waiting for you."
I knew this face he was putting on was for Violet, who might come out at any moment.
This so-called carefully selected gift was either something he'd casually bought while shopping with Sarah, or worse, something Sarah had picked over and rejected.
Either way, it only made me feel more disgusted.
Just then, the banquet hall doors opened again.
Mom came out holding Milly's hand—she'd probably heard it had gotten quiet outside and wanted to check the situation.
Flora also came out, supporting Violet.
As soon as Milly came out, her big eyes curiously looked around, and when she saw George standing in the middle of the hallway, her little face clearly showed surprise.
But after the surprise, a flash of longing—that she herself probably didn't even notice—quickly crossed her clear eyes.
Seeing George, Violet's expression visibly relaxed, but then she put on a stern face, pretending to scold: "George! Why are you only just arriving? Look what time it is! Everyone's almost finished eating!"
George turned to Violet, explaining flatly: "Grandma, something came up at the last minute, and then there was traffic. Sorry to keep you waiting."
As he spoke, his gaze naturally fell back on Milly. He took the initiative to crouch down, slightly opening his arms toward Milly: "Milly, come here to Daddy."
I saw Milly's small body clearly stiffen. She looked up at me, then at George crouching not far away with an expression of warmth she'd almost never seen from him.
Her big eyes, so much like George's, were full of hesitation and uncertainty.
Finally, with Mom gently pushing her back, Milly hesitantly moved toward George.
Then, when she was still a step away from him, as if finally making up her mind, she took two quick steps and threw herself into George's open arms.
George smoothly picked her up, his movements not particularly practiced, but steady enough.
Held in his arms, Milly wrapped her little hands around his neck, burying her small face in the crook of his shoulder. After a few seconds, she let out a careful, tentative sound: "Daddy."