Chapter 188 Let’s Get a Divorce
People die in these buildings every year - some jump, some have sudden deaths - but I've never seen housing prices drop because of it.
"True." Olivia nodded. "Then let's rent this place."
"Okay." Nora was thrilled. This price was such a steal.
In less than an hour, they had signed the lease.
Olivia asked the agent, "By the way, how much commission do we owe you?"
Normally, it would be half a month's rent as commission.
"No need, the landlord pays on this end." The agent didn't want money, then asked Olivia, "By the way, Ms. Adams, are you still looking for an apartment? I have lots of listings around here, too. Let me show you some."
"Sure." Olivia agreed. "Are there any studios with balconies nearby?"
"Would something bigger work?" the agent asked.
"If the price is good, we can take a look," Olivia told the agent her budget. "Do you have anything around $2,000 a month?"
Actually, there wasn't anything like that around here. Even studios at Skyline Trade Center started at $4,000 and up!
But the agent had come with a mission and immediately said, "Yes."
The agent took them to see a one-bedroom apartment.
When they went in, Olivia hesitated. "With this location, the rent must be pretty high, right?"
A one-bedroom in this location would be at least $6,000!
"Not really, just take a look first." Steven had arranged everything. The prices were all set within their mental budget - it would definitely work out.
The agent took them inside. There were several security guards in the lobby downstairs. The security looked very good, and they were very polite.
The one-bedroom apartment was fully furnished and decorated in a relaxed, upscale style that looked very comfortable.
Who would have thought this apartment was completely empty just two hours ago?
As soon as Olivia walked in, she was very satisfied. This apartment was really nice - bright and comfortable, with all appliances and furniture included.
Some appliances still had their protective film on - clearly brand new.
Olivia whispered to Nora, "This apartment seems new. The film hasn't even been removed from the appliances."
"I think so too." Both Olivia and Nora felt this apartment was just too perfect.
"How is it?" Seeing their satisfaction, the agent said with a smile, "This apartment is $2,800 a month. Can you accept that?"
Actually, this apartment could be rented for $7,800 a month.
Nora said to Olivia, "I think it's great. Living in a place like this would make anyone happy."
"Yeah." Olivia agreed. Anyway, Willie was giving her $200,000 a month - she could totally afford to rent this kind of place.
Olivia agreed immediately, "I'll rent it for three years!"
The agent smiled. "Sure, sure. Ladies, let's go to our office to sign the contract."
They rented two places in less than two hours.
After Olivia paid and put away the contract, the two walked to lunch, talking as they went.
"I really love the apartment we just rented. Later, I'll go back to Riverside Apartment to pack my things."
"I really like it too. It looks so comfortable." Nora also thought it was nice.
Olivia said with a smile, "If you like it, you can come stay often. By the way, now that we've rented the office, we need to start buying things. We need to buy some shelving, so when the goods arrive, we can put them on the shelves."
"Okay!" Nora agreed.
"Nora, let's divide up the work. I'll handle buying inventory for the company, and you handle buying the company's storage units, daily supplies, and stuff." Dividing the work would be faster.
"Okay."
While Olivia was eating, Willie called to arrange the divorce.
Olivia quickly took a few bites of steak and said, "Nora, Willie wants me to come for the divorce. I'll head over first. Later, someone will come to set up the internet at the office, and they'll call you. You stay at the office and keep an eye on things. In a few days, once we buy everything for the office, we can start working."
"Okay, Olivia, you go ahead. I'll pay the bill later." Nora wasn't in a rush and ate her steak leisurely.
After finishing her meal, she took out her phone.
Just as she was about to tell Steven about renting the office, she saw two familiar figures walking in at the restaurant entrance.
Steven and Vivian.
One in a suit, one in a long dress, beautiful like a painting.
The two walked into the restaurant together.
Nora froze. Her heart felt like it was being squeezed in someone's fist, a nameless ache spreading through her chest.
Vivian spotted Nora first.
The two women's eyes met. Vivian's gaze carried thick hostility.
Nora frowned and looked at Steven.
Why were the two of them together?
Steven stopped in his tracks and also noticed Nora.
Just as he was about to walk toward Nora, Vivian stopped him. "Steven, let's go. Dad is still waiting for us."
Steven was here to discuss business with George.
Recently, York Development Group and the Bennett Group had big moves planned - they were jointly developing a project.
Steven pressed his thin lips together. In the end, he didn't walk toward Nora. He glanced at her once, then walked through the aisle with Vivian to a private room.
Nora couldn't describe what she felt inside. It just felt very uncomfortable.
She didn't even know what she had done to be ignored and neglected by Steven once again...
That afternoon.
Workers were installing the internet at the office.
Nora was distracted, thinking about Steven and Vivian.
Her phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
"Hello," Nora answered.
"Hello, Ms. Adams. The men's diamond ring you ordered from our store has arrived today. You can come pick it up."
Only then did Nora remember - it had already been a week.
"I'll come get it this afternoon."
After hanging up, Nora continued watching the workers test the network, her face showing no emotion.
A moment later, she shook her head, trying to dispel the tightness in her chest.
No matter what, she had to find Steven and ask him about Vivian.
The internet was installed by evening. Nora went to the jewelry store to pick up the men's ring. This jewelry store happened to be near York Development Group.
"Hello, Ms. Adams. This is the wedding ring you ordered. Please check if it's correct." The clerk handed her the ring box.
Nora opened the dark green little box.
Inside was a simple men's ring.
This was the men's wedding ring she had chosen for Steven. She touched the ring - it felt ice cold.
Steven's expressionless, handsome face floated into her mind.
That's right, she had to go find him and get answers!
At 5:50 PM, Nora appeared at the entrance of York Development Group tower.
She knew Steven worked at York Development Group.
She took out her phone, just about to invite Steven to dinner, when his message came through.
[Nora, let's get divorced.]
Nora was shocked.
Steven said let's get divorced.
Nora's mind went blank. Her thoughts seemed to freeze for a moment. She stiffly typed back: [Why?]
[Not suitable.]
Steven's words were always so simple.
She could never figure out what Steven was thinking.
Today, he might be very good to her, tomorrow, he would ignore her - for no reason at all.
Nora looked up at the York Development Group building. 101 floors high, like that man she could never reach no matter how hard she tried... He was just too unpredictable.
Before she knew it, her vision blurred with unshed tears.
Was she just being abandoned by Steven again for no reason?
Nora's heart felt heavy and bitter.
She stood there frozen. She didn't know how long passed before the sky grew completely dark and light rain began to fall.
People getting off work kept streaming out of York Development Group.
Nora stood there in a daze for over an hour without realizing it.
Wind and rain wrapped in cold air, making Nora shiver slightly.
After 7 PM.
Most people who were leaving York Development Group had left.
Nora still stood dazed in the rain, her breath forming white clouds.
She lowered her head, about to leave, when she saw that handsome man.
He walked out of the tower, followed by a group of people. He looked so distant, so unapproachable.
Beautiful Vivian walked beside him, holding some documents.
Standing together, they made a perfect couple.
Nora's pupils contracted slightly.
They had lunch together in the afternoon, and now they were together in the evening. Were they that inseparable?
Nora felt a sharp sting in her nose.
"Mr. York, it's Ms. Adams." Clarence reminded Steven.
Steven had already noticed. He gazed at her from afar, seemingly unmoved. "Send her an umbrella."
Steven had Clarence go deliver the umbrella.
All the executives looked curiously at the girl in the distance.
That girl looked so familiar - wasn't she the woman who appeared in Steven's video conference before? Could she be Mr. York's mistress?
Wealthy men all kept a mistress or two. It was nothing unusual in their circles.
"Ms. Adams, here's an umbrella for you. It's cold out. You should head home early." Clarence brought over an umbrella.
Nora's eyes were red. She looked at Steven. Steven's expression was as cold as when they first met.
He didn't care about her at all anymore...
She suddenly remembered Steven's coldness toward her recently. Every time she tried to get close to Steven, Steven pushed her away.
Maybe from that time on, Steven had been considering divorce?
They say when a man brings up divorce, he really means it. They usually pave their own way out first, then leave without looking back.
So the warning signs were there back then?
Nora's heart ached.
She felt so lost.
She didn't want Steven's charity. She pushed away the black umbrella in Clarence's hand and turned to run into the rain...
But she didn't realize there were steps beneath her feet. Wearing high heels, she missed a step and fell.
"Ah!"
Nora fell awkwardly in the rain. She couldn't tell which was rainwater and which were tears.
Seeing her fall, Vivian's lips curved up. She tucked her hair behind her ear. "How embarrassing."
Steven shot her a cold glance.
Vivian's heart skipped a beat. She lowered her head, not daring to speak.
"Ms. Adams!" Clarence helped Nora up.
Nora tried to get up but couldn't. She had twisted her ankle, and the pain made her frown tightly.
"Ms. Adams, your foot looks serious. Let me take you to the hospital." Clarence had her hold the umbrella. "Wait here. I'll go get the car."
Nora didn't want to trouble him, but she couldn't walk. She couldn't just sit in the rain forever.
She could only nod and sit forlornly in the rain, holding the umbrella.
Clarence ran to the tower's parking garage.
Steven dismissed the group of executives. Vivian refused to leave, biting her lip as she stood to the side.
Steven ignored her and turned to ask Clarence who had run over, "Clarence, how is she?"
"Ms. Adams twisted her ankle and can't stand up. I'm going to the underground garage to get the car and take her to the hospital." Clarence went to get the car.
Steven frowned. Finally, he couldn't hold back anymore and strode toward Nora.
"Steven..."
Vivian didn't want him to go. She stepped forward and grabbed Steven's sleeve. Her heart was full of resentment. Why did Steven still have to deal with that woman?