Chapter 40 Is She the Wife of Mr. Hughes?
Cordelia ended the call with Ruth after a quick chat.
Evelyn had been swamped lately and wasn't home yet.
After prepping dinner, Cordelia gave Evelyn a call.
The doorbell rang, and Cordelia put down her phone, heading out of the dining room to see Evelyn changing her shoes at the door.
Evelyn was holding a document folder and handed it to Cordelia as she walked in.
"This is the divorce agreement the company's lawyer drafted. Check if there's anything you want to add."
Cordelia took the folder and opened it to review the agreement.
The lawyer had covered everything thoroughly, and a particular sum of two billion dollars caught Cordelia's eye.
Evelyn noticed her gaze and calmly said, "Based on a standard division, you could get at least ten billion dollars."
Since Cordelia and Alaric didn't sign a prenuptial agreement, all of Alaric's earnings over the years were considered marital assets.
Cordelia pressed her lips together. "Ten billion is too much. A lawsuit would drag things out. I need our marriage to end quickly."
Evelyn nodded. "So two billion dollars is a trivial amount for Alaric. He should agree without much fuss."
Though Cordelia was the daughter of the Stone family, she had lived a modest life, avoiding luxury brands and high-society circles. Two billion dollars would ensure her quality of life.
As for any children she might have in the future, Evelyn had already decided she would help Cordelia raise them.
Cordelia put the agreement away and softly said, "I have no additional clauses. I'll go to the Hughes Group tomorrow."
Evelyn nodded. "Alright, let's eat first. What do you feel like having?"
Cordelia hesitated before saying, "I've already made dinner, but it doesn't look great."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "You cooked? Impressive."
Cordelia had never cooked before. The dishes she made were hastily learned from online tutorials.
Evelyn sat down in the dining room and took a bite. Her expression was complex.
Cordelia looked at her expectantly. "How is it?"
Evelyn put down her utensils and seriously commented, "It looks bad, and it tastes worse."
Cordelia was silent.
She took a bite herself and immediately spat it out.
"Forget it, let's order takeout."
She grabbed her phone to place an order.
Evelyn took the phone from her and set it on the table.
"I'll make you some oatmeal. You're pregnant, and too much takeout isn't good for you. I'll hire a maid for you tomorrow."
Cordelia nodded in a daze.
Evelyn got up and went to the kitchen.
Watching Evelyn's back, Cordelia suddenly thought that Evelyn must long for a peaceful family life. But as the eldest daughter of the Stone family, she had to support the Stone Group.
"Evelyn, you should find a man who can support you. Stop thinking about Bruce."
Evelyn paused. "Bruce isn't a bad man."
Cordelia was puzzled.
Didn't Bruce cheat on Evelyn when they broke up? And the other woman was one of Julian's artists.
Because of that, Cordelia had also grown to dislike Julian over the years.
Evelyn shook her head. "That was just an excuse I used to break up with him."
Cordelia was stunned.
Evelyn didn't elaborate.
Bruce was just an illegitimate child of the Howard family with no status. For Evelyn, love was something to experience, but marriage required a man who could benefit her family.
When Bruce got close to Julian, Evelyn saw her chance and broke up with him.
"Evelyn, did you really set Bruce up with another woman to break things off?" Cordelia asked.
Evelyn didn't reply.
Cordelia fell silent again.
After a while, Evelyn's voice broke the silence. "The oatmeal's ready."
Cordelia nodded and followed Evelyn into the dining room, wisely deciding not to bring up Bruce again.
The next day.
After work, Cordelia took the documents directly to the Hughes Group.
In three years of marriage, this was Cordelia's first time stepping into the Hughes Group.
She walked into the lobby and was stopped at the security gate.
The receptionist looked at her politely and asked, "Hello, miss. Who are you here to see?"
Cordelia responded just as politely, "I'm here to see Alaric."
Her voice was calm and composed as she called Alaric by his first name.
The receptionist was momentarily taken aback and asked, "May I have your name, and do you have an appointment?"
Cordelia shook her head. "My name is Cordelia Stone, and I don't have an appointment."
The receptionist exchanged a quick glance with a colleague, who immediately called the executive office to confirm Cordelia's identity.
Only Robert knew Cordelia's identity, but he was in a meeting with Alaric and couldn't confirm her identity right away.
The receptionist remained polite. "Ms. Stone, please have a seat and wait a moment. Mr. Hughes is in a meeting and might take a while."
Cordelia nodded lightly and followed the receptionist to the waiting area, where she sat quietly.
On a bookshelf in the waiting area were magazines featuring interviews with Alaric.
On the cover, Alaric looked handsome, with sharp and deep features, exuding a cold and noble aura that was hard to ignore.
Cordelia stared at the cover for a long time until her gaze met Alaric's deep eyes in the photograph.
After his meeting, Alaric walked out of the conference room and was informed that Cordelia was waiting for him in the reception area. He immediately took the elevator down to find her.
The receptionist was relieved that they had been polite to Cordelia.
"What brings you here?" Alaric asked as he approached the reception area and saw Cordelia staring at his magazine cover.
Hearing his footsteps, she turned to him.
Seeing her composed demeanor, Alaric paused.
Cordelia pressed her lips together. The lobby was busy, and she couldn't discuss her purpose openly. "Let's talk in your office."
"Okay," Alaric agreed.
Cordelia stood up and walked past him.
Alaric looked at her slender waist, clenched his hand slightly, then put it in his pocket and led the way.
Cordelia followed him quietly.
They took the elevator to Alaric's office floor, and he stepped out first.
Robert, passing by, saw Cordelia and respectfully greeted her, "Mrs. Hughes."
Cordelia nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
The receptionist in the executive office was shocked by Robert's greeting and momentarily forgot to react.
When Cordelia followed Alaric into his office, the receptionist grabbed Robert's arm. "Is she really Mr. Hughes's wife?"
The rumors said Alaric's wife was overweight and ill-tempered. But the woman who just walked in was elegant and gentle, completely different from the rumors.
She was stunned.