Chapter 65 News of the divorce had already spread everywhere.
But Daisy just laughed.
Ethan looked up at her. "You can still laugh? Aren't you angry?"
"What's the point of being angry?" Daisy picked up her water glass and took a sip. "When I first joined the company, the rumors were way worse than this. It's only been a few months, and hasn't everyone stopped talking about it?"
Ethan was stunned for a moment.
Daisy continued, "If I sue once, I can shut up one person. If I sue ten times, I can shut up ten people. But what about the hundred or thousand people talking behind my back? Can I sue them all?"
She put down her glass of water and smiled. "So I figured, instead of wasting energy on this, I might as well do a good job on the project. Once I deliver results, I won't need to sue anyone, those rumors will disappear on their own."
Ethan smiled too. "You're pretty easygoing about it."
Daisy's lips curved in a smile, but her gaze drifted far away.
Easygoing? Maybe.
During those six years in the Black family, the most important thing she learned was patience.
Patience with mockery, patience with cold stares, patience with all that constant hostility.
For the old her, patience was the only choice. But for her now, it was about not wasting a single bit of time or energy on people or things that weren't worth it.
Once she became strong enough to be beyond their reach, their mockery wouldn't hurt her anymore.
Ethan looked at her steadily, his eyes full of admiration. Without thinking, he also poured himself some water and clinked glasses with her. "Alright, let's drop this topic."
He asked, "How's the new project coming along?"
At the mention of the new project, Daisy's eyes lit up.
"The preliminary work is done. We can move to the next phase."
Ethan nodded. "Whatever support you need, just say the word."
Daisy thought for a moment. "Nothing for now, but once we get the results from the next phase, we might need more people."
"No problem." Ethan said, "You're in full charge of that."
Looking at his unreserved trust, Daisy felt a warm current surge through her heart.
When did she stop being that "Mrs. Black" everyone looked down on?
When did she start being able to stand here and say "my project" with confidence?
She didn't know. All she knew was that this feeling was truly addictive.
--
Daisy had been living a very full life lately.
The project had entered a critical phase, and she was practically living in the lab, sometimes staying for over ten hours at a stretch.
During this time, Luna had called her countless times. She hadn't answered any of them.
Not because she held any grudge, but because she was genuinely too busy. Plus, she knew Luna well enough to know what she'd hear if she picked up.
At the Blacks' villa, Luna was holding her little tablet, tears rolling down her cheeks one after another.
"Daddy, why won't Mommy answer my calls?"
Vincent had just gotten home from the office. As soon as he walked in and saw his daughter's tear-stained face, he felt uncomfortable.
He walked over and picked her up, saying gently, "Luna, Mommy's busy."
"You're lying!" Luna cried even harder. "She just doesn't want me anymore! She doesn't want me!"
"You're lying, and Auntie Vanessa's lying too. Mommy really doesn't want me anymore!"
Vincent didn't know how to comfort her for a moment. After a long pause, he said, "Luna, Auntie Vanessa will become your new mommy in the future. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"
Luna froze.
Auntie Vanessa would become her new mommy?
That's right, she had been looking forward to it, really wanting Auntie Vanessa to be her mom.
It was because Auntie Vanessa never yelled at her, never forced her to eat, never made her do homework, and even bought her pretty dresses and toys.
Plus, Auntie Vanessa was so amazing and beautiful, she was always the center of attention wherever she went. Being her daughter would definitely make her look good.
But when this day actually came, she couldn't help wondering.
What about my real mommy?
Besides, Auntie Vanessa was injured now, lying in the hospital, unable to play with her.
And Mommy—she hadn't seen her in such a long, long time.
This made her heart, which should have been happy, suddenly feel sad again. She couldn't help asking, "Then... can I still see Mommy?"
Vincent stroked her head. "Yes, she won't really abandon you. I promise."
"Then I want to see Mommy now!"
"Not right now." Vincent said, "Because Mommy is working on a very busy project. Once she's done, I'll take you to see her, okay?"
Luna nodded and buried her face in his arms, saying nothing more.
How strange. She should be happy, so why couldn't she feel happy at all?
It must be because Auntie Vanessa was hurt, and she was too worried. That must be why.
Luna found herself a reason, thinking she'd bring some gifts to visit Auntie later.
--
That day, Daisy was organizing data in the lab when her phone suddenly rang.
It was an unknown number.
She ignored it. When the experiment ended and she saw the same number had called two more times, she thought about it and called back.
"Hello?"
"Daisy!"
Daisy paused. "Shawn? Is that you?"
"It's me!" Shawn's voice was incredibly excited. "I finally got through to you!"
"You know what? I've been like a prisoner this whole time! My dad assigned eight bodyguards to watch me 24/7. Before, they practically wouldn't even let me open a window."
Daisy couldn't help laughing. "Better now?"
"Yeah!" Shawn chuckled. "Things with Marcus are pretty much handled, so my dad finally let me out. Celebrate for me!"
"Oh, and I'm calling to let you know, my family's throwing a big party the day after tomorrow. You absolutely have to come."
Daisy sighed deeply and leaned back against the desk, exhausted. "Do I really have to go?"
"Absolutely!" Shawn's voice was firm. "I know you're busy, but just do me this favor. Can't you spare just two little hours? Don't worry about the dress or hair and makeup—I'll take care of everything!"
This made Daisy curious.
"Sounds like a really big party?"
"Not just really big—super big!" Shawn's voice carried a hint of pride. "My dad said he's going to formally introduce me to everyone in the circle and make me his heir! Well, it's good news, but just thinking about it makes me tired."
Daisy figured it was probably still because of the Bennetts situation.
Old Mr. Collins was rushing to push his daughter into the heir position, announcing her importance to the outside world—essentially adding another layer of protection for his daughter's safety.
After all, the Bennetts definitely didn't have the confidence to take on the entire Collins family.
This party was extremely important to Shawn. Probably half the circle would be invited.
"I understand. Don't worry, I'll definitely be there!"
Shawn said, "By the way, I heard your divorce from Vincent is already in process?"
Daisy was slightly surprised. "Even you heard about it?"
"Yeah, even I heard. It's obviously spread all over the circle. No need to guess—those gossips are definitely talking behind your back! You should come and show them that you, Daisy, are doing way better without the Blacks!"