Ivrea City, at night, in the Queens Villa Block
Two people sat facing each other in a spacious and bright living room. In front of them lay a divorce agreement.
The man was dressed in a perfectly ironed suit, with perfect features and a cold expression, emanating a strong sense of oppression.
His gaze fell on the silent girl sitting across from him, her eyes as deep as the night outside.
"We'll get divorced on Monday," Charles Lancelot spoke decisively, his words cool and his voice low. "Besides the compensation stated in the divorce agreement, you can request anything else you need."
"Why is this so sudden?" Daphne Murphy's voice was several degrees lower than usual.
Charles simply replied with a few words, "Kayla is back."
Daphne knew who Kayla was.
After a brief moment of silence, she agreed, "Okay."
Charles paused, seemingly surprised by her quick agreement.
Daphne opened the divorce agreement and saw the densely written words on it, triggering memories of her past with Charles.
They had met two years ago at the Ivrea City Insomnia Club. Troubled by her own thoughts, she encountered the heartbroken Charles.
After a few drinks, it felt like they had found good friends in each other, and they enjoyed each other’s company and conversation.
It was an uncomplicated night. After finishing their drinks, they left separately.
They met again three days later.
Charles came to her door with his personal assistant to discuss getting married.
She agreed.
During their marriage, he had indeed treated her well.
He took care of her with thoughtfulness, promptly solving any difficulties she faced, making medicine for her when she was sick, and personally drying her hair after washing it.
Their relationship was particularly good.
It was only six months ago when he received ‘the’ phone call, and after that call, he changed. He became indifferent and distant towards her, no longer gentle.
It was on that day that she found out the reason why Charles married her and treated her so well after marriage. It was simply because she bore a resemblance to his crush, Kayla Baker.
Thinking about all this, Daphne pursed her lips and calmly asked Charles, "You just said that I can request any compensation on my own, right?"
"Yes," Charles replied concisely.
"Any kind of compensation?" Daphne lifted her gaze to look at him. His delicate features lacked their usual spirit.
Under the scrutiny of this kind of gaze, Charles felt a twinge of guilt in his heart. "Yes."
He had already thought about it.
As long as Daphne's requests were not excessive, he would try his best to fulfill them.
After all, she had been good to him throughout this year.
"Alright, I want the most expensive limited edition sports car in your garage."
"Okay."
"A villa in the suburbs."
"Deal."
"For the money you earned during these two years of marriage, we'll go Dutch."
Upon hearing this, Charles, who had maintained an unchanged expression all along, finally moved his eyes slightly.
Afraid that he misheard, he softly asked, "What did you say?"
"After marriage, the couple's assets belong to both parties. I did the calculations, excluding your investments and financial management. Over the past two years of marriage, including your salary and company dividends, it adds up to several billion US dollars," Daphne said seriously, without any hint of joking. "I don't want more, just give me forty percent."
"Forty percent???" Charles questioned.
Daphne continued, "Of course, my income will also give you fourteen percent."
"Daphne!" Charles was angry.
Just a moment ago, he felt guilty because he was mad, but how come he never realized how money-oriented she was before?
Daphne raised her gaze to look at him, asking earnestly, "Is that not acceptable?"
“Of course, it's not acceptable!” Charles denied without even thinking about it.
"If it's not acceptable, then forget it," Daphne put down the pen in her hand. "The next time I meet your family, I'll discuss your emotional infidelity during our marriage. I believe they would be happy to be on my side."
Charles gradually grew colder in his demeanor, his eyes sharp like a knife.
He never expected this person to have two faces. So, all that previous consideration was just an act.
"Are you sure you want to talk to me like this?"
"Absolutely." Daphne stared back at him.
She knew he hated being threatened, but so what? She also detested infidelity within a marriage!
"Fine." Charles's gaze turned heavy, his face icy. "I will give it to you. But if this divorce doesn't go smoothly, you know the consequences."
"Mr. Lancelot, are you threatening me?" Daphne leaned back in her chair, her eyes clear and full of seriousness.
Charles had never seen her like this before.
Throughout their two years of marriage, Daphne had been understanding, obedient, and gentle. She had never opposed him like she is doing now.
"No." Charles had already figured out a solution and said, "You can have the house and the car. We'll divorce on Monday."
Daphne's gaze shifted as she spoke slowly, "There's one more thing."
"Speak." Charles's patience was slowly fading away.
"Go shopping with me tomorrow," Daphne seemed oblivious to the coldness emanating from him, "After shopping, I'll go back to the Lancelot Mansion with you and inform your family about our divorce. The reason for the divorce will be that I no longer like you."
"Alright," Charles agreed.
After the conversation, Charles didn't want to stay there for another moment. He walked towards the door.
Before coming, he even thought that if Daphne found it difficult to accept the divorce, he could give her more time to slowly adapt.
Now, thinking about it, she couldn't wait to divorce him as soon as possible to get her hands on his wealth.
If Daphne knew about his thoughts, she would only mock silently in her heart. Do I even care about that money?
"I won't come back tonight. I'll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning for shopping," Charles stopped at the entrance and spoke, "List the places you want to go in advance."
"Are you going to meet Kayla?"
"It's none of your concern."
"I don't like being cheated on”. Daphne confronted him without pretense, saying, “You better not share a bed with her before the divorce.”
Charles's face turned dark. He turned around and faced Daphne, looking down on her.
Unaffected by his condescending attitude, Daphne retorted, 'What? You can't wait for another two and a half days?'
'I know you have grievances. There's no need to say these things to provoke me,' Charles replied calmly.
After giving it some thought, he realized that he might be more radical than her if their positions were switched. 'We're just getting a divorce, not becoming enemies.'
Daphne remained silent.
'Get some rest.' With these words, Charles left.
As the door closed behind him, Daphne stood there for a long time, motionless.
It would be false to say that she felt no emotional turmoil. Ever since she found out six months ago that she was just a substitute, she had been feeling miserable.
Charles was her first love for the past twenty-four years. Before that phone call, he had been a perfect husband in every aspect except for being quiet.
He was patient and gentle, almost making her worry-free.
Thus, when she learned that he had feelings for someone else, although she found it hard to accept, she still asked him for a divorce, allowing him to pursue his crush and fulfilling his desires.
But Charles hadn't agreed at the time.