Chapter 36 Helping Her Divorce
"Mr. Boleyn, I'm not officially divorced yet. I don't need the Ross family holding more ammunition against me."
Ambrose's expression darkened. "Did you not hear a single word I said yesterday?"
"Even if I were to agree, I'd need to wait until the divorce papers are finalized, wouldn't I? I'm already being labeled as an unfaithful wife. If I'm seen with you now, the rumors will only get worse."
"So you're saying yes." A slow smile curved Ambrose's lips.
Scarlett froze mid-step. She'd walked straight into his verbal trap.
She'd been so determined to keep her distance, and now somehow she'd agreed?
"Mr. Boleyn, what I meant was—I'll make my decision after I get the divorce papers."
Ambrose raised an eyebrow. "I'm not asking you to move in with me right now. Just give me your answer. Once you do, I'll make sure you get that divorce smoothly—no interference from the Ross family."
Scarlett stopped abruptly and turned to face him, her expression cold.
"Mr. Boleyn, we had a deal from the start. You help me with my resignation and divorce, and I secure the art museum project for you."
The implication was clear: helping her divorce was already part of their arrangement.
"You seem to be forgetting something." Ambrose's tone was measured. "I never stated my condition in our deal."
Of course, Scarlett hadn't forgotten. She wouldn't dare. She needed confirmation.
"So your condition now is that I take care of your son until he recovers?"
Ambrose nodded.
Scarlett studied him in silence for a moment before responding decisively.
"Fine." After a two-second pause, she added, "But let the child stay with me for a trial period first. If things go well, you won't need to live with us."
Ambrose's gaze weighed on her heavily. Just as the scrutiny became unbearable, he finally answered.
"I'll give you a chance. But if the situation isn't ideal, we'll have to live together."
Relief washed through Scarlett. The sword that had been hanging over her head finally dropped.
From the moment Ambrose hadn't specified his condition, she'd been anxious about what he might demand. Taking care of a child? That she could handle.
"Then it's settled. I'll help treat your son's communication issues, and you ensure my divorce goes through without complications."
Scarlett no longer worried about Wesley backing out midway.
"If there's nothing else, I'll head back now." She turned and walked toward her car.
Ambrose remained where he stood, watching her slender figure retreat into the distance.
Only after she got in her car did he move toward his own, pulling out his phone and issuing a cold command.
"Tell Wesley to come see me."
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Warn Yves from Quantum Leap Enterprises—if his wife causes any more scenes at the kindergarten, his company's done."
Chase on the other end, understood immediately. This was all for Scarlett's sake. He responded efficiently.
"I'll handle it."
---
Scarlett returned to her temporary residence, only to receive a call from her friend Briar about a potential apartment. She immediately headed out again.
The property was near Lakeside Garden, a mid-range development that radiated everyday life, worlds apart from Lakeside Garden's refined atmosphere.
The unit on the twelfth floor had three bedrooms, two living areas, and about a thousand square feet. Just right for her, Yara, and Rhea.
Except now there was Hayden to consider. Three bedrooms suddenly felt cramped.
She toured the space and asked about the price. Perfect—but she didn't sign immediately. She needed four bedrooms.
After mulling it over, Lakeside Garden came to mind. That property had five bedrooms. Actually quite suitable.
Since Ambrose had been upfront about his condition, focusing on the child—not on her—moving back made sense.
Given Hayden's previous living conditions, relocating to a lower-quality environment might backfire. Lakeside Garden might not match the Boleyn family estate, but it came close. Yes, Lakeside Garden was the better option.
She'd just pay monthly rent.
Decision made, Scarlett shared her thoughts with Briar on the drive back.
Briar's shock at learning Ambrose had a son practically exploded through the phone.
"Keep it down," Scarlett urged, worried someone might overhear.
"I didn't name names. No one knows who we're talking about." Briar lowered her voice, then peppered Scarlett with questions. When Scarlett mentioned that Ambrose's son was Yara's classmate, Briar gasped.
"Talk about fate!"
Scarlett's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead as she warned, "Remember—this stays between us. If word gets out and Ambrose comes after you, I can't protect you."
"Don't worry."
Since Briar needed to get back to work, they were about to hang up when Briar suddenly said, "Brielle's back."
Scarlett's hands tightened on the steering wheel. Brielle. A name she hadn't heard in four years. Hearing it now left her momentarily disoriented.
"Where did you see her?" Scarlett finally asked, her voice flat.
"Last night at Culinary Haven. Wesley was there too. Since when are they so chummy?"
Briar's puzzled tone sent Scarlett into contemplation.
Before marrying Wesley, they'd never met. It was only when she brought Wesley home to meet Owen that Wesley and Brielle first encountered each other. Whether they'd met privately since, she couldn't say.
Though knowing Wesley, it wouldn't be surprising.
"Did they seem close?" Scarlett asked.
"Hard to say. Brielle seemed like she wanted to get closer to Wesley, but he kept dodging. Then she said something that clearly pissed him off. Before she left, she touched his arm." Briar recounted the scene she'd witnessed.
She'd been standing too far away to hear their conversation, but their body language spoke volumes. Wesley was clearly wary of Brielle.
"Think Brielle has something on Wesley?" Briar's imagination ran wild.
"From what you're describing, very possible," Scarlett agreed.
After chatting a bit more, they ended the call.
The car approached a red light. Scarlett eased on the brakes, stopping at the line, her gaze unfocused on the distance ahead.
Brielle White—the daughter of Owen's second wife.
But Owen had never treated her differently for not being his biological child.
He'd been fair, treating both children equally. Neither suffered.
Yet Brielle had never been satisfied. She played the obedient daughter in public while scheming behind the scenes. Scarlett never backed down, retaliating covertly. Somehow, they'd avoided major incidents.
They'd coexisted like that for ten years—until Owen's downfall, when mother and daughter finally showed their true colors.
After Owen's conviction, that woman initiated the divorce, took the money, and left Silverlight City with Brielle.
Owen had lived his whole life honestly. His only assets were his salary—not much, maybe a hundred thousand dollars. But they'd taken every cent, leaving Scarlett nothing.
Four years had passed. Why had Brielle come back now?