Chapter 5 Let's Get Divorced
Scarlett snapped back to reality and stood up, the recent events still fresh in her mind. She didn't dare let Yara chase after Ambrose demanding compensation for her lollipop, so she maintained a polite yet distant demeanor.
"Kids say the darndest things. Please don't take it personally."
Ambrose fixed her with a slightly darkened gaze, asking casually, "No need for compensation?"
Just as Scarlett was about to respond, Yara insisted firmly, "Yes, there is."
Scarlett's brow furrowed slightly as she tried to quietly placate Yara, promising to buy her candy later, but Yara stood her ground.
"Mom, what you buy is what you buy. What he owes is what he owes."
Just as Scarlett was feeling mortified, Ambrose spoke in a detached tone.
"I'll make it up to you another day."
"Then leave your phone number. If you forget, I'll remind you," Yara blinked her big eyes, determined to collect her due.
Perhaps no one had ever dared make such demands of him before. Ambrose narrowed his eyes slightly in discomfort. Seeing this, Scarlett quickly interjected.
"She's just a child. Please don't mind her."
After Ambrose recited his phone number and noticed Scarlett standing there with a complicated expression, he impatiently asked, "Got it?"
"Got it," Yara responded.
Then Yara urged Scarlett to take out her phone, inputting each digit onto the screen. She dialed the number and only seemed satisfied when she heard Ambrose's phone ring.
Ambrose, holding his ringing phone, stared directly at Yara, unable to hide the surprise in his narrow eyes.
Seeing that he didn't appear angry, Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief.
But just as she relaxed, Ambrose turned a piercing gaze on her, as if questioning something.
Not wanting to create misunderstandings, she was about to explain Yara's behavior when he coldly averted his gaze, turned on his heel, and left behind only his aloof silhouette.
The explanation Scarlett had prepared remained unspoken.
"Goodbye!" Yara waved her little hand happily, clearly pleased with herself.
Ambrose walked out of Culinary Haven's main entrance and got into a waiting Bentley. The luxury car pulled away, followed by two black security vehicles in an impressive motorcade.
"Mr. Boleyn, that little girl's photographic memory seems quite similar to yours—quite the coincidence," Chase remarked thoughtfully.
Chase was Ambrose's personal bodyguard, present wherever Ambrose went.
Ambrose, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, opened them. Images of Yara's face and behavior floated through his mind as his deep gaze revealed nothing.
Meanwhile, Scarlett stared at the phone number on her screen, hesitating whether to delete it.
"Mom, you can't delete this number, okay? I'll delete it after I get my candy back," Yara reminded her in a sweet childlike voice, seemingly reading her thoughts.
Scarlett argued, "You've already memorized it. Keeping it just takes up phone storage."
Yara had a superhuman memory—both photographic and audiographic.
"It doesn't hurt to keep it," she said, then took Scarlett's hand. "Mom, let's go home."
In the end, Scarlett allowed the number to remain in her phone as she took Yara's hand and left Culinary Haven, heading to the hotel to collect their belongings before going to stay at Briar's place.
The Ross Group.
Scarlett approached Wesley with divorce papers in hand. There was no reason to continue this marriage any longer.
After everything that had happened these past two days, Wesley no longer deserved her commitment.
She handed him the documents. Wesley didn't even look at her, his disbelief tinged with contempt.
"You're willing to divorce me?"
Scarlett ignored the challenge in his eyes and calmly pointed to the papers. "Review the documents. If there are no issues, we can submit the divorce application to the court immediately."
Divorces required a cooling-off period—they needed to apply first, then wait a month before finalizing. She didn't want to delay even a moment longer.
When Wesley saw how determined Scarlett was about the divorce, his expression darkened. "Divorce isn't just your decision to make."
Scarlett's face remained impassive, her steady gaze meeting his. "Don't tell me you're reluctant to let me go?"
Wesley's face hardened as he lashed out spitefully, "A promiscuous woman like you? What would I be reluctant to lose? If you weren't somewhat useful to the company, I wouldn't have kept you around till now."
Though she had suspected as much, hearing it directly still hurt.
After she had lost her innocence, he hadn't suggested divorce because she was still useful to him. After all, as the former mayor's daughter, she still had some value even after Owen's downfall. Indeed, she had brought many projects to Wesley's fledgling company.
She pulled her lips into a cold smile. "Since that's the case, divorcing now works in your favor. The company has grown, and not many people know about our relationship yet. Isn't separating now the best option?"
Wesley maintained his cold expression, and after a minute, delivered his answer, "Fine. You leave with nothing."
Scarlett had anticipated this response and laughed coldly.
"Though the company was established a few months before our marriage, it's grown to its current scale solely through the projects I've brought in these past four years. Now that you've used me, you want to kick me aside? You're dreaming."
Wesley gave a cold snort, "Given your extramarital affair and bearing someone else's child, how much leverage do you think you'd have in court?"
Scarlett suddenly understood. When he had forced her to keep the child, he had been calculating this moment.
First, he exploited her guilt to network and secure projects for the company. Once the company was established, he planned to discard her.
No wonder Owen had said Wesley wasn't trustworthy—he had seen through Wesley's ambition long ago.
Only she had been blind to it.
Scarlett gave a cold laugh, her attitude no longer water-like and calm, but hardened into ice as she delivered her threat.
"Just as I helped build this company up, I can tear it down. Test me if you don't believe it."
"Are you threatening me?" Wesley slammed his hand on the desk and stood up, furious.
Scarlett's gaze remained icy, not backing down one bit. "I'm just reminding you. If you want to play hardball, I have nothing to fear."
The Scarlett standing before him now had none of her previous gentle compliance—she was all steel and resolve.
She stated, "I want forty percent of the company shares. You have two days to consider."
Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked out of his office.
In his office, Wesley watched her retreating figure, his eyes reddening with anger. He never expected she would dare threaten him like this. Well, she couldn't blame him for what would come next.
After leaving Wesley's office, Scarlett immediately called Yara's teacher, instructing that no one except herself was authorized to pick up Yara, as she and her husband were in the process of divorcing.
Yara's teacher, being a woman herself, understood the implications.
Having settled this matter, Scarlett felt more at ease and focused on her work.
As the workday drew to a close, Wesley informed her about signing a contract with Aiden at seven that evening at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Hadn't they canceled yesterday? Why was Aiden asking her to sign the contract now?
This was suspicious.
"I don't plan to continue with this project. Assign it to another designer," Scarlett said, holding the intercom. "Of course, I won't take any commission for it."
"If you truly want a divorce, secure this project first," Wesley spoke through gritted teeth, though she could tell he was restraining his emotions.
Scarlett quickly analyzed the situation. "Are you saying you'll trade this project for the divorce?"
"Get the project, and we can negotiate divorce terms."
"Why should I trust you?" He had lost all credibility with her.
"Believe it or not, but without securing this project, don't even think about discussing divorce terms."
Scarlett frowned slightly, thought for two seconds, and agreed.
"Fine, I'll sign the contract. But remember what you just said."