Chapter 4
Lila was really frustrated, "Forget it, I'd rather choose to divorce Alexander after a year. I've already made up my mind - I'll just avoid him for this year, and then we'll have a peaceful divorce. After that, he can go find his first love, and I'll wait for my Prince Charming."
"Silly girl, but he's rich! Money is a good thing - don't you want it?"
"That's easy for you to say. If you had to marry a man whose heart belongs to someone else, who loses his temper at you every day and won't even give you water to drink, would you be willing?"
Elara's voice sounded carefree and honest in the early autumn breeze that wasn't too harsh yet, "I'd be willing! If he won't give me water, he can give me money instead. With money, I can naturally buy water."
Lila rested her head on her shoulder, a smile curving at the corners of her mouth, "Okay, okay, then I hope you find a super rich guy in the future!"
"Great!"
That night, Lila slept at Elara's rental place.
The next day.
After getting up, Alexander worked out in the gym for an hour.
When he went to get water, he saw the cup he had thrown away last night still in the trash can next to the water dispenser, and a realization suddenly hit him.
He was married, to a stranger.
How ridiculous and absurd.
His phone rang abruptly.
Alexander snapped back to reality and answered the call.
His assistant Charlie Howard's voice came through, "Mr. Sinclair, you need to finalize the price with Mr. Smith this morning and sign the contract. The driver is already waiting outside the villa."
Alexander acknowledged and hung up.
Before leaving, he glanced at the guest bedroom door and found it still closed. Assuming Lila hadn't gotten up yet, he sneered to himself.
Ten past ten.
In the Sinclair Group conference room, Albert Smith was still trying hard to negotiate with Alexander.
But Alexander was half-reclined in his chair with his eyes closed, having Charlie give all sorts of reasons for refusal.
A phone ringtone suddenly rang.
To show respect for Albert, Alexander hung up directly.
It rang a second time.
He frowned and swiped to answer, "Grandma, I'm working."
"Didn't I tell you yesterday to bring Lila home for dinner? It's already ten-thirty and everyone's been waiting. Come home right now."
"Got it."
After hanging up, Alexander got up from the sofa and gave Charlie a look.
Charlie understood and turned to Albert, "Mr. Smith, we can't reach an agreement today. Perhaps you should look for other partners?"
Albert stared at Charlie, then looked at Alexander, "2 percent discount, sign a contract now."
What he got in response was Alexander's blunt refusal, "Show him out."
With that, Alexander turned around.
Seeing him about to leave, Albert asked anxiously, "Don't you people always like to talk things through? Why are you leaving so quickly?"
Charlie gestured toward the door, "Our Mr. Sinclair has other matters to attend to. Mr. Smith, please."
Mr. Smith showed a dissatisfied yet helpless expression, then threw up his hands, "I've heard before that your Mr. Sinclair is decisive in business. Today I've really seen it for myself. I agree to the final price - let's sign the contract."
Alexander took the contract from Charlie and handed it to Mr. Smith, "Pleasure doing business with you."
At ten-thirty, Alexander's car stopped at the villa.
Charlie glanced back through the rearview mirror and saw he was still resting with his eyes closed, so he said softly, "Mr. Sinclair, we're at the villa."
"Mm, go call her out."
"Yes, sir."
Charlie was about to get out when the man suddenly opened his eyes, "Never mind, I'll go myself."
Charlie had already felt it wasn't appropriate for him to go, so when Mr. Sinclair spoke up, he felt relieved, "Alright, Mr. Sinclair."
When Alexander entered the villa, he found the house looked exactly as it had when he left.
He frowned.
At this hour, still not up?
Alexander went upstairs and stood in front of the guest bedroom door, raised his hand to knock, and said coldly, "Come out."
No response.
He repeated impatiently, "Lila, I'm telling you to come out."