Chapter 161
After preparing a nutritious lunch, Charlotte rushed back to the hospital.
Watching Charlotte rush about tirelessly on her behalf, Jenna felt profoundly touched.
While sipping the delicious chicken soup, through a full mouth, "Charlotte, you're beautiful and talented. If only I were a man, I'd marry you the moment you divorce Alexander."
Charlotte, who had been peeling an apple for Jenna, suddenly stopped what she was doing.
With all the worry and rushing around these past few days, she had almost forgotten that tomorrow was the scheduled day to officially process the divorce.
With this thought in her head, once she had finished peeling the apple and cutting it into small pieces for Jenna, she made up an excuse and stepped out of the hospital room.
"Hey, tomorrow is the day we scheduled to handle the paperwork. Don't forget," Charlotte reminded him directly once Alexander finally answered the phone.
end of the line, Alexander gripped his phone tighter and tighter.
Was Charlotte really so eager to get rid of him and find another man?
"Alexander? Are you listening?"
Charlotte's voice came through once more, cold and devoid of feeling.
Alexander suddenly got angry.
But the angrier he got, the calmer his emotions became: "Fine, but I have one condition."
Hearing Alexander's cold tone, Charlotte narrowed her eyes slightly: "Alexander, didn't we settle the divorce agreement already? Are you going back on your word by suddenly changing things?"
"I'm not backing out of anything. I simply believe that after supporting you for seven full years, you ought to shoulder some of the responsibility as well."
Even if he hired a housekeeper, he'd have to pay them, right?
Yet Charlotte had dedicated herself to looking after the Forbes family for seven years, and received less than half of what Lisa was given.
Charlotte's heart felt like someone had shoved a huge block of ice into it, freezing her to the core: "Support me? You're using me as a free housekeeper and now want to look good doing it? How calculating of you!"
Alexander was momentarily speechless.
But he quickly spoke again: "Let's not dwell on the past. Today I mainly want to discuss Owen's custody with you."
"He's your own flesh and blood. Even after a divorce, you still have to carry out your duties toward him."
"So I've roughly calculated that Owen's monthly expenses are about five million. We'll each cover half, meaning you'll need to pay 2.5 million in child support each month."
"I'll write this into a supplementary agreement."
Charlotte let out a cold laugh: "Child support? Fine. Since you, a CEO, can't even manage to provide for a child, hand over custody to me, and you won't have to pay a cent."
Alexander was silent for a moment, then spoke again in that same calm tone: "This isn't about money. It's about parental responsibility."
Charlotte eventually laughed out of pure frustration: "Alexander, I was correct this morning—you're an absolute jerk!"
"Say what you want. If you agree, we'll process the paperwork tomorrow."
Before he could finish, Charlotte hung up on him!
Alexander was the one who cheated first, completely destroying their marriage.
Now that Charlotte had decided to release him, did he still have to cause her trouble at every opportunity?
He was simply a beast!
On the other end, looking at the disconnected call, Alexander stood silently for a while before slowly walking to the floor-to-ceiling window.
She actually had the nerve to end the call on him.
Charlotte was getting bolder and bolder.
Back in the hospital room, even Jenna noticed something was wrong.
"Charlotte, what's wrong? Why do you look so upset?"
Charlotte could no longer contain herself and revealed everything to her about how Alexander was purposely causing trouble, apparently unwilling to go through with the official divorce.
When Jenna heard this, she immediately started cursing: "I can't believe he's so shameless!"
"If you ask me, he just can't bear to lose his free housekeeper."
"Shameless, disgusting!"
As Jenna was cursing, her eyes suddenly lit up: "Wait, let me call Jared."
Soon, Jenna got through to Jared.
Jared was truly professional. Over the phone, he advised Charlotte to continue negotiating with Alexander while simultaneously filing for divorce through the court—a two-fold strategy.
Charlotte had actually been thinking the same thing.
When she first discussed the divorce agreement with Jared, she had considered that if Alexander didn't agree to an amicable divorce, she would file for divorce directly.
Even though filing for divorce would take more time, as long as she could reach her objective, she was willing to wait.
So she immediately agreed to Jared's suggestion and gave him full authority to handle the divorce filing.
After finishing the call with Jared, seeing Charlotte's exhausted face, Jenna felt sorry for her.
"Come on! I'll take you out shopping to cheer you up."
Jenna tried to hold Charlotte back, but Charlotte pushed her down onto the bed instead: "No chance, you're still in the hospital. We'll discuss it once you've recovered."
But Jenna started acting cute: "Charlotte, please, just come shopping with me? I just received a million in compensation, and I'll feel uncomfortable if I don't spend some of it."
Jenna showed Charlotte the payment confirmation, then latched onto her and continued to playfully wheedle.
Charlotte finally laughed: "No matter what you say, unless the doctor agrees to discharge you."
Before she finished speaking, Jenna's eyes suddenly brightened: "Mr. Howard, perfect timing! Tell her—I can be discharged, right?"
Charlotte didn't believe it, but when she turned around.
Jordan was indeed standing in the doorway, wearing a soft smile as he watched them fool around. She had no idea how long he had been there, or if he had overheard what they were saying.
Charlotte's face grew slightly warm: "It's all Jenna's fault, always making a fuss about being discharged."
Jordan smiled knowingly: "We were classmates once. How could I not know Jenna's personality?"
"But she's not incorrect. I've reviewed her medical reports—they're only superficial injuries. She could really be released from the hospital at any time."
Hearing Jordan's words, Jenna proudly put her hands on her hips and lifted her chin: "Charlotte, did you hear that?"
"Go! Hurry up and handle my discharge paperwork. Quick!"
"When it's done, there's a reward!"
Charlotte felt a mix of irritation and amusement. After shooting her a glance, she got ready to take care of the hospital discharge paperwork.
Jordan suddenly stepped forward: "Let me go with you."
Charlotte quickly declined: "No need, you're so busy with work, and you've already helped us so much."
Jordan smiled and interrupted her: "Don't be polite with me. Or are you regretting your promise to treat me to dinner?"
Jordan softly landed the finishing remark: "Besides, without me present, the hospital staff most likely won't allow Jenna to be discharged early."
Hitting right at the heart of the matter, Charlotte had no choice but to accept: "Alright then."
With Jordan accompanying her, everything went smoothly.
But the looks from the hospital staff made Charlotte feel slightly uneasy.
After completing the documentation, she gave herself a thorough check but discovered nothing out of the ordinary.
So she asked Jordan: "Jordan, is there something on my face?"
Behind his thin lenses, Jordan's originally clear eyes suddenly became deep and intense.