Chapter 24: Conflict Arises Again Because of Zachary
Hearing my words, Chris also fell into thought. After pondering for a moment, he said, "If we can sign a five-year lease first, I can give it to you for $1.38 million per year. That's already the lowest I can go - any lower wouldn't be right."
"$1.35 million. If that works, send me a digital copy of the contract, and we'll set a time soon to sign it," I said.
Chris thought briefly, then gritted his teeth. "Alright, deal. Let's go with what you said - who told you to be so pretty."
I couldn't help but smile, but still expressed my thanks.
Once we confirmed the details, we quickly finalized the contract terms and agreed to officially sign it in a week. When I received the digital contract, I carefully checked every clause to make sure the lease term, amount, and breach of contract responsibilities were all clear and correct, then forwarded the digital copy to Zachary.
Zachary assured me there were no problems and told me to contact the renovation team as soon as possible to survey the site in advance, preparing for the office layout.
I wondered if this was too fast, but Zachary said the three-story building was really too large, so we needed to contact the renovation team quickly - renovations would also take a lot of time.
After settling the property matter, I felt relieved. Successfully negotiating this low-price long-term lease not only saved initial costs but also laid a foundation for the firm's stable development.
After saying goodbye to Chris, I went to pick up Jasper from school. For some reason, I didn't even feel comfortable letting Tyler pick up Jasper anymore - I had to do it myself to feel at ease.
Perhaps because of my behavior in public places those few times, now whenever I waited for Jasper at the school gate, some parents would come chat with me, their words full of praise.
I knew this was just surface-level flattery. People nowadays are very practical.
I didn't want to deal with these people, so after smiling and nodding, I made an excuse to leave and stood in a corner waiting for Jasper.
Soon, after picking up Jasper, he threw himself into my arms and handed me a drawing.
"Mom, today the teacher had each of us draw a picture of our mom. Mom, look - is my drawing good?"
I smiled and took the drawing. It showed me wearing that black dress. Though the technique was childish, I could tell at a glance it was me from that day.
My eyes lit up, and I smiled gently. "Jasper, why did you choose to draw this?"
Jasper's eyes rolled around. "Because when I saw Mom wearing that dress that day, I thought Mom was really beautiful, just like an angel from a fairy tale book."
Hearing Jasper praise me like this, my heart couldn't have been warmer - my whole chest filled with warmth.
"Jasper drew this so well. Can I frame it and hang it in my bedroom?"
"Really? Of course Jasper would love that!"
"Come on, I can buy you an ice cream today."
Ice cream was Jasper's favorite treat, but because kids have sensitive stomachs, I controlled how much he ate. Seeing him yesterday looking longingly at the ice cream in Ava's hand made me feel terrible, so today I decided to reward Jasper with an ice cream.
"Yay, Mom! Thank you, Mom!"
After getting home, Jasper obediently went to do his homework. When I came to the first-floor bar counter, Tyler was surprisingly at home too.
I checked the time - only 5:30. Usually when he didn't have social engagements, he wouldn't come home until after 8. This was the first time he'd come home this early on a workday.
"Why are you home so early?"
Tyler was making tea. He glanced at me. "Is there a problem with me coming home early?"
I pressed my lips together. "Of course not. It's just the first time you've come home this early. I'm not used to it."
"My parents are coming soon. I'm arranging my work in advance so I can spend more time with them."
I nodded. "That's good. I'll head upstairs then."
I'd barely taken a few steps when Tyler's voice came from behind me. "Is this all you have to say to me every day? Does our situation seem like we're husband and wife?"
I stopped and turned around. "Isn't this what you've always wanted?"
Tyler's brow furrowed. "What do you mean, what I wanted?"
"The way we are now - isn't this what you've always wanted? From the day we started sleeping in separate beds, we stopped being husband and wife in reality. We just have the title in name only."
Suddenly, Tyler slammed his teacup down on the counter so hard that tea splashed out. He walked toward me and stood in front of me, his shoulders heaving with anger.
"So who do you want to have that title with? Zachary?"
Hearing Tyler bring up Zachary again, I frowned. "Can you stop talking nonsense? What does my situation with you have to do with Zachary? How many years has it been since I've seen him?"
"Really? Didn't you two just meet at a coffee shop a few days ago?"
At those words, my brow furrowed deeply, my eyes filled with anger too thick to dissolve. "How do you know that? Tyler, how have you been following me? What gives you the right to do this?"
"Because I'm your husband. Because we still have a marriage certificate!" Tyler said seriously.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms without feeling it. "You have no right to call yourself my husband. It makes me sick."
The next second, he suddenly grabbed my throat, looking like he wanted to devour me. "What did you say? Sophia, you're getting bolder and bolder."
I pulled at the corner of my mouth, meeting his gaze without fear. "Compared to you, this is nothing. You can have something unclear going on with Ava, yet you monitor me. What gives you the right?"
"I'm warning you, don't mention her. What's between you and me has nothing to do with her."
"That's all you ever say. You're just being possessive. You don't love me anymore, but you can't let go of Ava either."
Tyler gritted his teeth without speaking, his knuckles white, but his eyes were full of storms.
I shook off his hand. My face had turned red from the pressure, but I still said seriously, "Don't drag Zachary into this. He and I have nothing to do with each other. Don't involve innocent people in this mess."
Tyler narrowed his eyes, his gaze so cold it burned. "So why did Zachary come looking for you first thing after returning to the country? Why did you two meet a second time? Does he like you?"
I laughed coldly. "Like I said, I'm a worthless housewife. Why would he like me? What would he gain from liking me? But you - you keep insisting that Zachary and I have something going on. Is it because you're that kind of person, so you think everyone else is too?"
"Tyler, you're absolutely disgusting."