Chapter 33 Clio
After hesitating for a moment, I finally decided to follow Zachary's arrangement, even though it wasn't what I had expected.
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
"Since you've made up your mind, I can only respect your decision. Thinking about it carefully, this marriage really doesn't need to continue anymore. Don't worry too much, don't trap yourself. Don't forget we still have the law firm to open. Have you found the renovation team?"
I knew Zachary was deliberately trying to cheer me up, but mentioning the law firm instantly lifted my spirits. After all, this was my first time starting a business, and I felt both excited and nervous.
"Found them. As soon as the contract from headquarters comes through, we'll sign right away and start the renovation."
"I feel confident leaving it to you."
I smiled. "That's also because I have you as a partner. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel so sure. Although I studied law, aside from a one-year internship at a law firm during my senior year, I have no practical experience. I can't be a partner lawyer yet. Thinking about it, I feel like I've wasted my own potential."
Zachary comforted me. "Being a shareholder isn't much different from being a partner. With your abilities, you'll definitely be an excellent lawyer."
I took a deep breath, my eyes filled with confidence and determination. "This is the first battle of my life, and I'll do whatever it takes to succeed!"
-
After getting home, I had just changed clothes when my high school classmate Clio Webb started a video call with me.
I sat on the bed chatting with her while putting on a face mask.
"You're getting divorced? Are you out of your mind?"
I sighed helplessly. "When are you going to change that catchphrase? Have you forgotten how in high school you said that to a teacher and your parents got called in? You even got reported to the whole school."
Clio felt a bit embarrassed, but the news of my divorce still shocked her more.
"Why are you suddenly getting divorced? Weren't you desperate to marry Tyler back then? Why are you asking for a divorce now?"
Faced with Clio's barrage of questions, I felt very helpless, especially when I heard her say "desperate." I was speechless. "Who was desperate? Was it really that dramatic?"
Clio on the other end of the video said firmly, "Yes, it felt like you would kill yourself if you couldn't marry Tyler."
Hearing this, I fell silent, but my heart was churning inside.
Was I really that crazy back then? Now thinking about it, I feel a bit regretful.
"That's all in the past. Now that we've grown up, it's time to wake up."
Clio looked unconvinced. "I don't believe you've woken up. You're just acting impulsively because you got hurt. After the divorce, if you see those two being lovey-dovey, you won't be able to handle it. As a woman, how could I not understand another woman?"
The corners of my mouth lifted slightly in a helpless smile, and I sighed softly.
"Maybe, but they're pretty lovey-dovey now too, and I've gotten used to it."
"Those two jerks. You're just too classy. If it were me, I'd find some people to beat up Ava until her own mother wouldn't recognize her. Let's see if she dares to be a homewrecker again!"
I laughed. Clio was an average student in high school and knew some troublemakers, but she wasn't a bad person—just impulsive. She often got into fights in high school and had her parents called in. Back then, her way of solving problems was through violence.
But she mellowed out a lot after growing up. Hearing her say this now, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Come on, this is a society ruled by law, and you're an adult now. You think you're still a minor in high school?"
Clio didn't care. "It's nothing. Ava isn't afraid of being a homewrecker, is she? I say we should teach her a good lesson, then take some nude photos as blackmail material. Let's see if she dares to do this kind of thing again."
I couldn't help but laugh, propping my chin and sighing. "You, just behave yourself. Don't solve problems this way."
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you. How would I dare to do that without your permission?"
"But gathering evidence is indeed what I need to do now, just not using your method. Otherwise, even if I get the evidence, it can't be used in court."
"It's still better not to get married. I don't have any relationship troubles now. Men are just for fun. I can't allow myself to enter the palace of marriage."
After graduating high school, Clio got into an ordinary university and studied public administration. Two years ago, with her parents' support, she opened a nail salon. Business is good now, so she's pretty successful.
She just has a rich romantic history—the longest relationship lasted six months, the shortest just a few days. That's why she still hasn't gotten married.
"You're way ahead of me on this. You figured it out early."
"Right? I told you not to get married so young, but you didn't listen. But there's no helping it—anyone in your shoes wouldn't have listened either. Especially when you're facing such a rich, super-wealthy guy who's also handsome. Any woman would fall for that. You were only in your early twenties then, so of course you couldn't resist the temptation." Clio spoke like someone who'd been through it all.
I couldn't refute what she said at all. I remember a bunch of people tried to talk me out of it back then—my parents and friends all advised me against it. But I was stubborn. Thinking about it now, I brought all this on myself.
"It's too late to say anything now. I'm definitely getting divorced."
"I don't understand law. You studied it, so you handle it. If you need my help with anything, just ask. I'll do whatever it takes." As she spoke, Clio patted her chest on the video.
I couldn't help but smile. "Okay, I'll definitely ask you when the time comes. How's your love life? Dating someone again?"
Clio pretended to be angry. "What do you mean 'again'? Of course I am."
I was speechless. "How's it going?"
"Not great. Men are like clothes to me. They don't have that much appeal."
I raised an eyebrow and smiled calmly. "Yeah, that's true."
"But Sophia, you're hiding something from me." Clio suddenly said seriously, with a hint of a knowing smile in her eyes.
I was confused. "What do you mean?"
"You have a pursuer now too."
"No way, I'm just a housewife."
Clio raised an eyebrow. "Isn't Zachary pursuing you?"
Hearing this, I froze. "How do you know Zachary?"
"It's actually a coincidence. Zachary was my elementary school classmate. After I posted photos with you on my social media, he contacted me and keeps asking about you from time to time. Didn't he just come back to the country? Before coming back, he was still asking me about you. Isn't that pursuing you?"