Chapter 2 A New Beginning

• The next morning, the lawyer arrived with the divorce agreement.
• The contents were simple: the villa would belong to Claire, along with an additional hundred million in alimony.
• When Claire saw that number, she felt a brief shock, but quickly regained her composure. Ethan had never treated her unfairly in terms of material possessions; he was a generous husband. But that hundred million was a bit of a hot potato for her.
• "Miss Claire, according to your prenuptial agreement, as a couple, you do not have shared assets. After the divorce, you will not receive any compensation. However, Mr. Ethan says..."
• "Where is Ethan?" Claire, looking tired yet hopeful, glanced towards the door, fully embodying the image of a discarded high society wife.
• The lawyer pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and gave his professional and official response, "Regarding the division of assets, that's all the agreement entails. If you have any other requests, you can let me know, and I will convey them to Mr. Ethan."
• Not seeing her husband, Claire 'disappointedly' lowered her eyelids and remained silent, contemplating how to get rid of this enormous sum of money.
• The women in the Scott family were not to be trifled with. If she left without taking a penny, it would be one thing, but if she actually took this money, it wouldn't be so easy to get out of this marriage.
• The lawyer slid the documents in front of her. "If you have no further objections, please sign."
• Claire's voice turned cold. "Tell him to come and speak to me in person. I don't want the money."
• The lawyer maintained a pleasant smile but remained firm. "Mr. Ethan was unable to make it this morning and has entrusted me with full authority in this matter..."
• Hm?
• Unable to make it?
• What a perfect opportunity to increase his disgust value toward her!
• She stood up abruptly, her voice filled with excitement. "Don't try to brush me off! If you won't help me convey the message, I'll call him myself!"
• The lawyer, "..."
• In the spacious conference room.
• A large conference table filled with company executives. Ethan sat at the head, listening to the quarterly summary.
• Suddenly, his phone vibrated, particularly eerie in the quiet and serious atmosphere. He glanced at the screen, nonchalantly declining the call.
• "Continue."
• The executives below kept their eyes on their own papers, pretending nothing had happened. The executive giving the summary noticed his less-than-pleasant expression, but stood his ground and continued the presentation.
• Then, less than two minutes later, Peter hurriedly walked in. He handed Ethan the phone.
• On the screen was a bold message: [Have Ethan answer the call, otherwise I won't sign!]
• "Slap!"
• He firmly put down the pen in his hand.
• In the uneasy gazes of those present, Ethan grabbed the phone, got up, and said, "Five-minute break for the meeting."
• In the hallway.
• Ethan leaned against the wall, his long fingers gripping the phone. He dialed a familiar number.
• It seemed like she had been waiting, as the call was answered immediately. "Hello, Honey?"
• "Growing some courage?" His voice was cold and bone-chilling, indicating his extreme displeasure at the moment.
• Claire was in a panic, "Honey, I don't want a divorce! Oh, please don't be angry, okay? I won't ask anymore! I won't ask about you and Janice, Lily, Lucy, Monica and others! I truly love you, I don't care about the cold house and money!"
• Ethan clenched his phone, his veins popping on the back of his hand, "......Claire!"
• "Honey, I don't want the house and money, I..."
• "Fine! I'll have the lawyer redraft the contract, don't regret it!"
• "......"
• The cold busy tone signaled the end of the call.
• In that instant before hanging up, Claire's pitiful expression instantly disappeared from her face, and she raised an eyebrow while looking at the pitch-black screen.
• Is it settled just like that?
• She really lives up to her reputation!
• Ethan's lawyer was efficient. Thirty minutes later, a brand-new divorce agreement was placed in front of Claire.
• Looking at the words "leave with nothing" on the paper, a complex tear rolled down Claire's cheek as she sat defeated on the couch, clutching a pen, feeling utterly hopeless.
• Assistant Peter exchanged a glance with the lawyer, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
• Doesn't Mrs. Ethan know what kind of person Ethan is? She brought this upon herself.
• Finally achieving her goal, Claire didn't exaggerate her acting anymore. She simply held the pen with great reluctance and signed her name.
• Tears stained the paper.
• She quickly wiped away her tears, afraid of smudging her signature...
• As soon as the lawyer and assistant left, she hurriedly ran up the stairs, grabbed her luggage, and left.
• Tomorrow will be a new beginning!
• "That bitch is really leaving with nothing? I hope she doesn't try anything funny, like using this to complain to Grandma Scott," a sharp and cynical suspicion pierced the air.
• "Oh, she wants to! But this time, she has angered Big Brother, and Grandma Scott can't save her!" Elsa Scott sneered.
• "That's true. Show me the agreement. Are the terms clear?"
• "..."
• Claire stood at the top of the stairs with her luggage, looking down at the unexpected guests below, and slowly retracted her smile.
• Mrs. Scott still maintained her elegant and noble appearance, sitting on the couch as if it were her own home. Elsa stood beside her, flipping through the divorce agreement.
• Hearing footsteps upstairs, both of them turned their heads simultaneously.
• Elsa didn't show any embarrassment from peeking at someone else's things and instead let her gaze fall upon Claire's large suitcase.
• "Such a big suitcase, are you planning to empty the entire Scott family?" her tone dripped with sarcasm, scrutinizing Claire's face, filled with jealousy.
• Claire carried the suitcase downstairs, her voice calm, "An entire family can be emptied with just one suitcase? Has the Scott family fallen that far?"
• Elsa choked and looked at her like she was a monster.
• It took her several seconds before she turned to look at Mrs. Scott, "Mom! Mommy! Did you hear what she just said? She dares to talk back! Does she still want to argue with us?"
• Argue?
• Claire hadn't even considered it.
• In the past three years, she had swallowed her pride and stayed low. The moment there was even a slight problem, they would run to Ethan and complain. That arrogant and self-important man didn't want trouble, so he would always threaten her with Mrs. Ethan's position, telling her not to cause trouble.
• Now, after three years of enduring, she no longer had to put up with this mother and daughter.
• Not wanting to waste time with them, she took two steps forward, snatched the divorce agreement from Elsa's hand, and bypassed her, heading straight for the door.
• "Stop!" Mrs. Scott's displeased voice rang out.
• Claire hesitated for a moment but continued walking without looking back.
• "Didn't my mom tell you to stop? Didn't you hear?" Elsa's voice grew frustrated.
• Claire continued to ignore her and saw that the door was already open.
• Elsa couldn't keep her temper in check anymore. "Claire, stop right there! You two, stop her!"
• The two bodyguards at the door, with cold expressions, reached out their hands. "Mrs. Ethan, please stop."
• "Claire, are you deaf? Running away so fast, are you guilty of something?" Elsa, in her high heels, quickly walked up to her, angry and glaring at her.
• Claire sneered, "What can I be guilty of?"
• Elsa pointed at her suitcase. "What's in that suitcase? Did you secretly take things from our Scott family?"
• Claire, "..."
• Facing Elsa's arrogant and domineering face, all the grievances and humiliations she had endured in the Scott family for the past three years surged up. She clenched her fist tightly, her eyes filled with a chilly glare.
• "I guessed it right, didn't I? You're enraged because you're ashamed?"
• As Elsa spoke, she arrogantly and forcefully reached out to grab the suitcase from her.
• Claire turned the handle of the suitcase to the side, causing Elsa to miss her grasp and, in her anger and embarrassment, she swung a slap.