Chapter 2


    Chapter 2


    His reason was simple. That was, before Jayleen returned, he needed someone to help him deal with


    his family’s elders. Cynthia was well–liked by his parents and grandfather, which made her the perfect


    candidate. Sometimes, she wanted to ask him a question. Did she look like a fool? Otherwise, why


    would Joshua assume she would be willing to help him and his elders conceal his affair?


    Now that he had suddenly brought up divorce, her chest felt tight. Even after half a year of mental


    preparation and knowing he was a scumbag, she still could not help feeling emotional.


    She exhaled, walked over to the sofa, sat down, and took out her phone. Cynthia opened WhatsApp


    and found a contact saved as ‘Little Jerry‘. She opened the chat that she had not used in two years and


    typed a message. [Look into whether Neal Group has been facing any difficulties recently, and


    Joshua…does he have a terminal illness?]


    Immediately after sending the message, she received a reply.


    [Little Jerry: !!!!]


    [Little Jerry: Cynthia, did you fake your death?]


    [Little Jerry: Wow, I never thought I’d receive a message from you again in my lifetime. Where have you


    been these past two years? Why did you vanish without a trace?]


    [Little Jerry: Yo know, we almost held a funeral for you.]


    [Cynthia: …]


    Chapter 2


    77


    She did not provide any exnation. While feeling annoyed, she simply replied with one word, [Check.]


    [Little Jerry: Alright!]


    Cynthia put her phone down and waited for a response. If Joshua was nning to divorce her because


    he did not want to burden her, she could forgive him and even help him.


    However, if he were truly a scumbag, she would not hesitate to kick him to the curb.


    About half an hourter, her phone buzzed with new messages.


    [Little Jerry: No difficulties, no terminal illness, no sickness.] [Little Jerry: Cynthia, why did you want me


    to look into this?]


    [Little Jerry: You know, Joshua is handsome, talented, and rich. You two make a good pair. You like


    good–looking guys, don’t you? Maybe you should give it a shot.]


    Ignoring his question, Cynthia shot back without any courtesy, [You and a dog would make a good pair.]


    After sending that reply, she exited WhatsApp.


    With no external factors at y, there was only one conclusion. That was, Joshua was indeed a


    scumbag!


    Little Jerry was left confused and bewildered.


    Why was Cynthia in such a bad temper?


    He would not get an answer to that question now.


    Cynthia nced at the divorce agreement on the table, hesitated for a moment, then picked up a pen


    and signed it. After signing, she threw it in a drawer and went to take a


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    30


    shower.


    When she came out of the bathroom, she found her phone disying over 99 WhatsApp messages


    and 32 missed calls.


    Cynthia was speechless.


    She did not have to guess that Jimmy Barnes, aka Little Jerry, had spread the news about her


    contacting him far and wide.


    Holding a towel in one hand to dry her damp and messy ck hair, she picked up her phone with the


    other hand to check the


    messages.


    Before she could unlock the phone, a call came in. The phone showed the caller ID, Old Man Yates.


    Seeing the name of someone she had not been in touch with for two years, Cynthia felt a mix of


    emotions.


    Back when she left Nexuria because of the incident involving her mother, neither of them had contacted


    each other. There was an unspoken understanding between them.


    After some hesitation, she answered the call.


    Cynthia’s voice was faint. “Hello.”


    There was silence on the other end.


    Just as Cynthia was about to hang up, having no patience for him, the man finally spoke, and his voice


    was slightly hoarse. ” Cyn.”


    That simple word evoked Cynthia’s deepest memories.


    She did not stop him but asked indifferently, “What’s up?”


    “I heard from Jimmy that you contacted him.” The middle –


    aged man’s voice continued with a hint of guilt detectable in his tone, “He said you were looking into


    Joshua. Is there anything you need your father’s help with?”


    “No,” Cynthia replied, not wanting to be too involved with him.


    Mrs. Neal paused for a moment before speaking again, “So, what’s your rtionship with him?”


    “We’re a couple on the verge of divorce.” Cynthia dropped a bombshell.


    Mrs. Neal was speechless.


    Divorce?


    Cyn?


    Married?


    “You…”


    “It’s fine, I’m hanging up.” Cynthia cut him off, not wanting to say more.


    “Wait.” Mrs. Neal interjected quickly.


    Cynthia remained silent.


    The atmosphere grew tense.


    After a while, he asked, “When are youing back?”


    “That person isn’t living in the house anymore. Your mother’s things haven’t been touched,” Mrs. Neal


    added hastily, fearing she might hang up.


    Cynthia’s eyes flickered with emotion, but she coldly responded with the words, “I know.”


    Without any hesitation, she hung up. Mrs. Neal stared at his phone, feeling a bit wronged.


    He had not even asked about the marriage yet…


    Cynthia did not care what he thought. She set her phone to airne mode, dried her hair, and fell


    asleep in bed.


    It was a dreamless night for her.


    The next morning at eight, Cynthia got up, washed up, ate, and changed clothes. She applied light


    makeup that day, making her fair, and delicate skin appear even more radiant.


    visible upon close Her lips were full, and no lines were inspection. Her most captivating feature,


    however, was her pair of alluring eyes.


    When she smiled, it felt like she could heal everything.


    When Joshua arrived, he saw her already dressed and sitting on the sofa. Her shoulder–length hair


    was tucked behind her ears, and her bangs were swept up, topped with a ck beret.


    Upon seeing him, she stood up and draped her coat over her shoulders.


    She exuded the aura of a wealthy youngdy.


    “Let’s go,” Cynthia said, holding her bag.


    Joshua did not move. His well–tailored suit entuated his slender frame. “Not today.”


    Cynthia looked puzzled.


    “I have other matters to attend to.” Joshua’s deep voice carried a hint of indifference. His eyes could


    not help but linger on her for a moment. “I’ll apany you tomorrow.”


    hapter 2.


    “Joshua Neal,” Cynthia called him by his full name.


    He did not like being addressed this way.


    “I put on makeup today. If you still want a smooth divorce, cancel your ns. I don’t like people who


    don’t keep their words,” Cynthia kindly reminded him.


    Joshua’s gaze was sharp.


    After weighing the pros and cons, he stepped outside to make a phone call. Cynthia faintly heard him


    mention Jayleen, a hospital, and a follow–up appointment.


    Holding her bag, Cynthia’s emotions stirred, and she mentally cursed him.


    He was still pining for his former love at a time like this.


    Joshua did not notice her emotions, only thinking that she looked exceptionally beautiful today. She


    seemed entirely different from her usual gentle demeanor. Even her aura had changed significantly.


    After hanging up, he asked where she wanted to go. Cynthia named Jiverton’srgest luxury mall.


    Instead of calling it shopping, it was more like she was stocking up. By ten o’clock, four bodyguards


    trailed behind Cynthia, and their hands were full of items, watches, jewelry, handbags, and clothes. She


    had bought a little bit of everything.


    Joshua’s hone kept receiving notifications about her payments.


    As he watched Cynthia enter another high–end jewelry store,


    his face turned dark. So much for shopping and apanying her. He now understood that she was


    deliberately trying to


    make him unhappy.