Chapter 7

• "I don't see any problems with this project. I've checked everything. The rest is just waiting for your approval, Andrew."
• "Let's talk about it in the office, not here."
• "Yes."
• Ethan held the elevator door, allowing Andrew to enter first, and followed him. He then glanced at Andrew once the elevator doors closed.
• There were only the two of them in there, allowing Ethan to observe Andrew.
• His best friend seemed to have forgotten about the incident two days ago because he saw that the man was back to his usual self.
• In his heart, he felt relieved. Andrew's order for Sandra to abort if she got pregnant was something he didn't want to do.
• He knew Andrew could be a complete idiot, but telling a woman to abort against her will?
• That wasn't stupid. It was cruel, and he couldn't just agree to Andrew's order.
• If someone were told to choose to carry out Andrew's order to terminate Sandra's pregnancy (if Sandra was really pregnant) or beat Andrew to death, he would definitely choose the second option.
• As soon as the elevator doors opened, Ethan and Andrew found a formally dressed woman with a flat face but a professional attitude standing in front of them.
• "Forgive my impertinence," the woman said. "But there is someone who would like to see you."
• "Who?"
• "Mr. Claude Wright."
• "Claude Wright? I don't know him. Does he have an appointment with me?" Andrew waved his hand dismissively as he stepped out of the elevator. He followed behind.
• Although Patricia Margareth was known to people as Andrew's secretary, it was an empty title. She never actually worked there, as it was just a title Andrew had given her for practicality's sake.
• Instead, it was Kate, the woman who was following Andrew's walking pace with a serious expression, who was Andrew's real personal assistant.
• "No, sir," Kate replied. "But he's been waiting for you for an hour. He told me he only came here to deliver some paperwork. It will only take a few minutes, or so he said."
• "If that's all it is, why not give it to you?"
• "I already said that, but he still insisted on giving it to you directly."
• "It can't be helped, then," Andrew gave up. "Ask him to come to my office now."
• "I understand, sir."
• Kate walked away, while the two of them went inside Andrew's office. It didn't take long to find the old man, who immediately introduced himself as Claude Wright.
• "Mr. Andrew Flynn?" the old man asked after shaking Andrew's hand.
• "Yes. Have a seat."
• "No need. I won't be here long," Claude Wright laughed softly as he took out an A4-sized paper form from his briefcase and handed it to Andrew. "Please sign here."
• Andrew's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What is this?"
• "A notice. It simply states that I am delivering this directly to you in person."
• Andrew grumbled but signed the document anyway before receiving a much thicker brown envelope. "And this one?"
• "Divorce papers," Claude said succinctly, closing his brief. "And done. I will excuse myself, Mr. Flynn. Have a nice day."
• "Huh?! What does it mean?!" Andrew's tone rose, confused. "Is this a joke?"
• "Oh, perhaps I should have introduced myself in a more obvious way," Claude smiled a little, taking out his business card and placing it on Andrew's desk. "I'm Claude Wright, attorney for your wife, Sandra Campbell. She's filed for divorce.
• "I suggest you look at the contents of your divorce papers carefully. If necessary, you can discuss the matter with your lawyer and contact me if you have any questions."
• "Wait a minute. My wife wants a divorce from me, you say? On what grounds?"
• "Irreconcilable differences."
• Andrew snorted, half mocking. "I don't know how much money my wife paid me to hire you for this little fad, but it's not enough. She's technically using my money, so you should be working for me."
• Claude Wright instead responded with a casual laugh.
• "Your wife isn't paying me. I'm doing this purely pro bono. I already think of her as my daughter, so of course I will help her selflessly. Most importantly, I can assure you that this is not just a little fad. It is all perfectly legal and binding."
• "Nonsense."
• "Say whatever you want, Young Man. My client has already signed it; that leaves only you. If you are willing to sign it today, I can process it today."
• "As if I will do that!"
• "Suit yourself. You have twenty days before the hearing is set, so I advise you to look at it carefully," Claude once again smiled politely while bowing slightly. "I will excuse myself. You don't need to escort me. Good day, and see you in twenty days, Mr. Flynn."
• Having said that, the old man walked away from the room.
• Andrew was the first to recover from the unexpected shock. He quickly grabbed his smartphone and dialed Sandra's number.
• "The number you are calling is not active or out of service. Please call again--"
• Only the voice of an automatic answering machine answered Andrew's call. He tried repeatedly to call, but the result was the same.
• "Fuck!" Andrew growled in annoyance, slamming his smartphone into the floor. "Fine! You want me to follow your game, Sandra? I will give you the answer right now: I won't accept it!"
• "What's wrong?" Ethan picked up Andrew's smartphone, looking pityingly at Andrew's slightly cracked smartphone screen before returning it to his best friend.
• "My wife. She's not answering my calls. Bastard!"
• Ethan was silent, saying nothing. Letting Andrew continue to hurl harsh words until the man's anger subsides on its own. Meanwhile, Ethan's mind was on Sandra.
• I respect you, Sandra, Ethan muttered to himself. Finally, you have the courage to do it ...
• ***
• This morning, Andrew invited Taylor Parker to his office. When he arrived at the office, Kate handed him a letter sent from the court.
• At first, he was confused because he didn't remember anything that made him able to receive a letter from the court.
• But as soon as he opened the letter and read the contents, he panicked. He had no idea that the divorce letter from his wife, which he initially thought was just a silly little prank, was actually serious.
• So he invited Taylor over and asked his lawyer to help him study the letter he had received along with the divorce papers sent by the lawyer, Claude Wright, carefully, occasionally calling acquaintances to find out the information he wanted.
• It took Taylor three hours to finally close the document as he shook his head in resignation, giving up.
• "Yup. You are screwed, Andrew Flynn."
• "What do you mean?"
• Taylor cleared his throat softly before continuing. "I've checked the contents of this contract. Everything is legal and binding. I've called my contacts to find out about your wife—or now ex-wife."
• "Then?"
• "Why are you asking me?" Taylor asked back. "That should have been my question. How did she know Claude Wright?"
• "Is there a problem?"
• "What do you think? I knew you were stupid and careless from the beginning, but I didn't expect you to develop in such a pathetic direction. Is your brain just a decoration or a stone?"
• Andrew's face turned sour at Taylor's sarcasm. "Will you stop mocking me?"
• "If you've grown a little smarter, maybe I'll consider it," Taylor replied casually. "Back to our topic. Claude Wright is a great lawyer. Not a single case he handled failed. The man is called the hand of God."
• "Then?"
• "In other words, we can't possibly win against Mr. Wright, duh!" Taylor rolled his eyeballs as he grumbled softly. "Anyways, I don't understand this part. Why did your wife choose to divorce you without asking for anything?"
• "Eh?"
• "It says in the divorce papers that she didn't demand anything at all; she just wanted a divorce from you. Simply put, she is not asking for any assets from you."
• "Are you joking?"
• "Do you think I'm joking? I'm not. She's even refusing alimony, both now and in the future. So, if she decides to change her mind in the future, she won't be able to apply for a single penny!"
• "What was she thinking by filing something stupid like this?" Andrew wondered. "Is this a mistake?"
• "Claude Wright can't possibly make a mistake. This is probably why the judge decided to accept it outright."
• "But... but... I didn't sign the document at all..."
• "This document does not need a signature. By law, once your spouse or your spouse's lawyer sends you a written notice, the divorce petition can be submitted to the court. If you do not sign it within that time, you will be deemed to have consented."
• Andrew massaged his temples, realizing how difficult his current situation was. "Why..."
• "I wanted to ask you a question, Andrew."
• "Shoot..."
• "What do you know about that ex-wife of yours?"
• "I...," Andrew racked his brain, trying to figure out what he knew about Sandra Campbell, but to no avail. "I don't know..."
• Hearing his answer, Taylor shook her head slowly, concerned. "Honestly, I don't know what else to say to you to tell you what an idiot you are, Andrew..."
• "Shut up! This is not the right time to joke around!"
• "Why are you taking offense now? Isn't this what you always wanted?"
• Taylor raised the divorce document high into the air before throwing it on Andrew's desk.
• "You wanted a divorce from her after you managed to persuade your grandmother to allow it. Now, she's already filed it. That means there's no reason for you to persuade your grandmother anymore, right? I don't see any problem here."
• "That..."
• To be honest, looking at Andrew who looked like a moron created a feeling of pity in Taylor. And he was surprised.
• From before his marriage to after his marriage to Sandra Campbell, Andrew had always told him and Ethan that he would divorce her after persuading his grandmother.
• But why did the man even look frustrated after his wish came true? Even Sandra had given Andrew the easy route. There should be a win-win situation ...
• Taylor didn't understand. Human relationships were very complicated in his opinion. Besides, he didn't want to get too involved in other people's domestic problems other than those related to his work.
• "If there is nothing else you wish to discuss with me, I will excuse myself."
• There was no reply from Andrew. The man continued to mumble with a shocked expression, his head resting on the table.
• Taylor picked up his things and walked away from Andrew.
• ***