Chapter 2 The Ross Family Goes Bankrupt

• The room was dimly lit. Shelby sat on the couch, not bothering to turn on the lights.
• At midnight, the car lights pierced through the darkness, penetrating the glass and casting their glow within the room.
• Quickly, the door swung open and Donovan walked in.
• He reached out to turn on the light and immediately noticed Shelby sitting there in silence.
• He averted his gaze, loosening his tie as he walked, ready to head upstairs.
• “Donovan.” She called out to him.
• He never halted his steps.
• Shelby's fingers clenched tightly, her nails digging into her palm. After a long while, she lifted her head, watching his retreating figure, a smile spreading across her face.
• “Let's get a divorce,” she said.
• As she had hoped, Donovan finally stopped and turned around. With his back against the light, it made him seem even more aloof and distant.
• Shelby's gaze traced the contours of his face, the man she had loved for a decade. Ten years of affection, only to provoke his disgust and leave her covered in emotional scars.
• She shouldn't have held him back either.
• “Would you die if you didn't cause trouble for a day?”
• Donovan reckoned she was merely playing hard to get.
• Shelby stood up, reaching into her bag to pull out the divorce agreement. Her hand brushed against a bottle of painkillers inside, causing her to pause momentarily.
• Subsequently, she silently closed her bag and placed it aside.
• She walked up to Donovan and handed him the signed divorce agreement.
• She made every effort to mask her emotions. “You intended to marry Lila, didn't you?” With a forced smile, she said, “I'll gladly grant your wish.”
• Had she known earlier that he was fond of Lila Brock, there was no way she would have married him, dead or alive.
• They had to marry each other for some reason. The marriage was like a deal, but it was also a result of her unrequited love.
• Donovan glanced at her signature, then took the divorce agreement from her.
• He grazed his tongue against his cheek, slapping the divorce agreement onto her shoulder.
• “Ms. Ross, true to her finance background,” he leaned in, a chill in his eyes, “How much of the Mayer family wealth are you hoping to claim in our divorce?”
• Shelby was momentarily taken aback, her lips pressed tightly together. She softly said, “I never wanted your money.”
• Donovan remained silent, just giving her a cold stare.
• Three years ago, a crisis befell the Mayer family. His father was imprisoned, and he was forced to sell off all their businesses to repay their debts.
• Back then, he was penniless. The woman who constantly professed her love for him, vanished the day after his misfortune struck.
• Later on, he heard that she had gotten together with Kyler Gosling.
• The Gosling family was the main culprit behind his father's unjust imprisonment.
• Despite the kindness his father had shown to Shelby, she was just the kind of woman who could sell herself for money. Was there anything she wouldn't do?
• Then, Shelby, having said something to his father, somehow compelled him to insist on their marriage.
• “Get lost.” His eyes were filled with coldness.
• He turned to leave, but Shelby spread her arms, blocking his path.
• “Don't you have feelings for Lila? I've stepped aside for you. I can even sign a guarantee. I won't ask for a single penny from you!”
• “Indeed, I love Lila.” Donovan's eyes narrowed, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “That's why I will give her a grand wedding, letting everyone know she is my Mrs. Mayer.” He squinted his eyes. “But that will have to wait until I've settled things with you and severed ties.”
• The sound of a slammed door echoed as Donovan entered the bathroom. Cold water cascaded down, causing him to purse his lips and clench his fists.
• Shelby turned around, picking up the divorce agreement that lay on the ground.
• The phone rang, and the sound on the other end was of her mother's sobbing.
• Her father had fallen seriously ill and was taken to the hospital.
• Shelby hurried over, only then learning from her mother that their family was on the brink of bankruptcy, and her father had fallen critically ill due to the stress.
• Suddenly, she remembered what Donovan had said about the divorce settlement. He doubted she wanted his money.
• No wonder he said that. He must have known about the Ross family's impending bankruptcy all along.