Return, My Love: Wooing the Neglected Ex-Wife

Chapter 107:

“Well…”

Gerda glanced at Rebecca, then quickly looked at Adrian to gauge his reaction. Since Rebecca’s funds came from Adrian, the decision rested with him. When Adrian remained silent, Gerda decided to speak up. “Miss Lloyd has been a loyal customer of our shop for the past four years. Her purchases have totaled close to a million.”

Katherine laughed at this and mocked Adrian. “Wow, Adrian, you’re quite generous. Funding her beauty treatments and skincare? You’ve made it way too easy for her to spend your money!” Her words were a jest directed at Adrian.

Rebecca, caught off guard, clung to Adrian’s sleeve. He, however, pulled away with a look of cold indifference. The thought of a girl from a modest background spending a million on skincare was hard to believe. Adrian chose not to question Rebecca about her spending. He had given her much more over the years, so he saw no issue with her indulgences. Joelle nodded and looked at Adrian calmly.

“Since you’ve given the money willingly, it isn’t my place to ask for it back. However, as your wife, it’s concerning to see you continuously fund another woman.” Adrian was unmoved. “What do you propose?”

Joelle smoothed her hair back. “Miller Group supports various charitable causes annually, and Rebecca is certainly eligible. The funds you spend on her and her brother should strictly cover her medical and basic living needs. Shopping trips like today, however, should be excluded going forward.”

She aimed to use her position as the legal spouse to suppress Rebecca’s influence completely. Adrian responded flatly, “Is that everything?”

Joelle advanced, her tone confrontational. “I want you to cease all financial support for her. If that’s not possible, we should consider divorce.”

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The argument had lasted long enough, and Adrian was ready to conclude it. “Fine.”

Rebecca gasped, her shock manifesting as a faint, her eyes rolling back as she collapsed. Adrian promptly scooped her up and carried her away from the prying eyes. Joelle’s smile vanished slowly. She hadn’t been defeated, yet she hadn’t triumphed either.

Gerda offered a flattering smile. “Madam, about the skincare set you were interested in purchasing?” Joelle’s smile returned. “Of course. I always keep my promises.”

Gerda eagerly fetched a bag, praising the product profusely. Joelle maintained her smile but remained silent. Once they had departed, Joelle turned to Katherine. “Go ahead and call Bobby now.”

Gerda smiled as she saw them off, but her phone soon rang. It was her manager. “You don’t need to come in tomorrow.” Shocked, Gerda inquired, “Why?” She had always performed well in sales.

“Because you’ve offended someone you shouldn’t have.” Immediately, Gerda thought of Joelle. She never envisioned that the skincare set she had just sold to Joelle would be her final sale.

Bobby was in the country, prompting the trio to arrange a dinner meeting that evening. Joelle arrived home somewhat late, yet Adrian returned even later. Upon her arrival, Leah informed her that Adrian had not yet come back. He was probably still at the hospital with Rebecca. With no particular concern in her voice, Joelle called Adrian.

“Adrian, I was serious about what I said today.” She strictly forbade Adrian from spending any more money on Rebecca, at least not in a way that could be observed. She doubted Adrian could adhere to this, and frankly, Joelle didn’t mind. If he couldn’t sever his financial ties to another woman, a divorce seemed justified.

“Okay, I understand.” Adrian’s calm acceptance surprised Joelle. She had not expected him to agree so easily. Yet, she realized that even if Adrian were to continue supporting Rebecca discreetly, she wouldn’t know. Joelle had hoped to provoke a significant argument to hasten a divorce, but now she found herself unable to initiate an overt dispute. She felt ineffective, like swinging at air.

“Where are you? Why haven’t you come home yet?” Adrian replied patiently, “I’ll be home in ten minutes. If you can’t wait, go ahead and sleep.”

“I wasn’t waiting for you,” Joelle responded, her tone icy. Adrian chuckled, seemingly in a light mood as he teased while driving, “Michael mentioned that women often say one thing but mean another.”

Joelle settled onto the sofa. “I had been waiting for you in this house for three years. Did it change anything? Adrian, I won’t wait for you anymore.”

She took a moment, her voice steady. “Adrian, I don’t want to continue this way. Shall we talk about getting a divorce?”

At that instant, a harrowing screech erupted from Adrian’s side.

Bang!

Joelle, jolted by the noise, sprang from the sofa. “Adrian! Adrian?”

“I’m alright,” Adrian responded, his voice tense as he inspected the damaged dashboard. “It was just a minor accident.”

A minor accident? The intensity of the noise suggested otherwise. Filled with apprehension, Joelle grabbed her phone and hurried out the door.

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