30 days after my wife let me sleep in the guest room, she regretted it.
Chapter 3
Clara suddenly showed up at my office with Dylan.
An ominous feeling instantly washed over me.
She sat down, skipping all pleasantries and small talk, cutting straight to the chase.
"Ryan Caldwell, Dylan and his friends have a new project that needs promotion. Can you handle it for them, free of charge?"
I frowned, my voice firm as I replied, "I can't do it for free."
Clara's face immediately fell. A flicker of displeasure crossed her usually bright eyes.
"Ryan Caldwell, aren't you the Creative Director? You can't even manage this small favor?"
I felt a surge of helplessness. She was always pushing her agenda like this.
"I am the Creative Director, yes, but I'm not the owner. I don't make those decisions."
"If you're serious about collaborating, please follow the proper procedures."
Clara glared at me.
"I don't care. I already promised them."
"You have to do this promotion, whether you like it or not. You can't make me lose face."
"It's just a small advertisement, isn't it? Just have your team pull a few all-nighters, and it'll be done. That way, it won't delay your other projects. Don't tell me you can't even manage your own staff?"
I spoke, my voice cold.
"Clara Sterling, can you please get your own affairs in order before you start trying to help other people?"
Clara just gave me a dismissive glance and started playing dumb.
"What affairs are you talking about?"
"Have you signed the divorce papers yet?"
My calm demeanor took Clara by surprise.
She hadn't expected me to suddenly bring up that topic and seemed momentarily flustered.
Just then, a flash of surprise lit up Dylan's eyes.
"Clara, you two are getting divorced?"
"No way. Is it… because of me? If it is, then we'll just forget about the advertisement."
As he spoke, he actually started to sound tearful, his voice trembling as if he'd been gravely wronged.
Clara's expression already showed her annoyance.
She frowned and shot Dylan a glance.
"It's not your fault, he's just lost his mind and suddenly wants a divorce."
Dylan immediately started fanning the flames.
"Clara, don't say I didn't warn you. When a guy acts like this, ten to one he's got another woman on the side. You need to be careful."
He said this, secretly observing Clara's reaction, a sly glint in his eyes.
I let out a cold laugh, my disgust for Dylan deepening.
You're the other man, aren't you?
And here you are, the pot calling the kettle black!
"Ryan Caldwell, are you seeing another woman?" Her face was beet red.
My tone was uncharacteristically calm.
"No!"
I had no intention of wasting my breath on such baseless accusations.
Clara glared at me, aggressively demanding an answer.
"If not, then why are you suddenly divorcing me?"
I hinted, "Don't you know perfectly well why I'm divorcing you?"
After a brief silence, she suddenly gave a strange laugh.
"He could never have those kinds of feelings for me. That's just your personal fantasy."
I turned, a playful smirk on my face, and looked at Dylan.
"The man himself is right here. Why don't you just ask him?"
I just wanted to see how Dylan would try to squirm his way out of this.
Dylan's face instantly went white.
He quickly said, "Ryan Caldwell, what are you implying? You can't accuse me unfairly."
I chuckled softly, "Unfairly or not? You know the truth in your heart."
Dylan was so furious he turned and stormed out.
Clara's anger flared even more. She shot to her feet with a whoosh!
"Ryan Caldwell, you are truly disappointing."
She spun around and ran after Dylan, her urgency making it seem like she was rushing to the ends of the earth.
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