Chapter 9

It was over six years ago. Julian and I did discuss divorce that day.

But it wasn't my divorce. It was Julian who wanted to divorce his wife.

At the time, Julian's law firm was in trouble, and he didn't want to burden his wife.

He planned to divorce her and give her what little assets he had.

But his wife wouldn't accept it.

So, at the coffee shop, he told me he wanted to create evidence of the husband's infidelity to ensure his wife received a larger share of assets, while he, the husband, would legally walk away with nothing.

This way, his wife wouldn't feel guilty.

I felt a degree of sympathy for Julian's predicament.

So, after our conversation, I handed him a bank card, offering it as a temporary loan.

It was only afterward that I realized I'd given him the wrong card – Alex's paycheck card.

Alex had given it to me on our wedding night.

After intimacies and a few drinks, a half-drunk Alex had held me and said, "My money should be with my wife."

He was the CEO of his family's company, but he still received a monthly salary.

After giving me the card, many of his other income streams, like investments, would also be directed by his assistant straight to the card I held.

After realizing my mistake, I contacted Julian the next day and swapped the cards back.

Now, looking back, it occurred to me that Alex might have known everything – our conversation in the coffee shop, and perhaps even the card I'd handed over.

Because Julian's wife was an actress, they had kept their marriage secret.

Alex, unaware Julian was married, had completely misunderstood.

For a moment, I even had the absurd thought that Alex, speaking of those things with such fury, and tracking my interactions with Julian for seven years…

Could it be that he loved me a little, that he cared?

But then, the man before me spoke, shattering my utterly ridiculous fantasy.

Alex's voice was laced with sarcasm.

"Scarlett Hayes, before you go to all that trouble digging up dirt on me and Genevieve."

"Maybe you should think about how you'll explain yourself if these photos go public."

My heart plummeted instantly.

So, it was a threat.

I wanted to explain, but then I thought, what's the point? It was laughable.

He wouldn't care about the so-called truth anyway.

The words died on my lips, replaced by a cold sneer.

I said flatly, "Think what you want."

Alex looked down at me, then suddenly reached out, harshly wiping his thumb across my lower eyelid.

He snarled, almost gnashing his teeth, "You only cry in front of him. Scarlett Hayes, you disgust me."

After Alex stormed off in a rage, I immediately rushed to the Thorne family estate to find my mom.

When I arrived, Alex had just pulled up too.

He held Genevieve’s hand tightly, cast a cold glance at me, then entered the house, with me following closely behind.