Beyond the Divorce by Third Blossom

When I saw Michelle Manson, I was impressed with her persistence despite myself.

I moaned quietly, "Oh, she looks like she works here!"

She noticed me as soon as I walked out and quickly approached me.

Coincidentally, my phone rang with a call from Laurie, who wanted to tell me that Michelle was still downstairs.

I could only helplessly reply, "You're a little late with that information."

She joked, "Well, good luck to you then! Or should I come back and rescue you?"

I smiled faintly. "There's no need for that. I need to face her at some point."

Michelle was standing next to me as I said that.

I ended the call and looked at her unfriendly, asking, "Just get straight to the point. Don't beat around the bush. You're putting pressure on me. Speak! What is it?"

Michelle grinned shamelessly and said, "Actually, it's nothing urgent. I just wanted to invite you for a meal and a chat."

"If it's nothing urgent, let's skip the meal. I'm busy every day and barely spend time at home. On the rare occasions when I do have free time, I prioritize spending it with my family. You know I have a daughter. don't have the luxury of staying out," I said in a down-to-earth manner.

She had joked about me being a woman with a child during a gossip session at the class reunion, but she seemed to have forgotten those nonsensical remarks. She was bothering me again as if nothing had happened. I wasn't surprised that no one liked her. She was shameless.

I continued, "Anyway, I don't think we have anything to discuss, Michelle. You come here every day blocking my door like it's your workplace, and it's annoying! If you have something to say, just say it. Otherwise, don't interfere with me!"

"There is something!" I had expressed my dissatisfaction so clearly that she realized I would not be easy to deal with, so she had no choice but to say that.

I looked at her helplessly. "Just tell me what it is!"

Michelle replied with a fawning smile, "My boyfriend wants to get to know you. After all, we were classmates. He wants to invite you out for a chat and see if we can do anything together. We're all friends, and I'm sure things are simpler when people are close, right?"

I chuckled and said, "I'm in the field of architecture. I'm not involved in traditional business. What could we possibly have to discuss? Even if he is in the building materials business, the materials in my current projects have been specified in the contracts and can't be substituted. Fdon't know what we could do together."

I immediately shut down any possibility of working with her.

Michelle grabbed me and said, "Come on, Chloe! Why are you being so difficult? just want him to get to know you We might be able to work together in the future. I'm not asking you to give him a project right away. Just think of this as a chance for you two to get to know each other!"

"That's impossible! Didn't you say I relied on other people for my projects?" I said.

Michelle's face stiffened, smiled, and said, "Cut me some slack, Chloe. I have high hopes for this boyfriend of mine. Can't you help me out a little?

"As I said, I know you, and you know Atlas. If he can't work with you, what about Atlas?" Michelle spoke as if it were a matter of course.

I finally understood her true intentions. She wanted to use me to connect with Atlas. She was audacious!

I smiled helplessly and said, "Really, Michelle?

"Atlas never attends social events like this, and I would never do something like this either. We don't interfere or influence each other's business. Why are you making things difficult for me? You'd better drop this idea!"

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Michelle's expression turned slightly unpleasant, but since she had asked me for a favor, she could only force a smile and continued, "Cut me some slack. Just meet my boyfriend once and have a meal together. I promise not to bother you again. I know I shouldn't be here daily, but I've been here all week. Just help me this once, just this once..."

She clung to me as she begged. The scent of her cheap perfume was unbearable.