SWNOVELS Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Having understood, Caroline asked, “You’re worried about Carlos? What about Joan? Have you considered his feelings?
“Ashley, Joan has done so much for you this time. You can’t afford to be soft–hearted now. It’s time to cut through the chaos with a swift decision.”
But Ashley promptly declined. “Joan, thanks for your kindness, but I’ve changed my mind about the banquet. I don’t want to go in.”
Caroline appeared bewildered, mixed with a trace of her inability to comprehend. “Ashley, this is the most exclusive event in Nantes.
“It’s so hard to get in, yet you’re giving up this opportunity, all for Carlos?” Feeling inexplicably irritated, Ashley persisted. “I don’t want to ruin Carlos.”
Joan chimed in, trying to convince her, “There’s no need to argue, really. I don’t think Carlos will dare to come today.”
Caroline agreed and replied, “Joan’s right. On an occasion like this, why would he even show up? He’d just be asking for trouble.
“Ashley, I know you don’t want to betray your marriage, always
considering Carlos’s feelings.
“But what about him? Has he ever considered your feelings?
“If he genuinely cared about your feelings, he wouldn’t have avoided this
event.
“I’ve already informed him of the time and place. Look at what time it is now. And there’s no sign of him.
“Letting another man escort you to the banquet while he hides like a turtle, this deeply insecure man is worth all your effort?”
Joan tentatively reached out while saying, “Ashley, let’s go inside first. The banquet is about to start.”
Perhaps disappointed with Carlos, Ashley didn’t stop Joan.
Seeing the encouragement in Caroline’s eyes, he boldly placed his hand
on Ashley’s perfect waist.
The curves were gentle, and as he moved closer, even his heartbeat quickened abruptly.
Ashley felt bewildered, her proud heart gradually sinking.
“Carlos, do you truly not care at all about your wife being touched by another man?” she thought.
Just when Joan was about to succeed, Carlos’s voice came suddenly from behind to say, “Ashley!”
Ashley avoided Joan and her gaze shifted backward.
Carlos had arrived.
However, he looked disheveled and was stopped on the spot–even his electric scooter was confiscated.
Caroline commented with a mocking tone, “What a loser, coming here on a beat–up electric scooter. Is he intentionally trying to embarrass Ashley?”
Joan added to the mockery. “Caroline even suggested that he attend the banquet, but look at him, he didn’t even get himself ready.
“He could’ve at least put on a decent shirt.
“But then again, someone like him has probably never been to such an upscale event in his life.”
Ignoring the bewildered glances from others, Ashley went forward to extricate Carlos, saying to the people around, “Sorry, we know each other.”
The security personnel, somewhat skeptical, only released Carlos after Ashley’s repeated confirmations. Nevertheless, the electric scooter was still taken away.
Ashley stood in place, her tone filled with disappointment and sadness as she asked, “Carlos, have you had your fun?”
Carlos was somewhat puzzled by that and asked in return, “What do you mean?”
Ashley was aware that with Caroline’s personality, if Carlos really came
anywhere near the venue, he would undoubtedly be ridiculed in public.
So, she decided to play the villain, blocking him at the door in advance. “Do you see what kind of event this is today? It’s a high–end banquet
organized by the Maredar Group.
“Only dignitaries and prominent figures are in attendance, and the cream of the crop of Nantes society has turned up.
“I’m a special guest here, but what about you? You needed just one word from me to gain entry.
“We’re not even in the same world, let alone forced to be together. What’s the point?”
Carlos got it and asked, “So, that call was Caroline’s doing? The banquet invitation wasn’t your primary goal; you wanted to rub my nose in it, right?”
Ashley, fearing that her true feelings would surface, nodded resolutely, and replied, “You’re spot on. I had Caroline make that call to show you the disparity between us.
“I’m the high and mighty daughter of the Jones family, a socialite!
“But you? Heh, the director of the Greenell Psychiatric Hospital.
“And calling you a director is being generous. At an event as high–class as this, you don’t even qualify for an invite!
“Even if I were willing to accept you, willing to accept this marriage, how would you support me? Relying on your financially struggling mental hospital?
“I doubt your monthly earnings could even cover the cost of one of my perfumes!
“Carlos, if you don’t agree to get divorced now, do you really want to see your dignity trampled on?”
Carlos glanced at the towering Nantes Hotel, asking, “What do you mean by ‘gap‘?
“Driving fancy cars, dressed to the nines, mixing in this high–society crowd… Even if they’re making money questionably, that’s still
considered a success.
“But me, riding a scooter, even if I’m earning an honest living, in your eyes, I’m just garbage.
“Is that so?”
Ashley wasn’t typically cruel, but right now, her every word cut deep. “Isn’t it?
“Don’t look at me with those eyes! I said nothing wrong.
“You can call me heartless or cruel. But I’ve given you a chance.
“As long as you can manage the cooperation between the Jones family and the Maredar Group, I can try to accept you, try to accept this marriage.”
Seeing that Carlos was unmoved, she added fuel to the fire. “Carlos, let me say it one more time. I like men like Joan, successful men!
“He can provide security and easily solve the problems I face.
“Even though nothing happened between me and him yesterday, can you bear your wife constantly thinking about another man?
“If you can handle it, then I’ve got nothing more to say. There are only three months left, and I will endure it too!”
Carlos redirected his gaze to Ashley’s stunning face.
He knew that she was lying, but to sever their emotional ties and make her stop hoping, he had to be firm. “If I can get into this banquet today, will I become a successful man in your eyes?”
Ashley frowned, replying, “Carlos, do you know where we are? Do you know who’s attending this event?”
Carlos repeated himself, his tone growing more forceful. “Answer my question. If I can get into the banquet, what will you do?”
Defiantly, she said, “I can agree to anything, even to not getting a divorce.”
Then Carlos pulled a document from his pocket. “If I can get into the banquet, I want you to sign this.”
Ashley looked it over–it was a divorce agreement!
Carlos had already signed it, and once she did too, the divorce would take effect immediately.
He had already agreed to the divorce, but she wasn’t feeling the relief and freedom she had expected.
Dazed and disheartened, she felt as if she had lost her soul.
She couldn’t help but wonder what had come over her.
She had achieved her goal, but why couldn’t she find any happiness?