Chapter 20
When I got back home, it was already dark. Sterling Estates was all lit up and I told Bailey to go home as soon as I arrived. My in–laws were home, but Neil wasn’t. “Irene, where’s Neil? Didn’t he come back with you?” Faith asked, noticing I came back alone.
“I ran into a friend after the meeting so we grabbed a bite. I figured Neil would be home by now.” I replied, feigning surprise.
If I had to guess, Neil wouldn’t be coming home tonight. With a new target in sight, his heart was probably fluttering around elsewhere.
Ryan looked grim. They hadn’t even returned to Springvale and Neil was already missing nights. Was he treating their home like a motel?
“Call him. If he doesn’t answer, ring up all his pals!” He waved his hand dismissively, clearly annoyed.
Faith gave me a meaningful look and I passed her my phone. I didn’t getting blamed. Better to let her handle the phone call. Neil wouldn’t dare snap at his own mother.
I wasn’t tight with Neil’s friends, but I had most of their numbers, except Russell’s. Faith started dialing, putting each call on speaker. After about four or five calls, I heard Mitch’s voice, “Neil, your wife’s calling!”
“Don’t pick up!” Neil sounded exasperated. My in–laws and I heard it loud and clear.
There were some laughs in the background. I was just a hagging wife in their eyes.
“It’s your mom…” Mitch murmured.
The laughter instantly stopped.
Neil finally answered the phone, “Mom?”
“Neil, where the hell are you? Why didn’t you come home for dinner? Hanging out with your playboy friends every day, you trying to ruin your life?!” Faith, normally a -gentle and composed lady, was quite stern now.
“I’m just hanging out with some friends, I’ll be back soon.” Neil replied, clearly annoyed.
“Well, Irene was out with friends too, and she’s back. I’m giving you half an hour to get your ass back here!” Faith hung up angrily as we heard giggly female laughter in the background.
She looked at me, her expression complicated, “Irene, give him a good scolding when he gets back. He needs to learn to be responsible to his family!*
I took my phone back, nodding like a wronged little woman.
Half an hour later, Neil got back, clearly disgruntled. I had just finished dinner and was cleaning my mouth when his icy gaze made me shiver.
He was too pissed to eat, so he just tossed his coat on the sofa and headed upstairs. My in–laws didn’t even bother asking him about dinner, just continued watching TV. Soap operas weren’t my thing, so I reluctantly headed upstairs too.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Neil’s phone was on the bed. I was curious to check his messages, had he been in touch with Bonnie after left?
I picked up the phone, but it required face ID to unlock. Just when I was feeling disappointed, a new message popped up, revealing the first part of its content.
It seemed to be a reply from Bonnie. “I’m sorry, Mr. Whitmore, I have a boyfriend now, and I heard that you….”
I couldn’t see the rest, it was locked.
“What are you doing?” Neil’s voice suddenly sounded from behind, filled with coldness.
The next second, the phone was snatched from my hands. He warned me, “Don’t touch my phone again.”
He unlocked the phone and checked the new message, his expression darkening even more. Neil was the kind of man who could have any woman he wanted. Just
a snap of his fingers and there would be countless woman willing to leave their men for him. But Bonnie had rejected him. His ego was bruised and his charisma challenged.
“Who is she?” I asked deliberately.
“None of your business.” Neil glanced at me irritably.
“If I’m not mistaken, the rest of her message probably goes,…I heard you’re married. I hope you can be faithful to your marriage and not cheat, right?” I wasn’t angry, in fact, I was rather proud of my cleverness.
I knew Bonnie’s character. She was definitely the type to bring up morality and ethics.
“So?” Neil sat on the bed and asked coldly.
I quickly pulled out another divorce agreement from the drawer. This time I made a small change, asking Neil to give me 3% of the shares in Whitmore Co.
After reading it, Neil actually laughed, “3% of the shares? Irene, you’re quite greedy.”
Many shareholders in Whitmore Co. didn’t even own 3% of the shares.
I hesitated. How could I subtly tell Neil that if he didn’t agree to give me 3% of the shares now, he’d give me more in the future? I had received 10% in my previous life.
“She’s not into married men, right? Spend a little and divorce me, and then you can pursue her without any worries.” I reminded Neil.
“Do you think she’s worth it?” Neil raised an eyebrow, somewhat mockingly.
I choked, she’s not worth it? He would give everything for her later!
Neil probably didn’t understand his true feelings yet. He saw Bonnie as just another fleeting love interest, the kind he would tire of once he had her. That’s why he could say such things so arrogantly. I sighed and tore up the divorce agreement, throwing it into the trash can. It looked like I’d have to wait a while and prepare a new agreement asking for 10% of the shares.
Neil watched my every move with cold eyes. I went to take a shower with a hint of regret. When I came out, Neil was making a call on the balcony of the bedroom, a cigarette between his fingers. The smoke wafted in with the evening breeze, causing me to cough a couple of times.
He glanced at me, ended the call, and casually extinguished the cigarette on the ground.
“Can’t you throw that in the trash can? It’s hard for Ada to clean up. I said as I applied my skincare products.
I was particularly generous with Ada, assigning her to cook three meals a day and clean the master bedroom. Of course, I paid her more than the others. She was very grateful to me.
“Aren’t they here to do housework?” Neil sneered, “If it’s too hard, they can choose another line of work.”
I shook my head. This man would regret it one day.
Neil hit the sack, and just then, my phone started buzzing. It was a call from Oscar, which took me by surprise. As soon as I picked up, I could hear Oscar’s voice, tinged with despair, “Irene! I need your help! I’ve been attacked…”
“Where are you?” I asked, my face turning serious.
“The parking lot of Orchid Hotel!” Oscar barely finished his sentence when I could hear sounds of punches and kicks, along with his cries of pain, and then the call abruptly ended.
Without saying another word, I changed my clothes, grabbed my car keys and was about to head out.
“What’s the hurry?” Neil suddenly asked, sounding a bit accusing.
