7
Daniel finally agreed to the divorce settlement.
Aside from the company and the house, he practically walked away with nothing as the at-fault
party.
The divorce caused a huge stir in the company,
Especially all the gossip.
I had expected Chloe to try and take his wife’s place, especially since their sordid affair was initially kept hidden only because Daniel was already married to me.
But no.
Not only did she not, but the rumors of Chloe being a mistress were rampant throughout the
company.
I could probably guess that this was Ben’s doing.
“I thought you’d side with Daniel.”
“After all, he’s your old college friend. Even if you didn’t speak up for him, you’d help him keep this quiet.”
Ben was a tech guy.
His personality was pure and direct. He replied:
“He’s losing his way.”
3:43 pm DSD
<
“He got rich, and he changed. When the company first started, we were so broke we couldn’t even pay rent. If you hadn’t sold your gold jewelry, who knows if this company would even exist today!”
“Ten years of friendship, couldn’t compare to an intern who’d only been here for three months?”
Ben’s reaction was intense.
He was so angry that his coffee cup hit the table with a dull thud.
“I’m planning to leave.”
My eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Ben explained:
“We’re on different paths now. We already had disagreements on the direction of R&D. He wants to make quick money. But you know me, I’m into research. Some things, if you don’t build them yourself, and just rely on expensive monopolized software, you’ll always be at someone else’s mercy.”
“He betrayed you for Chloe. Who’s to say he won’t sell off my hard work for high profits later?”
I didn’t commit either way.
But seeing Ben like this, he had clearly made up his mind.
“Regardless, I wish you all the best.”
The boss divorcing due to infidelity, coupled with the departure of Ben and other key technical staff, severely impacted the company. The mid-year bonuses, which had been discussed, were canceled by
Daniel due to financial strain.
The managers dared not complain.
The employees, however, directed their anger squarely at Chloe, the mistress.
Though unspoken, the contempt, mockery, and even direct targeting were all there. Chloe was frustrated and could only complain to Daniel.
But seeing Daniel so distraught every day, Chloe actually came to find me.
3:43 pm DB
&
“I really admire your nerve.”
Facing my sarcasm, Chloe lowered her head.
As if gathering all her courage, she bit her lip and said to me:
“Please, get back together.”
“Daniel still only has you in his heart. These past few days, he’s been desperately looking for you, and when you came back, he tried everything to win you back. I love him, and I don’t want to see him so miserable anymore.”
“I promise you, I’ll resign. I’ll disappear from his life forever.”
She looked up at me, on the verge of tears, looking utterly pitiful.
But I just looked at her, then shook my head and smiled.
My words were harsh:
“Chloe Hayes, do you think you’re being incredibly noble?”
“Sacrificing yourself for the man you love, willing to put aside your own feelings to beg for my forgiveness. Judging by your face, you must be close to tears, utterly moved by your own selflessness, aren’t you?”
Chloe froze.
She hadn’t expected such a reaction from me at all.
I scoffed, reminding her:
“Did you forget? Our divorce? It’s all thanks to you.”
“I really admire your nerve. You’re the mistress, and you’re also playing the great martyr. What, did you not know Daniel had a family on day one? Didn’t think of it when you were kissing his forehead? O when you were sleeping together?”
“And *now* you remember? How pathetic is that?”
3:43 pm
<
Chloe’s face turned scarlet from what I said, utterly unable to retort.
She could only glare at me with resentment.
I tilted my head, kindly reminding her:
“Daniel and I are officially divorced.”
“If you really love him, then go ahead and take his place. No one’s stopping you.”‘
“Just make sure you think it through. Today it’s Chloe Hayes, tomorrow it could be Ashley Johnson or Sarah Davis. Who knows? Trash like that, you can keep him as your treasure.”
