Chapter 2

His reason was simple. That was, before Jayleen returned, he needed someone to help him deal with his family's elders. Cynthia was well-liked by his parents and grandfather, which made her the perfect candidate. Sometimes, she wanted to ask him a question. Did she look like a fool? Otherwise, why would Joshua assume she would be willing to help him and his elders conceal his affair?

Now that he had suddenly brought up divorce, her chest felt tight. Even after half a year of mental preparation and knowing he was a scumbag, she still could not help feeling emotional.

She exhaled, walked over to the sofa, sat down, and took out her phone. Cynthia opened WhatsApp and found a contact saved as 'Little Jerry'. She opened the chat that she had not used in two years and typed a message. [Look into whether Neal Group has been facing any difficulties recently, and Joshua…does he have a terminal illness?]

Immediately after sending the message, she received a reply.

[Little Jerry: !!!!]

[Little Jerry: Cynthia, did you fake your death?]

[Little Jerry: Wow, I never thought I'd receive a message from you again in my lifetime. Where have you been these past two years? Why did you vanish without a trace?]

[Little Jerry: You know, we almost held a funeral for you.]

[Cynthia: ...]

She did not provide any explanation. While feeling annoyed, she simply replied with one word, [Check.]

[Little Jerry: Alright!]

Cynthia put her phone down and waited for a response. If Joshua was planning to divorce her because he did not want to burden her, she could forgive him and even help him. However, if he were truly a scumbag, she would not hesitate to kick him to the curb.

About half an hour later, her phone buzzed with new messages.

[Little Jerry: No difficulties, no terminal illness, no sickness.]

[Little Jerry: Cynthia, why did you want me to look into this?]

[Little Jerry: You know, Joshua is handsome, talented, and rich. You two make a good pair. You like good-looking guys, don't you? Maybe you should give it a shot.]

Ignoring his question, Cynthia shot back without any courtesy, [You and a dog would make a good pair.]

After sending that reply, she exited WhatsApp.

With no external factors at play, there was only one conclusion. That was, Joshua was indeed a scumbag!

Little Jerry was left confused and bewildered.

Why was Cynthia in such a bad temper?

He would not get an answer to that question now.

Cynthia glanced at the divorce agreement on the table, hesitated for a moment, then picked up a pen and signed it. After signing, she threw it in a drawer and went to take a shower.

When she came out of the bathroom, she found her phone displaying over 99 WhatsApp messages and 32 missed calls.

Cynthia was speechless.

She did not have to guess that Jimmy Barnes, aka Little Jerry, had spread the news about her contacting him far and wide.

Holding a towel in one hand to dry her damp and messy black hair, she picked up her phone with the other hand to check the messages.

Before she could unlock the phone, a call came in. The phone showed the caller ID, Old Man Yates.

Seeing the name of someone she had not been in touch with for two years, Cynthia felt a mix of emotions.

Back when she left Nexuria because of the incident involving her mother, neither of them had contacted each other. There was an unspoken understanding between them.

After some hesitation, she answered the call.

Cynthia's voice was faint. "Hello."

There was silence on the other end.

Just as Cynthia was about to hang up, having no patience for him, the man finally spoke, and his voice was slightly hoarse. "Cyn."

That simple word evoked Cynthia's deepest memories.

She did not stop him but asked indifferently, "What's up?"

"I heard from Jimmy that you contacted him." The middle-aged man's voice continued with a hint of guilt detectable in his tone, "He said you were looking into Joshua. Is there anything you need your father's help with?"

"No," Cynthia replied, not wanting to become too involved with him.

Mrs. Neal paused for a moment before speaking again, "So, what's your relationship with him?"

"We're a couple on the verge of divorce." Cynthia dropped a bombshell.

Mrs. Neal was speechless.

Divorce?

Cyn?

Married?

"You..."

"It's fine, I'm hanging up." Cynthia cut him off, not wanting to say more.

"Wait." Mrs. Neal interjected quickly.

Cynthia remained silent.

The atmosphere grew tense.

After a while, he asked, "When are you coming back?"

"That person isn't living in the house anymore. Your mother's things haven't been touched," Mrs. Neal added hastily, fearing she might hang up.

Cynthia's eyes flickered with emotion, but she coldly responded with the words, "I know."

Without any hesitation, she hung up. Mrs. Neal stared at his phone, feeling a bit wronged.

He had not even asked about the marriage yet...

Cynthia did not care what he thought. She set her phone to airplane mode, dried her hair, and fell asleep in bed.

It was a dreamless night for her.

The next morning at eight, Cynthia got up, washed up, ate, and changed clothes. She applied light makeup that day, making her fair, and delicate skin appear even more radiant. Her lips were full, and no lines were visible upon close inspection. Her most captivating feature, however, was her pair of alluring eyes.

When she smiled, it felt like she could heal everything.

When Joshua arrived, he saw her already dressed and sitting on the sofa. Her shoulder-length hair was tucked behind her ears, and her bangs were swept up, topped with a black beret.

Upon seeing him, she stood up and draped her coat over her shoulders.

She exuded the aura of a wealthy young lady.

"Let's go," Cynthia said, holding her bag.

Joshua did not move. His well-tailored suit accentuated his slender frame. "Not today."

Cynthia looked puzzled.

"I have other matters to attend to." Joshua's deep voice carried a hint of indifference. His eyes could not help but linger on her for a moment. "I'll accompany you tomorrow."

"Joshua Neal," Cynthia called him by his full name.

He did not like being addressed this way.

"I put on makeup today. If you still want a smooth divorce, cancel your plans. I don't like people who don't keep their words," Cynthia kindly reminded him.

Joshua's gaze was sharp.

After weighing the pros and cons, he stepped outside to make a phone call. Cynthia faintly heard him mention Jayleen, a hospital, and a follow-up appointment.

Holding her bag, Cynthia's emotions stirred, and she mentally cursed him.

He was still pining for his former love at a time like this.

Joshua did not notice her emotions, only thinking that she looked exceptionally beautiful today. She seemed entirely different from her usual gentle demeanor. Even her aura had changed significantly.

After hanging up, he asked where she wanted to go. Cynthia named Jiverton's largest luxury mall.

Instead of calling it shopping, it was more like she was stocking up. By ten o'clock, four bodyguards trailed behind Cynthia, and their hands were full of items, watches, jewelry, handbags, and clothes. She had bought a little bit of everything.

Joshua's phone kept receiving notifications about her payments.

As he watched Cynthia enter another high-end jewelry store, his face turned dark. So much for shopping and accompanying her. He now understood that she was deliberately trying to make him unhappy.