The hearts of the couple were never truly together. To say they were husband and wife was almost an overstatementāthey were more like strangers cohabiting.
James Black spent most of his time with the guard team, only returning home for one or two days after three to five months, or even half a year. Jane Sampson never inquired about Jamesā whereabouts or caused him any troubleāshe played the role of a virtuous wife to perfection, scoring 120 out of 100.
Frankly, James Blackās lifestyle looked pretty much the same, married or not.
Once when they had just married, James Black took a vacation and went straight to the Black Residence. Overhearing Old Sir asking about his wife, his expression changed, and then he grabbed the car keys and hurriedly left the Black Residence again.
After that, Old Master Black wouldnāt have been surprised if James had forgotten the fact that he was married.
After all, Jane was so quiet and unobtrusive that she was almost completely invisible.
"Do you know why I chose Jane for James?" Old Master Black asked Brooke Black, but without waiting for an answer, he continued, "When Jane was a child, she was very mischievous. She was always surrounded by lively company, able to get along with anyone. Inside the great courtyard, whether they were a few years older or a bit younger than her, everyone liked to play with her. She was naughty but not spoiled."
"Dad must have thought James was too reserved and needed a wife with an opposite personality to complement him, right?" Brooke understood.
"Yes," Elder Black nodded, then sighed, "But I never expected that later, due to the Sampton Familyās issues, that girl would change. She stopped being mischievous, becoming obedient and quiet, never striving or competing for anything, no longer playful. She spent her days practicing piano and studying, becoming even more reserved than James."
"So when the Sampton Family suggested replacing Jane with someone else to marry James, why didnāt you take the opportunity to break off the engagement?" Brooke asked curiously.
"How could I bear to do that when Iāve watched that little lass grow up?" Elder Black shook his head, "If James and Jane had broken off the engagement, her life in the Sampton Family would have been even harder. Later, I thought, let them be gloomy. After all, both are like gloomy calabashes; neither can complain about the other. By James marrying Jane, at least she wouldnāt be harmed for life."
At this point, Old Master Black suddenly burst out laughing, "But what I didnāt expect was that Janeās mischief was ingrained in her bones. When I found out she became an actor behind Jamesā back, I was so happy. Did you see, last time they came home? All of Janeās previous docility was an act. Once she becomes more and more lively, letās see if James can handle it."
Talk of divorce was just Old Master Black trying to prod James, he did the opposite. If James dared to come back today and say he didnāt want Jane to continue acting and wanted a divorce, Old Master Black would be the first to break Jamesā legs and give him a piece of his mind.
Fortunately, Jamesā reaction was quite amusing, and it didnāt disappoint Old Master Black.
After leaving the Black Residence, James didnāt immediately go home but instead went straight to Rock Bellās company. Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at the reception and asked for Rock Bell, he was stopped outside after being asked if he had an appointment.
James didnāt have Rock Bellās phone number; he got it from Peter Gingery in the end.
"Brother, why are you looking for Sister Tin? Can you tell me?" Peter Gingery cautiously probed, fearing that James had discovered Janeās situation and was heading to confront Sister Tin at her company.
"Iāll settle scores with you when I get back," James snapped as he hung up Peterās phone, then called Rock Bell. About five minutes later, Rock Bell hurried down personally to receive her guest.