Chapter 713 - 712

713 Chapter 712

Oliver paused, slightly taken aback. “How did you end up like this?”

Melissa immediately retorted, “What do you mean? I’m doing just fine!”

As she finished speaking, she glanced toward the entrance. “Hasn’t Jake arrived yet?”

Although Melissa used to be afraid of Oliver, her perspective shifted after living on her own for a while. She realized it wasn’t the divorce she feared but the change.

Jake could now support her financially, and she still spent her days at home. With an allowance coming in, she didn’t have to worry about food or drink, only the occasional grocery run. Most importantly, after leaving that house, her expectations of Oliver disappeared. In the past, she had dreaded those lonely nights in their sprawling master bedroom, yearning for Oliver to come home and keep her company instead of running off to see “her”. Now, her small apartment was cozy enough. There was a community center downstairs where seniors gathered. At first, she’d felt a bit awkward joining the dance group, but soon she fit right in. After living this way for some time, she found herself genuinely enjoying it.

Life outside that luxurious cage was colorful and vibrant. She realized that leaving the upper class behind didn’t mean losing freedom—it meant gaining it.

Oliver sneered at her response. “He’s taking the bus over. How fast do you think he’ll be here?”

Just then, Jake came jogging over. “Mom, I took the subway after the bus. It’s way faster than driving!”

Oliver felt his temper rising, seeing the two of them so comfortable. Barely holding back his frustration, he let out a cold laugh. “We’re here to finalize the divorce. Did you bring your papers?”

Melissa froze for a second. “Oh, right!”

She quickly rummaged through her bag. Oliver breathed a sigh of relief, already anticipating the outcome. With another sneer, he added, “Don’t tell me… you forgot your ID, didn’t you?”

But the next moment, Melissa pulled her ID out of her bag. “Got it! Let’s hurry inside.”

Oliver stood there, dumbfounded, his face darkening. “Melissa, are you really sure about this divorce?”

Melissa blinked. “Weren’t you the one who wanted it?”

An unexpected wave of anger surged through Oliver. For some reason, her indifferent attitude irritated him. “Fine, let’s do it. Let’s get this over with!”

They entered the courthouse together, only to be informed that they had to wait for a 30-day cooling-off period before the divorce could be processed.

Oliver felt a strange sense of relief wash over him, almost as if the delay had given him some unspoken hope.

After the staff handed them both forms, Oliver glanced at the section on asset division and sneered. “You’re really not asking for anything?”

Melissa looked him in the eye. “When we got married, I didn’t have much, and over the years, I blew through whatever I had. So, no, I don’t need anything.”

Oliver gave a harsh laugh. “Weren’t you always after my money? The moment the company handed out dividends, you’d be right there, asking for your share!”

Melissa gave a bitter smile as she thought back to the past. “Yeah, I did that because I knew if I didn’t spend it, you’d just give it to her. I didn’t want that, so I made sure to take it.”

Oliver paused, taken aback.

Marisa sighed dramatically. “Melissa, why do this? Just to prove a point? You’re making Oliver feel so guilty!”

17:11

Melissa scoffed. “If that’s the case, why don’t you give me half of the company’s shares? Would you let him do that?”

Melissa continued, “But now, it doesn’t matter. Once we’re divorced, you can give her as much as you want. It won’t have anything to do with me.”

Oliver felt a knot of frustration in his chest. Her indifference, especially toward the money, made him feel even more irritated. But he couldn’t explain why he was so angry.

He laughed bitterly. “Fine. Don’t come crying to me later!”

With that, he stormed out.

Marisa and Selena were waiting by the entrance. The moment Oliver stepped outside, Marisa rushed over. “Did you get the divorce?”

Oliver responded, “There’s a mandatory one-month cooling-off period.”

Marisa frowned. “What kind of rule is that? Melissa must’ve done something to stall it!”

Selena nudged her. “Mom, it’s a new law.”

Marisa finally fell silent, though she kept glancing over at Melissa. She then turned to Oliver, asking directly, “So, Oliver, how much are we giving Melissa as a settlement?”

Oliver’s frustration flared up again. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Marisa said with feigned surprise. “But what about her living expenses?”

Before Oliver could respond, Melissa stepped forward. “Don’t worry about me. My son can take care of me!”

Marisa sighed dramatically. “Melissa, why do this? Just to prove a point? You’re making Oliver feel so guilty!”

Melissa scoffed. “If that’s the case, why don’t you give me half of the company’s shares? Would you let him do that?”

Marisa’s expression froze.

Oliver gave a harsh laugh. “So, you’re still after my money after all!”

Melissa looked at the man she had loved for most of her life. Now, at fifty, how many good years did she have left?

She chuckled coldly. “Oliver, open your eyes. The person who’s been eyeing your money all along… has always been her.”