Chapter 14
Clarinda lowered her gaze, her thoughts hidden behind an
unreadable expression. Her tone was steady and detached as
she added, “Besides, he will agree to the divorce.”
Cecily didn’t follow. “Why would he agree? A divorce now
would affect the Alden Group, at least to some extent.”
The divorce of any listed company’s CEO was bound to spark
speculation, such as possible changes in shareholding, and so on.
The Alden Group’s stock would almost certainly fluctuate.
A faint smile touched Clarinda’s lips. “You’ll know when the
time comes.”
“Alright. As long as you have a plan. And if you don’t want to
confront Corbin directly, I can step in for you,” Cecily offered.
“Don’t worry,” Clarinda smiled while shaking her head.
“Corbin’s a decent guy. I doubt things will turn nasty.”
Had it not been for the scandal, she might have been in a
weaker position.
But now, she held the advantage.
Chapter 14
Even if only for Adrienne’s sake, Corbin would agree to the
divorce.
Things wouldn’t turn nasty.
Cecily had a client meeting soon. After a few more words of
advice, she was about to drive off.
But then she suddenly remembered something. Leaning over, she picked up a gift box from the passenger seat and handed it
to Clarinda. “Merry Christmas, babe! Take care.”
Clarinda smiled warmly, “Merry Christmas. Drive safely.”
She stood watching until Cecily’s car disappeared from view,
then turned and went back inside, the gift box held gently in
her arms.
Sarah had just finished preparing dinner. “Mrs. Alden, perfect
timing. Dinner’s ready.”
“Alright,” she replied.
B
As she looked up, she saw Adrienne descending the stairs
holding Leonel’s hand.
Both were dressed in festive Christmas outfits, exuding an air of
condescension. Their gazes as they fell upon her were identical-
Chapter 14
full of cold superiority, as though they were looking at a pitiful
loser.
Leonel broke free from Adrienne’s grip, bounded down the
stairs, and lifted his chin defiantly at Clarinda. “Uncle Corbin is
taking Mommy and me out for dinner! You lonely orphan! You
have to eat all by yourself! How pathetic!”
Just then, his eyes lit up as he glanced toward the courtyard.
Tugging Adrienne’s hand, he urged, “Mommy, hurry! Uncle
Corbin’s here!”
“Sorry, Clara,” Adrienne said, though her tone and expression
carried no real apology–instead, she carried herself like the true
lady of the house.
“Leon insisted that Corby spend Christmas with him. I’m afraid
you’ll have to dine alone tonight. You’re not upset, are you?”
“Of course not,” Clarinda replied with a light smile.
“When I was little, a fortune teller told me I’d live a very long
life. I’ll have countless Christmases ahead.”
With that, she turned gracefully and walked away.
Adrienne stood frozen for a moment before finally processing
Chapter 14
the implication behind Clarinda’s words.
She thought, “That bitch!
“Did she just imply this will be my last Christmas?
“She cursed me!”
Furious, she stomped her foot, itching to confront Clarinda then
and there. But as she looked up, she noticed Corbin standing
outside the car, his gaze fixed in their direction.
Taking a deep breath, she forced down her anger and walked
out with a practiced smile. “Corby, let’s go.”
Yet Corbin didn’t move.
It was only then that Adrienne realized he was still staring
distractedly in the direction Clarinda had gone.
She wasn’t the one he’d been looking at.
Her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
“Corby,” she said, her voice strained, “have you developed
feelings for Clarinda?”
Snapping out of his thoughts, Corbin frowned slightly. “What
now?”
Adrienne took a deep breath, barely stopping herself from
lashing out.
“You were staring at her!” she accused.
“Was I?”
His brows furrowed deeper.
Somehow, Adrienne just couldn’t shake off the feeling that
something about Corbin had changed.
In the past, no matter what she said, he would respond
earnestly.
If she ever casually remarked that he and Clarinda seemed so in
love during family dinners, he would immediately step further
away from Clarinda–sometimes even stepping half a meter
away.
But now, his reply was nothing more than an absent–minded
“Was I?“.
She was very displeased. “What do you think? I called your
name, but you didn’t even respond.”
“I was thinking about work,” Corbin explained.
Only then did she relax slightly. She poked his waist and
Chapter 14
warned, “Don’t you dare develop feelings for her. Remember the
promise you made when we were children.”
“Don’t worry.”
Corbin’s expression softened right away. “I’ve never forgotten.”
***
Clarinda had no interest in knowing how the “family of three”
spent their Christmas.
After dinner, she crouched in the snowy courtyard and built a
snowman Santa Claus, staying outside until her hands were red
and numb from the cold before finally returning to her room
for a warm bath.
Sarah had turned the heater up a bit too high–perhaps because
of the heavy snow outside.
She didn’t even bother to dry her hair.
She leaned against the headboard with a book, and before she
knew it, had curled up and fallen asleep.
The next morning, she was jolted awake by a sharp, crashing
sound–perhaps from downstairs or somewhere outside the villa.
Maybe Leonel was causing chaos again.
Chapter 14
Now fully awake, she washed up and headed downstairs for
breakfast.
Just as she reached the staircase, Leonel suddenly appeared out
of nowhere, hands on his hips, glaring at her. “Bad woman! Drop
dead!”
She frowned, but before she could respond, he charged straight
at her.
This time, she managed to dodge–but an unexpected force
suddenly pushed her by the waist.
Thrown off balance, she tumbled down the stairs.
A searing pain shot through her body as she crashed against the
stone steps, her forehead striking the edge. Warm blood
instantly trickled down her face.
Lateefa Khanam is a spirited writer who finds freedom in horse riding. She cherishes her mare and the newborn foal, calling them her little happy family.
