Chapter 34

*TRISTAN* I raised my head during the meal.The atmosphere was so weird.It was like a showdown. I had decided to keep Phoebe around.Afterall,because of the nature of my family,I would need a wife and an heir someday and Phoebe was like the best candidate for me right now. She was someone who wouldn’t give me much trouble. I caught a glimpse of Cora’s face which looked much haggard than I had seen yesterday.My heart twitched. Obviously,I didn’t love her but I still felt sad to see her like this. Even if I didn’t say anything,I could feel her grievance.But she didn’t say anything to show how aggrieved she was. In the past three years,Cora had been so obedient to me. She was a good wife. But then she had found the divorce papers in my room,papers I had prepared years ago and forgotten and she stated she wanted a divorce. When did it go wrong? Was it when she got involved with Alvin? When did she even start seeing him? How long had they been seeing each other? I was so fucking curious. And how could Alvin smile to my face and act normal when he was screwing my wife. Or did Cora tell him that we have a loveless marriage? She wasn’t supposed to tell anyone that we were in a marriage of convenience. I’m pretty sure that was why Alvin had the nerves to screw her! She had hidden who she really was very well! But why did the once kind-hearted Cora still give me the feeling that I couldn’t quite figure out? I picked up a glass of milk,as if I was given an order to Cora,or as a promise to Phoebe. “Keep in mind.No matter what any of my family asks you,do not anything.” I glanced at Cora and she continued eating as if I didn’t say anything. ***************** Phoebe,who was watching Cora,secretly didn’t say anything.If Cora said something at the family meeting that would harm her and Tristan,she would make Cora pay. Phoebe wanted Lady Jane to accept her as soon as possible. She also held herself back from talking to Cora,she didn’t want to make her angry. ********************* *CORA* Noticing the weird attitude between Phoebe and Tristan,I couldn’t help but scoff. Since they desperately wanted today to go well,they were mindful of their words to me. “Why do you look so pale?”Tristan asked me. “It’s none of your business.”I snapped. “You represent my prestige today.I need to know what’s wrong with you.”He raised my eyes. I rolled my eyes.”Haven’t you already hurt and humiliated me enough?What?Are you so scared of losing face today?”I snorted. He always emphasized his own prestige,the interest of his family business but he never cared about my own feelings. I didn’t need to have second thoughts about leaving him. He didn’t say anything more for the rest of the meal. After dinner,I followed Tristan to the garage. Seeing that I was about to get into my car, he said, angrily. “Are you so much in a hurry to disassociate yourself from me?” I replied coldly,as if I was in a fit of pique. “I don’t like the car that other woman has been in.It’s dirty.” “You…watch your mouth,Cora.” “Yeah,whatever.”I opened the car door. I didn’t want to share any space with Tristan. It wasn’t because u hated him,but because I was afraid that I might panic and beg him to love me. I didn’t want to know what his choice was so early.I didn’t want to listen to him making up stories that would make the family accept him and Phoebe. It hurt me like a needle pricking my temple.No one had made me feel so panicked. Tristan was the first and probably the last. It was enough for me to meet Tristan who brought misfortune to my life.I didn’t want to meet anyone else. ******************* After Cora drove out,I saw her driving off without looking back or even saying word to me. I felt pissed. I didn’t expect that she would be unwilling to go to the company with me. I got into my car and followed closely behind her.The distance between the two cars was maintained at a proper distance just like in the game of snake eating,one had to keep a corresponding distance,otherwise he would die when he collided with someone else. My mind was made up.I had no choice but to do so today. No matter what,I had to ensure the normal functioning of my empire.The company would never be under Marcus’s control. I’d never allow it. Marcus was a man who only indulged himself in eating,drinking and flirting with beautiful women.If he took over the control,the company would be over. I had no choice but to do this. When I arrived at the company,Cora was waiting for me at the gate. We went in but we didn’t speak to each other. What reason would Cora give for our divorce? That she found the divorce papers in my room and thought that it was a perfect excuse to end our marriage? I knew what her real reason was. She wanted a divorce so she could be with other men. But I was sure she wouldn’t say that! I had my own way to deal with this.Even if the relationship between us was in the past tense now but I didn’t want my family to see her as a promiscuous woman. I just hoped that I wouldn’t hurt her completely today. I raised my head and stared at Cora,feeling hesitant. Why was I feeling so nervous? If someone had to take the blame for the failure of our marriage,I would think about how to face it. ************ In the meeting room on the top floor of the office, the directors of the Godoy Group such as, Lady Jane,Marcus and others had been waiting for a long time. Tristan slowly opened the door of the meeting room. Cora followed him. When Lady Jane stared at Tristan and Cora, dhe could tell that the two were indifferent to each other now. Judging from the tiredness on Cora’s face, Lady Jane had probably guessed the reason. "You're finally here. Come on, explain to the top managers what's going on." Marcus threw out a pile of photos, all of which were the intimate photos of Tristan with Phoebe. The stack of photos in front of Cora made her feel nauseous. "I didn't cheat on her or discredit you. I just got divorced." Tristan announced. Almost everyone present were shocked. Both Cora and Marcus didn't expect that Tristan would throw such a big bomb before them. Was this his so-called brilliant idea? Was this the so-called sacrifice? Yes. It was indeed a complete sacrifice. It was obvious that Tristan wanted to keep it a secret, but he told everyone in front of his family and Marcus that he had abandoned Cora. Cora felt her heart bleeding, but she couldn't make a sound. Now he had told them everything,there was nothing left. Marcus was stunned. It was impossible for him to bring Tristan down from his position. "Well, aren't you afraid that your divorce would contribute to a bad reputation on our company? After all, we don't want to listen to your explanation at all. " Marcus said with a playful look. There was a buzz of discussion around. Tristan walked to Lady Jane’s side, lowered his head and whispered with his hands covering his mouth. No one knew what Tristan had said. During this period, Lady Jane looked up at Cora from time to time, but Cora didn't know what they were talking. A few minutes later,Tristan returned to his seat. After hearing that,Lady Jane kept silent for a few minutes and stood up as if she had thought it over. "The meeting is over."She announced. Marcus was shocked, so did the board of directors. "No, how... The meeting is over. We need an explanation." Marcus stammered because he was too excited. He couldn't believe that he had finally seized a chance to oust Tristan, but he inexplicably failed all of a sudden. "That's all for today. No one is allowed to tell others about Tristan’s divorce. Otherwise, I'll have to be very unpleasant indeed.” When Lady Jane said that,she meant it,she would definitely do what she said. Standing aside,Cora was waiting for the crowd to leave. Before Lady Jane left, she said to Cora, "I'm sorry,Cora." Then she walked out of the meeting room. Stunned, Cora didn't know what was going on. Everyone left. Lady Jane’s order had a great influence. After all, the company was founded by her.No one dared to say anything more if she had the order. Marcus was so angry that he wanted to slam the door, but he didn't dare to lose his temper in front of his Grandmother. Tristan sent everyone away and was about to go out. "Wait a minute. What did you say to her?" Cora’s eyes were filled with complexity. "I told her that Phoebe is pregnant.She likes children and wants to have great-grandchildren. So it's a good reason."Tristan was emotionless when he said it, as if he was describing something that had nothing to do with him. "Pregnant..."Cora felt dizzy. She had been married for three years, but she didn't have any kids. As a result. How was Phoebe pregnant so quickly? Tristan didn't explain the truth of her pregnancy. Was she really pregnant? It was just like a bolt from the blue. Marcus told Lady Jane that Phoebe was pregnant with his child who was the hope of the Godoy clan. "So we have announced that we’re divorced?" Cora sneered. Her heart was bleeding, and she couldn't show it to him. "No. We can't announce it now. I just said that I divorced you, but I didn't say that I would marry Phoebe. The image of the company is very important. I will avoid to appear in public with Phoebe in the future. And you, I also hope that you can pay attention to your identity. Don't be impatient before our divorce is announced to the public.”Tristan’s tone was irrefutable. ***************** *CORA* Who was impatient?Who didn’t care about his identity? Who was the one who had already gotten divorce papers ready before I found out about it? It turned out that this was the so-called plan of his. He had abandoned me and was still controlling me! How ridiculous! I smiled,as if I was laughing at myself for being too stupid. Just like playing chess,I was wrong from the beginning and couldn’t go back at all. I took a wrong gambit,and lost everything. I should have foreseen this result,in the way I choose. I didn’t expect that this would really happen.It was so hurtful. I didn’t know how I went to the last floor. Now,Tristan could kick me out at any time. He didn’t love me and I would never stoop so low at making him see reasons,to make him see Phoebe’s true colors. Tristan hurried up to me and said.”Since I haven’t announced it to the public,you can still live in my house.I will raise the profit of your father’s company by 1%,what you do think?As long as you cooperate with me,your father’s company will not be blacklisted by him.If you do otherwise,you know the consequences.” 1% more of the profit? Wasn’t that an excuse to send away a beggar? I was so furious. “Thank you for your kindness,Mr Godoy.I see.I will cooperate with you.”Raising my head,I stared at him coldly and sarcastically. Since I couldn’t resist,I had to face it bravely. If I escaped,it would be a coward’s behavior.