Chapter 2 Divorce
1271 Words
Terry introduced, "She was the on-call doctor last night, Wilma Cox."
Liam checked Wilma's ID badge briefly and directed, "Come with me, please."
He led Wilma to Terry's office.
There, Joseph was lounging on a couch, his lean figure tall and straight. His pallor was barely noticeable, and the faint scent of blood from him was hidden well beneath the clinical smell of the hospital.
Clad in an impeccable black suit, he radiated a formidable aura honed from facing and overcoming significant challenges. His glance alone was piercing enough to instill fear into the hearts of those who met it.
Wilma inhaled sharply, recognizing the CEO of Sutton Group!
"Was that you who helped me last night?" Joseph asked, his gaze intensifying as he scrutinized her.
Wilma instantly averted her eyes, unable to meet his stare.
"Yes, it was me." She wasn't sure what had happened last night, but she knew aligning herself with him could be highly beneficial.
It was a critical time for her as she was about to start an internship at the prestigious Royal Hospital, which boasted far superior resources than the facility she was currently working for.
Besides, Yolanda was a formidable rival. But with Joseph's backing, Wilma's prospects could change dramatically.
"I can offer you anything, even marriage," Joseph said coolly, yet his expression softened slightly as he recalled the previous night.
"Well... I..." Wilma hesitated, caught off guard by the proposition.
"Let me know if you make your decision." Joseph stood up, signaling Liam to share his contact details.
Terry escorted him to the door. "Mr. Sutton."
"Please, stay," Joseph replied with his usual indifference. He then paused briefly as if something had just crossed his mind. "Please, take good care of her."
"You can count on me," Terry replied, managing a smile.
Making sure they were out of earshot, Liam whispered, "Sir, you are already married."
As Joseph recalled the woman he had been compelled to marry, his expression turned grim with a cold smirk appearing. "Dead man walking."
Liam shuddered, unsure whether Joseph referred to his forced bride or the one behind his marriage.
Later that afternoon, Yolanda was summoned to Terry's office.
"I've decided to send Wilma to the Royal Hospital for training," Terry announced with a serious tone, seemingly he was still struggling with the decision.
Yolanda was startled.
She had worked tirelessly for this opportunity to move her mother to a better hospital, becoming a recognized role model in her department.
It had been a foregone conclusion that she would be the chosen one. And Terry had even promised her firmly.
But a change of plans now?
Her previous efforts seemed to have been in vain.
Filled with frustration and bitterness, Yolanda couldn't keep her voice down.
"Why?! Didn't you say I was the one going?"
Terry avoided her gaze. "You're aware the high-tech medical equipment in our hospital was donated by Sutton Group. Joseph Sutton specifically asked me to take good care of Wilma, and I couldn't refuse him."
The mention of Joseph's name doused Yolanda's fury, leaving her stunned before she could respond.
Him and Wilma?
Yolanda let out a bitter laugh. "I see."
Joseph was from one of the wealthiest local families, while Yolanda was just an ordinary girl who was sold into affluence by her father.
The opportunity she viewed as a lifeline was merely a trivial gift for Joseph, easily given away.
Joseph had never truly acknowledged her as his wife from the start.
He had even publicly shown his contempt towards her.
Walking home, Yolanda felt as though she was weighed down by a massive burden.
Her marriage had brought her nothing but humiliation and despair.
All she could hope for was her mother's recovery and a future where she would never have to see Joseph again.
Unfortunately, when she got home, exhausted and disheartened, she saw him standing in the living room.
His demeanor was aloof, and his gaze from above was tinged with disdain.
If not for the financial magazines and TV she had read and watched before, she would hardly recognize him as her "husband".
She was taken aback, for she hadn't expected him to show up.
"Why did you... come here?" she asked, puzzled.
He was supposed to hate this marriage, not want to see her at all.
Joseph's face darkened with a frosty scowl settling between his brows. "Why not? Do I need to ask for your permission to come back to my own estate?" he snapped.
Yolanda flinched, feeling a sting of pain.
Joseph was the owner of the estate, after all, while she was interloper, the one who truly had no place here.
"Just sign this," Joseph said curtly.
He then tossed a divorce agreement onto the table.
Yolanda glanced at it without surprise.
His request for a divorce was expected., and so was hers.
But she had to wait until her mother's surgery was complete.
She had to be financially independent before it happened.
Right now, she still needed the money from Lawrence Sutton, Joseph's grandfather.
"Jo..." Yolanda started, swallowing her self-pride and bearing the embarrassment, unsure of how to address him. "Could we possibly..."
"Don't want to divorce?" Joseph cut her off before she could finish, but he was seemingly unsurprised by her response.
If she was quick to divorce, she wouldn't have been so shameless to threaten him to marry her.
"Good. I hope you won't regret it," Joseph said as he turned to leave.
"Wait, don't get me wrong..." Yolanda hurried after him, eager to set the record straight.
She had no intention of remaining in this marriage. Instead, as soon as her mother's condition improved, she would dissolve it as soon as possible!
In her haste to follow, she tripped over the threshold, causing her bag to fall and expose what were inside there.
She crouched to gather her belongings, realizing an item was missing. Her search led her to a pill pack that had rolled to a stop near Joseph's feet. Instinctively, she reached out to grab it, trying to cover it up.
However, as her fingers made contact, the pill pack was blocked under Joseph's foot.
Yolanda's heart skipped a beat, and she silently prayed.
He couldn't see that.
Please!
Joseph, expressionless, seemed intrigued by her nervousness. He bent down, lifted his foot, and picked it up.
Inside were two emergency contraception pills - only one remained untaken.
His eyes narrowed as he stared down at the frantic woman on the floor, and his voice dripped with sarcasm. "So, you slept with another man on our wedding night?"
At that moment, his disgust towards her was palpable.
Recalling the opportunity that had just been snatched from her, Yolanda rose slowly under Joseph's scornful gaze, her voice filled with defiance.
"You don't recognize me as your wife, do you?" All the humiliation and anger she had been bottling up found an outlet. "You didn't want this marriage, and neither did I. You're free to seek the company of other women, and I, the company of other men!"
Joseph was taken aback by Yolanda's bold retort, almost laughing at the absurdity.
She felt no shame about cheating!
"You enjoy s*x with other men, huh? You'll have it!" Joseph tossed the contraceptive into the trash can, his gaze icy, and left with hatred.
What would he do next?
With the question in mind, Yolanda spent a sleepless night.
She knew nothing about Joseph except for the blatant disdain and veiled threat she had read in his eyes.
The following morning, as she was getting ready for work, Liam appeared at the estate.
- Writer
