Chapter 2
1064 Words
"Mom, do you think I'm doing the right thing?" Evelyn felt a wave of conflict wash over her. Even though she had initiated the divorce, now that it was final, happiness eluded her.
"Absolutely, darling!" Claire reassured her with a nod, eager to convince her daughter. "Evelyn, marrying Tyler will get you to the top of Calonia's business world. You'll be the most successful businesswoman everyone admires."
She continued, "As for Gabriel, he was never worthy of you. Divorcing him is the smartest choice you could make."
Evelyn remained silent, her eyes following Gabriel's retreating figure. An unexpected sense of loss and heartache left her feeling as if something precious had slipped away, leaving her with endless sadness.
As Gabriel exited the Brown Villa, he pulled the jade pendant from his chest and stared at it with a heavy heart.
He had long sensed Evelyn's growing coldness and suspected she had fallen out of love, yet ending their marriage still felt wrong.
He used to believe happiness was simple as long as they were together.
Now he understood that being ordinary wasn't safe. It could lead to being despised.
After three years of living with Evelyn by his side, her rejection was a harsh wake-up call.
Buzz.
Just as Gabriel neared the entrance of the villa complex, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the unfamiliar number, hesitated momentarily, then answered.
A clear, pleasant female voice greeted him, "Gabriel, I called Evelyn, and she told me you two divorced."
Gabriel was taken aback. The caller was Emily Patel, Evelyn's close friend and the daughter of Calonia's wealthiest man, Henry Patel. She was more beautiful and aloof than Evelyn. Why was she reaching out to him?
"Yes, we just got divorced," Gabriel replied flatly. "Why are you calling me? How did you get my number?"
"Gabriel, my grandfather is suffering from a strange illness that many renowned doctors can't cure," Emily explained, her voice tinged with unease. "I thought of you because of your medical skills. I asked Evelyn to bring you to see him, and she gave me your number."
"Oh, I see," Gabriel replied, hesitating. "Well, I'm not sure..."
"Gabriel, whether you can help my grandfather or not, our family will reward you generously."
Gabriel smiled faintly. "I'm not interested in money."
Emily quickly added, "Gabriel, aren't you searching for a thousand-year-old wild ginseng? My father found one. If you come to treat my grandfather, the ginseng will be yours."
"Really?" Gabriel was surprised.
"Yes, it's true. We will give you both money and the ginseng," Emily assured him.
"Alright, I'll come, but I don't want the money. I only need the ginseng," Gabriel agreed without hesitation.
He wasn't after money, but rare medicinal herbs like the thousand-year-old wild ginseng were treasures he had been seeking.
He needed it to save lives.
"Gabriel, where are you?" Emily asked.
"I'm at the entrance of the Brown Villa," Gabriel replied.
"Stay there, I'll come pick you up," Emily said.
Emily's voice held a hint of excitement.
As the daughter of Calonia's richest man, she was usually quite proud, yet she was so considerate with Gabriel.
Gabriel hung up, a smile playing on his lips as he murmured to himself, "Today, my luck has changed. After the divorce, I unexpectedly found the thousand-year-old ginseng I've been searching for."
He added, "Now, I just need one more rare herb to complete the life-saving elixir, and there's still time."
"Gabriel." Just then, a red mini car pulled up beside him. The driver's window rolled down, revealing an exceptionally beautiful face.
"Where are you headed?"
As Gabriel reached the gate, he noticed that the driver in the car was Evelyn's sister, Mia.
"I'm leaving. Evelyn and I just got divorced," Gabriel said calmly, standing by the road and waiting.
"Divorced?"
Mia frowned and glanced at her fiancé, Dominic Santos, in the passenger seat. She quickly pulled out her phone to call her mother.
"Mom, I just saw Gabriel outside. He said he and Evelyn got divorced. What's happening?" Mia asked.
Claire replied over the phone, "Yes, they just got divorced. Evelyn gave him six million dollars as compensation."
"What? She gave him six million dollars?" Mia exclaimed. "Why? He lived off our family for three years, and now he gets such a large sum of money?"
Mia ended the call and got out of the car with Dominic to confront Gabriel.
"Hey, Mia, Dominic," Gabriel greeted them.
"Did you really divorce Evelyn?" Mia scrutinized Gabriel with a frown.
"Yes," Gabriel replied with a forced smile. "She has achieved a lot, and I'm not good enough for her anymore. It's best to part ways."
He wanted to leave things amicably, but Mia snorted disdainfully. "I always said you two weren't a good match, but Evelyn wouldn't listen. She wasted three years with you."
Dominic looked down on Gabriel too, saying, "Gabriel, you were never good enough for her. You should have realized that and left sooner."
He added, "Did you cheat on Evelyn? Is that why she divorced you?"
"What?" Gabriel was taken aback, not understanding why he said something like that.
"Mia, Dominic, you both know what I've done these past three years. I haven't done anything wrong," Gabriel said earnestly.
"Who knows what you've been up to?" Dominic sneered. "I've never liked your attitude and am ashamed to be associated with you."
Mia added with a frown, "Evelyn was right to divorce you. Look at yourself, Gabriel. You're never worthy of her!"
"Mia, Dominic, don't you think you're being rude?"
Gabriel frowned slightly. 'If it weren't for my help behind the scenes, the Brown family and Evelyn wouldn't have been where they are today.'
"Rude? We're just stating facts," Dominic said arrogantly as he shook his legs.
"Dominic, don't waste your time with him!"
Mia stepped forward, glaring at Gabriel. "I can't change the fact that you divorced Evelyn, but you need to return that money!"
"Money? I didn't take it," Gabriel replied.
"Stop lying! Who would leave six million dollars untouched? Do you think you can fool us?" Dominic warned in disbelief. "Gabriel, if you know what's good for you, hand over the money, or you'll regret it."
Despite being from a wealthy family, Dominic would have taken the six million dollars too.
"If you don't believe me, call Evelyn," Gabriel said.
He was tired of explaining himself.
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