"Is anyone in there? I'm coming in." Cathleen eased the door open and walked inside, but what she found made her stop.
No one was in the study.
Once she reached the desk, a document lying on top immediately caught her attention. It was a divorce agreement.
Cathleen picked it up and found her husband's signature already at the bottom. Once she added her own, their marriage would officially be over.
His name was nothing more than a messy scrawl that she couldn't read.
Another document sat beside the divorce agreement. It promised her a villa, an expensive car, and fifty million in alimony.
Cathleen sighed.
After staying away for three years, her husband had finally returned only to ask for a divorce.
She understood that his family had forced him into the marriage, just as her family had forced her.
Still, couldn't he at least end it face to face?
Her phone suddenly rang.
Dennis Lawson, her husband's lawyer, was calling.
"Did you find the divorce agreement, ma'am?" Dennis asked in a polite but businesslike tone.
Cathleen looked down at the title printed across the cover. "Yes, I'm looking at it now," she replied calmly.
"Mr. Riley has been transferred to the corporate headquarters, so he can't meet you in person. Since neither of you is contesting the divorce, you only need to sign the documents and return them to my office. We'll submit everything to the court, and neither party should need to attend a hearing. If you're satisfied with the settlement, you may also sign the asset transfer agreement," Dennis explained.
Desperation had been the only reason Cathleen accepted the marriage. At the time, she needed money to cover her mother's medical treatment.
Regardless of what her husband wanted, Cathleen had always intended to leave once she graduated, found steady work, and could support herself.
Cathleen drew a breath before answering, "I'll sign the divorce agreement, but I won't accept the settlement."
"Mr. Riley said we could increase the amount if you believe the offer isn't enough..."
She ended the call before Dennis could finish.
After signing the divorce papers, Cathleen returned to her bedroom.
For three years, she had occupied the large master bedroom by herself. Despite living there for so long, she owned very little.
It took Cathleen only a short while to pack her belongings.
She called Jemma and asked, "Could I stay with you for a few days?"
Jemma barely seemed to be listening. "I already gave up my apartment because I'm moving in with my boyfriend. Sorry, Cathleen."
"Boyfriend? When did that happen?"
"I'm really busy right now. I'll explain everything later, alright?" Jemma ended the call before Cathleen could respond.
After putting down her phone, Jemma looked at the well-dressed man who stood across from her. "Let me make sure I understand this. The man was Andrew Riley, the CEO of Riley Group?"
Cole Carter, Andrew's assistant, studied her carefully. "Yes. The ring in your possession was made exclusively for Mr. Riley. No other ring like it exists."
Jemma struggled to hide her excitement.
So Cathleen and Andrew...? That would explain why she had been so nervous and refused to discuss anything that happened the night before.
Now that such an incredible opportunity had fallen into her hands, Jemma had no intention of giving it away.
She needed to be certain. "Does Mr. Riley know I'm the woman he's looking for? Did he see my face last night?"
"Mr. Riley admitted that he never saw the woman's face," Cole replied. "Still, he plans to take responsibility for what happened. Pack your belongings. You'll be staying at his villa from now on."
Andrew hadn't seen Cathleen.
As long as Jemma possessed the ring, nothing else mattered.
"Of course," Jemma said as she struggled to hide her excitement. "I'll start packing now."
She had been handed the chance of a lifetime, and she planned to keep it.
Cole pulled out his phone and called Andrew. "Mr. Riley, I've found the woman from last night. Would you like to meet her?"
Andrew's low voice came through the phone. "I need to stop by Bayshell Villa first. Bring her to my place without me."
At the same time, Cathleen reached the Gordon residence with her luggage.
Her stepmother, Renee Gordon, rushed toward her as soon as she entered. "Where were you last night?"
Cathleen frowned. "Why would I tell you?"
