A glimmer of hope finally appeared on Louisa’s face as she smiled and asked, “How long will the divorce take?”
Philip’s eyes narrowed slightly, his tone inquisitive. “You seem quite anxious, Miss Hicks. I’ve heard Mr. Cole loves you very much and you even turned against your own father to marry him. But now it seems you two are somewhat different from the rumors.”
Louisa lowered her eyes and smiled self-deprecatingly. The love she once felt was real, but so were the repeated hurts she’d experienced now.
She looked up, a helpless smile tugging at her lips. “People change, don’t they?”
Philip pondered for a few seconds. The Cole Family was one of the most powerful and influential families in Aetherfall. Winning this case would be beneficial to him as well.
“Give me seven days. I will gather all the evidence and help you win this case.”
A smile finally appeared on Louisa’s face as she sincerely thanked him, “Attorney Pierce, thank you.”
The woman’s happy smile brought back a flood of memories for Philip. He had returned to Valerie this time to find his childhood playmate. Louisa’s smile just now bore a striking resemblance to that of his childhood friend. He wondered how that little girl was doing all these years…
Philip had other things to attend to, so he paid Louisa’s medical bills and left, exchanging contact information.
Louisa didn’t stay in the hospital but went to her classmate’s reunion. She had heard that one of them was with the largest pharmaceutical company overseas. Perhaps she could find a way to get her father another dose of the special medicine.
Years had passed and her classmates had all become elites in their respective industries. The boys brought their wives, the girls brought their husbands and even the single ones had hired prostitutes to accompany them.
And Hadden was even invited. Only at this moment did Louisa realize why her classmates, whom she rarely contacted, had invited her. They wanted to use her to get close to Hadden.
Hadden knew this was her classmate’s reunion, yet he still brought Janice. Seeing her arrive, Hadden proactively explained, “Louisa, I heard you were also attending the class reunion, so I came to keep you company. But Janice was a bit emotional tonight and I was worried about her safety home alone. I was also concerned about you, so I had to bring her along. Don’t overthink it.”
Louisa felt a burning pain in her face. He’d brought her right in front of her and he was telling her not to overthink it.
Hadden only cared about Janice, but he couldn’t see that she’d been in a car accident and was even limping.
Oh well, you can’t change someone who doesn’t want to change.
“Whatever.” With that, Louisa continued drinking with the pharmaceutical tycoon.
In a short while, a case of vodka was empty. Louisa felt a burning pain in her stomach and her cough contained traces of blood.
While Janice was offered a drink, Hadden would snatch her glass and drink it for her. “Janice isn’t feeling well, I’ll drink this for her.”
Hadden only remembered that Janice wasn’t feeling well, but he forgot that Louisa was allergic to alcohol.
However, throughout the entire course of the drinks, Hadden’s mind was entirely focused on Janice, never showing her any concern.
Louisa, enduring her stomach pain and itching, forced herself to say, “Guys, we’ve drunk so much already, do you know about my father’s medication?”
The pharmaceutical tycoon chuckled, “Louisa, although we’re old classmates, this kind of special medicine you’re looking for is rare globally. If I manage to get it for you, how will you thank me? How about you come with me and I’ll keep you as my mistress.”
Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room froze. Hadden’s face darkened. He was about to speak when Janice stopped him.
“Hadden, it’s so stuffy in here. It’s a mixed bag of people. I’m afraid to go out alone. Can you take me out for some fresh air? Miss Hicks is usually so assertive. She definitely won’t let herself be taken advantage of. Please.”
Janice gently tugged at the man’s sleeve, pleading.
Hadden gave Louisa a complicated look, but ultimately didn’t speak up for her. He took Janice outside. The classmates present looked at Louisa with some pity.
Louisa smiled weakly. It wasn’t the first time. She was used to it. Their love was like a pile of loose sand, easily scattered by the wind.
Louisa tried her best to maintain a composed demeanor. “Don’t joke like that. I can give you a $73,000 thank-you fee separately.”
Seeing Louisa refuse, the man’s face darkened noticeably and he began to act arrogantly. “Louisa, do you think I need your little bit of money? I’m only willing to help you because I still think highly of a used woman like you. Don’t be so ungrateful! Everyone in the industry knows you rose to power as a mistress. If you hadn’t broken up Hadden and his first love, you wouldn’t be Mrs. Cole."
Louisa’s face turned deathly pale. Back then, they were clearly in love. How did it become her being a mistress?
