Chapter 1500

[ 680 words ]

Joel stood by his floor-to-ceiling office windows, a flicker of confusion crossing his handsome face.

When he had called last night, hadn’t the two of them been together?

“Are you saying Lorelei signed divorce papers?” Joel gathered his composure, his voice turning slightly husky.

“Yes!” Suki confirmed enthusiastically. “Mr. Garner, you’ve got this! When you win her over, I’ll give you guys the biggest wedding gift!”

Joel pressed his lips together, didn’t say anything else, and ended the call.

He stood in silence for a long time.

Then, Joel pressed the intercom button and spoke to his assistant. “Zane, cancel the rest of my schedule for the week. And book me a flight to Yalania for today.”

“But sir, we have a major negotiation coming up. It’s quite important,” Zane gently reminded him.

“I have something far more important to attend to,” Joel replied, his voice low and resolute.

He had missed his chance three years ago. Now, a new opportunity had presented itself.

No matter what, he had to take this gamble.

Yalania Country.

Lorelei arrived at the gorgeous Sommers Manor and sat in the main hall waiting for Ms. Sommers.

Taking advantage of the moment alone, she quickly touched up her makeup to hide the dark circles under her eyes.

“Ms. Bellamy.”

Sylvia Sommers walked over in a stunning silk dress, glowing with warmth. “It’s been far too long. I’ve missed you!”

“It’s wonderful to see you, Ms. Sommers.”

Lorelei stood up, exchanging polite air kisses with her. “Wait until you see your new dresses. They turned out beautifully.”

“I can hardly wait.”

Sylvia’s eyes crinkled into a smile. After looking at the dresses, she couldn’t help but ask, “Ms. Bellamy, you look a little pale. Did you have a fight with your husband?”

“Hmm?”

Lorelei looked up, intending to lie and say no, but unfortunately, she had never been a good liar.

“You’ve been crying.” Sylvia saw right through her. “A woman’s mood is entirely too easy for these foolish men to ruin.”

Lorelei forced a smile, unable to find the words.

“Even the closest couples bump heads sometimes,” Sylvia said, handing Lorelei a glass of water, her tone gentle. “There’s no such thing as a marriage without arguments.”

“But from what I saw, Dr. Houston truly cares for you.”

“You might be mistaken.” Lorelei’s smile turned bitter. “He does have someone in his heart, but it isn’t me.”

“How could that be!”

Sylvia looked genuinely shocked, her voice rising slightly. “Ms. Bellamy I’m a very good judge of character. Dr Houston loves you deeply

“Maybe.”

he

Lorelei’s heart was nothing but ashes at this point. Since they were getting divorced anyway, whether loved her or not didn’t matter anymore. “Perhaps he had a little bit of love left over to give to me while loving someone else.”

Sylvia smiled helplessly, unsure of how else to comfort her.

They were husband and wife, after all.

Couples fight, but they usually make up just as quickly. Give it a few days, and they’d probably be fine.

“Ms. Sommers, please try on the

pieces. If there’s anything that

doesn’t fit or isn’t to your liking, I can come back tomorrow to make the alterations. Lorelei stood up with a polite smile. “Your husband should be home soon, so I won’t intrude any longer.”

“Alright, then.”

Sylvia nodded and had her staff escort Lorelei out.

Back at the hotel.

Lorelei took a shower and threw herself onto the massive, soft bed.

She hadn’t slept a wink all night.

Exhausted from the emotional toll and the long flight, she quickly fell into a deep, hazy sleep.

When she woke up, her phone was buzzing.

Lorelei picked it up, saw it was an unknown number, and answered in confusion. “Hello?”

A familiar voice came through the line. “Lori, it’s me.”

“Joel?” Lorelei’s brain took a few seconds to boot up before she asked tentatively.

“It’s me.”

“?”

Lorelei pulled the phone away and stared at the screen. She was using a backup phone; her primary number was still turned off.

The only person who knew this backup number was Suki.

“Lori, I’m in Yalania handling some business. Suki mentioned you were here too. Would you want to grab dinner?”

Lorelei’s head was still spinning. Before she could answer, Joel added, “You don’t even have to leave. I’m down in your hotel’s restaurant.”

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