Riley Montgomery truly felt helpless.
Each of Purple Summersâs questions embarrassed her, directly poking at her predicament, a cruel reality she couldnât possibly deny.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
At the same time, she knew that Norman Douglasâs lawyer would only ask questions that were sharper and more tricky than Purple Summersâs!
But what could she do? Was she supposed to admit it?
Admit how hard it is to be a single mother, admit her inability to provide a better life for her daughter?
âDonât panic, and donât cry.â Purple Summers handed a tissue to Riley Montgomery, âTheir goal is to make you break down completely. Once you lose control of your emotions, that will only confirm suspicions of depression, and the judge wonât award custody to a mother suffering from illness.â
Riley Montgomery took the tissue, only then realizing she had shed tears.
âIâm going to ask you one last time, think carefully before you answer me, okay?â Purple Summers stared at her, asking word by word, âAre you sure you want to divorce Norman Douglas?â
Riley Montgomery nodded decisively.
âGood, as long as youâve made your decision, we can have fewer reservations during negotiations.â Purple Summers said, âRemember, no matter what the other side asks you, donât follow their line of thought, because that path will definitely lead to a dead end.â
âThen how should I answer?â asked Riley Montgomery.
Purple Summers told her, âThere can only be two types of answers, one that you possess, and one that Norman Douglas doesnât. Beyond that, itâs better to remain silent as much as possible to avoid falling into their verbal traps.
If they say you donât have a job, you can mention that you have plenty of time to spend with your child. If they say you donât have money, you can bring up the amount of child support. If they say youâre getting remarried, you can share your views about the private tutor.â
Riley Montgomery looked at her in astonishment, âYou⦠you know about the private tutor too?â
âShe adores Judge Douglas, thatâs quite clear.â Purple Summers frowned slightly and continued, âNorman should know too, but he hasnât dismissed her⦠If we need to go to court, this point can be used to give the judge the impression of Norman Douglasâs disordered private life.â
âHe hasnât.â Riley Montgomery explained earnestly, âHe just feels that since she has been taking care of Bastian for several years, changing people might upset Bastian, the child is very sensitiveâ¦â
Marcel Jefferson chuckled, âMs. Montgomery, you really are honestâ¦â
Whether he did or not, as long as the judge gets that impression, the chances of winning the case increase.
âNorman Douglas is busy with work. If custody is awarded to him, the child will only be left in the care of a servant. The current situation is still very favorable for us, as long as we avoid the depression and financial issues, everything else is negotiable.â Purple Summers said, âMarcel, go through the questions you prepared with Ms. Montgomery.â
âOkay.â
For the next while, Marcel Jefferson rehearsed the questions one by one with Riley Montgomery.
Marcel Jefferson prepared the corresponding answers, but the purpose of the rehearsal was not to have Riley Montgomery memorize the answers by rote, but to familiarize her with the tense atmosphere so she wouldnât be knocked down by the opposition all at once.
During this process, Purple Summers silently drank tea on the side, observing Riley Montgomery.
When it was over, Purple Summers asked her, âIf I may ask, how did you meet Mr. Douglas?â
âOh⦠I was a nurse at the childrenâs hospital, cared for Bastian for a while, Mr. Douglas came to the hospital to see the child, thatâs when we met.â Riley Montgomery replied.
âHow many times had he visited the hospital?â Purple Summers asked.
Riley Montgomery recalled, âTwo or three times⦠he was truly too busy with work, and each time he only stayed for a short while.â
Purple Summers was skeptical, âAfter seeing each other two or three times, he started pursuing you?â
âNoâ¦â Riley Montgomery said with embarrassment, âIt was Bastian, he was very attached to me. He would cry and refuse to eat when he couldnât see me after being discharged, so Norman invited me to visit their home. After a number of visits, we became familiar with one another⦠and later, he proposed to me.â