Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Chapter 2 The Compensation Joe’s eyes narrowed, tossing the divorce agreement onto the table.

He lit a cigarette and blew smoke toward Mia’s face, staring at her through the haze. “You’ve taken your little game too far,” he sneered.

It didn’t make sense to him that she would settle for just a clean split and nothing else. He thought this agreement was just a game to threaten him. He knew Mia loved him. She would never leave him. Plus, her family’s company would never let her go through with a divorce.

Mia clenched the blanket next to her, locking eyes with Joe. She spoke slowly and firmly, “I only want a divorce. I’m not plotting anything. I’ve given back everything I owe you.”

‘I don’t love you anymore…”

Her words were a mixture of sadness and determination. She didn’t explicitly say it, but Joe somehow knew the hidden meaning underneath.

It was… affecting him. More than he’d care to admit.

Something was wrong.

He took a step forward, pinning her with his intense gaze. He lifted her chin with his fingers, blowing smoke in her face, making her turn away and cough.

He smirked and grabbed a pen from the table. “You really think I won’t sign it?”

She coughed, tears welling up in her eyes, but she quietly watched him sign his name.

“You better not regret this.”

He wasn’t going to let her have her way.

After it was signed, he tossed the divorce agreement to the floor. Then he pulled a card from his wallet and threw it at Mia.

“Consider this compensation for your…” He paused, his frown deepening. “…hardships this past year.”

With that, he slammed the door and left. He rarely spent the night here.

The bedroom fell into complete silence.

Mia clutched the card with trembling hands, her eyes turning red.

She bit her lip, tears streaming down her pale face.

The pain in her heart was unbearable.

She touched her belly, curling up on the bed, and sobbed till her throat hurt.

A while later, she gathered her strength, packed a few clothes, and booked a flight to Farmland for the next day.

She had loved Joe for three years. Sometimes hated him.

But now, it was all over.

That night, Joe stayed in an apartment near his company. The next day, he drove to Sun House after finishing work.

Today was the day he and Mia were supposed to visit Joe’s grandpa, Sir Smith. However, when he arrived at the Sun House, he couldn’t find her anywhere.

He asked the maid, “Where’s Mrs. Smith?”

She hesitated, looking at Joe cautiously before answering, “Mrs. Smith hasn’t arrived yet. Should I call her?”

“No need.” He dismissed her, then walked into the house. He paid no mind to Mia’s absence, assuming she would show up eventually.

After retiring from the Smith Group, Sir Smith fell in love with gardening. When Joe walked in, he was watering the plants in the yard.

When saw Joe, Sir Smith glanced behind him and his face. suddenly darkened. “Where’s Mia?”

“I don’t know,” Joe answered nonchalantly, “But she was with me at the apartment last night.”

Joe had already pushed the divorce agreement out of his mind.

“You Idiot!” Sir Smith scolded.

In Sir Smith’s eyes, he knew that it had to be his idiot grandson’s fault that Mia, who usually arrived early with bundles of carefully prepared gifts, hadn’t appeared.

Not wanting to scold his grandson in front of others, he ordered sternly, “Come with me.”

Then the two of them entered the study together.

“So you’re the reason for that scandal?” Sir Smith looked at Joe with a gloomy expression.

Confused, Joe asked, “What scandal?”

Sir Smith tossed his phone at Joe and snapped, “Take a good look!”

Joe took the phone.

He saw a trending headline that read:

[Golden Award-winning Actress, Wendy Swan’s Mysterious Boyfriend Revealed, and It’s Him!]

The photo that came with the news showed Joe and Wendy dining together a few days ago. The paparazzi managed to capture them at an angle that made it seem like they were kissing passionately.

But in fact, Joe had only been helping her keep her balance.

Joe tried to explain, “This is nonsense.”

“Have someone delete this Twitter post as soon as possible,” Sir Smith demanded, “This scandal damages Mia and the White family’s reputation. What will people say about her?”

His face darkened as he asked, “What does it have to do with her?”

“I know what you’re thinking! Don’t try to fool me again!”

Grabbing the teacup in his hand, Sir Smith threw it at Joe.

Joe dodged the cup, and it shattered into pieces on the floor.

Sir Smith growled, “Wendy Swan will never marry into the Smith family! Over my dead body! Don’t be as ungrateful as your father!”

At the mention of his father, Joe’s stoic expression finally dropped, his eyes going down to the floor. He muttered, “I won’t.”

Sir Smith’s face softened slightly. After discussing other matters, Joe left the study.

He called his assistant, Jack, and instructed, “Take down the post on Twitter.”

Then he drove back to the villa.

As he entered, he saw a woman in a white dress with her back to him.

‘Hm… Must be Mia. Sure enough, what she said was just to threaten me and get me back to her.

Joe cleared his throat, put on a faint smile, and then sarcastically remarked, “Thought you said you were leaving. Couldn’t resist coming back?”

The next second, the woman turned around.

It wasn’t Mia.

With her face beaming with joy, she walked towards him, exclaiming, “Joe!”

“What are you doing here?” Joe’ eyes widened in puzzlement.