Ch. 1011..1020

Beyond The Divorce Chapter 1011-The crowd gasped. Even Lauren closed her eyes, bracing for the inevitable. A dark figure suddenly appeared, blocking her from harm's way and embracing her tightly. A glass of wine splashed on that figure, staining the floor red.

Everyone looked at the man holding Lauren. Surprisingly, it was Oliver.

The murmurs among the townsfolk had been widespread, stating that Oliver had refused to marry Lauren.

I silently sighed with relief.

Harmony, who had undergone extensive cosmetic procedures and had been trailing behind Oliver, stood frozen. Her eyes were fixed on the unfolding drama.

She could dream on if she thought she could flirt with Oliver!

Lauren opened her eyes, and was surprised to find herself in Oliver's embrace. She hesitated for a moment before pushing him away.

Oliver immediately held her waist and gently cradled her face. His eyes were filled with concern. "Lauren, are you hurt?"

The onlookers were dumbfounded, struggling to comprehend the situation. Some were already whispering and gossiping among themselves.

Oliver, still holding Lauren tightly, turned to the troublesome couple. With a low growl, he said, "You've got quite the nerve to try and lay hands on my woman."

Philip, upon realizing his blunder, stammed, "Mr. Oliver, i-it's my fault for not properly disciplining my wife. I…"

"Is an apology enough?" Oliver was genuinely angry. "Do you have any idea what you've done by harming my woman in public?"

Lauren's face shifted between pale and flushed upon feeling Oliver's grip.

Perhaps it had been too long since Oliver had held her. She did not attempt to free herself from his embrace.

Seeing Lauren's futile struggles, I gave up on any attempts to intervene.

Oliver's expression darkened even further. "If you can't keep your woman in check, you're not fit for anything."

Philip's knees almost buckled at Oliver's words. He had offended one of the Biggest tycoons in Foswood, the one who controlled the financial lifelines of all businesses.

Evelyn was also taken aback when she recognized Oliver. She now faced the wrath of both her husband and the formidable Oliver Hansen.

Perhaps in an attempt to salvage some pride, she foolishly said, "It's not just me that said it. Everyone is saying that she's just a mistress with no place here. She's jusDa where!"

Gasps filled the air as everyone was astonished by her audacity. Covering their mouths, they turned to look at Philip.

I couldn't help but smirk at Evelyn's foolishness. She dared to provoke Oliver further.

"Shut your mouth!" Oliver roared.

Philip, now desperate, pointed at his wife and yelled, "Shut up!"

Evelyn was defiant. "I didn't say anything wrong, did I? She's just a shameless homewrecker, a slut. You guys should—"

Philip slapped Evelyn across the face and shouted, "Shut up! You're embarrassing! I was seeking Ms. Lauren's help for something. How dare you slander her? You're a disgrace!"

Evelyn stumbled back after being slapped by Philip, holding her face.

Facing the accusing crowd, she tried to defend herself, "You actually hit me? I-I didn't make it up. Everyone was saying the same thing! They are all saying it!"

I caught the hidden message in her words. Stepping forward, I asked her, "Who are you talking about?"

Beyond The Divorce Chapter 1012-Evelyn shot me a glance, still glaring at me angrily.

"You're no good either. A divorced woman with a kid daring to seduce someone like Atlas! None of you are any good!"

She seemed determined to keep things vague.

I took a step forward. "I'll ask you again, who told you this?"

She stubbornly refused to make things clear. "It doesn't matter who told me. You two are just a pair of scheming women, trying to climb the social ladder by seducing men." Another resounding slap echoed.

Philip was genuinely shocked by his wife's antics. It seemed like he had invited trouble upon himself.

"Why don't you tell me who said these things?" Philip shouted, his eyes blazing. I knew he was trying to divert attention, but his foolish wife wasn't cooperating. "Why are you hitting me?!"

"Speak up!" Philip abandoned his usual refined demeanor and roared.

I saw Vicky's mouth twitching as she quietly retreated into the crowd, attempting to blend in.

Evelyn, covering her face, scanned the surroundings before suddenly pointing at Vicky.

"It was her who approached me, saying someone was seducing my husband and then said all those things!"

Vicky, unable to escape any longer, bit back.

"Are you insane? Do you just accuse whoever you see? I don't even know you! I don't know those two. Stop your ridiculous accusations!"

"You shameless woman! How dare you deny it?" Evelyn was furious, especially after being publicly slapped by her own husband.

I calmly looked at Vicky. "I really don't understand. This is a business cocktail party. How could someone like her infiltrate the event?"

My words caught the organizers' attention, especially those who knew who I was.

The executive in charge of the event stepped forward, addressing Vicky, "Excuse me, which company do you represent? How did you receive the invitation?"

Vicky widened her eyes, blinking. Then, she stole a glance at Liora, who remained composed.

With a raised chin, Vicky retorted, "I received the invitation from Echelon Group. I'm their vice president. Why are you questioning me like this? I've attended plenty of events like these and never encountered such rudeness. It's outrageous!"

Suddenly, a deep, husky voice cut through, "Perhaps the one being outrageous is you? When did you become the vice president of Echelon Group? At Echelon Group, we don't do business by flaunting our connections. Our employees are highly qualified professionals. As for you…"

All eyes turned to the direction of the voice. The speaker was none other than Atticus.

Atticus, accompanied by his assistant and two executives, walked out of the crowd.

His gaze fixed on Vicky. "When did you become the vice president of Echelon Group? Our staff consists of highly qualified professionals. And you… Please don't taint Echelon's image." Both Vicky and Liora's faces paled.

"Uncle Atticus!"

"Please call me Atticus." His face remained stern.

This statement caught me off guard. I didn't expect Atticus to take this stance today. It wasn't in line with his usual behavior. In situations like this, he should have remained low-key.

Because of his actions, the attention was now focused on Atticus and Liora.

Liora's gaze was fixed on Atticus, but she did not dare to speak. It seemed like she had learned her lesson this time.

The trouble lied in Vicky. She was quite spirited. Sensing trouble, she looked at the silent Liora. "Aunt Liora, what does he mean? Why won't he let me call him uncle?"

In an instant, Liora became the center of attention, her face changing colors. She was caught in a dilemma.

Liora had no choice but to grit her teeth and ask, "Atticus, what do you mean by this?"

"Liora, why are you bringing disgrace upon yourself? Don't you understand? Atticus stared sternly at Liora, Let me advise you, take care of yourself and leave yourself a way out. Otherwise, you'll find yourself with no place to hide one day."

"Atticus, are you threatening me?" Liora was losing her composure.

The onlookers couldn't help but question why Atticus said such things to Liora.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded, awaiting his response.

Beyond The Divorce Chapter 1013-"You can say that." Atticus didn't evade at all. "You chose this path yourself."

"Atticus, I'm your wife. Yet you're siding with an outsider and threatening your wife in front of everyone?"

"Wife? Hmph! Don't defile that word. I bet you don't even know whose wife you are."

Atticus shot a fierce gaze at Liora, showing no sign of backing down.

Everyone gasped and stared in disbelief at Atticus. No one expected the highly respected Atticus to utter such words.

The privacy of wealthy families was well-guarded, but Atticus chose this opportunity to air some dirty laundry.

Those who enjoyed gossip in the crowd were getting excited. I hadn't expected Atticus to disregard his own reputation like this. "Atticus…" Liora's furious eyes emitted a cold light.

"Why aren't you leaving?" Atticus did not give her an inch as he coldly uttered those words.

She looked at him, her eyes filled with resentment. For a moment, the two just stared at each other. It was as if time had stopped.

Everyone knew why Liora had been so arrogant. It was all because she had been riding on Atticus's reputation. But now, Atticus was telling her to leave, loud and clear.

"Atticus, I think this woman has misled you. Don't forget, you owe an explanation to the Foswood elites," she warned Atticus through gritted teeth.

Atticus scoffed. "Rest assured, I'll explain it to everyone, but get out of here immediately!"

Liora tightly clenched her fists, glanced at me, and turned to leave.

"Hold on, Liora! Since you caused the commotion, you should apologize to Ms. Lauren," I said sternly.

Liora cast a sidelong glance at me, scoffing. "Hmph! Do you think it's that easy? I would never apologize to a woman like her-"

Before she could finish her sentence, Lauren broke free from Oliver's arms and slapped Liora.

A collective gasp echoed, and I almost applauded Lauren. That was incredibly satisfying.

Liora was just regaining her balance when Lauren delivered another slap, covering her face in a splash of color.

"I've wanted to slap you for a long time. Remember this, Ms. Liora. You insulted me? You'll pay the price! Do you think no one knows the truth about your son? Hmm?" Lauren took another step forward.

"Ms. Lauren, stop spreading nonsense. How dare you hit me? You wretch," Liora retorted as she raised her hand.

Oliver roared, "Don't you dare!"

The roar was so deafening that nobody expected the usually polite and composed Oliver to express such anger.

He stepped forward, pulling Lauren back into his arms. Then, he sternly declared, "Anyone who messes with Lauren will be messing with me. My woman is not to be underestimated. Since there are doubts about Lauren's relationship with me, I want everyone here to be a witness."ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

He released Lauren, gazing affectionately into her eyes while holding her hands.

Then, almost like a magic trick, he pulled Out an exquisite velvet He turned to look at Lauren and opened it in front of t In front of everyone, he got down on one knee…

Beyond The Divorce Chapter 1014-I was left stunned.

Just as he knelt on the ground, I was about to exclaim but quickly covered my mouth, afraid of disrupting the unfolding scene.

The entire hall fell into a hushed silence.

Everyone wanted to know what Oliver was about to say. Some even discreetly opened their phones to record the moment.

Oliver spoke in a magnetic, husky voice, "Lauren, I carefully selected this ring for you. I've been waiting for this moment. Today, I want everyone here to witness that I have been unequivocally in love with you. I've been avoiding this truth for far too long."

Onlookers exchanged puzzled glances. This was Oliver, who stood above everyone in Foswood. He had been silently loving Lauren all along, and now, in front of everyone…

"But without you, Lauren, my heart is empty, and my soul is shattered. I can't live without you."

Lauren stared at him dumbfounded, like a deer caught in headlights.

"Since the day I met you, you've shouldered all kinds of criticism, insults, and slander. I want to show everyone in Foswood that I love you. I will openly marry you into the Hansen family, and you will be my wife.

"Lauren, marry me! I will spend the rest of my life caring for you, loving you, and making sure you won't suffer any injustice anymore. You have always been a kind, warm, and upright woman. You deserve to stand by my side more than anyone else. Marry me!"

Oliver's heartfelt confession brought tears to my eyes.

I involuntarily covered my mouth, afraid I might cry out loud and disturb this poignant moment between the star-crossed lovers.

Oliver's gesture was truly admirable. He kneeled in front of everyone, offering Lauren an explanation and the opportunity to stand tall, washing away any shame.

I even questioned how long he had been carrying that ring with him. This indicated he had been searching for the right moment to redeem Lauren's honor. Today, this man found the perfect opportunity.

I saw Lauren staring in disbelief at the man kneeling before her. She seemed petrified, as if turned to stone.

Feeling anxious, I took a step forward and nudged her from behind. "Say yes!"

It was as if she had awakened from a trance. She stiffened, then looked around as if confirming this was real.

Oliveally, her gaze landed on Oliver's face. én.swnovels.net People around us urged, "Say yes!"

However, Lauren's face turned pale, and she took a step back.

"Lauren… Marry me!" Oliver urgently repeated.

Suddenly, she covered her mouth and rushed out, leaving the onlookers in an uproar.

"This can't be right? Why did she run away?"

"Lauren!" Oliver and I shouted simultaneously.

As she disappeared through the crowd, but anted to chase after heret suddenly stopped by a hand my wrist.

I was just about to look up when the hand pulled me into its embrace. I fell into a pair of familiar arms.

The scent was too familiar, calming my racing heart. A magnetic voice whispered, "Oliver, go after her."

This penetrating voice cut through the clamor, making Oliver hesitate for a moment before swiftly getting up and rushing out. Everyone watched as Oliver's figure O disappeared out the door.

Beyond The Divorce Chapter 1015-I watched as he disappeared, feeling a bit uneasy. I wondered if Lauren would have a change of heart.

I felt that this time, Oliver was genuinely sincere.

He had kneeled in front of everyone, including Foswood's business elite. This showed his sincerity. It was a significant gesture.

As people around me started discussing Oliver's departure, I looked at Atlas, who had somehow appeared beside me.

I scolded him a bit. "Why did you pull me? We need to go check on them!"

He looked at me, extending his arm to pull me into his embrace protectively. He gazed at my dissatisfied face with a tender smile and said, "They need some personal space. They're not kids anymore. What are you worried about?"

I pondered his words. He did make sense.

As I lifted my gaze to the dispersing crowd, I noticed that those left were mostly women with starry-eyed expressions, unable to hide their admiration.

Not far away, Harmony was staring at Atlas's handsome face.

Philip and Evelyn, who had caused the commotion earlier, walked over. "Atlas… Mr. Atlas!"

Atlas glanced at him with a stern look. "Take care of your woman!"

Philip had no room to say anything further.

Looking at Atlas, I asked, "Are you staying or leaving?"

"It's up to you. I came to take you home. Don't forget our daughter is waiting for us," he whispered in my ear.

I smiled knowingly. Since my target had vanished and Lauren was nowhere to be found, I lost interest in the event. "Let's go home!"

We exchanged a smile, and he wrapped his arm around my waist. In front of many onlookers, we walked out of the banquet hall.

The next day, several major events unfolded in Foswood, but Oliver's public proposal at the party stole the headlines and became the talk of the town.

In fact, the scene from last night had already spread to the internet, thanks to gossip enthusiasts. By morning, everyone in Foswood had seen it. Moreover, the online discussions continued.

I was this spread. Otherwise, with his staver had tacitly allowed status and means, such informe.ne would have disappeared ago.

Ivanna was furious last night. Even before I reached home, she called, asking what was going on.

The stories that circulated online were now even more detailed than my account. People had added their own analyses and speculations to the discussion, making it more sensational.

In the morning, I resisted calling Lauren, fearing I might disturb the two lovers' reconciliation.

However, Lauren walked into my office early in the morning with dark eyebags.

Seeing her like that, I felt completely deflated, a sense of disappointment settling in. Something seemed off.

I looked at her, waiting for her to explain.

She weakly sat on the sofa and told me, "Make Carol get me a cup of coffee right away."

I pressed the button, and Carol appeared promptly.

Seeing Lauren's condition, she turned without waiting for my Soon, she returned with a stearet cup of coffee.

After a few sips, Lauren began to lose her composure when she realized I had not spoken.

"Do you not care about my life and death? You're too much! Why are we even friends?" She accused me with wide eyes.

"I was just waiting for you to speak. Why are you in such a hurry?" I retorted. "What's going on with you?"

"What's going on with me? What do you think?" She glared at me. "Do you think I've reconciled with him?"

I nodded immediately. "Yes!"

"Yes, my ass!" She cursed. "What do you think of me? Do you really understand me?"

She stared at me, reproachful.

Beyond The Divorce Chapter 1016-I looked at her helplessly, seeing her aggrieved look.

"How am I the bad guy?" I asked, puzzled.

"Ah! If he gives me a way out, should I just take it? Do you think I'm that cheap? Am I really what people say I am? Am I just a pushover?" Lauren said indignantly.

I could only say that I wasn't her and couldn't fully understand her feelings and current state of mind.

But I thought, sometimes, you just need an olive branch.

Just as I was thinking that, I heard someone talking at the door. The office door burst open, and Ivanna rushed in.

She exclaimed, "This has become an internet sensation. The whole place downstairs is filled with reporters."

After finishing her sentence, Ivanna noticed Lauren sitting on the sofa, looking dejected. She asked, "Why are you here so early? Isn't it?"

That sentence immediately drew a sharp gaze from Lauren.

Ivanna added belatedly, "I didn't mean anything. I just thought you must have reconciled by now."

She awkwardly chuckled and coughed. "That's enough! You should forgive him. He got down on one knee for you."

"His slap left me covered in bruises, and my heart still aches. You want it to be over just like that? I have to forgive him just because he got down on one knee? What kind of person do you think I am? Am I really that worthless?" Lauren said disdainfully.

Ivanna and I exchanged glances speechlessly.

However, Lauren was not entirely wrong.

She had endured so much over ten years. When she finally reached a turning point, she was hit in the face with an apology. Accepting it immediately might make her seem too eager.

People might think she had been waiting for this opportunity, and Lauren would likely be labeled a calculative woman.

People nowadays were quick to criticize or praise. It was hard to say what they really wanted, especially when dealing with someone like Oliver.

Everyone had their eyes on him, and many women were eager to attract him.

Some had even boldly approached him last night.

"What you said makes sense. This needs to be handled with caution," I couldn't help but say.

Lauren suddenly became spirited, as if she had found an ally and a sympathetic ear.

"See, I told you! Finally, someone who understands me." Lauren sighed. "You think I did nothing wrong, right, Chlo? Right?"

Ivanna glanced at me, looking a little displeased. Then, she said, " Lauren, I have a question for you."

Lauren gave her a sidelong glance. "What?"

She had probably guessed what Ivanna was going to ask.

I smiled faintly. "You don't have to ask that."

"I just want her to admit it in person. Don't be nosy." Ivanna stopped me.

Then she looked at Lauren, who seemed conflicted, and asked, "Do you still have feelings for him? me the truth, don't Diell We're practically sisters."

Lauren, feeling awkward, swallowed but remained silent.

Ivanna, unyielding, said, "Tell the truth. Speak up!"

"We were together for ten years. We'd probably still feel something for each other, even if it's just a familial bond, right?" Lauren defended herself.

"Don't mix things up. I'm asking if you don't want to let him go. Is there still love between you?" Ivanna insisted.

Lauren gave her a disdainful look, probing, Looks like you understand what it's like now. Have you forgotten what you were like just a few days ago? You were a zombie!" en.swhovels.net Ivanna chuckled and immediately responded, "I've always said I loved Jared. So when he disappeared, I felt like dying. Now, I'm asking you."

Ivanna and I both looked at Lauren.

She remained silent, blowing on her coffee and unwilling to answer.

I commented, "Why are you even bothering to ask? She was on the verge of collapse when I saw her yesterday. Otherwise, why would she come running here like this?

"Of course she loves him. Ten years isn't a short time. She invested ten years in him, the best years of her life, without any regrets.

"She's endured all kinds of criticism and insults. If you think she doesn't love him, you must be out of your mind," I said.

I saw Lauren's hand that was holding the coffee cup tremble.

Beyond The Divorce Chapter 1017-She couldn't bear to revisit all those haunting memories and overcome the hurdles in her heart.

Oliver had complied with all her requests, giving her exactly what she needed. Honestly, only he could give her that.

Lauren had become accustomed to the lifestyle she shared with him.

How could she forget all that?

"That settles it! What I mean is, you can play it cool, but make sure to handle it delicately. Don't let Oliver waste all the effort he's put in and make him think you've already made up your mind to leave. That would be a loss for you," Ivanna spoke the absolute truth, which was precisely what I was concerned about.

"Ivanna's right, Lauren. There's a balance in everything. You really need to navigate this carefully," I added.

"There's a time for everything in life. If he can't endure this, it'll mean he's not sincere. So why force it?" Lauren set down the cup in her hands.

Ivanna and I were left speechless.

After a moment of silence, I asked, "Didn't he catch up with you last night?"

"He did. He stayed outside and talked all night," Lauren said.

I could imagine the scene, one inside and one outside the door. "Looks like Oliver is sincere."

"Does he know you're here?" I inquired.

"He said there was an important meeting today," Lauren replied.

"Well, Lauren, I suggest you torture him a bit. We can set up a scenario if necessary, and you two can reconcile. Just don't be too hard on him. Otherwise, he may give up."

Ivanna's words were blunt but valid.

"We'll see. I want to rest for a bit. Can I use your lounge?" She looked at me. "I feel safe here."

"Sure, go ahead," I said. I watched her as she headed toward the lounge in my office. After all, sending her home now would be impossible with all the reporters outside. Once she entered the lounge, Ivanna sighed. "Why won't it stop?!"

She took out her phone, checked the trending topics, and exclaimed, "Wow! It's gotten over 5 million views! It's really getting a lot of attention."

"What did you expect? Oliver's the leading man, after all!" I scoffed.

I picked up my phone and casually scrolled through the comments. The comments section would always be a mess when something like this happened.

I saw people digging into Lauren's past, detailing when and how she had gotten together with Oliver. It seemed someone had done some thorough research.

Others argued against these allegations, questioning who could endure ten years of commitment. Lauren had stayed by Oliver's side and even helped take care of his spouse. Wasn't it obvious she had consented? Why insult her for that?

In any case, the comments were very polarized.

However, it was clear that those digging into her past were making snide remarks. They seemed sour about it.

I even found two pieces of news that had been pushed down by chance.

One stated that Havenhill Corporation had been seized due to mismanagement involving illegal material operations and importing foreign waste, leading to environmental pollution in Foswood. The main suspects had been charged.

Havenhill Corporation… Wasn't that Benedict's company?

I sneered disdainfully.

Served him right!

Trouble would have come to that arrogant man sooner or later.

Of course, I knew whose handiwork this was.

The other gossip video was interesting.

It showed a group of women in a brawl, accusing and berating another woman. In the video, that woman was acting arrogantly, shouting at the others to control their men.

After a heated exchange, they started fighting. The group of women ganged up on the single woman, and she lost even her underwear.

Upon closer inspection, I realized that the woman in the video was Michelle, and the opposing group had over ten people. It was easy to imagine that Michelle's situation in the fight was dire. It seemed she had incurred the wrath of the crowd.

I knew exactly what happened, but I felt no sympathy for her. Michelle had crossed a line. She had practically made this issue her job and caused a lot of trouble for other people. No wonder her classmates despised her so much.

I couldn't help but feel contempt for her as I thought about how she had exploited her classmates for her dubious activities.

Those men were hateful, but flies like Michelle were equally repugnant.

Beyond The Divorce Chapter 1019-I needed to hurry and finalize all this so it wouldn't affect any upcoming events.

After all, David had already called for me twice, and I feared he might want to meet sometime soon. That could potentially cause a delay.

To my surprise, Dominic actually arrived at the company with Fred. They had taken the same flight.

In fact, they had met once before. This time, they had bumped into each other on their flight to Foswood.

Dominic told me about it only after boarding the plane, which pleasantly surprised me.

Plans changed fast, indeed.

They were dedicated men, and we reached Bourdamun the same evening.

Before leaving, I called Atlas, who was supportive and assured me he would return home on time to spend time with the kids. I felt relieved.

Lauren came to Bourdamun with me to help manage the itinerary.

On the way there, I received a call from Arnold, adding more certainty to my plans. I instructed him to stay at Pleca Park and, if possible, invite Rose to stay over. Since our parents were away, having her at home would provide an extra layer of security.

However, Arnold told me something else. Denton had returned to Bourdamun.

I didn't really know him, so I didn't dwell on it.

Fred was astonished when he saw Bourdamun's development plans. He looked at me in disbelief and said, "No wonder Bourdamun is booming. This covers the entire city!"

I smiled. "It may not just be Bourdamun!"

He looked at me inquisitively. "What do you mean?"

"Before you arrived, two cities adjacent to Bourdamun also discussed a collaboration with us. We could replicate the success of Bourdamun. Those projects are currently awaiting approval. If granted, we could start building another Bourdamun. Bourdamun is just a prototype, and we might be able to replicate it."

Fred was shocked.

I nodded. "Many old cities are no longer suitable for development. Rather than renovating old towns, it's better to build a new city. That's the new trend, and I was fortunate enough to seize the opportunity." Even Dominic, who had paused in his steps, cast a doubtful look at me, asking, "Are you sure about this?"

I nodded confidently. "Absolutely! Our design institute has gained a significant position in the global architectural design industry. This synergy has boosted Tanum's capabilities immensely."

Fred asked cautiously, "I have a personal question."

I smiled. "Go ahead."

"Your relationship with Mr. Atlas…"

He hesitated, not daring to continue.

I looked at him calmly. "We're married!"

"When did that happen? Why didn't you tell me about it? This is great news!" Fred's excitement was palpable.

"We had our reasons. We couldn't announce it publicly. But in terms of our architectural business, we have essentially merged," I explained.

Fred appeared excited for a while, but didn't speak for a long time.

Eventually, Dominic spoke up.

"I didn't expect your progress to be so quick, Ms. Chloe. I thought your company was just a small and insignificant architectural development firm."

I smiled, acknowledging that he wasn't entirely wrong.

When he helped me verify documents in Solaris, it was a small and inconspicuous company.

But things were progressing at an unexpectedly fast pace, which surprised even me.

Of course, it was all thanks to Atlas.

"I'll be honest. Hearing that you took over Bourdamun made me a little worried I was genuinely concerned for you. You've proven me wrong, and must say, I underestimated this beautiful lady!"

He looked at Fred and exclaimed, "Women nowadays are extraordinary. They're elites in l.net industry. You can't underestimate them. It's impressive!"

Fred nodded in agreement. "Your vision is unique, Ms. Chloe, and you have the courage and insight to match. Your success today is not just coincidence."

I asked tentatively, "Mr. Dominic, have you ever considered working with me to help me oversee things?"

Beyond The Divorce Chapter 1020-I felt more confident after my discussion with executives from the two nearby cities the day before.

We needed influential people to join us if we wanted to expand the company. Their presence would enhance the company's strength and credibility, and they'd help the company management as well. It had been a long-standing wish of mine to invite Dominic to join us.

He didn't immediately answer my question.

These two men had different inspection targets and criteria.

Fred was interested in the architectural area of Bourdamun, while Dominic had a broader perspective. He was interested in overall planning, future urban capacity, differences and similarities with the old city, and material-related matters. It was clear that he was keen on what I had to offer.

We stayed in Bourdamun for two full days before preparing to return to Foswood.

As it was late, Lauren suggested staying in Bourdamun and returning to Foswood the next morning.

Lauren had booked a table at the distinctive Ducasse in Bourdamun for our final dinner.

What made this place special wasn't just the cuisine, but also the architecture of the restaurant itself.

The building was entirely designed with wooden arches featuring a garden landscape. The pavilions and towers had a unique charm. Each table had an open view, but they were adequately spaced, ensuring privacy.

We were seated on a street-facing pavilion on the second floor. The excellent view allowed us to see the bustling street below, the swaying trees, and the lush bamboo in the courtyard.

I praised Lauren for her excellent choice. We were both from the north, and would appreciate an environment like this. After all, everyone was involved in architecture, and naturally, they enjoyed the surroundings.

As we ate and chatted, Dominic seemed a little pensive when he saw the beautiful scenery. He admired the picturesque view.

I quickly said, "Why don't you bring your wife here? The climate will benefit her health and help her recover."

He reflected on the past and said, "I've neglected her for many years She hasn't recovered from the grief of losing our child. She still misses the child dearly, even at this age. That's why her health deteriorated.

"I know how she feels, but I don't dare console her. If I had taken better care of her, maybe things would be different. Unfortunately was too engrossed in my work and I never spared her a single thought. I feel guilty. If it weren't for you, she might not have lasted much longer."

I earnestly suggested, "Bring her here and let her experience this place. I happen to have an empty house. She can stay and see how she feels. If winter is a challenge for her, we'll see what we can do."

Dominic continued, "I wonder what will happen to this old city in the future. I'm thinking of buying a small courtyard right here in Bourdamun. It's serene, slow-paced, and ideal for her. Plus, if they move the city, the old city houses will probably become more affordable Fred smiled in agreement. "I'll think about being your neighbor."

As everyone laughed, a sudden idea formed in my mind.

I looked at Dominic and suggested, "What if I turn the old Bourdamun into a historic city resort? Make it open to the public. Wouldn't that breathe new life into the new city as well?"

The idea made me excited.

I thought about discussing this with Atlas when I got back.

As we were immersed in our lively discussion, I noticed an occupied table across from us. A young man was accompanied by three elderly individuals. They were a party of four too.

I glanced over at them but didn't pay them much attention.

But after a while, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was staring at our table. I involuntarily looked over at them.