Ch. 901..910

This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 901

Deliberately Nurtured This Way

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“It’s not funny at all!” Toby refuted Sonia with a stormy expression.

Sonia’s smile froze on her face. “You… you’re upset?”

She saw how grim he looked, and it was obvious that he was angry.

Toby reached out and cupped Sonia’s face with both of his hands. “I am angry. In fact, I’m furious. Do you have any idea why?”

Sonia blinked in bewilderment. She did not respond since she obviously had no idea why.

Toby sighed. “I’m angry because you made a fool out of Connor right to his face. Did you think about what would’ve happened if you had infuriated him, and he decided to do something to you right there and then? What would happen to you if he did that?”

“I… I know it was careless of me.” Sonia finally figured out why Toby was angry. He was worried that she might have gotten hurt.

She took his hands off her face. “Actually, as soon as I did that, I realized how reckless I had been and regretted it. I was also worried that he might do something to me, but luckily, he had his apprehensions and did not do anything to me.”

“You should be thankful that he had his apprehensions. If he had nothing to be wary of, then you probably wouldn’t be here right now, but with Tim Lancaster.” Toby still had a deep frown on his face.

Sonia grabbed his arm and tried to appease him. “Okay, okay, don’t be angry anymore. I’ve realized my mistake, and I won’t do it again.”

Toby felt helpless after taking a look at Sonia, who was blinking at him with a pitiful expression. He massaged his temples and said, “So long as you don’t do it again.”

“I definitely won’t,” Sonia quickly promised.

Toby flicked her on the forehead. “Did Connor say anything after he changed his tune?”

“He told me to not make a decision so hastily, and that he was giving me two more days to reconsider. He said I might change my mind,” Sonia replied.

Toby’s eyes narrowed. “Change your mind?”

“Yeah, that’s what he said. He looked like he was absolutely certain that I would change my mind after thinking about it for two more days.”

Toby’s lips formed a thin line. “This means he’s got a hold against you, or else he would not have said such a thing.”

“I think so too.” Sonia toyed with Toby’s hands as she asked in puzzlement, “But I don’t know what he would have that he could use to threaten me.”

As soon as she returned to the apartment, she had begun to ponder about this, but she still could not think of anything. This was why she was certain that Connor had nothing on her.

Toby glanced at her. “Since you can’t think of anything, then let’s not dwell on it. In two days’ time, we’ll find out what he’s up to.”

“Yeah.” Sonia nodded. “I thought so too.”

“When the time comes, I’ll go with you to meet with him,” Toby decided.

Naturally, Sonia did not object. She would be quite nervous if she met Connor alone, but if Toby came with her, then she would feel a lot more reassured. In any case, Connor did not say that she could not bring someone with her.

“Did he say anything else?” Toby asked again.

Sonia shook her head. “No. He only said these things to me, but…”

She looked up at him in contemplation.

Toby realized that she had something to say that concerned him.

“Just say it,” Toby urged her while stroking her luscious hair.

Sonia took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll say it. Before he brought up the possibility of me forgiving Anya, he mentioned that he didn’t come here just for Anya. He came to visit an old friend as well. Even though he didn’t say who it was, I’m quite certain that he was talking about your mother.”

All at once, Toby’s expression darkened, and the air around him became a little stifling.

Sonia could feel it too, so she hurriedly grabbed his hand. “Toby, you…”

She tried to say something, but Toby interrupted her. “I’m fine.”

His voice was hoarse and full of disdain as he said, “He’s here to visit my mother? Hah. He betrayed her, but he’s still shameless enough to come and see her. It’s been over thirty years. He never came to see her when she was alive, and even after she died, he didn’t come to visit her grave either. What’s the point of coming now? How much more insincere can he be?”

Sonia nodded in agreement.

She thought the same as well. Connor came running after over thirty years of absolute silence, so no one would feel moved by his deep devotion. In fact, it would only make them feel disdainful. If Connor really cared about Toby’s mother, then he would have come to Seafield to visit her, or at least visited her grave when she died. If he did any of that, then Sonia would still be able to admit that he had some decency in him.

But now, it was only her sense of dignity that stopped her from spitting on him.

“By the way, Toby, did you know?” All of a sudden, a thought occurred to Sonia and she gave Toby’s thigh a light smack.

Toby felt a tinge of numbness in his thigh, and he cocked his eyebrows. “What is it?”

Sonia quickly summarized, “When I pictured Connor Salzburg, I always thought he would be this hulking man with a menacing look in his eyes, but surprisingly, he actually looks like a scholarly gentleman with a pleasant demeanor. He wore a white suit and carried a walking cane around with him, and he looked like a distinguished professor. He was the complete opposite of what I had expected.”

“I know. I’ve seen his picture before.” Toby had no reaction when he heard Sonia’s description. He was well-aware of Connor’s appearance.

It only made sense, since Connor was who Toby suspected to have killed his father, and even if he had not, Connor was still his mother’s ex-lover. It stood to reason that Toby would have some understanding of Connor.

However, what Sonia was referring to was not Connor’s physical appearance, but his aura and personality.

She bit her lip and asked tentatively, “Toby, do you remember what you used to be like? I’m talking about the old you, before you were hypnotized.”

Toby narrowed his eyes. “Why are you asking me about this?”

Sonia averted her eyes. “Don’t ask me about it first. Just hurry up and answer me.”

She flapped his arm to hurry him.

She was acting cute toward him, and Toby had a weakness for that, so he dutifully responded to her question. “Gentle?”

“What else?” Sonia continued urging him.

Toby chuckled. “Jolly. I would always have a smile on my face.”

This was how she had described him in the past, so he copied her words. In reality, he could not recall what he had been like before. Thanks to the hypnosis, his memory of his past self was rather fuzzy. He became the person that he was now because of the hypnosis, and there was no way for him to return to his old personality.

Sonia sighed. “You’re right. The old you was indeed like that, but I’m curious to know—did someone shape that old personality of yours?”

“My mother,” Toby replied at once. “My father and grandmother only paid attention to my education and my moral character, but they never had a hand in shaping my personality. They believed that each person had their own personality, and as long as I was an upright citizen, then I would be fine no matter what my personality was like. My mother, on the other hand, had a different mindset, and she influenced a large part of my old personality. She wanted to have a son with a gentle personality. Since she was my mother, and since she was not trying to influence me in a negative way, I did not go against her wishes.”

Toby was not very concerned about his personality, as he only cared about having a mind of his own. He did not think that his way of thinking clashed with his personality. He was a clear-headed person, so even if there was a mismatch between his thoughts and personality, it still would not affect his decision-making.

Therefore, as he grew up, he continued to mold himself in accordance to his mother’s wishes, and even during the ten-year period after his mother’s death, he still remained the same. It was only after the hypnosis that he developed a new personality that was cold and distant, and when that happened, the old Toby Fuller with a gentle personality was gone.

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This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 902

Who You Were Meant to Be

For some reason, although he was saddled with regrets and felt somewhat sorry for his mother, he was relieved by his change of character.0

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His mother was proud of the Toby Fuller of the past and had everyone singing praises for him. However, this only gave the old Toby a lot of pressure. No one knew he disliked his past self as he felt his mother was not looking at him, but rather, looking at someone else through him.

“Just as I expected.” Sonia sighed sorrowfully after listening to the man’s words.0

Sensing a vague premonition, Toby lifted Sonia’s chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. “Just as you expected? Did something happen for you to bring up my past character so abruptly?”

This man is still as perceptive as ever. Sonia’s red lips twitched a little before she bit her lip and uttered a response. “Toby, the truth is… I was reminded of how you were the moment I met Connor Salzburg today.”

“Huh?” Toby frowned.

Sonia took a deep breath before explaining herself, “Looking at Connor was just like looking at how you were in the past, that gentle and graceful boy in white. Do you know that Connor and you give off the same kind of energy? You two are so much alike, not in terms of your looks, but in the way you two expressed yourselves as well as your personalities. Naturally, I’m comparing Connor to your past self since how you are right now is completely different from him. How you were in the past is almost identical to Connor. It’s not even a stretch to say that the two of you were one and the same person. Do you understand me when I put it this way?”

She fixed her gaze at him after her explanation.

His character was exactly the same as Connor’s. To put it more bluntly, someone had intentionally developed his character to be just like Connor’s. And that person was his own mother.

The reason why he thought of his mother was because of Sonia’s question on the person who had developed his past character. With the fact that she told him that his past character was exactly the same as Connor’s, everything fell into place in his head.

Toby was not a foolish person, which was why it was not impossible for him to read between the lines of what Sonia was saying. It was because he understood Sonia that he blanked out with his body tensing up once more at this moment.

Clenching his fists tightly, Toby fixed his gaze on Sonia before asking in a somewhat trembling and hoarse tone, “What are you saying? Connor Salzburg is just like how I was in the past?”

Toby had only ever seen pictures of Connor and had never met the man in person. Although he had heard talks about how Connor’s character was and how Connor treated others, thoughts of himself being similar to Connor had never crossed his mind, nor did anyone mention this to him. Thus, it was no surprise why Toby never knew how similar he was to Connor.

Looking at Toby, who was clearly starting to get agitated, Sonia nodded reluctantly even though she knew that it would be hard on the man right now. “Yes.”

After all, he grew up according to what his mother wanted. In order for him to fulfill her wishes, he gave up on his ideal personality and grew into the character his mother wanted.

Everything he did, he did for his mother.

However, the end result of Toby’s actions was for him to be told by another that the reason why his mother had raised him in this way was not because of her fondness for a gentle and warm child, but because she wanted to realize her longing for another man through him.

Anyone in his position would feel turmoil in their heart. Even more so for a man as prideful as Toby. Toby lowered his head slightly and stayed silent, as he did not wish for others to witness his expression in this instance.

Nevertheless, Sonia noticed from the cold air Toby was exuding that he was angry and extremely furious, but she did not know who was the target of his anger.

Was it Connor, Sonia herself, or… his own mother?

After some time had passed, Toby abruptly lifted his head and revealed a pair of bloodshot eyes. Though his voice became hoarse by the minute while filled with indications that he was holding himself back, he said, “I need some time to calm down.”

Sonia knew that he was feeling awful at this moment as various emotions would no doubt spring inside him. Should he choose not to calm himself down here, troubles would no doubt appear further down the road. With such thoughts, Sonia nodded to Toby. “Alright, then I’ll return to my room for now.”

“No need.” Toby grabbed Sonia’s hand to stop her from getting up. “I’ll head over to the study.”

Saying that, he released his grip on her hand before standing up himself and leaving for the study. Even in such a moment when his heart was in turmoil, the man had not asked her to take a step back, but rather chose to take a step back himself.

This man is really…

As Sonia watched Toby’s usually tall and straight back become somewhat hunched at this moment, she felt a vague sense of unpleasantness and felt her heart aching inside with her eyes filled with pain for the man.

The birth of one person was the end of another. For the prideful man—that was looked up to by others and even caused others to feel inferior to him—to be hunching like this would be a shock to anyone.

Furthermore, the person that had brought the man into this state was none other than his mother, whom he had great respect for. Although the reason for his birth was his mother’s desire for freedom, Toby still loved her and respected her. Yet, he had never considered that his mother—who had always treated him well and loved him dearly so—had mixed her motherly love for him with such impure desires.

His own mother wanted a gentle and warm child merely because the person she loved was a gentle and warm person. Just because she could not meet with her beloved, she molded her own son to be exactly like her beloved. It was all so that she could use her son to relieve her longing for her lover.

Was it really appropriate for a mother to treat her own son as a stand-in for her lover? Toby knew precisely that he was a substitute for Connor, which was why his back was hunched now.

Every person in this world was unique and should not be taken as a substitute for anyone else. However, regardless of how firm and upright his posture usually was, it was expected for someone as prideful as Toby Fuller—who had unknowingly become someone’s substitute—to be hunching his back after being dealt such a blow, especially since it was not an enemy but his beloved and revered mother who dealt such a fatal blow to him.

Oftentimes, the most painful wounds a person could have was not dealt by their enemies, but by the people closest to them. Sonia’s eyes reddened at such thoughts.

As she clenched her fists, she stood up instantly and shouted at Toby, “Toby Fuller!”

With his hand on the door handle, Toby was already by the entrance of the room and was about to open the door to leave at this point. After Sonia called out to him, he stopped in his tracks but showed no other reaction aside from staying silent.

Wearing a serious expression, she stared at the back of the man before saying, “Toby Fuller, there’s something I’ve never told you all this time. Truthfully, I have always regretted the fact that you’ve not reverted into that gentle Toby Fuller.”

Toby was stunned at her words with his eyes turning into a deep shade of crimson red by the seconds. What does she mean by that? She wants me to continue being a stand-in for Connor Salzburg?

Just when he was about to turn around and question her, Sonia continued, “However, I no longer have such regrets. Instead, I’m glad that you did not revert into that Toby Fuller. I know now that the past you weren’t the real you. Although the way you are now was formed by way of hypnosis, you were the one that chose this; no one else influenced you in this. Perhaps the current you is the real you, and perhaps this is your ideal character. That’s why I’m happy right now, and I’m happy for you. Congratulations, Toby Fuller. You have finally returned to being who you were meant to be!”

Before Sonia knew the reason for his personality, she felt that it was such a pity for Toby to have not returned to how he was in the past. After all, she loved how gentle he was. Who wouldn’t be fond of that gentle and graceful boy dressed in that white shirt of his?

Nevertheless, now that she knew the origins of his gentle personality, she no longer felt that it was a pity.

Moreover, she felt slightly grateful for Tina to have found Miles to hypnotize Toby, where it had indirectly aided Toby into becoming his true self once more.

This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 903

Sonia’s Reassurance

After Sonia’s explanation, Toby widened his eyes before turning around abruptly. Though his eyes were still red from anger, his pupils were trembling. He was agitated and elated over what Sonia had said.

Toby thought that Sonia was lamenting on why he wouldn’t continue being Connor’s substitute, and on why he wouldn’t turn back into that gentle Toby Fuller. He felt a surge of anger rising and wanted to question her if she really liked his past self to the extent of asking him to be just a stand-in.

If his mother had raised him purely without basing it on her own preference, and Sonia chose to like the past him, at most, he would be slightly upset, but would not be angry about it. The reason being, that would still be the real him.

However, his past self was molded in the shape of Connor. How could Toby accept this should Sonia prefer his past self over the present him? It would be as if she had never loved him and had only ever loved the illusion of his character.

Fortunately, her words after that completely quelled his anger.

It turned out that Sonia loved not the illusion of his character, but his true self—who he really was on the inside. Why else would Sonia say that she was glad that Toby did not return to how he was before?

That was because Sonia knew Toby was not just a substitute for Connor. He was Toby Fuller; he was his own person. He should have had his own personality that was untainted by another person.

And so, Sonia congratulated him on turning back into who he was meant to be.

After Sonia congratulated him, Toby couldn’t hold back his elation and agitation any longer. He took swift steps toward Sonia and tightly embraced her in his arms. With how tight his embrace was, it was as if he wanted to merge with her into becoming one person.

“Sonia… Sonia… Sonia!” Toby leaned his head on her shoulder and continued crying out her name. Each cry of his was filled with heavy emotions. It was just as heavy as the tone of his voice.

Looking at the man, Sonia knew the reason for the man’s agitation.

It was because of what she said.

She clearly knew the influence her words would have on him.

When the man found out that he was just a substitute that was fostered by his mother, he would subconsciously question his own existence, questioning whether he should’ve been born into this world.

To be born into this world, yet denied from being his own person. To not be able to be his true self but just somebody else’s stand-in. Thus, a sense of disgust was born inside of the man. As a result, he rejected his own existence.100064

However, Sonia’s words were an acknowledgment of his existence. She was telling him that there was a meaning for him to be here in this world and that he wasn’t just a stand-in for somebody else.

He was his own person. He was Toby Fuller.

Naturally, Toby got agitated by her words and rushed to embrace her in joy.

“That’s enough now.” Sonia smiled while patting Toby’s back before she softly said, “You should let go of me first. I can’t breathe properly with how tightly you’re hugging me.”

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Toby lessened his strength in his embrace, but did not release her from his embrace as he continued to hold her in his arms. At this moment, he couldn’t do so. It was only by holding her in his arms could he believe that what he just heard was true.0

Sonia felt amused and helpless as she could feel Toby being reluctant to break their embrace. The gap between a usually independent, distant man and a man who was clinging onto her like a child now was indeed amusing to her.

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Fine. I should just let it be if he wants to continue hugging me.

Since Sonia was no longer asking for the man to let go of her and had decided to allow the man to continue hugging her, she continued patting his back and comforted him. “Don’t worry. No matter what happens, you’ll have me by your side. Not only me, but Grandma, Jean, and even Tyler are by your side as well. We all know that you are your own person, and not just another person’s substitute.”

Although she did not want to mention Jean, she had to bear her aversion for Jean and mention Jean’s name in order to comfort the man.

At this point, Toby was still quiet and had buried his head right at Sonia’s neck. He only muffled a sound as an indication that he was listening and would take her words into mind. And so, Sonia did not say anything more, and the two of them stayed silent as they continued to be in each other’s arms.

It was only when Sonia’s phone rang did Toby reluctantly release her.

She took out her phone and smiled when she saw the caller ID. “It’s Mrs. Lane. She’s probably calling to ask what you like to eat so that she can prepare them for tonight’s dinner.”

After Toby took a glance at the caller ID, his emotions became much better. “Answer her. I’ll leave for the study first.”

Toby still needed to take time to calm himself down. Though Sonia had said much and somewhat comforted him, he still needed to think about certain things himself. After all, it was his own mother. He—as her son—needed to process what his own mother had done to him.

Sonia understood where Toby was coming from, which was why she had not objected when Toby wanted to leave for the study, and instead nodded in agreement. However, she believed that he would take no time at all in the study after the encouragement she gave. That was why she was relieved even though Toby was going to process things by himself at this time.

“Go ahead. I’ll call you when it’s time for lunch,” Sonia said while looking at Toby.

With a slight nod, Toby turned around and left for the study.

Sonia then called Mrs. Lane back after watching Toby enter the study. Due to Sonia watching Toby intently, the ringing had stopped as she did not answer the call even after some time had passed. Now, she had to call her back instead.

After Toby entered the study and closed the door, he stood with his back against the door and closed his eyes slightly as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He wore an expression that was full of fatigue—both physically and mentally.

He’d always thought that although he was born for the purpose of his mother’s freedom, his mother still loved him, and that her love for him was pure and untainted by any other feelings. Yet, he only found out now just how wrong he was.

His mother did love him, but it was not just a simple mother’s love. At the very least, he would never be able to reach Connor’s position in his mother’s heart.

For the sake of Connor, his mother nurtured him into the likes of Connor. In her heart, as long as she could relieve her longing for her lover, whether or not her son had a character of his own did not matter. Even so, in order to make his mother happy and not disappoint her, he still tried his best in becoming someone gentle even when he disliked it.

It was all because his mother liked it.

He knew that his mother was unhappy about getting married to his father, which was why Toby chose to become someone he didn’t like in order to make his mother happy. Yet, everything was just a lie in the end. It was all a lie!

Toby hung his head with both his hands clenched into fists. Due to how hard he was clenching his hands, his arms trembled slightly with his veins bulged. The air around him turned frightfully cold.

Toby had not doubted Sonia’s words and even believed her instantly. In the past, he would always have the suspicion of his mother looking at someone else through him, but he never had any proof for his suspicion and thought that he was mistaken.

Yet, he realized that he wasn’t wrong with his suspicion the moment Sonia said that his past self was just like Connor. His mother was looking at someone else through him as Toby was specifically nurtured to be the substitute for Connor.

Just a stand-in!

This was a mockery to Toby.

To think he, Toby Fuller, the head of the Fullers, would one day be someone else’s stand-in.

And that someone else might even be his father’s murderer!

He couldn’t forgive his mother’s actions. Although he would still give her his respect, he would no longer give her his love. After all, no one would be able to accept just being a stand-in for someone else, much less him, Toby Fuller.

Nevertheless, he did not care anymore. Neither the fact that his mother treated him as a substitute and never fully treated him as her son nor loved her son with all of her heart mattered anymore. Now, even without his mother, there were other people who truly loved him.

Little Leaf, and Grandma, they both love me a lot.

After Little Leaf knew that how he was before was specifically nurtured according to someone else, she immediately let go of her fond memories of his past self and accepted the current him.

This sentiment of hers was enough for him to remember her for the rest of his life.

This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 904

Wanting to Take Action Regardless of Everything Else

Speaking of Grandma…

Thinking of his grandma, Toby suddenly remembered how surprised and relieved Rose was when she first saw him six years ago.

Six years ago, he had just finished his heart surgery and was getting ready to fulfill his promise with Little Leaf for a meeting. Yet, just before he could do so, he was hypnotized by Miles.

After the hypnotism, there was a drastic change in Toby’s personality. His warm, gentle personality was replaced by coldness and indifference.

After his change in personality, Toby clearly remembered that there was something nagging at him when he first met Rose. That nagging he felt was how Rose was surprised over his change in personality yet never questioned him about it.

Normally, wouldn’t someone ask in a panic about the reason for such a drastic change in personality? To ask the person whether something had happened in their life?

However, Rose did not. After a moment of being taken by surprise, she immediately held Toby’s hand and wouldn’t stop telling him that it was a good thing for this to happen.

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At the time, tears welled up in Rose’s reddened eyes. He knew that those tears were from her emotions of joy. Although he couldn’t understand why Rose reacted that way at the time, he knew better now. Perhaps Rose already knew the truth behind his old personality—how his personality was nurtured by his mother to be just like Connor’s.

That was why Rose was relieved by the change in his personality and had told him repeatedly that it was a good thing for him. But a few months back, when he had somewhat returned to how he was in the past after that car accident, Rose’s eyes were filled with anxiousness, though she herself said nothing at all.

He always thought that the anxiousness Rose had then was due to the injuries he sustained from the car accident. Looking back on it now, perhaps her anxiousness stemmed from the possibility of him turning back into how he was before, and that he would return to his old self. Clearly, she did not wish for Toby to return to being a stand-in for Connor.

Rose’s thoughts were the same as Sonia’s, which was why he could say with certainty that both his grandmother and Sonia loved him.

As long as they were with him and always filled him with their love, he could stop rejecting himself and doubting himself over being made into a stand-in. Furthermore, he would no longer need to care about what his mother’s thoughts were or his mother’s love tainted by other feelings.0

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Now, he could let go of his feelings for his mother as there were people that truly and sincerely cared about him. Naturally, though he overcame his doubts and wouldn’t hold any grudges against his mother since she was ultimately the one who gave birth to him, he would never forgive Connor.

Absolutely not!0

The true master?

I will let Connor know that no one else in this world is the true master of the Fuller Family!

With his fists clenched tightly, Toby was filled with bloodlust as his eyes turned crimson red. At this moment, his phone in his pocket rang. With the ringing of his phone having somewhat dispersed the stifling air in the room, Toby loosened his fists and took his phone out.

Seeing that it was his assistant, Tom, calling, he walked over to his desk and answered the phone. “What is it?” He sounded indifferent.

“President Fuller, bad news. Connor Salzburg is in Seafield.” Tom’s tone was laced with stress on the other end of the line.

Toby murmured in assent. “Yes, I already know of it.” He pulled out a chair and sat down.

Tom was shocked by his president’s reply. “You knew?”

Toby pursed his lips. “He was here for Little Leaf. It was Little Leaf who told me about it.”

Tom immediately understood his president’s explanation. “So that’s what happened when you took the phone call from Miss Reed back in the conference room.”

Back then, Tom was also present in the conference room and was also aware of Sonia’s phone call to Toby. After all, Toby’s phone was with him at the time as he was responsible for his phone, which was why he would be the first to know of any incoming phone calls. If it was somebody else that had called, he would have immediately ended the call and wouldn’t have notified his president as Toby hated answering calls during a meeting.

But Sonia was the exception.

That was why when Tom saw it was Sonia calling, he immediately passed the phone to Toby. Sure enough, Toby answered the call without any hesitation. When Toby did, his face wore a gentle expression that gave everyone in the conference room goosebumps and shocked them to the bones.

Tom had initially thought that the others in the room would see his president’s humble side as Toby would try to please Sonia through the phone. After all, Tom knew that men would bend over backward to please their lovers once they fell in love. Not even the great Toby Fuller could escape this love spell.

Just by looking at how Toby was grinning from ear to ear when he knew that it was Sonia on the phone, Tom knew that his president would bend over backward for Sonia.

However, contrary to Tom’s expectation, the others in the room did not witness his president’s side of trying to please Sonia, but saw his president’s expression going through a drastic change while staying silent. Right after Toby ended the call, he grabbed his jacket and left the conference room in a hurry. Recalling how dark his president’s expression looked, it still frightened him greatly until now.

As Toby’s assistant, Tom should have left with him as well. However, he stayed back and continued to chair the meeting as it was still ongoing. That was why Tom was in the dark about what Sonia had told Toby for Toby’s expression to change that much and for him to be that angry.

He assumed that Sonia might have gotten into some trouble, such as being involved in some sort of accident. However, he realized now that it was the news of Connor Salzburg arriving in Seafield, and that the man had even gone to meet Sonia.

Toby firmly believed that Connor was his father’s murderer, while Sonia was someone that had a special place in Toby’s heart.

It was to be expected for Toby to undergo such a change the moment he heard of the two meeting. With his anger mixed with his worries over Sonia, Toby naturally couldn’t sit still and left the room in a hurry.

After figuring out the incident back at the conference room, Tom hurriedly asked with concern, “President Fuller, is Miss Reed alright? Did Connor harm Miss Reed?”

“No.” Toby shook his head slightly. Should Connor dare touch a single hair on Sonia, Toby would go to war with the Salzburg Family regardless of any national laws, let alone thinking about the numerous people that would be made jobless and homeless by his action.

He only wanted the death of Connor.

If not for the national laws, the hundreds of thousands of employees under the Fuller Group, and the innocent employees under the Salzburg Group, Toby would not hold himself back and would use any means necessary to question Connor on whether Connor was his father’s murderer. Who wouldn’t break down under illegal means of interrogation, right?

However, there was still kindness in him. He knew that if he had done what he thought of doing, there would be war between the Fuller Family and the Salzburg Family. Once the fight between the two families broke out, the employees of the two groups would end up bearing the brunt. When that time came, many would choose to end their life as they would lose their means of living.

Although the employees meant little to the cold and distant Toby, the sense of responsibility and morals instilled within him since young prevented him from doing so. Else, he would have gotten his revenge a long time ago.

“Good thing he didn’t.” Tom sighed in relief after hearing his president’s answer. Here, Tom was not nervous about Sonia but his own president instead. He knew how much Toby cared about Sonia, and that Toby would go crazy should anything happen to her.

“By the way, how did you find out that Connor is in Seafield?” Toby asked with his eyes narrowed in suspicion, as he did not disclose this information to anyone else. “Did he come by the Fuller Group?” he speculated.

Tom immediately shook his head. “That’s not it, President Fuller. Connor did not come to the Fuller Group. I was notified by the police that Connor went to the police station half an hour ago to meet with Anya.”

“So that’s how you knew.” Toby slightly nodded. He was not surprised by the fact that Connor went to the police station. Anya is Connor’s daughter, and is the only reason he came to Seafield. There’s no way he wouldn’t go meet her.

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This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 905

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They Might Not Be Father and Daughter

Toby pinched his nose while asking in a grave tone, “What happened after that? Has there been any updates from the police? What did they say?”

Tom shook his head. “Sorry, President Fuller, but there’s no update regarding this. According to the police, Connor asked to meet Anya alone when he went. The police couldn’t comply with his request to let Anya off, but Connor is one of the city’s biggest taxpayers, so the police wouldn’t turn down such a small request. Therefore, the police had no idea what they had talked about during their private meeting. But…”

“Shoot!” Toby frowned in displeasure.

Tom hemmed. Not daring to tarry, he hurriedly continued, “The police officer who took Connor to see Anya gave us a strange piece of information. He said that judging from Connor and Anya’s manner toward each other, they didn’t seem like father and daughter; instead, they seemed more like a superior and his subordinate.”

“Oh?” Toby stopped pinching his nose as suspicion showed on his face. “A superior and his subordinate?”

“That’s what the police officer said, but I don’t know the details. I didn’t see it myself, after all,” Tom replied seriously.

Toby rubbed his thumb and forefinger together a few times. “Did he explain in detail why they seemed not like father and daughter, but like a superior and his subordinate?”

“He did.” Tom nodded. “According to him, when Connor saw Anya, his face didn’t show the slightest excitement or joy of seeing his daughter. Even if he wasn’t happy, he should’ve been angry, right? After all, now that his daughter had gotten into such big trouble, he should’ve been exasperated and disappointed as a father. But Connor looked neither happy nor angry. When he saw Anya, he looked very imperturbable, as if Anya weren’t his daughter but someone unrelated to him.”

“Is that so…” Toby mumbled thoughtfully while lowering his eyes. Then, he asked, “What about Anya, then?”

“Anya was strange, too. When she saw Connor, she didn’t react like she was meeting her father; she didn’t look happy at all. A daughter should’ve been excited and overjoyed to see her father come to save her, right? But she wasn’t. When she saw Connor, she was only terrified.”

“Terrified?”

Tom nodded. “That’s right. I’ve confirmed it repeatedly, and the police officer insisted that she looked terrified. People in their line of work would’ve seen all kinds of people, so there was no way he would’ve misread her expression.”

What Tom said was indeed true, so Toby didn’t ask any further. After a while, he finally said, “Go on.”

“Yes, President Fuller.” Tom continued, “Anya was terrified of Connor from the bottom of her heart. According to the police officer, Connor had probably done something to her before, which was why she was so terrified of him. And besides, when Anya saw Connor, she didn’t call him ‘Dad’ or ‘Father.’ Instead, she called him ‘Mr. Salzburg,’ which was why the police officer wondered if they really were father and daughter.” The father wasn’t happy to see his daughter, nor was he angry or exasperated by her incompetence. On the other hand, when the daughter saw her father, she wasn’t excited about being rescued. Instead, she was terrified. This is strange no matter how one looks at it, right?

Toby narrowed his eyes in thought without saying a word. Anya was terrified of Connor, who had done something very terrifying to her. Would a father do something terrifying to his daughter? Well, there certainly are such fathers in the world, but I believe they’re in the minority. However perverted Connor is, he wouldn’t have done anything terrifying to his daughter—unless they weren’t father and daughter! They aren’t father and daughter, huh… Toby’s eyes flickered as the idea crossed his mind. That’s right! If they aren’t father and daughter, then all of this makes sense. “Tom,” he said.

Tom straightened up upon hearing Toby’s words. “Yes, at your service, President Fuller.”

“Try to get your hands on Anya and Connor’s DNA samples,” Toby ordered in a grim voice.

Realizing what Toby meant, Tom immediately asked, “President Fuller, are you suspecting that…”

“Uh-huh,” Toby replied.

Tom took a deep breath. “Yeah, that’s indeed likely. It’s just that I don’t understand it. If they really aren’t father and daughter, then why are they pretending to be?”

Toby’s eyes darkened. “It’s pointless to think about these right now. We’ll know why once we get to the bottom of it.”

“Yes, President Fuller,” Tom replied.

Toby massaged his temples. “How did the meeting go after I left?”

Upon hearing his question, Tom instantly rolled his eyes. Oh, President Fuller, so you still remember that you’re the company’s president and that you’ve left the Fuller Group and the meeting behind, huh? He wished he could throw this remark at Toby, but he didn’t have the nerve to do so. Therefore, he could only take a deep breath, compose himself, and reply with a businesslike smile, “Don’t worry, President Fuller. The meeting went without a hitch. After you left, I gathered everyone and continued the meeting.”

The meeting wasn’t a particularly important meeting where Toby had to be present. In reality, even if Toby—the Fuller Group’s president—was absent, the meeting could still go on, for the amount of property and money involved weren’t much. Because of that, Tom had the courage to continue the meeting as Toby’s personal assistant. If there were many properties involved and the amount of money was huge, Tom couldn’t chair the meeting on Toby’s behalf, of course.

Upon hearing that the meeting had gone smoothly and ended without a hitch, Toby gave an “Uh-huh” in satisfaction. “Good to hear that. Well, if there’s nothing else, I gotta go,” he said. With that, he hung up the phone heartlessly right away.

At the Fuller Group, Tom rolled his eyes as hard as he could as he listened to the disconnect tone on his cell phone. President Fuller, you can hang up all you want, but before you do so, could you please tell me if you’ll still be coming to work today? There’s a desk full of documents waiting for you to sign and deal with! He turned to look at the pile of documents on Toby’s desk before letting out a sigh of distress. There are so many documents, and they’re all urgent. When is President Fuller gonna come back to deal with them? They’re worth a fortune, a fortune I say! He grabbed his own hair in frustration.

A while later, however, Tom suddenly calmed down and looked at the pile of documents coldly. Ha! If he’s not coming back, then fine. It’s President Fuller’s own company, anyway, so the money lost will be his own. Even the boss himself doesn’t worry about it, so why should I—a mere employee—be worried? At the thought of this, Tom instantly felt much more relaxed. Then, he walked out of Toby’s office while humming a tune.

Meanwhile, at Bayside Residence, after putting down his cell phone, Toby sat in his chair and linked his fingers together on the desk before him. The lights in the study were off, and the curtains were closed, so it was very dark in the study. As a result, Toby was almost shrouded in darkness, which made him seem mysterious and grim since no one could see his expression clearly.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Sonia’s gentle voice rang outside. “Toby?”

Upon hearing the woman call out to him, Toby looked up and took his hands off his desk. Then, he stood up, went over to the door, and opened it.

Seeing the pitch-dark study, Sonia turned to look at the man before her. She asked with a slight frown, “Why didn’t you turn the lights on?”

“I forgot,” Toby replied as his thin lips parted.

Sonia didn’t bother to ask if he had really forgotten to turn on the lights or if he had purposely kept them off. Instead, she asked, “Are you feeling better?” She was referring to whether Toby had swallowed the fact that he was a substitute.

Toby lowered his eyes. “Yeah, I am.”

“Then what about your mom—”

Toby lowered his eyes and replied impassively, “I don’t blame her for that, but I won’t have any feelings toward her anymore. Now all I have for her is respect.” Even though his mother was nice to him, he really couldn’t withstand the fact that she had used him as a substitute. That isn’t something a mother’s supposed to do!

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This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 906

A Man Who Is Easily Moved

Upon hearing the man’s words, Sonia nodded in understanding. “Good to hear that. No matter what, you still have us by your side. None of us will treat you as a substitute for anyone, so don’t think too much about it. Got it?” she said while staring at him.

Toby felt a warm feeling in his heart at the sight of the woman’s serious expression. Caressing her tender cheek, he replied softly, “Yeah, I got it.”

Sonia put her hand on the back of the hand that Toby caressed her cheek with. She asked, “That’s good. Are you still sad and upset, then?”

Toby shook his head. “No, I’m not sad or upset anymore, because you said you’re staying by my side.” He was only upset, anguished, and furious when he first learned that his mother had raised him to be Connor’s substitute. After all, it was his own mother who had done so to him.

However, after his anger cooled, he gradually calmed down. He began to realize that even though his mother had treated him as a substitute, she had passed away for nearly 20 years, and he didn’t have to bother about a person who had passed away for a long time.

Still, as he was unable to vent his anger on her, he could only take all his anger and humiliation out on Connor. It didn’t matter whether or not Connor knew he was a substitute for the former. Even if Connor was aware of it, he wouldn’t let Connor off. Somebody had to bear the responsibility for the wrong that had been committed. Since his mother had passed away, it was only natural that Connor should be the person who bore the responsibility.

After he figured this out, his anger subsided a lot, and the violent rage within him gradually disappeared. Even if he didn’t figure it out, he wouldn’t keep being angry all the time. Instead, he would quickly compose his emotions. He couldn’t let Sonia worry about him all the time, for his anger would scare her and make her feel uneasy. Moreover, she had been comforting him all this while, so he couldn’t let her concerns and words of comfort come to naught. At the thought of this, he caressed her cheek even gentler, and his hand lingered on her face, as if to trace its outline.

Sonia’s cheek itched somewhat as Toby caressed her, so she grabbed his wrist and took his hand off her face right away. “Well, since you’re alright, let’s eat first. It’s well past noon now, and I’m hungry. You must be hungry as well, aren’t you?”

Toby didn’t answer her whether he was hungry or not. Hearing that Sonia was hungry, he took her hand and hurried to the kitchen. “Let me fix you something to eat.”

Seeing him in such a hurry, Sonia stopped him with a look of amusement. “Wait a minute.”

Toby stopped in his tracks and looked back at her. “What’s wrong?”

“You don’t have to cook. I’ve already made lunch.” Sonia tugged at her apron.

Only then did Toby notice that Sonia was wearing an apron. His attention had been focused on her face since he opened the door and saw her just now, so he really didn’t notice the apron she was wearing.

Sonia put down the apron. “I made a lot of your favorite dishes, so eat more later. I made them specially for you.”

Toby’s eyes lit up visibly. “You made them specially for me?”

“Uh-huh.” Sonia nodded. “That’s of course. A certain man was angry and upset, so I had to appease him by making some of his favorite dishes for him, right?”

Toby realized what Sonia meant. She made lunch for me because she wanted me to pull myself together; she doesn’t want me to lose my reason or even doubt myself and abandon myself to despair after learning of the cruel truth. At the thought of this, he swept her into his arms and held her tight once again.

Sonia’s nose hurt so much when it bumped against Toby’s sturdy chest that her eyes reddened in an instant. Still, she smothered a cry of pain, or else the man would definitely get nervous and check on her from head to toe. To avoid getting into unwelcomed situations later on, she decided to bear it.

While the man wasn’t noticing, Sonia gently massaged the tip of her nose until the pain subsided; only then did she finally exhale and put her hand down. She knew that Toby had hugged her all of a sudden because he was moved by the fact that she had made lunch for him. Because of that, he suddenly released his emotions and embraced her to express his excitement and joy at this very moment. This guy is just like this. He won’t say verbally that he’s touched or happy. Instead, he’ll express it in a more passionate and straightforward way like hugs and kisses. In reality, such direct expressions can better tell whether a person is really moved or happy.

“Alright, that’s enough.” Sonia stuck out her forefinger and poked the man gently in the waist. “It’s just a meal, right? Do you have to be so touched? People who have no idea what happened would think that I’ve done something earth-shaking.” Speaking of it, this guy’s appearance gives the impression of being cold and indifferent. Not only is he cold toward outsiders, but he always seems self-important and capable of everything. Even so, only I know that in private—especially when he’s facing me—he’ll smile at me, speak softly to me, and even flirt with me. At the same time, he’s easily moved. A person who is easily moved must be soft-hearted as well. However, I know very well that he isn’t soft with anyone else, but only with me and those whom he cares the most. How could such a man not be charming? Perhaps that was why I fell in love with him all over again.

Not knowing what Sonia was thinking, Toby rubbed his chin against her head. “To me, every single thing you’ve done for me is even more moving than any earth-shaking thing.”

Sonia didn’t know whether to laugh or to frown at the man’s remark. “I’m really embarrassed to accept what you said. Alright, hurry up and let go of me and go to eat. Aren’t you hungry?” She patted Toby on the back.

Only then did Toby reluctantly let go of Sonia. Then, she took him by the hand and went to the kitchen with him, serving lunch with him before having lunch together at the dining table.

It wasn’t until the man enjoyed his meal with no sign of the terrifying chilliness that had shown in his eyes when he learned that he had been a substitute that Sonia finally gave an inward sigh of relief. In reality, she wasn’t idling outside during the time when Toby had gone to the study to calm down. Instead, she was reflecting upon whether it was right of her to tell him about this. After all, this wasn’t some good news. After that, though, she suppressed her doubts and felt that she did the right thing. As one of the parties involved, Toby had the right to know the truth. And besides, only by knowing it earlier could he take early precautions to prevent the fact from being learned by others and used by someone like Connor to mock him.

If Connor really were the person who had killed Toby’s father, there would definitely be a fight between the two men. If Connor were to learn about Toby being his substitute and mock the latter for it while he was still unaware of this, it would definitely be a huge blow to him. Even if Connor didn’t do so, Toby still had other enemies in the business world, and they would use this to attack him if they learned about it. Therefore, she decided to simply let him know earlier and erase any traces that would lead anyone else to learn about it so that he wouldn’t hear anyone attack him using this. She believed she was doing this for Toby’s own good, so she didn’t think it was wrong of her to tell him about it.

Seeing Sonia holding her fork and spoon in a daze with a blank look in her eyes, Toby asked with a slight frown, “What are you thinking?”

Sonia’s eyes flickered. Coming to her senses, she shook her head and replied, “Nothing. I was just thinking about my phone conversation with Mrs. Lane just now.” She had no intention of telling him what she had just thought about. Since he had gotten past the matter, she didn’t have to bring it up again.

“What did you two talk about?” Toby picked up the glass of water beside him and took a drink from it.

Sonia picked up a chunk of fish and put it on his plate. “She asked what time in the evening we would go to her place so that she could arrange for someone to greet us at the gate. She also asked what your favorite food is so that she can have the food ingredients bought in advance to prepare dinner. Also…”

This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 907

Sonia’s Guilt

Toby’s heart skipped a beat when he captured the sly look that flashed past Sonia’s eyes. However, he remained calm and acted as if nothing happened. “What else?”

“Mrs. Lane also asked me whether you were nice to me. If you’re not…” She smirked.

Meanwhile, Toby’s grip on the cup that he was holding tightened a little. “What will happen if I’m not nice?”

Noticing that his grip tightened, Sonia pursed her lips into a smile. “Kick you out of Lane Residence, of course. She also recommended that I break up with you.”105413

Upon hearing that, Toby’s facial expression darkened immediately.

Although he knew that Grace only meant that only if he wasn’t nice to Sonia, he was still upset to hear those words as it sounded ominous. How could he feel happy hearing that after all the effort he had exercised to get Sonia back again?

“What about you? How did you reply to her?” Toby asked gloomily with his lips pursed.

Nevertheless, Sonia burst into giggles when she noticed his upset expression. “Of course I said yes. Mrs. Lane would have rushed over if I said no.”

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Immediately, the uneasiness that Toby was feeling dispersed into nothing. I knew she wouldn’t disappoint me.0

“Don’t worry. I can tell whether you’ve been nice to me or not, and I won’t lie to frame you.” Sonia grabbed her cup and took a sip of water while Toby hummed in acknowledgment with a smile on his face. “I know.”

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“What time are we heading over tonight? I need to inform Mrs. Lane about it,” she placed her cup down and asked.

At this moment, Toby glanced at his wristwatch and pondered for a moment before answering, “About 7.00PM, I guess. I need to head back to the old manor to talk to Grandma first as I need to clarify something with her.”

His eyes narrowed before his facial expression darkened.

He wanted to know if Rose knew from the start that he had been raised by his mother as Connor’s replacement.

Noticing the change in Toby’s facial expression, Sonia opened her lips and looked like she wanted to say something.

However, she chose to not say it in the end and closed her mouth. Whatever. It’s better if I don’t ask him about it since he didn’t mention why he wants to meet Grandma. If he didn’t tell me about it, he probably doesn’t want me to know about it.

After lunch, Toby cuddled Sonia for a while before he pressed her against the couch and started peppering her with kisses until she zoned out while staring at the ceiling. Then, he chuckled with satisfaction and left.

Hearing the footsteps of the man walking away, Sonia didn’t bother getting up to send him off.

Why should I even send him off when I don’t have any energy left after those kisses? It’s already good enough for him that I didn’t scold him. How dare he use the excuse of feeling upset for being a replacement to get me to console him after I wash the dishes! How dare he press me against the couch and take advantage of me?! What a shameless man!

She looked away from the ceiling and touched her red and swollen lips. Just then, there was an embarrassed look on her face.

Sonia placed her arms against the couch behind her to prop herself up before turning to look at the entryway.

There was no one there, and it was obvious that Toby already left.

Sonia looked away before she returned to the room to pack her stuff. It was time to head to Paradigm Co.

Initially, she planned to head over early in the morning, but she couldn’t do so because of Connor.

Now that it was already afternoon, she couldn’t delay it anymore and had to head to Paradigm Co.

If she didn’t go again, her absence would be marked for the second day in a row. The higher executives would surely criticize her as she was the president now.

Sighing, Sonia changed into a new set of outfit from the closet and did her makeup before heading out with her handbag.

After a day and a half’s break from the company, she couldn’t help but feel like it had been a lifetime ago since she last stepped foot at Paradigm Co.

Shaking her head and smiling, Sonia returned the greetings of her employees and headed into the elevator. Then, she went up to the highest floor and entered her office.

After entering the office and placing her handbag down, someone knocked at her door before she could even sit down.

Sonia took her seat and said to the person outside of her office, “Come in.”

Subsequently, the knocking on the door stopped. Immediately, the door was opened and a figure in a black business suit entered the room.

It was Daphne.

At that moment, Daphne looked completely like a different person. She had cut her hair to a length that was below her ears and changed out of her usual high heels into flats. Even her pair of glasses had been changed.

Although the glasses’ frame was still black, it was way smaller than the previous one.

An odd look appeared on Sonia’s face when she saw Daphne’s change of appearance. “Miss Daphne, why did you return to work so soon? Are you not going to take a break for a few more days? Also, your…” She pointed at Daphne’s hair.

In response, Daphne placed the documents onto Sonia’s desk before replying with a smile, “I feel much better after resting for two days, so I figured that it was time to come back to work. Since I’m used to working with high intensity, I might find it hard to adapt back to work if I take a break for too long. As for my hair…”

She ran her fingers through her hair. “One of my friends told me that my hairstyle last time was too old-fashioned, so she took me to a hair salon to change my hairstyle since she noticed that I’ve been in a bad mood recently. She claims that my mood will be lifted with a new hairstyle. Still, it’s my first time cutting my hair so short, so I’m not sure if it looks nice.”

“It looks good.” Sonia quickly nodded. “It’s really nice and suits you very well. Your friend really has an eye for good hairstyles.”

She complimented Daphne with a thumbs up.

Upon hearing that, Daphne seemed somewhat embarrassed as her face flushed. “Thank you for complimenting me, Chairman Reed.”

“It’s not a compliment. It’s true that you look good like this. In fact, you look better now. Looks like you really did adjust your mindset during your two days at home.”

“Yeah.” Daphne nodded. “Since President Lane doesn’t know that I fell pregnant, I won’t tell him about it, and I’ll go through the abortion myself. After that, I’ll act like nothing ever happened. About President Lane’s attitude toward me, I’ve already accepted the fact that feelings can’t be forced, and I won’t dream of him having any feelings toward me anymore. I’m choosing to move on and see him as my university friend and ex-boss. If that’s the case, I probably won’t feel as sad when he treats me badly, wouldn’t I?”

When Sonia heard her words, a forceful smile appeared on her face. However, Sonia felt her heart aching when she looked at Daphne. “Are you really planning to give up? Don’t you feel that it is a pity to let go of a crush that lasted for years?”

Daphne shook her head. “I might feel that way, but what else can I do other than give up? Even if I continue holding on, it won’t change President Lane’s perception of me. In fact, my determination might even disgust him even more.”

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Sonia was rendered speechless. It’s true that being determined isn’t necessarily rewarding as Daphne didn’t manage to get Charles to fall in love with her. However, isn’t it the same for Charles on my side?

She sighed before staring at Daphne apologetically. “Maybe I shouldn’t have encouraged you to pursue Charles in the first place.

Daphne had liked Charles ever since they studied in university together, and her crush on him remained hidden until a few months ago, so Sonia encouraged Daphne to pursue Charles after finding out about her feelings.

Then, Daphne gained courage because of her encouragement, which led to what happened today.

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This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 908

No Regrets

If I didn’t realize Daphne’s feelings, or if I did but didn’t encourage her, she wouldn’t have had the courage to confess to Charles. As long as she didn’t express her feelings and treated him like before, things could have been different now.

Nevertheless, Daphne waved her off and smiled when she saw the guilty look on Sonia’s face. “It’s fine, President Reed. You didn’t do anything wrong, and you were just trying to help me out. Even if you hadn’t encouraged me to pursue President Lane, I’d still do it on my own.”

“Really?” Sonia straightened her posture a little while Daphne lowered her gaze and chuckled. “In the past, you never knew that President Lane had feelings toward you, so you couldn’t reject him. Since I’m not sure whether the two of you would get together or not as a bystander, I had always hid my feelings so that no one would know about it. However, I realized that I could go after him without any worries or consequences once he confessed, and you rejected him.”

“So, the reason why you never confessed in the past was that you’re not sure if I will get into a relationship with him once I know about his feelings?” Sonia glanced at her.

Daphne nodded. “Yes. I started having the urge to confess after knowing that you won’t get together with President Lane, so even if you discourage me, I will still pursue him. Nevertheless, you gave me encouragement before I could properly plan how I wanted to pursue him.”

“I see.” In that instance, the sudden realization hit Sonia.

Meanwhile, Daphne stared at her and explained, “That’s why you shouldn’t feel guilty, President Reed. Although I was suffering because of President Lane’s disgust toward me, I’ve already thought things through. Feelings can’t be forced, and I can’t expect him to love me back just because I love him. What happened between us that night was a mistake, and we are both responsible for it. I won’t make him take responsibility for it, and I’ll settle things on my own without his knowledge. I’ll act like nothing ever happened that night, and I don’t care if his attitude toward me remains the same in the future. I’ll try to move on and forget about him. From now on, I’ll look for a man who loves me and get into a new relationship.”

Seeing how serious Daphne sounded as well as how she looked forward to starting a new chapter, Sonia was relieved.

“It’s good if that’s what you think. I hope that you’ll find someone who truly loves you and treats you well,” she said genuinely.

Daphne nodded with a smile. “Thank you for your kind words, President Reed. I believe that I will.”

“Of course you will!” Sonia smiled as well. “Still, are you really planning to abort the baby?”

“Of course.” Daphne hummed in acknowledgment. “Since I’m planning to start a new chapter in my life, I’d naturally have to take care of the matter with the baby, or it will be unfair to my future husband. Besides, what if my future husband refuses to take care of the baby once I give birth to it? Even if I refuse to get married because of the baby, I still can’t provide the baby with fatherly love. What should I tell my baby when they ask me about their father? It would be best for me to abort it now. Although it sounds cruel, it’s for the best.”

As she said that, there were still sentences she decided not to speak out loud.

If I keep and raise the baby, President Charles would surely take the child away from me once he knows that the child has his blood. Even if he won’t accept me as the child’s mother, the child still belongs to him, and he definitely won’t let the child stray outside and will take the child back to the Lanes. By then, I definitely can’t fight against him. This means that I will have to be separated from my child once he finds out about the child’s existence. Can I really watch and do nothing as he takes my child away from me? I don’t think I can do that. I will definitely have emotional connections with my child after giving birth to them and raising them up. Knowing the fact that my child might get taken away from me without me being able to do anything pains me. Since I can’t accept something like that happening, it is better for me to abort the baby while I still don’t feel so emotionally attached yet.

At the thought of that, Daphne caressed her stomach with a dim look in her gaze.

It was obvious that she didn’t really want to abort the baby and felt bad about doing so.

“I guess it’s for the best.” Sonia sighed. “It’s better for you, too. When are you going for the abortion?”

Initially, Daphne had already planned to get an abortion before she requested a break from work and had already set an appointment to do so.105415

However, a call from Sonia stopped her because Sonia experienced the same thing as she did.

Back when Sonia found out that she was pregnant, she was devastated because she never expected herself to get pregnant just because of a drunk night.

Most importantly, she didn’t even know who the father of the child was.

Sonia didn’t have any feelings or emotional attachment toward the baby and never thought of keeping the baby. Although she was adamant about getting an abortion, she didn’t rush to get it due to her being too busy with work and everything else that was happening, which sent Carl into a frenzy and poisoned her, causing her to have to abort the baby.

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While she felt lost after getting an abortion, she was more than relieved at the same time as it meant that the consequence of that drunken night was finally gone.0

However, Sonia regretted her action after that when she realized that she was starting to fall in love with Toby again.

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That was how hypocritical women were. When they weren’t in love in a person, being pregnant with that person’s child would make them feel devastated, and they’d want to get an abortion, but it would be different once they fell in love with that person.

Therefore, Sonia didn’t want Daphne to take the same path as she did and regretted aborting the baby.

Because of that, she gave Daphne a call that night after Daphne took leave and advised her to not act rashly by aborting the baby. Sonia suggested Daphne rest for a few days and reconsider the abortion. She didn’t want Daphne to do something that she might regret due to her impulsivity because Sonia figured that Daphne would regret doing so.

After all, Daphne was in a different situation. While Sonia didn’t know whose child she was pregnant with, Daphne knew that she was pregnant with Charles’ baby.

Thus, Daphne must have been extremely courageous to make the decision to abort the baby considering how much she loved Charles.

Of course, it could also have been an impulsive act, so Sonia wanted her to calm down and reconsider her decision as Sonia didn’t want her to regret getting an abortion when she thought about Charles again.

Still, she didn’t expect Daphne to be so adamant with her decision to get an abortion even after two days,

Looks like Daphne has really made up her mind. If that’s the case, I don’t have to worry about her regretting doing so.

“Tomorrow,” Daphne adjusted her glasses before answering. “I’ve already made an appointment at the hospital, and the operation is scheduled for tomorrow at noon.”

Sonia nodded. “I see. Since tomorrow is the weekend, you should take a break for about a month after the operation for your postpartum recovery.”

This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 909

A Lavish Gift

Postpartum recovery wasn’t just for women who had given birth.

Those who didn’t get to give birth to their baby––had a miscarriage or abortion, could do so as well.

In fact, they were encouraged to do so as it was beneficial for their body’s recovery.

However, Daphne shook her head and rejected Sonia. “It’s fine, President Reed. I don’t need that. I grew up in a different culture from yours, and people in our culture generally don’t believe in postpartum recovery, so I’m not planning to do that as well. Like I’ve said, I’m afraid that I might get lazy after taking a break for a few days because I might not be able to get used to the high intensity work-life after I return, so a month’s break is definitely not going to do. If that’s the case, I don’t think I can carry on with my job anymore.”

After saying what she wanted, she chuckled.

However, Sonia frowned. “Is your job more important than your body? Daphne, I know that you’re a career-minded woman, but you can’t just disregard your health because of your job. I know that going through a postpartum recovery is not prevalent in your culture, but it must have its reason for being so well-practiced here. I’m doing this for your own good. If you return to work right after your operation, you won’t be able to continue working if your body gives in on you.”

Daphne went quiet and didn’t say anything because she knew that Sonia was only suggesting she go through a postpartum recovery for her own good.

Truthfully, she wasn’t against doing so, but she was just afraid that she might feel uncomfortable during that period, and it would remind her that she just aborted her baby.

Daphne was afraid that she might start thinking of Charles following that and start regretting getting an abortion.

If I keep thinking about the baby, I’ll definitely start regretting my actions…

The reason why she didn’t want to go through postpartum recovery was that she wanted to use her busy job to numb and distract herself from the uncomfortable feeling of her body so that she wouldn’t think about the baby or Charles.

However, she couldn’t say that because she didn’t want Sonia to know about it.

If Sonia knew, she would definitely think that Daphne was trying to use her job to harm herself.

Noticing that Daphne had her head hung low without saying anything, Sonia sighed. “Just listen to me. Rest at home after your operation, and don’t come to work before the one-month mark. Even if you come, I’ll get someone to send you home, is that clear?” she said with a stern voice.

Right then, Daphne’s mouth moved a little. It seemed like she still wanted to argue against Sonia, but Sonia immediately glared at her. “Alright. That’s enough. I’ve made my decision, and you’re not allowed to argue against me. I’ll visit you when I’m free, and I’ll be pissed if I find out that you’re not resting at home.”

Daphne was taken aback by Sonia’s stern expression before she chuckled. “President Reed, seriously… Fine, I get it. Thank you for worrying about me. I’ll make sure to rest well.”

I guess I’m really lucky to have such a nice boss, She thought to herself.

Meanwhile, Sonia’s facial expression softened. “That’s good to know. Is anyone accompanying you for the operation tomorrow?”

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“Yes. My friend will be with me,” Daphne replied.

Upon hearing that, Sonia was put at ease. “I’m relieved to know that someone will be accompanying you. I’ll pay you a visit at the hospital later on.”

“Alright,” Daphne agreed.

After that, Sonia reached out for the documents that Daphne placed on her desk previously. “It’s settled. You may leave now if there’s nothing else. Get off work earlier today so that you can prepare for tomorrow.”

“Alright. Thank you, President Reed.” Daphne bowed a little before leaving the office.0

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After Daphne left, Sonia massaged her temples before grabbing a pen from her pen holder and started going through the documents.

When she was halfway done, the landline on her desk suddenly rang.0

She grabbed the receiver and held it between her shoulder and her head before saying while signing the documents, “This is the president’s office. May I know who is on the line?”

“President Reed,” A polite voice of a woman rang out. “This is the reception calling. Someone from Fuller Group came over with a lot of bags claiming that they are gifts that President Fuller prepared for the elders. He wants you to check them to see if they’re suitable, or if you want them to prepare more.”

Upon hearing that, Sonia paused for a moment before quickly coming back to her senses.

I guess those are gifts that Toby prepared for Mr. and Mrs. Lane, huh? I thought that he would bring them over to the Lane Residence tonight after his preparation, but I didn’t expect him to send them over for me to check because he’s afraid that they might not be enough.

Grinning, Sonia replied, “I see. Please send someone to bring them up for me.”

“Alright, President Reed,” the receptionist replied.

Then, Sonia placed the receiver back on the landline and continued working.

About ten minutes later, someone knocked at her office door.

After getting Sonia’s permission to enter, two security guards came in with bags of gifts. Thereafter, Sonia instructed them to place the gifts on the couch of her lounge. “Be careful. Don’t knock them over.”

“Don’t worry, President Reed.” The security guards assured her while moving the gifts, and Sonia gave them two bottles of water after they were done. “Thank you for your hard work.”

“You’re welcome, President Reed.” The security guards were surprised by her gesture and quickly motioned around with their hands as they were afraid of accepting her goodwill.

They only reached out for the water bottles after Sonia demanded them to take it, and she sent them down after that.

The office became quiet once again.

Sonia walked over to the gift bags and noticed that all of them looked exquisite. It was obvious that the gifts in these gift bags were extremely expensive.

Opening every single one of the gift bags, she found a lot of wine and makeup products.

Then, she started separating the gifts for Grace and Curtis before going through them.

Toby got Curtis a few bottles of estate-bottled wine.

Although Sonia didn’t know much about wine, she knew the price of an estate-bottled wine.

One bottle of these wines was extremely expensive, and some of them couldn’t even be bought just with money. Only those that fulfilled the requirements of having money and a high social background were able to get their hands on an estate-bottled wine.

Thus, having a bottle of estate-bottled wine was enough for one to brag around, not to mention a few bottles of them.

Toby was extremely generous for gifting Curtis five bottles of estate-bottled wine from different estates as if he was stamp-collecting.

I bet Mr. Lane would be extremely delighted when he sees these.

Sonia grinned before placing the wine bottles at a side carefully. Then, she started going through Grace’s gifts.

After opening all of her gift bags, Sonia realized that Toby had prepared not just makeup products but perfumes, handbags, scarfs, shoes, and other accessories as well.

This is literally a full gift collection of women’s favorite items. Although everything added here is not as expensive as those few bottles of wine, Mrs. Lane probably wouldn’t mind since the things that she likes are different from what Mr. Lane likes.

She was guessing that Grace would be delighted to see these gifts just like Curtis.

Following that, Sonia repackaged the gifts so that they wouldn’t look like they had been opened before massaging her temples and sighing. “He has really outdone himself this time.”

It is enough to prepare a gift for each of them since we’re only going out for dinner. I can’t believe he actually prepared so many gifts. Does he want them to get a stroke from being too happy or something?

At the thought of that, Sonia’s phone that was on her desk started ringing.

Immediately, she stopped what she was doing and headed to her desk. When she glanced at her phone and saw Toby’s name on the caller ID, she smirked.

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This Time, I Will Get My Divorce, Mr Chapter 910

Something Bad Happened

As expected, Sonia knew that Toby would contact her.

Since he had already gotten someone to send these gifts over, he would surely want to make sure that his gifts were appropriate.

At that thought, she answered the call without any hesitation. “Hello?”

“Did you see the gifts?” The man’s magnetic voice rang out from the other end of the call.

Just then, Sonia sat down on the single-seated couch and stared at the gift bags in front of her before smiling and nodding. “I did.”

“Do you think my gifts are appropriate? Do I still need to prepare more?” Toby, who was sitting on a vintage sandalwood chair in the manor, straightened his back and asked.

Sonia felt her mouth twitching a little. “More? Please don’t.”

“Why?”

“Are you seriously asking why?” she cried out. “Are you planning to scare them off by preparing so many gifts?”

“Is it too much?” Toby tilted his head a little. It was obvious that he didn’t feel like he had prepared a lot.

Sonia rolled her eyes. “To you, it might not be a lot, but to people like us, it’s just too much. It’s only your first time visiting, so you shouldn’t need to prepare so much. Just one for each of them is already enough. Nevertheless, they will still be happy to receive your gifts.”

After all, anyone would be happy to receive estate-bottled wine and the latest makeup products that hadn’t been released yet.

Hearing her reply, Toby chuckled. “It’s fine. These aren’t much anyway. Didn’t you say that I should treat them like my own parents? If that’s the case, I can’t just simply prepare my gifts for them.”

“I did say that… but these are too lavish.” Sonia frowned, but Toby shook his head. “It’s not since I have the financial capability to do so. Besides, I’d naturally give them the best of the best to thank them for taking care of you since they treated you so well.”

She was taken aback by his reply. “Are you saying that you did all these to express your gratitude?”

“Yes.” Toby nodded. “They deserve it, after all. If you only treat them as your elders, and they’re only alright to you, I won’t put in so much effort to prepare these gifts. Instead, I could have just prepared them gifts that I usually give others. However, since you’ve mentioned that you guys are close because you treat them as your own parents, and they treat you like a daughter, I can’t be perfunctory as your man. Doing so will make it look like you’re not important to me. I’m preparing all these gifts to let the Lane couple know that I’m willing to spend my all to make them happy for you, which indirectly shows how much I love you, and that you didn’t make a wrong decision to get back together with me.”

He was willing to spend all this money because Sonia was important to her.

Although it sounded superficial, being willing to spend for a partner was a great implication of how much the person valued their significant other, and that was the truth.

Nonetheless, Sonia didn’t expect the real reason why Toby prepared so many gifts was because of her.

This made her feel warm and giddy all over.

“I see. I guess we will go with these gifts since you’ve already prepared them.” Sonia’s voice took a gentle turn.

Initially, she was planning to get Toby to take some of the gifts back as one gift per person was enough.

However, she had decided that it didn’t matter.

Since he’s doing this to express his gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Lane for taking care of me and wants them to know that he really cares about me, I can’t disregard his good intentions, can I?

Upon hearing Sonia’s reply, the corners of Toby’s lips curled up. “The gifts are alright, aren’t they?”

“Yes, they are.” Sonia nodded. “If these gifts are problematic, it would be an insult for other gifters.”

Toby chuckled. “That’s good to know. I’ll come over to pick you up at 7.00PM tonight.”

Sonia hummed in acknowledgment. “Alright. I’ll be waiting for you in the lobby. By the way, are you still at Grandma’s place?”

“Yeah.” Toby nodded. “Grandma is taking an afternoon nap right now, so I’m waiting for her to wake up.”

“I see. I thought that you have already returned to Fuller Group.” Sonia reached out for the teapot on her coffee table before pouring herself a cup of tea.

The tea had already gone cold, and it tasted slightly bitter.

Sonia placed the cup back onto the table with a frown and didn’t drink from it anymore.

“I’m not returning to the Fuller Group today. I’ll head to Paradigm Co. to pick you up after my discussion with Grandma,” Toby replied gently while Sonia smiled. “Well, since Grandma is not awake yet, why don’t I accompany you if you’re bored?”

Immediately, Toby straightened his back, and his gaze brightened. “Sure!”

He’d be a fool to reject Sonia, who offered to accompany him.

Noticing the excitement and happiness in the man’s voice, Sonia couldn’t help but laugh.

The two of them continued chatting about everything from the gifts to worrying job matters before they started gossiping about Charles and Daphne.

Nevertheless, Sonia was mostly the one doing the talking while Toby listened and chimed in to give some suggestions occasionally.

Unknowingly, they had already been on call for about two hours, and the time now was 5.00 PM.

Sonia had barely gotten any job done in her office during the entire noon as she had been consoling Daphne and talking to Toby.

Staring at her desk piled up with documents, she felt like crying at the thought that there would be more documents on her desk tomorrow.

Nevertheless, she didn’t regret talking to Toby for the entire noon and disregarding her job as none of these documents were urgent or important.

If that wasn’t the case, she wouldn’t have spoken to Toby on the phone for so long as she still had her priorities well sorted.

“President Reed.” Right then, the door to her office was opened, and one of Daphne’s assistants appeared at the entrance of her office with an anxious look. “Something bad happened.”

Seeing how anxious the assistant looked and the fact that they didn’t even bother knocking, Sonia knew that something really bad must have happened.

Immediately, she couldn’t care less about Toby anymore as she placed her phone down and asked with a stern expression, “What happened?”

The assistant huffed for air to calm himself down before quickly replying, “The factory that we are working with said that the supplies that we ordered got stolen by another party.”

“What?!” Sonia stood up abruptly. “Who did it?”

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Although Toby couldn’t hear the assistant’s voice clearly from the other end of the call, he could still vaguely hear Sonia’s voice.

Upon sensing the shock and disbelief in her voice, he frowned. “Sonia, what happened?”

Nevertheless, Sonia didn’t answer him as she had already placed her phone on her desk and couldn’t hear him.

Then, she moved away from her desk and headed to the assistant. “How could it get stolen? We customized those supplies and paid a deposit. All that’s left is the final payment after getting our supplies. Our company’s logo had been literally printed on those supplies, so who would take them away? What about the factory? How dare they give away our supplies when we already signed a contract with them?”

The assistant smiled wryly. “They really did it, though. Just now, we received a call from the factory saying that they had already shipped our supplies to the other party. They knew that they were in the wrong for breaking the contract and are willing to pay double for our liquidated damages.”0