Chapter 1

"Have you had enough, Ariel Shaw? You want to divorce me for 470,000 dollars?"

"That's the money for buying a school district home." I looked at Jeremy Yeager.

"Money sitting in a bank account is just dead money. I've looked into Celia's project, and the return rate is very high."

"The return rate is very high?" I pointed at the transfer record on the phone screen. "So, you didn't even consult me before taking our joint asset."

"I told you. It's an investment. Celia just came back, and she doesn't have the right connections or funds. As the brother she grew up with, what's wrong with helping her out?"

"Brother? What about my father?" I looked into his eyes, asking, "Three years ago, my father lacked 60,000 dollars for a gastric cancer surgery. I begged you on my knees. What did you say then?"

Jeremy's eyes darkened for a moment. "How long are you going to keep dwelling on this? I explained to you back then that your family's situation is like an endless pit. If I give you 60,000 dollars today, will you need 600,000 dollars when it recurs tomorrow? I'm a married man. I have to take care of my own family. I can't let your family keep draining our money."

He spoke confidently.

"What if Celia's business venture fails?"

"She won't fail. Even if it does, I can afford the 470,000-dollar loss. Consider it a fee for her to learn a lesson."

I suddenly felt sick. He called the life-saving 60,000 dollars draining him dry but called the 470,000 dollars for starting a business a lesson fee. In his eyes, my father's life was worth less than Celia's game.

"Jeremy." I pushed the divorce papers forward a little. "I'm not making a fuss. Sign them."

He finally stopped writing and looked up at me. "Ariel, do you have to be so unreasonable? You know Celia is like a younger sister to me."

Just then, his phone on the table lit up. Celia's name flashed on the screen.

Jeremy glanced at me and answered the phone. "What's up?" His voice softened.

"Jeremy, I received the money. Don't worry. I won't let you down."

"Okay, do a good job."

"But won't Ariel be angry? Should I call her and explain?"

"Don't worry about her. She's just being a little temperamental. She'll be fine in a couple of days."

"Then you should cheer Ariel up, or I'll feel bad."

"Got it. Get some rest."

He hung up and placed his phone face down on the table. "Did you hear that? Celia was worried you were angry, so she called to ask me."

Jeremy sighed, adopting a tolerant attitude. "Can't you be more considerate like her?"

I looked at him and suddenly felt like a complete joke.

I had been pinching pennies for this family, even checking the bill before buying a coffee. Meanwhile, he handed someone else 470,000 dollars without a second thought.

"She's very considerate. That's why you two are a good match." I turned and walked out of the study.

"Where are you going?" Jeremy called after me.

"It's getting late. I'm going back to the guest room to sleep."

"Ariel, if you walk out that door today, don't expect me to come and coax you tomorrow."

"No need to coax me." I pushed open the door and walked out.