Chapter 119: Chapter 119

I really admire Calvin Yance’s work capabilities, but it stops at admiration.

If any other sentiments make our interaction awkward, that would be a big problem.

So in my heart, I really hope Cherry’s intuition is wrong.

"Why wouldn’t he be interested? You’re great, a lot of people in the company see you as an inspirational icon. Besides, even Mr. Carter, with such incredible conditions, isn’t immune to your charms—President Yance liking you is normal."

"Thanks for the compliment, but no matter how loud the flattery, there’s no extra bonus." Ignoring the topic, I handed her the signed document.

"I won’t be going to the company this week. Mention the fashion show to President Yance, and send me the electronic version once the plan is finalized."

"Okay, Ms. Lily, you take good care of yourself then, I’ll leave now."

After Cherry left, I pondered over Calvin Yance’s usual attitude towards me, trying to make sense of it. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel(ꜰ)ire.net

But one thing was certain, I should try to avoid being alone with him in the future.

I truly cherish having finally found such an excellent manager, hoping he could serve me for a few more years, allowing me to focus on designing without worrying about company management.

A little later, the lawyer contacted me, reminding me that in two days it would be the second trial.

It’s time to face off against Adrian Gordon in court again.

Thinking about this, I recalled Amanda Gordon’s case.

The Gordon Family surely has guts.

To drag out the divorce, they wouldn’t even hesitate to let Amanda go to jail, stubbornly refusing to relent or withdraw the lawsuit.

Even though Adrian Gordon is indifferent to kinship, do Preston Gordon and Olivia Gray just let him be?

Such a son, might as well string him up.

I thought Adrian Gordon was truly formidable, ready to bring justice by sending his sister to prison, but in the end, I overestimated him.

In the evening, Adrian Gordon called.

I had already blocked him.

He called from a different number, and as soon as I realized it was him after picking up, I was about to hang up.

He stopped me just in time.

"Don’t worry, I’m not here to trouble you, I want... to have a peaceful conversation." Adrian Gordon’s tone was low, sounding tired.

I didn’t think there was anything left for us to discuss.

"Talk about the topic you’re most looking forward to, the divorce case."

I laughed coldly, "What’s there to talk about? The court session is in a few days, whatever you have to say, say it in front of the judge."

He didn’t respond immediately but after a moment of silence suddenly asked, "Lily Miller, if I died, would you cry for me?"

I furrowed my brows, what does that mean?

Is he beyond saving, terminally ill?

"Yes, I’d cry tears of joy." I said decisively.

Adrian Gordon chuckled, "Lily Miller, do you hate me that much?"

I didn’t want to hear this, it was pointless, so I impatiently asked, "Do you have anything else? If not, I’m hanging up."

"Wait." He stopped me again, after pausing, finally caving, "If I withdraw the lawsuit, can you accept an out-of-court settlement with Amanda’s case?"

I couldn’t help but laugh, sarcastically saying, "Finally, you’re bowing down. I thought you were going to be merciless."

"..." Adrian Gordon didn’t speak, but I imagined his expression must be grim.

"Adrian Gordon, what’s your purpose in all this ridiculous struggle? Just to simply spite me? In the end, sacrificing half of your sister’s life."

"I just can’t accept it, can’t accept that six or seven years of feelings end suddenly, and you turning to fly away with someone else." Adrian Gordon replied coldly, and his words indeed revealed deep dissatisfaction.

The smile on my face faded, "This path was your own choice."

Silence ensued from his side, and after a moment, his tone completely defeated, "Forget it... No matter how unwilling I am, it won’t change the result... You’re more ruthless than I imagined, it really surprised me."

Now it was my turn to be silent, not responding.

Clearly, he was the one who hurt me first, forcing me into a corner with no way out, and now he blames me for being ruthless.

"I’ll withdraw the lawsuit, you accept the out-of-court settlement, let’s say it’s resolved that way." Adrian Gordon left this remark, with the demeanor of a defeated man, wanting to end everything.

However, I suddenly felt dissatisfied, why should everything be led by him, and I just go along with it?

So, I calmly said, "Whether you withdraw the lawsuit or not, I won’t accept an out-of-court settlement. Adrian Gordon, people must pay for their mistakes, or they’ll never learn to grow."

"What?" Adrian Gordon’s tone tightened suddenly, "You... What’s the point of doing this? Amanda has already paid for her actions, are you trying to push her to death?"

"I’m not forcing anyone, I’m just purely defending myself."

If I easily compromised this time, would he come up with another trick to disgust me next time?

Since I have the initiative now, I must make good use of it, make them pay the price, regret what they did, and dare not provoke me again in the future.

"I have consulted with a lawyer, and the case is about to enter the prosecution stage. I heard that your Gordon Family spent a fortune hiring top lawyers, so I wish you good luck, wish your sister good luck."

Before I finished speaking, Adrian Gordon lost his composure and started cursing: "Lily Miller! You’re too vicious! Relying on others to back you up, you’ve become too arrogant! Lily Miller, look in the mirror, do you still recognize yourself now? What you’re doing will bring retribution—"

Before he could finish roaring, I hung up the phone.

For some reason, the more agitated he became, the more fiercely he cursed, the happier and more relieved I felt inside.

It was a type of long-repressed pleasure of finally getting revenge, and I also experienced the thrill of controlling others—it’s such a delight.

The Gordon Family must be in chaos now.

What could be more heartbreaking and devastating than relatives turning against each other and torturing one another?

The next day, the lawyer called me early in the morning, saying Amanda Gordon’s attorney wanted to talk to me.

At noon, my aunt called, and she, too, had been harassed by the Gordon Family.

"They said you’re not answering calls and refuse to meet, so they found me, hoping I could pass along a message. The Gordon Family said, feel free to name any conditions as long as you accept an out-of-court settlement, so they can seek a reduced sentence and avoid serving time. They also said... Amanda Gordon’s mental state is very poor, Mrs. Gordon has fallen ill, everything is awful, the whole family is in disarray."

After hearing my aunt out, I asked coolly, "You’re not really here to persuade me to back down, are you?"

"Of course not, I’m just telling you how miserable the Gordon Family is now, so you can feel a bit happier." My aunt’s tone carried a sense of smug satisfaction, "Adrian Gordon, like those from the Miller Family, are both foolish and wicked, sparing them would only result in them biting back."

I completely agreed with her.

It seems my aunt finally understood, after experiencing family upheaval, the true nature of men and the limits of human nature.

If it were in the past, she surely would have softened and advised me to forgive and forget, to let them go.

Because I refused to settle, Adrian Gordon did not withdraw the lawsuit.

Another day passed, and the second hearing of the divorce case opened as scheduled.

Early in the morning, Daniel Carter called me, "You really don’t want me to take you there? Your leg is still not convenient for walking."

Last night, I told Daniel about this in case he came over to visit me and was disappointed for not informing him in advance.

"No need, it’s better for you to avoid this situation. I’ve asked some friends to come and help me, they’ll accompany me."

"Alright, then I’ll wait to hear from you."

After the call, the doorbell rang, and Wennie Lane and Cherry arrived.

They brought a wheelchair, saying it would be more convenient.

It was my first time experiencing being pushed in a wheelchair—quite a novel sensation.

However, what I didn’t expect was that Adrian Gordon also showed up in a wheelchair!

Looks like his illness is quite serious.

The moment we ran into each other, it just felt absurd and comical—no sympathy or pity for him at all.

But when he looked at me, his expression first showed surprise, then concern: "Lily Miller, what happened to your leg? Are you injured?"

I smiled, "Just a minor injury, nothing serious, but thank you for your concern."

After entering the courtroom, the judge glanced at both the plaintiff and defendant appearing in wheelchairs, looking momentarily stunned, then expressed some concern.

From Adrian Gordon’s response, I learned he just finished a round of treatment yesterday; his body is still weak. The doctor strongly opposed him being discharged, but he insisted on coming, hence the wheelchair.

The lawyer leaned in and whispered, "In this situation, if he presents his medical records, pleads for sympathy, and tells the court he firmly refuses the divorce, the judge might really change the ruling."

I was startled, turning to the lawyer, "Then what should I do? If the second trial changes the ruling, do I have to wait six months before I can sue again?"

The lawyer nodded slightly, patting the armrest of my wheelchair, "Follow his example, plead for sympathy—women are better at it."

Seeing the lawyer’s expression, I suddenly realized!

It’s like knowing adversity could turn into a blessing—I never expected my leg injury, bringing me to court in a wheelchair, could actually work in my favor?

After the hearing began, it went just as the lawyer predicted.

Adrian Gordon’s reason for refusing divorce was because he’s ill and needs care; that a husband and wife should be united and not turn against each other in adversity.

The words themselves weren’t wrong.

But the mistake lay in his countless indecent actions, each causing a public uproar, impossible to cover up.

I presented evidence of his adultery, played the recording of him threatening me during our call, and showed the video of his sister framing me.

"Your Honor, he first committed adultery, betraying our family. When his attempts to win me back failed, he resorted to verbal abuse and even violent threats, for which I have evidence.

Now he refuses to divorce not because of any lingering feelings for me, but because his condition has relapsed, requiring long-term blood transfusions, and his blood type is rare, making it hard to find sufficient donors—ultimately needing my blood in emergencies. In the past six years, I’ve d to him numerous times, all recorded by the hospital, and I have prepared the relevant documents.

After our relationship broke down, his family, to prevent our divorce, used extremely vile methods to attempt to frame me. There’s solid evidence of this too; the police have documented records.

Given his numerous misdeeds, I firmly request a divorce, lest my personal safety remains at risk under continued association."

After Adrian Gordon’s plea for sympathy, I systematically rebutted it, fact by fact.