Chapter 20
Archie Oliver sounded surprised, but too relieved to question it. “Perfect. I’ll have Alan book the tickets right away.”
Alan worked fast. Not long after, Lottie received the flight details.
January 31st. 10:00 a.m. departure.
Later that day, Nancy dropped by in the middle of her packed schedule to help move the boxes out.
Four heavy boxes, filled to the brim with professional books.
They barely fit into Nancy’s trunk.
After slamming it shut, Nancy dusted off her hands and turned to her. “So… did Nigel sign the divorce papers?”
Lottie gave a small nod. “He signed.”
Nancy swore under her breath, frowning. “That’s it? He really agreed to a divorce that easily?”
“No,” Lottie said calmly. “He didn’t know they were divorce papers.”
“What?” Nancy blinked. “And you’re not worried he’ll try to undo it once he finds out?”
She added pointedly, “Filing the agreement is just step one. If he refuses to show up to finalize the divorce at the reg- istry, you two are still legally married.”
“Then I’ll take it to court,” Lottie said, her eyes lowering slightly. Her voice was quiet, but firm. “And he’ll agree.”
Nancy couldn’t quite keep up. “Why? His divorce is bound to affect the Mathis Group.”
After all, when the CEO of a publicly listed company got divorced, the public inevitably started speculating-about shareholdings, power shifts, all kinds of possibilities.
The stock price was sure to take a hit.
Lottie smiled faintly. “You’ll understand soon enough.”
“Alright, as long as you’ve got a plan, I won’t worry. If things get messy between you and Nigel, I can step in for you,” Nancy offered.
Lottie shook her head gently, still smiling. “Don’t worry. Nigel isn’t the type to lose his dignity.”
If that incident hadn’t blown up online, she might’ve been backed into a corner.
But now, the power was in her hands.
Nigel, if only to protect Esther’s reputation, would agree to the divorce.
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13:36
Chapter 20
It wouldn’t come to a dramatic showdown.
Nancy had somewhere else to be-she was off to meet someone. After a few last words, she was ready to go.
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Just as she was leaving, she seemed to remember something. She reached over to the front seat, pulled out a wrapped gift, and handed it to Lottie. “Babe, Merry Christmas! I’m off!”
Lottie smiled. “Thanks. Merry Christmas-drive safe!”
She stood there watching until Nancy’s car disappeared down the road, then turned and headed back into the house, cradling the gift.
Corinne had just finished setting the table. “Dinner’s ready, Mrs. Mathis.”
“Okay.”
As Lottie answered, she came face to face with Esther and her son Rolland coming down the stairs.
Mother and son were dressed to impress in coordinated Christmas outfits, both wearing the same air of smug pride-as if they were looking at someone who’d just lost everything.
Rolland suddenly yanked his hand from Esther’s, bounded down the last few steps, and lifted his chin at Lottie. “Nyeh nyeh nyeh! Nigel’s taking Mommy and me out for dinner. You’re all alone-like a poor little orphan!”
As soon as he said it, his eyes lit up and he looked toward the front yard.
“Come on, Mommy! Let’s go! Nigel’s here to pick us up!”
“Sorry about this, Lottie,” Esther said with a smile, but her tone was anything but apologetic. She carried herself like the lady of the house. “Rolland really wanted Nigel to spend Christmas with him, so I guess you’ll have to celebrate alone. Don’t be upset, okay?”
“No worries.”
Lottie smiled. “When I was little, a fortune-teller told me I’d live a long life-so I’ve got plenty more holidays ahead of
me.”
And with that, she turned and walked away, calm and unbothered.
Esther froze for a second, then realized what had just been said-and her face darkened.
She wondered, ‘What the hell did that mean?
‘Was that a jab at me? Like I wouldn’t live long enough to see another Christmas?’
