Chapter 11
The next morning, the courthouse was buzzing with people. But it wasn’t a crowd of folks there for divorce proceedings; it was a swarm of reporters and
paparazzi hunting for a story. Some of them nearly clashed with the staff while trying to sneak in
But nothing could waver Daphne’s resolve to go through with the divorce. She pushed her way through the throng and made her way into the courthouse, where she spotted Yancey waiting for her in the lobby
He looked worn out, his sharp eyes slightly red around the edges–likely from tossing and turning the night before. The usual confident aura he carried was noticeably diminished.
In stark contrast. Daphne was radiant. She’d hit the hay early the night before and woke up refreshed, without so much as a dream. Her sleep had been deep and restorative, leaving her in high spirits and full of energy.
As Daphne approached. Yancey stood up, his presence overshadowing hers, creating an immediate sense of pressure.
She frowned slightly and stepped back. “Mr. Goodman, please go ahead,” she said, her voice steady. With a swift motion, she pulled out the marriage certificate from her bag and turned towards the hall..
Yancey pressed his lips together, silent as he watched Daphne stride confidently forward. A strange wave of helplessness washed over him, as if something was slipping out of his grasp and all he could do was stand there, watching it happen.
His assistant, Charles Emerson, broke the silence from behind him. “Mr. Goodman, aren’t you going in?”
Yancey snapped back to reality, lowered his gaze to mask his emotions, and replied evenly, “Hand me the marriage certificate
Charles quickly handed in over.
Looking down at the small paper, which represented the start of his three–year marriage, Yancey felt a strange disconnect, as if he was seeing it for the first time. “Where was this kept before?” he asked
“It was with Mrs. Good–Charles quickly corrected himself. “It was always with Ms. Shaw”
He didn’t dare say much more, fearful of what Yancey might think if he knew that the certificate was discovered in the bathroom just the night before.
Luckily, Yancey didn’t press any further. After receiving his answer, he turned and headed into the hall.
Charles stood there, watching as Yancey and Daphne disappeared around the corner, one after the other. “What a perfect couple–a charming man and a beautiful woman–bus it’s all crumbling, he thought with a silem sigh.
བ་བན་ཨེན་ཚད་པོ
Suddenly, he remembered all the effort Daphne had put in over the past three years and muttered under his breath, “Mr. Goodman really has at heart of stone”
He couldn’t help but think. If I had such a wonderful wife, I would wake up aniling every day, How could Mr. Goodman let her leave feeling so disappointed
But at the end of the day, marriage was a private matter, and Charles was just an observer–in employee with no say
av in the matter.
Daphne and Yancey sat side by side in front of the clerk, handing over their marriage certificates. Both papers were in pristine condition, looking almou brand new
Daphne’s face was expressionless. She answered each of the staff’s questions in a flat tone, barely showing any emotion at all.
Finally, the clerk asked, “Are you sure you want to get divorced?”
Daphine paused and then replied with a confident nod, “Yes, I’m sure.”
Yancey echoed her witli equal certainty. “Sure.”
With the stamp applied, the documents transformed. The decrees now read “Divorce Certificate, a stark contrast to the marriage certificates they originally held
As Daphine reached for the divorce certificate, a wave of relief washed over her, as if a heavy weight had finally lifted. She was free–truly free Outside the courthouse, the chaotic buzz of reporters was waiting just beyond the doors.
Noticing Daphne about to walk out. Charles quickly spoke up, “Ms. Shaw, hold on for a second. I’ve got someone clearing the way.
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10:52 AM H
Chapter 11
Charles meant well. After years of working with the Goodman family, he and Daphne had formed a bit of a rapport. Whenever she needed to talk to Yancey, it usually went through him, and that kind of familiarity naturally built a bond.
Although Charles was just an assistant, Daphne always treated him with respect, which made their relationship pretty good. Even now, after her divorce, he still regarded her with admiration. He had never seen anyone love Yancey the way she did–maybe not even his own mother did.
With a gentle smile, Daphne replied, “No need. Someone’s coming to pick me up.”
Just then, a cacophony of engines roared outside the courthouse. Luxury cars rolled in one after another, and several bodyguards in sleek black suits swiftly emerged. They formed a barrier, clearing away the throngs of paparazzi and journalists, creating a wide path for Daphne.
Daphne pushed open the door and stepped down the staircase. With each stride, the bodyguards near her bowed slightly and greeted her. Their show of respect sent waves of excitement rippling through the reporters kept at bay.
“Wow, is this the aura of a wealthy housewife?” one exclaimed
“Are you serious? They’re here for a divorce. The Shaw family is small–there’s no way they could pull off such a grand display. It has to be someone. from the Goodman Group! another chimed in.
“Is this meant to give Daphne a hard time?” a third questioned.
“Wait a minute–look at the emblem on those cars. That’s the exclusive mark of the Sheppard family vehicles” someone pointed out.
The commotion outside was so loud that even inside the courthouse, Yancey couldn’t help but frown at the noise.
- e. He turned to Charles and asked, “Did you send those people!”
Charles, equally taken aback, shook his head firmly, “No way–1 didn’t ask for such a big show.” He had simply requested a few extra hands to manage the crowd, but this grand entrance was well beyond anything he had anticipated.
Never mind the dozens of bodyguards dressed in black who seemed highly trained; just the line of luxury cars parked outside the gate weren’t just any vehicles for the bodyguards.
These were the crème de la crème Rolls–Royce, Maybachs, Lamborghinis, Ferraris–each more extravagant than the last. This setup looked just like a luxury car showcase for top celebrities
Even if Charles wanted to arrange that many luxury cars, it would’ve taken time. There’s no way he could’ve pulled it off so quickly–just a few minutes—and with so many bodyguards on board.
Charles adjusted his glasses and looked more closely, suddenly saying. Those car emblems have the Sheppard family’s special mark on them. These were from the Sheppard family.
Yancey’s eyes darkened as he tumed to watch Daphne’s figure moving away. As he expected, when Daphne reached the end of the line of bodyguards, Philip stepped out of a Bentley,
Philip was clad in a sharp dark green suit. With a charming smile, he waved at the paparazzi on the sidelines. His showy style made him look like a celebrity walking the red carpet under the flashing cameras.
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