Chapter 224 What Did You Call Him?

Philippa’s gaze was steady, without a hint of doubt. “Zoey, I can’t let Nicholas down anymore. I used to be too soft. I was ready to accept being Bill’s wife, raise you, and build a happy family. In time, my feelings for Nicholas would fade, and I would learn to love him. But then I heard about Monica’s pregnancy. Zoey, I gave Bill a chance.” She shut her eyes, her delicate lashes fluttering slightly. “From that moment, my heart was already gone. This time, I want to live for myself.”

“Alright, Mom, I’ll stand by whatever choice you make. Carter has already hired a lawyer to gather evidence. Just hold on a bit longer. Now isn’t the right moment for the divorce.”

“Okay,” I reassured her, letting out a deep sigh.

That afternoon, both Bill’s secretary and lawyer arrived, bringing a share transfer agreement. Along with the shares, there were also properties and real estate that he had transferred into my name. It made me question whether he had also been reborn. It appeared he was truly determined to start anew with Philippa, not realizing that her heart had been closed off for years. Now, we’re just waiting for Granny’s transfer to be successful so she can divorce without worries.

The assistant handed the share transfer agreement to my mom and me. Without a second thought, I signed my name right away. This belonged to Zoey; I shouldn’t turn it down. I wasn’t foolish. If that pair of scheming women took it from me later, I wouldn’t even have time to regret it. These were all Bill’s compensation to Zoey. No matter what the terms were, I would accept everything.

But Philippa didn’t sign. I understood her reasons. She didn’t want money or shares. If she was going to divorce, she needed to separate herself completely from Bill instead of getting more entangled. That way, there wouldn’t be any complications with dividing property later.

The assistant looked at her with confusion. To them, this was a gift from God. Who would ever turn down such a golden opportunity? What they didn’t realize was that every gift had already been priced by fate. The more something appears to be free, the higher the cost. Philippa was never one to care about material things.

“Mrs. Gardner, do you have any concerns?”

“No.”

I gave the assistant a smile. “Let Mom keep the agreement for now. If she decides to change her mind, she will sign it herself.”

The assistant, aware of the situation in the boss’s family, didn’t say much. He simply nodded. “Yes, Miss. We’ll leave now. I’ll reach out to you again for the notarization process.”

“Okay, thank you.”

After seeing the assistant off, I gently suggested, “Let’s hold off for now. We don’t want to raise his suspicions. Moving Granny is our priority.”

Philippa nodded. Her pregnancy had made her more tired, and she curled up on the soft sofa. I draped a blanket over her, feeling as if our roles had somehow reversed. However, Bill also reminded me that I am now the daughter of the Gardners. While I could still enter the Boltons, I would rather return to the Gardners and take back everything that rightfully belongs to Zoey.

I asked Carter to transfer my student status to a university in Snowville. With just one more year of study, I could earn my diploma. Most of the seniors in their final year are focused on internships and their final projects, so I could easily balance completing my studies while interning at the Gardners’ company. I could manage without Dad, but I couldn’t manage without the company.

That evening, I brought it up at the dinner table. Bill looked me over and asked, “You want to intern at the company?” I could tell that, in his eyes, I wasn’t even as capable as Sadie.

“Yes, I won’t make things difficult for you. You can assign me to sales or any entry-level position, and I’ll prove myself with results. Since you want to focus on the domestic market, I can help with that.”

“Are you able to manage it?” he asked.

“Whether I can or not, we won’t find out until we give it a go, right?”

For once, Bill spoke without his usual sarcasm, replying calmly, “Alright, I’ll forward your resume to HR next year. As for whether you clear the interview or what role you end up with, that’s up to your skills.”

“Got it.”

“One more thing, don’t wear anything too odd at the banquet. You’re a member of the Gardners, so make sure to behave appropriately.”

“Understood.”

Though his words carried a hint of annoyance, their meaning had shifted. He no longer treated Monica with the same leniency as before. While his trust in me was still lacking, he was starting to recognize my position. What he didn’t realize was that the person standing here wasn’t the defeated Zoey, but a seasoned professional with years of experience in the industry.

Back then, the Sanders believed I would eventually marry into the Boltons, so they never allowed me to be involved in the family business. At the Boltons, my position was rather uncomfortable. Jeffrey expected me to be a good wife, not someone with power. Similarly, my role in the Boltons was tricky. I had helped Luke in many ways, yet all the praise always went to him. Back then, I was too naive, believing we would one day become a family, so I didn’t mind. But in this life, I would never again sacrifice myself for anyone else! I would claim everything that rightfully belonged to me and Zoey at the Gardners. I knew the resources and connections in Snowville better than anyone else. I was simply adjusting my strategy now, and next year, Bill would realize the foolish decisions he made before.

The following morning, Bill’s assistant personally delivered elegant dresses for my mom and me. See? How could Bill not be a gentleman? He clearly knew how to charm a woman. He had been waiting for Philippa to take the first step, but what he couldn’t wait for before, he likely won’t wait for in the future.

Philippa didn’t want to go, but seeing my excitement, she decided to wear the gown. Our gowns were both silver, but hers was more refined and graceful, while mine was off-the-shoulder, adding a touch of allure. Once we were ready, I took Philippa to a five-star hotel owned by the Gardners in the city for the banquet.

As soon as I stepped into the banquet with Philippa in high heels, I could almost feel everyone’s breath hitch for a moment. Zoey’s appearance already surpassed mine, and with her youthful beauty, the red mole on her forehead made her look even more otherworldly. Among all the stares, I caught a glimpse of Luke’s eyes filled with surprise, reluctance, and guilt.

The moment our eyes met, I quickly looked away, my gaze eventually resting on Carter. I spoke a quick word to Philippa then, lifting my skirt, and rushed toward him.

“Carl…”

Before he could respond, Luke, standing nearby, exclaimed in excitement, “What did you call him?”