Chapter 134: Sign Here to Say Goodbye
“Yes, Mr. Hudson,” Jackson said, finishing the call. After hanging up the phone, he carefully wrapped the ring in a tissue. Suddenly, he remembered something. This ring looked familiar! Wasn’t it the same type of wedding ring that both Mr. Hudson and Ellis had?
Jackson’s expression shifted slightly, making those around him tense. The head of the cleaning department couldn’t help but ask, “Jackson, was Mr. Hudson’s lost item more than just a ring?”
Seeing the nervousness in his question, Jackson reassured him. “No, it’s just the ring. Don’t worry.”
He was curious, though. How does Mr. Hudson lose his wedding ring? He’s on the verge of divorcing Ellis, who will likely end up with nothing. Under those circumstances, why would he want this symbol of a failing marriage back? Doesn’t he think it’s a bad omen?
After having the ring professionally cleaned, Jackson and his team returned to the office. His first stop was to report to Easton. Easton didn’t like people who sought credit for every little thing. Jackson naturally avoided such behaviors, especially knowing Easton was not in a good mood. It wasn’t worth the risk.
So, he presented the ring properly. “Mr. Hudson.” The ring lay in a small black box, strikingly visible. As Easton saw it, memories of Ellis showing off her ring excitedly on the day she received it flashed before him. She had seemed so fond of their matching wedding rings, as if she had never seen a diamond ring before. Her eyes had sparkled with joy, like crescents and stars in the sky.
Taking the ring, he closed the box and looked up at Jackson. “Inform the finance department to give a personal bonus of 14,000 dollars to everyone involved in the search at the landfill.”
Jackson was momentarily stunned, then smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Mr. Hudson!”
Getting the ring back had meant a reward for everyone. Jackson wasn’t motivated by the money, but by the fear of looking incompetent if the ring hadn’t been found. For others, 14,000 dollars might be a significant bonus, but for him, after years of both monetary and reputational gains with Easton, it wasn’t about the money. He was more concerned with keeping his lucrative position, relieved that the ring wasn’t destroyed.
Jackson patted his chest, still feeling the residual fright, and went straight to notify the finance department, always aware of the small black box beside him, noticing Easton’s distraction diminishing. It was just a well-worn ring, after all; it held no other significance.
Driven by this thought, he unconsciously opened the box again and slid the ring back into its rightful place. Just then, his phone rang. The caller ID flashed “Wife”—a label that felt like a relic from a distant past. In reality, from the time Ellis had proposed divorce to their appointment today at 2 PM at the Civil Affairs Department, it had only been a little over two months, but it felt like an eternity.
“Ellis, you really can’t wait, can you?”
Unblocking the “deadbear’s” number to call and check if he could make it on time to the Civil Affairs Department, Ellis didn’t expect his first words to be in his typical sarcastic tone. “I just thought, being the busy man you are, you might forget our appointment or get tied up with something more important and delay coming to the Civil Affairs Department,” she retorted with a touch of sarcasm herself.
“I’ll be there, don’t worry. I won’t forget or be late.”
Chapter 134: Sign Here to Say Goodbye
Standing in front of the Civil Affairs Department. Despite the air conditioning inside offering a respite from the heat, the intense sun and bright sunlight made it feel hotter outside, and she nudged Ellis, suggesting they go in. “Standing is tiring, and that scumbag doesn’t deserve to have you wait out here. Shall we go in?”
Her best friend had not successfully divorced Easton last time and had been confined by him for days. Maya was incredibly frustrated and worried, thankful that Ellis was safe now. This time, as Ellis came to meet Easton at the Civil Affairs Department to finalize their divorce, having Maya along was a prudent choice. “No good man keeps a lady waiting alone.”
“No, standing for a bit is good for me!” During her days confined at the Dynasty Estate, Ellis had spent almost 24 hours a day lying in bed; standing awhile waiting for the deadbeat wouldn’t hurt.
Insisting on standing, Maya could only relent, boredly watching each car and pedestrian heading toward the Civil Affairs Department. As the clock struck 2 PM, a Bugatti slowly pulled into the nearby parking lot. Maya didn’t recognize it as Easton’s car, but Ellis did.