Chapter 20: Money Can Make the Devil Dance

But calling it “work” would be misleading.

Ellis used to do everything for Easton, handling even the smallest tasks and practically attending to him 24/7. So much so that, after she left, her colleagues had to ask her how to make Easton’s coffee and what preferences he had.

Janet’s tone was polite, but Ellis couldn’t stand hearing anything related to Easton right now, especially since she was starting to feel like she had been nothing more than his servant. Ellis pursed her lips. “He likes black Americano, no sugar, no milk.”

“Mrs. Hudson, you left in such a hurry that you didn’t have time to hand over your tasks. Could you come back, or perhaps write a memo for me?” Janet cautiously asked, worried that if she didn’t make the coffee just the way the boss liked it, he might doubt her abilities, which could affect her career.

She had reached out to Ellis because, back when Ellis was at the company, her contributions often went unnoticed. She was always orbiting around Easton, and it seemed like she didn’t do much else. But now, with her gone, someone had to pick up all the little things she used to handle. While none of it was difficult, it did require attention to detail.

Janet had hoped to take a shortcut by asking Ellis.

“I don’t have time,” Ellis snapped. She had simply lost her patience, so she hung up the phone.

As she listened to the dial tone, the flattering smile on Janet’s face faded, and she muttered to herself, “Does she really not have time, or did Easton kick her out of the company? Could the rumors be true? Is our boss’s wife about to be replaced?”

Interrupted from sleep too many times, Ellis found herself wide awake. She opened the curtains and glanced at the clear blue sky outside, but instead of feeling as bright as the sun, her chest was clouded with shadows and a growing irritability.

Her frustration likely stemmed from the fact that whenever she thought back to her time at work, she increasingly felt like she had been nothing more than a servant. And sometimes, Easton hadn’t even thought she was good enough at that.

There was a saying that goes, “Money can make the devil dance for you.”

In just three short days, Ellis, through a real estate agent, found a place with a decent environment to move into.

Since Ellis was moving out of her home, her good friend Maya naturally stepped in to help without hesitation.

After cleaning up the new place, the two of them headed to the supermarket to buy household essentials. Watching Ellis sift through the pile of cheap items, Maya suddenly thought of something important and said, “You really should show me that marriage agreement. Just in case it’s filled with terms that are all against you. Not only could you end up with none of Easton’s money, but he might actually end up getting some of yours.”

Chapter 21: Trapped Between Duty and Independence

When signing the agreement, Ellis hadn’t paid much attention to the details. Now, after hearing Maya’s concerns, she felt a bit worried.

“It can’t be that bad, right? I only have 300,000 dollars left in my account. He wouldn’t take half of that, would he?”

The rent alone was 10,000 dollars a month, and with basic living expenses in Stonebridge, she’d need at least four or five thousand dollars just to get by. With rent included, her 300,000 dollars might last her two years at best. If Easton took half of it, she wouldn’t last a year.

“Don’t underestimate how heartless men can be!” Maya hadn’t handled a divorce case herself, but she had heard enough complaints from coworkers and seen plenty of case files. In most divorces, men often ended up behaving far worse than expected, finding ways to drain every last bit from their wives.

“I’ll find a suitable time to go and get it,” Ellis said. She was determined not to go to the Hudson family house anytime soon. She wanted to avoid running into Easton. If she did, he might humiliate her again, and she wasn’t sure she could handle that without breaking down.

“The sooner, the better. Don’t drag it out.”

“Okay.”

After they bought the essentials, the two returned to the rental apartment, only to find an unexpected visitor waiting for them.

Maya put on a polite smile and said, “Hello, Ms. Carly.”

Seeing Carly suddenly appear at her new rental place sent a wave of unease through Ellis.

After greeting Maya, Carly pulled Ellis into the master bedroom for a private conversation.

“You ungrateful child! Didn’t I tell you everything already? You just won’t listen, will you?” Carly scolded her and immediately grabbed her ear.

Ellis had already said everything she needed to say a few days ago at the old house. Now, she couldn’t think of anything else to add, so she kept silent.

Her silence only made Carly angrier. She twisted Ellis’s ear harder, and only when she heard her yelp in pain did she finally let go.

Rubbing her ear, Ellis firmly said, “Ms. Carly, it’s not that I don’t want to listen to you. I just can’t live a life without dignity. I have to divorce Easton.”

If anyone wanted to be Mrs. Hudson, they were welcome to it. She could never be the kind of woman like Carly envisioned, the one who would tolerate her husband having mistresses while maintaining the facade of a happy wife.

“Don’t give me that nonsense! If you divorce Easton in a moment of rashness, you’ll regret it later, and by then, he won’t give you another chance!” Carly snapped, dragging Ellis by the hand. “Scott’s 80th birthday is next week, and there will be a banquet. You must return to the old house and help me prepare.”

Ever since finding out Ellis was divorcing Easton, Carly had been stressed out. She hoped this would just…