Chapter 37: A New Perspective
Just as Ellis opened her mouth, Maya cut her off. “I’m at the courthouse, about to start a trial. I’ll be free in the evening. Let’s grab dinner?”
Maya’s tone was rushed. Ellis nodded and agreed.
At seven in the evening, they met at a modest little restaurant. After listening to Ellis’s dilemma, Maya thought carefully before saying, “No one knows you and Easton are divorcing. You’re not getting any money. You’re broke. Your future boss is offering you a million a year. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a trap.”
“Broke,” that word stung a little. Ellis pursed her lips.
“You have enough money to survive for now,” Maya continued. “If you’re worried about this being a scam, don’t rush into accepting Tate Group’s offer. Interview at more places first. Pick the one that’s the most promising and has the best future.”
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Maya added, “If you do choose Tate Group in the end, bring me their contract first. I’ll check the terms before you sign anything.”
Capitalism existed to exploit. No one offered high salaries without a reason, and there were always loopholes and legal tricks buried in employment contracts.
Ellis couldn’t help but wonder if Maya thought she was an idiot. Just because she had blindly signed that prenup, Maya probably assumed she’d do the same with any contract. That’s why she wanted to review everything before Ellis signed anything, right?
It really felt like her reputation had been ruined by this marriage to Easton. She covered her face, feeling like she had embarrassed herself beyond repair.
Seeing her moment of dejection, Maya changed the subject. “You don’t need to be so worried about getting scammed. You were Easton’s wife, which means you had access to resources that other people want. A million a year might just be their way of securing those connections through you.”
Ellis dropped her hands. “If they’re using me for connections, isn’t that exactly what I mean by a trap? It’s still an exchange.”
“Don’t overthink it like they’re asking you to do something illegal,” Maya said, taking a sip of water. “For example, let’s say you met some incredibly powerful business figure through Easton—someone that’s nearly impossible for most people to approach, but others really want their help. If they hire you, they’re getting access to that network through you.”
Hearing it put that way, Ellis understood. But it still felt uncomfortable. She had fought so hard to stop being some useless flower clinging to Easton, yet she still couldn’t fully escape him. She was supposed to be independent now, but instead, she was relying on the resources she gained from being his wife just to survive.
Like, without Easton, she’d starve. She ground her teeth. “I really don’t want to hear Easton’s name in my life anymore. I don’t want to see anything related to him. That kind of non-recyclable trash should be thrown into an incinerator and burned to nothing.”
“An incinerator?” Maya looked puzzled. Ellis’s hatred toward Easton seemed a little intense.
“Yes. Burned to ash, and I’ll scatter the remains.” She didn’t actually wish death upon him—this was just her way of venting the frustration from everything that had happened at the estate.
Maya looked her up and down. “You…”
Ellis waved her off. “Let’s stop talking about him. It’s bad luck.”
“You’re actually surprising me,” Maya admitted. “I thought getting over Easton would take you a while. I didn’t expect you to snap out of it this fast.”
“People grow up. They wake up.” Ellis felt nothing but shame when thinking about her past self. Loving Easton now felt like having a criminal record—something humiliating that would make people laugh at her if they found out.
“Then I’ll raise my glass to you—congratulations on growing up and waking up.” Maya lifted her tea instead of alcohol since she had to drive later.
“Thanks.” Ellis smiled and downed her drink in one go.
Good times always passed quickly. After dinner, they strolled through a mall. The days of buying anything she wanted without checking the price were long gone. Maya kept handing her items and making her guess the cost, and when Ellis guessed too low, Maya would scoff at her. It was a lifestyle Ellis had nearly forgotten—one where money actually mattered.
She couldn’t afford luxury goods anymore, but she could still buy a few small, inexpensive things. On the way home, sitting in Maya’s car, Ellis absentmindedly played with a little trinket she had bought, smiling to herself.
For the first time, she felt like she was starting to enjoy this simpler life. She had to forget about the luxurious lifestyle Easton had once given her. Until she earned real money herself, she had no right to complain about her circumstances. She needed to adapt—live according to what she could afford, nothing more.
“This little keychain would look cute on my bag…” She wasn’t a collector, but back when she had been Madam Easton, the moment she stepped into a boutique, luxury brands would scramble to please her, sending entire collections for her to pick from. She had bought so many bags that the Shen family estate had an entire room dedicated to displaying them.