Chapter 72: Toast to No Ties

“Madam Sophia?” Sophia’s expression changed instantly. “Switching up that fast?”

Seeing Sophia’s darkening expression, Ellis realized she had inadvertently voiced her thoughts and quickly offered an apologetic smile. “Mom, I have something urgent. May I leave?”

“Is that just an excuse you made up? First, tell me, did Easton cheat with Victoria? Did you find any proof?” Sophia was more concerned about whether her son had cheated, which might have pushed Ellis to no longer want to sustain the marriage. What counts as conclusive evidence? Ellis felt that everyone had different standards.

But when Sophia brought up Easton’s infidelity, Ellis didn’t know how to respond, her gaze drifting off. Her silence, in Sophia’s view, was as good as an admission.

Sophia angrily slapped a cushion. “Unbelievable! That little rascal dares to wrong you!”

Noting Sophia’s reaction, Ellis figured Carly hadn’t told Sophia about Easton’s affair. Sophia must have found out through other sources.

Being here, getting the deadbeat to agree to a divorce, and even setting a date for the paperwork was lucky enough. She didn’t plan to get entangled with Sophia over it, especially since Easton was Sophia’s biological son, and her temporary support didn’t mean she’d always be on Ellis’s side.

“I really do have something urgent,” she pleaded, hands clasped together, trying to escape.

“Stay for dinner, then you can go,” Sophia commanded.

With Easton gone, Ellis felt an appetite and decided to stay. However, Sophia barely touched her food, spending the whole meal trying to indoctrinate Ellis, promising to seek justice if Easton indeed cheated with Victoria, but insisting that Ellis could not divorce Easton yet. In conclusion, Sophia added that Easton had stopped sending money to Carly, and she would cover it herself to ensure Carly’s standard of living didn’t drop.

After hearing this, Ellis only wanted to ask, Does no one care that I can’t find happiness in this broken marriage? She thought about it but never voiced the question. As long as she was firm in her stance, no one could stop her from getting a divorce, regardless of what they said.

Sunday night, in a bustling city-center bar. Positioned on the second floor with the best view of the stage, Maya was joyfully drinking, enjoying both the music and the visual delight of the band members.

Ellis’s happiness was no less than Maya’s, especially with Monday approaching!

Noticing Ellis’s empty glass, Maya, swaying to the music, poured her another drink. “Today’s a day to be super happy; let’s drink more!”

Ellis was curious. “Do you have some good news?”

Since crashing into that Ferrari, Maya hadn’t been happy, but today she had invited Ellis out for drinks at an upscale place.

Maya raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Huge good news! The accident liability results are out, and Jerry is fully responsible!”

Over $110,000 was a significant burden; she’d been scrambling for money. Suddenly being told she didn’t owe a dime was certainly a reason to celebrate.

Maya was happy for Ellis, then she thought of something. “Bree’s been up to no good; isn’t there a chance she might interfere?” Ellis was worried that Bree, seemingly close to Jerry, might scheme against Maya.

“Another piece of good news,” Maya teased, pausing dramatically. “I heard the Rivera family has run into some big trouble.”

“What trouble?” Ellis inquired.

“I got this from a colleague; I haven’t dug into the details yet,” Maya recalled her conversation with her colleague earlier that day. “I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.”

The colleague worked at a prominent law firm that the Rivera family had approached, seeking counsel from their best lawyers. However, the firm declined the Rivera family’s request for their services, reportedly because the family’s problems were too messy and could drag them down too.

Ellis didn’t have any deep grudges against Bree, so she wasn’t particularly interested in the Rivera family’s troubles.

After downing half a glass, Maya continued. “Bree tried to ruin your face with her arrogance. I hope their family faces big, messy troubles.”

Ellis subconsciously touched her cheeks, remembering the burning pain and the embarrassing days spent at home waiting for her wounds to heal.

Maya studied Ellis’s now well-healed pretty face and clicked her tongue in approval. “Lucky you didn’t end up needing cosmetic surgery. That stuff is expensive.”

“Cosmetic procedures are so expensive; I might not even afford them,” Ellis said earnestly.

“How does it feel to be nearly broke?” Maya patted Ellis’s shoulder. “Hang on, I’ll transfer the $35,000 I owe you back.”