Chapter 74: Splash of Reality
“Who wouldn’t want a partner who’s both wealthy and handsome?” Maya looked back at the stage. “Add loyalty and devotion to the mix, and that’s something special. Even if they’re not devoted, a rich and handsome guy to mess around with emotionally is fine too.”
“How can you treat feelings like a game?” Ellis rested her chin on her hand. “Aren’t you afraid of falling for someone who might just walk away after playing with your feelings? Don’t come crying to me then!”
“Why not?” Maya poked Ellis’s forehead playfully. “I’m not like you; I don’t have love on the brain! If it comes down to it, I can settle for a broke but handsome guy. I know there’s no future, so I won’t suffer through poverty with him.”
“What if a poor, handsome guy makes you fall hard!” Ellis tried to turn the tables.
“Impossible!” Maya said decisively. “Even you, with your ‘love brain,’ go for the ultimate rich and handsome guys. Am I supposed to crazily suffer through poverty with a handsome, broke guy? If that ever happens, you have my permission to knock some sense into me. I can’t afford to lose that much face!”
“I didn’t fall for Easton just because he’s rich and handsome; it just so happens that he is!” Mentioning Easton, Ellis felt a wave of annoyance and signaled Maya to change the subject.
“Lucky you got adopted by Carly! If you hadn’t been adopted, with our background, trying to get close to top-tier wealthy and handsome men, wouldn’t we easily be labeled as gold diggers?”
Maya deeply understood the importance of matching social status. Just look at how hard Ellis had worked to make Easton fall in love with her—all wasted when Victoria came back into the picture. Victoria had the natural advantage, having known Easton since they were kids and growing up as childhood friends; Ellis was an outsider, clearly at a disadvantage. If only Ellis had been adopted by Carly a bit earlier, maybe she would have been the one with the natural advantage.
“Money chaser, my foot!” Ellis rolled her eyes at Maya. “Have you ever seen someone labeled that walk away with nothing?”
“Easton agreed to meet you at the Civil Affairs Department tomorrow to get divorced, so don’t think too much about it. That prenup of yours was a trap,” Maya said, aware that Ellis was finally about to shed her married status.
“Yeah, otherwise—,” Ellis was cut off mid-sentence by a familiar voice.
“Mrs. Hudson, what a coincidence.”
Ellis looked up to see the annoying Morty, who had appeared beside them at some point, her expression changing slightly. Under the colorful lights, a man suddenly appearing beside them would pique anyone’s curiosity, especially when he addressed Ellis as Mrs. Hudson. Maya’s attention quickly shifted to Morty. Is he a friend of Easton? Just as the thought crossed her mind, Morty greeted her warmly.
“Ms. Maya, long time no see!”
Maya searched her memory, unable to recall ever meeting him. Despite being handsome, she signaled to Ellis with her eyes, hoping Ellis would clue her in on his identity. Facing Morty’s smiling gaze, Ellis felt he looked like a cunning fox, adept at playing different faces depending on the audience. She suddenly remembered an incident a few days ago at Petal Estates, when Easton had burst in, accused her of making a fool of herself, and even suspected her of cheating before ordering her not to associate with Casey. That made her too embarrassed to face Casey at Petal Estates today, forcing her to make up an excuse to take the day off from Lois. Tomorrow, she would be free from her marriage to Easton, and there was no need to be pleasant to his childhood friend. But she didn’t need to be nice to Morty either.
Ellis’s demeanor cooled, and as she gave Morty a sidelong glance, she explained to Maya, “His name is Morty, Easton’s childhood friend. He was part of the wedding party; you’ve met him.”
Remembering someone you’ve only met briefly is tough, but Maya had heard the name Morty from Ellis often enough to know about his double-faced nature. Maya gave Morty a once-over and said with a forced smile, “Hello.”
Feeling the unwelcoming vibe from the two women, Morty nonetheless maintained a polite smile. “Do you mind if I sit down?”
She did mind. Before Ellis could voice her objection, Morty had already made himself comfortable on the sofa across from them, waving over a server to order some drinks and food.
Ellis openly showed her displeasure, as if giving him a dismissal: “You’re intruding on us.”
“Mrs. Hudson—,” Morty paused thoughtfully, “I mean, after tomorrow. I can’t call you Mrs. Hudson anymore. I accidentally overheard you and Ms. Maya mentioning that you’re going to the Civil Affairs Department for a divorce tomorrow.”
Ellis wanted to curse. Someone else claiming they overheard by accident, she might believe. But knowing Morty, it was definitely not an accident; he had intentionally eavesdropped.
“What does it have to do with you?” she glared at Morty. “Can’t you see you’re bothering us? You should act smart and leave!”