Chapter 153

“I thought you were just throwing a tantrum,” Dominick said, a hint of grievance in his voice. “I didn’t think you’d actually leave.”

Paisley laughed, a cold, brittle sound. “Dominick, are you feeling wronged? I don’t understand… how are you the victim?”

A bitter memory surged. “You thought I was throwing a tantrum, so you signed the divorce papers to teach me a lesson? As your wife, was I not allowed to have emotions?”

“No, Paisley, that’s not—” Dominick began, but she hung up, blocking his number again.

Outside his office, the young secretary shuddered, the sound of shattering glass echoing from within. She looked at Julian, eyes brimming with tears. “Mr. Hale… why me? This job is unbearable!”

Julian, equally miserable, reluctantly took the documents. He knocked, entered, and stepped over the remnants of Dominick’s smashed phone. Dominick sat at his desk, head in his hands, his shoulders shaking with each heavy breath.

Julian placed the documents before him. “Mr. Vanderbilt, please sign.” He watched carefully. Since the Marissa incident, he’d reevaluated his bias against Paisley and returned to Dominick’s side.

Dominick mumbled a muffled “Mm,” then, lifting his head, signed the papers with practiced ease. Julian was about to leave when he remembered. “Mr. Vanderbilt, the Sullivan family called.”

Dominick’s neutral expression shifted subtly. “What is it?” He’d forgotten about Paisley’s family.

“Miss Brittany said they’d like to invite you to dinner. I told them you were busy.” Julian watched closely. He’d initially declined the invitation, biased against Paisley and suspicious of Brittany’s motives. But now, seeing Dominick’s distress, he saw an opportunity. “Should I tell them you’ll go?”

Dominick nodded. “Sure, go ahead.”

Brittany, trying on costumes on the film set, answered Julian’s call. Her voice boomed, loud enough for the entire set to hear. “Mr. Hale, hello!”