Chapter 5 I will be there on time

Christine hadn't returned home these past few days, staying at the hospital to recuperate.

Restoring her health and lifting her spirits were her priorities now. After each meal, she would go downstairs to bask in the sunlight for a while.

"Christine? So you're here!"

She looked up in confusion and met Sofia's gloating expression. Christine stared at her, puzzled as to why Sofia would come all the way to the hospital just to find her.

"You saw everything that day, didn't you?"

Christine raised an eyebrow slightly. "And?"

"Let me tell you this-my brother will dump you soon. If you know what's good for you, leave now. Save yourself the embarrassment later."

Without a flicker of emotion, Christine opened the voice recorder on her phone. "Say that again."

Sofia sneered. "Scared, huh? I said my brother will dump you soon. If you know what's good for you, make room for Vivian. She and my brother are true love!"

Christine watched her calmly, deliberately baiting her. "How do you prove they're true love? Does that mean Neil and I aren't?"

Sofia was so infuriated by Christine's tone that she burst out laughing. She pulled out her phone, opened her photo gallery, and shoved it right in Christine's face.

"See? Look how sweetly Neil smiled when Vivian kissed him!"

Christine's eyes narrowed slightly. "I see. But I don't see your brother smiling sweetly. Send it to me so I can zoom in and take a closer look."

Sofia had no idea she'd walked straight into a trap. "Fine, I'll send it!"

She sent Christine every single photo-the cup-sharing toast, the cheek kiss, the arm-around-the-shoulder shot.

Then she gloated triumphantly, "Well? See that? Christine, has Neil ever looked at you like that? Don't think I don't know what's going on. You've been married for three years, and he hasn't touched you once!"

"That's hilarious," Christine replied lightly. "If a man won't even touch you when you're sleeping in the same bed, how could that be true love?"

Christine lifted her gaze from the phone to Sofia's smug face, her lips curling into an almost imperceptible smile.

"A rotten cucumber isn't worth pitying, is it?"

"You!" Sofia stomped her foot in fury. "You're the rotten one!"

"Alright. I've received proof of the deep affection between Neil and Vivian. My stomach hurts now, so you can leave."

"Hmph! Fine, I'll leave. Christine, just wait until my brother dumps you!"

*****

Christine stared at the photos and recordings saved on her phone, then immediately hailed a cab to Stone & Sterling Law Firm.

"Attorney Thompson, do you think this evidence is sufficient?"

Henry hadn't expected Christine to move so quickly. "It's sufficient."

"List all the assets under your husband's name. Until we sort things out, don't provoke him into filing for divorce-we don't want him catching on to our plans."

"Understood."

"Oh, Attorney Thompson," Christine suddenly remembered something. "The day before yesterday, he asked me to accompany him to a private dinner. I had him transfer me 50,000 dollars, with a note saying it was a voluntary gift. Is that acceptable?"

"."

This woman was surprisingly sharp.

"It's acceptable," he replied, his tone turning serious.

After seeing Christine off, Henry dialed a number.

"She just left. You missed her."

Edward: "?"

"I had my brother bid on that plot at Green Lake," Edward said coldly.

Henry was furious. He knew full well that his family had been eyeing that plot first.

"Dude, you missed your chance. Why are you blaming me?"

"I've got some useful intel for you," Henry said. "Your beloved will be attending the private banquet the Watson family is hosting this weekend."

Edward replied calmly, "Got it. I'll be there on time."

Neil waited five whole days, but Christine never came home.

She seemed determined to make it clear that the divorce was a done deal, which greatly annoyed him.

With a cold expression, he sent her a message:

Don't forget tonight's private dinner.

The reply came swiftly-a simple OK emoji-which instantly silenced him.

Neil found himself increasingly unable to read Christine.

Was she playing hard to get, or was she genuinely intent on divorcing him?

*****

Heavenly Pavilion

The waiter asked politely, "Sir, may I see your invitation?"

Neil's face darkened with impatience. "Do you know Christine? She used to visit the Watson family often. Christine is my wife. I'll go in first-she'll be here shortly."

The attendant merely smiled. "I'm sorry, sir. This is a private banquet. Without an invitation, entry is not permitted."

"You-!"

Not wanting to argue with a waiter at the entrance, Neil stepped aside and kept glancing at his watch.

Sofia felt embarrassed too, with so many people staring. The cool breeze messed up her carefully styled hair as she tugged at Neil's sleeve.

"Brother, when is Christine coming?"

She hadn't forgotten her mother's mission-tonight, she was determined to dazzle the crowd with her beauty.

Tonight, both siblings shared the same target: the man named Edward Robinson.

Already in a foul mood, Neil grew even more irritated by Sofia's nagging. "I don't know. Why don't you call Christine and urge her?"

Sofia pouted. Ask that woman for help? In her dreams.

Fifteen minutes later, Christine finally stepped out of her black sedan, her stiletto heels clicking steadily as she walked with deliberate grace.

The man whose expression had been unpleasant moments earlier now stared in astonishment.

Christine wore a black, high-waisted fishtail gown. Her graceful figure, slender waist, and high-slit skirt hinted at her long, fair legs.

Neil's gaze lingered on the faint curve beneath her delicate collarbone. His Adam's apple rolled slightly.

"You're here."

Christine narrowed her moist, beautiful eyes. "I don't think I'm late, am I?"

"Of course you're late!" Sofia snapped. "Do you know how long my brother and I waited for you? A full fifteen minutes!"

Christine scoffed coldly, not sparing Sofia a glance.

Neil patted Sofia's shoulder. Now was not the time to provoke Christine.

"It's fine. I arrived early. Let's go inside."

He gallantly offered his arm. Christine calmly pulled a pair of lace gloves from her bag and slipped them on before taking it, smiling sweetly.

"Let's go."

She'd bought the gloves specifically yesterday, intending to discard them after today. Though it felt wasteful, who could blame her? They would be touching a man she considered unclean.

The faint stirrings in Neil's heart vanished instantly.

At the entrance, Christine presented the invitation. The attendant glanced at it.

"Miss Woods, please come in."

Just as Neil and Sofia were about to follow, they were stopped.

"I'm sorry, sir and madam," the attendant said politely, "but the invitation only lists Miss Woods. Only she may enter."

Neil's composure finally cracked. Ignoring the mocking glances around him, he growled through clenched teeth, "She's my wife!"

"I'm sorry, sir. This puts us in a difficult position."

Christine fought back a smile and shrugged casually.

"No worries. I'll go in first. You two." She lowered her voice, offering sincere advice. "How about sneaking in later when no one's looking?"