Chapter 7 Selfish Interest

Theodore had a team of experienced lawyers that specialized in complicated cases on his payroll. All of them, including Abdul, were equal to the task. In fact, handling property division cases was just an easy job for them.

Glenda and Brielle spent thirty minutes reading through the documents. Their effort to find fault fell flat. The agreement had been drawn up iron-clad.

In the end, Glenda had no choice but to append her signature to the agreement.

The agreement had four copies. Once Ariana got her own copy, she put it away and pointed at the earring on her stepmother's left ear. "Please return all of my mother's possessions!"

Glenda was about to go ballistic. But when she saw that Theodore was watching them with a half-smile, she kept her cool. She also saw that Horace looked pretty intimidating. Cursing out her stepdaughter in her mind, she unwillingly took off the earring and threw it to Ariana.

"As for the rest, I'll order the housekeeper to pack them up now."

Ariana's heart sang when she heard this. Her eyes were filled with joy and gratitude when she looked at Theodore. Her impression of him improved a lot.

But why did Theodore suddenly change his mind? Looking at him, Ariana remembered how he had told her off this morning. He even ordered her not to appear in front of him.

When Theodore noticed her gaze, he turned and flashed her a bright smile.

For a brooding man like him, his smile was charming and attractive. Ariana couldn't take her eyes off him.

It wasn't until she began to see her reflection in his misty eyes that she jolted back to reality. She looked away and coughed awkwardly.

It was already past noon. Glenda, who was still acting like a good woman, asked Ariana and Theodore to stay for lunch.

Ariana knew her too well, so she could make out the impatience and hatred in her eyes. Glenda actually wanted them to get lost.

Ariana didn't want to stay, anyway. She was just about to turn down the invitation when Theodore piped up, "Okay, let's stay for lunch. After all, Ariana still has to pack up her stuff."

A look of horror flashed through Glenda's face. After swallowing the words that were initially at the tip of her tongue, she said politely, "Oh, that will be great. What would you like to have? I'll order the cooks to prepare the food immediately."

This seemed like a good opportunity to stress Glenda out, so Ariana requested ten complicated and expensive intercontinental dishes.

"Well, can we have cheese lobster, bluefin tuna sushi, steak braised in red wine..." When Ariana saw that her stepmother was about to lose her cool, she immediately added deliberately, "All these are Theodore's favorite dishes. Thanks for your hospitality, Glenda."

Theodore didn't debunk her lie. Instead, he glanced at her with interest and smiled more brightly.

At this time, Glenda's blood was boiling. She cursed inwardly before she forced a smile. "Don't mention it, Aria. It's my pleasure. I'm happy that we finally have the chance to dine together. When the food is ready, let's eat and make merry!"

Once her stepmother went into the kitchen, Ariana went to her bedroom to pack up her stuff. Theodore followed her.

The Edwards family's house was a three-story villa that had an elevator. Theodore had signaled to his subordinates not to follow him. He wheeled himself into the elevator and went to Ariana's bedroom with her.

The room was not big, but it was comfortable and warm inside. Ariana picked up the dolls lying in the corner and put them into a cabinet.

She then took out a suitcase and began to put things inside. She didn't have a lot, so she only packed up some photos and memorabilia.

As she did that, she pondered about how to thank Theodore for his help. She knew that Glenda wouldn't have given in if it weren't for him.

With her back to him, she hesitated for a moment and said, "Ermm... Thank you for coming here today."

There was no response. Ariana swallowed hard and continued, "I know you hate me, so I'll try not to disturb you in the future. But if you need my help, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll do whatever you ask of me."

Silence was the only response she got again.

The air in the room was undeniably awkward. Ariana finally turned her head and found Theodore reading a book with a gloomy expression.

"Did you hear what I said, Theodore?" Ariana asked hesitantly.

Theodore sneered and closed the book. "You're welcome. For your information, I didn't do it because of you. I did it for my own benefit. Didn't you read the agreement before signing it?"

Worry lines suddenly appeared on Ariana's forehead as soon as she heard that statement. She quickly took out the agreement from her bag and skimmed through it.

She had thought Theodore came here to help her out of the goodness of his heart. She was so overwhelmed with joy that she didn't read the agreement before signing it.

The clauses stated in the agreement made Ariana's jaw drop. It turned out that she had signed off all her inheritance to Theodore!