Chapter 4

Cynthia learned from Luke that ever since she left the Johnson family, he had been plagued by illness and had gone abroad to recuperate. Guilt crashed down on her like a wave. She had failed miserably as a daughter, not even knowing that he had fallen ill. "Dad… I want a divorce," she said quietly. Luke seemed to have guessed what she had been through. After a few words of comfort, he made a surprising offer. "Then, divorce him. I've already transferred most of our assets over the years. Once it's finalized, you can take over the family business." Cynthia could hardly believe her ears. Luke had moved the family fortune abroad? What about Johnson Corporation back home? Was it just an empty shell? No wonder he'd handed it over to Melissa so easily. What an old fox he was. With her decision made, Cynthia no longer hesitated. After hanging up, she immediately contacted Gregory Kurt, one of the most renowned lawyers in the country. "Well, well, well, someone finally came to her senses," Gregory joked. "I thought you're going to hang yourself on that crooked tree named Oliver Carter forever." She didn't mind him teasing her. She knew how he was—a bit of a clown on the surface but serious when it mattered. "Are you in or not?" "I'm in. Leave it to me—I'll make sure this is done perfectly." … After giving him the details, Cynthia glanced once more in the direction of the car. Then, she turned and walked away. That night, she received a message from Oliver, saying he was working late. She barely spared it a glance before tossing her phone aside. Then, she began cleaning out the trash in her life. First off was the necklace he had given her for her 25th birthday—pricey, but meaningless now. She donated it. Next was the love letters he once wrote to woo her—junk paper, tossed. The fig tree they planted together on their wedding day—useless now as well. She had it cut down. Cynthia methodically erased every trace of their love, as if purging her home could also purge her heart. … The next morning, when Oliver returned and saw the half-empty room and the suitcase by the door, an uneasy feeling crept over him. "Sweetheart… where are you going?" She gave him a faint smile. "I'm heading out for a while, so I packed in advance." "Heading out?" he asked, frowning instinctively. "Where to?" "Prolos Island. Did you forget that Janine's wedding is coming up?" Janine Wilson was Cynthia's best friend, and her wedding was coming up in two weeks. At the mention of the wedding, Oliver visibly relaxed. "When's your flight? I'll take you to the airport." "In five days." Scheduled in five days was Melissa's press conference announcing her as the new CEO. There was no way he could miss it. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I have an important meeting that day. I'll have the driver take you." Cynthia's eyes dropped, hiding the mocking glint in them. In Oliver's heart, Melissa's affairs would always come before her. She had no business expecting anything else from him. Quietly, she snuffed out the last flicker of hope she'd been holding onto, resulting in her stoic expression. Something about her calm eyes tugged painfully at Oliver's chest. He opened his mouth, wanting to say he'd go with her, but when he finally spoke, it came out as something else. "Leo's throwing a party on his yacht tonight. Come with me—it might do you some good to get out." Cynthia's brow furrowed. A party… on the water? Ever since the drowning incident, she had developed an instinctive aversion to any place surrounded by water. However, Oliver didn't give her a chance to decline. He tugged her straight into the car. Cynthia sat in the passenger seat, her body stiff with discomfort. Just yesterday, she had seen him and Melissa in this very car, tangled together. She gritted her teeth and reached beneath her feet, hoping to adjust her position and feel less nauseated, but her fingers brushed against something smooth and slippery. Her expression went cold in an instant.