Calla smiled bitterly. "Maybe I’m the third party between them."Always thinking of Calla's well-being, Alicia tried, "Hey, if he doesn't love you, there's no need for you to dwell on it. But if you’re going to divorce, make sure to fight for your legal rights and your child's."Get more money from him. Otherwise, your life will be hard to live with the child." Calla remained silent, only feeling heartbroken at the moment. Alicia stayed with her until nightfall. By the time Calla returned to Emerald Bay, the lights were already lit.Seeing Calla return, Jasmine hurried over. "Mrs. Garland, you’re back. Where have you been all day? I called you so many times, but you never answered. I was worried sick!""Oh, I went out shopping with a friend. My phone ran out of battery." Calla brushed it off."By the way, Mr. Garland called from overseas this afternoon," Jasmine mentioned.As Calla started to climb the stairs, she paused mid-way but didn’t turn around. She asked, "What did he s

Hearing that, Calla felt a little troubled and said, "Harlan and I haven't been in contact for a long time."Previously, Mercer had grabbed her phone and told Harlan that she had married. He then deleted Harlan's number from her phone. After that, she hadn't seen Harlan again, and he hadn't reached out to her either. Calla still felt a little guilty for not explaining the situation to him. She considered them ordinary friends, so an explanation seemed unnecessary. She kept putting it off until now.Now that Zoey wanted to apply for Harlan’s program, it seemed even more inappropriate to suddenly contact him. Calla was put in a difficult position.Seeing Calla's hesitation, Zoey immediately said, "Cal, this concerns my future! Please swallow your pride and ask him for me!"Calla knew they had to handle the college application correctly. Otherwise, all their efforts would be wasted. It could affect Zoey's entire future. Despite feeling awkward about asking Harlan for a favor, she

Upon hearing this, Mercer stepped forward and grabbed Calla's chin. "I thought you'd be happy to see me.""I'm not unhappy," Calla replied as she lowered her eyes, unable to meet his gaze. They were about to divorce, and he was set to marry another woman. How could she be happy?"You can't fool me. You're not happy," Mercer insisted stubbornly.Growing impatient, Calla jostled his hand away from her chin. A trace of disgust was evident in her eyes. How could she not be repulsed? His heart and soul belonged to another woman. Why did he have to touch her like this?Her expression angered Mercer, and his voice rose sharply. "I flew over ten hours overnight to rush back, just because I was worried about you. Why do you have to treat me like this?"Mercer's deep eyes gazed at Calla with a hint of hurt. She looked up, oblivious to his emotions, and instead, her voice grew agitated. "You've been enduring hours of arduous flights and a week of rushing around to finish your work. It'

Hearing this, Calla was shocked. "Have you been following me? Or did you send someone to tail me?" she questioned angrily."Does it matter?" Mercer responded with a cold look."So what if I went to Southera University? Don't I have the freedom to do as I wish?" Calla tried to shake his hand off, but his grip was like an iron vice. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't break free."Why did you go to Southera University? Did you go to see Harlan? Tell me!" Mercer's veins bulge on his forehead. His voice grew louder with each question.Hadn't he already made his choice? She was a stand-in for the woman he truly loved. Why should he care if she sought out another man? This must be the inferiority complex of wealthy men like him. Even if they didn't like someone, they wouldn't allow anyone else to touch what they considered theirs."Can't I have a male friend? At least Harlan and I have clean consciences—unlike you and Sophie, sneaking around!" Calla retorted.At these words, M

Life had to go on regardless. Zoey had changed majors, and her aspirations were clear. She aimed to become a certified public accountant and even asked for a few basic accounting books for herself.Calla struggled to get up, but still grabbed her bag to head out. In truth, she was intentionally defying Mercer's authority. He didn't want her to leave the house, so she was determined to go out, acting out of spite.Seeing Calla putting on her shoes in the foyer, Jasmine hurried over to stop her. "Mrs. Garland, you can't go out. Mr. Garland gave specific instructions not to let you.""He has no right to restrict my freedom." Calla ignored Jasmine and continued putting on her shoes.Out of desperation, Jasmine stood in the doorway, spreading her arms to block Calla's path. "Mrs. Garland, what if Mr. Garland blames me? I can't bear the consequences.""If he gets wind of this, tell him to come to me. I'll handle it," Calla said. She pushed past Jasmine and left without looking back.Se