Chapter 33
Ella felt a wave of panic. Her grandfather had just started recovering, and any stress could set him back. If he found our that Harry, whom he had promoted, and Grace, whom he had taken in kindly, were ganging up to bully his beloved granddaughter, it might trigger a stroke. If his health worsened because of this, it would be harder to treat.
She could only come up with an excuse, selling the doctor to bring Harry for a visit in a few days.
Rubbing her temples, she returned home. To her surprise, Jaden hadn’t gone to bed yet and was waiting for her. “Why aren’t you asleep?” she asked.
“Divorce, Jaden said plainly.
“What?” Ella was stunned, realizing she heard him right. Jaden was actually talking about divorce. Had he been watching too much TV and picked up a new word?
I want a divorce, Jaden repeated.
“What’s gotten into you?” Ella asked, not getting angry but showing remarkable patience.
Jaden turned away, avoiding her gaze.
Ella persisted, “Did I do something wrong? Did I make you unhappy?”
Jaden just pursed his lips and said, “I don’t like you, and you don’t like me, so we shouldn’t be together.”
“Where did you hear that? On TV?” Ella couldn’t help but laugh, not taking it to heart. Jaden didn’t grasp the complexities of relationships.
Yawning, she gave his shoulder a comforting pat. “Aduh life can be unpredictable. Just because we’re not fond of each other doesn’t mean we can’t coexist. Jaden, you should be dreaming with lingluer every night knowing you’ve got someone as smart, capable, good–looking, and fit avme. But okay, I’m not in the mood to argue with you. We’ll go grab some good food another day.”
“I don’t want to eat. I want a divorce! Jaden insisted.
“Well, if you don’t like me, then who do you like? Ella chuckled, pummely curious.
“I don’t like anyone,” Jaden replied flatly.
Then find someone you like before you talk about divorce.” Ella laughed, finding the whole situation uninteresting, and headed straight to her
Jaden’s gaze turned colder. He had shown Ella plenty of patience, not wanting to embarrass her, but she was being so unreasonable. If she continued being unappreciative, he wouldn’t hesitate to be ruthless.
The next day, Ella heard unsenting news from Finn. Denison Group was trying to undermine the Watson family, even spreading rumors that associating with the Watsons was detrimental. The board was concerned it could jeopardize the future of Willow Group because of Jaden.
Ella felt overwhelmed. How had things escalated to targeting the Watsons? Had someone offended a powerful figure!
The board suggested she make a call to assess if this would affect cooperation between the two companies.
Ella wasted no time and immediately made the call. She could only reach Han; she wasn’t authorized to contact the big shots. But when a big shot wanted to see her, they could do so anytime. That was the power of capitalism
“Hank, what’s going on with Mr. White? Why is there suddenly a conflict with the Watson family? Ella asked urgently.
“The conflict isn’t sudden. Mr. White and the Watson family have had long–standing grievances. I don’t know the specifics, but I can tell you this much. Mr. White has refocused on domestic development to suppress the Watsons,” Hank explained.
“Is it that serious?” Ella was surprised she hadn’t noticed before
“I understand your concern. Ms. Willow. Ladvise you to divorce to avoid any impact on Willow Group. He’s just a liability. Send him back to the Watsons, and he’ll go back to his old ways,” Hank suggested.
“But what if I don’t want to? Ella frowned.
“Do you want to test Mr. White’s patience, Ms. Willow?” Hank’s tone turned serious.
Ella Cheart sank for a moment. “I understand,” she replied quietly, and hung up, feeling a weight on her shoulders.
Later, Finn asked her about Denison Group’s intentions. They haven’t revealed anything yet. We’ll have to wait and see,” Ella brushed off the question, not revealing the full truth. After a few more exchanges, she ended the conversation and went downstairs, feeling drained. It seemed one problem was barely resolved before another arose
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11:29 AM
Chapter 33
Downstairs, she noticed Jaden hadn’t come down for breakfast yet. They were having cereal. Ella instructed the servants to add some sugar to Jaden’s cereal. Jaden likes it sweet, so please keep that in mind,” she told them.
“Ms. Willows, you really take good care of Mr. Watson. Without you, who knows what kind of life Mr. Watson would have,” Hazel remarked
Ella was taken aback. If she divorced him and sent him back to the Watson family, they could openly bully him, treat him like a dog, scold him, and even physically harm him, just like they had done before when he was searching for something in the water. She had promised to take care of Jaden for life. There would never be a scenario where she had meat while jaden had only soup, if she had meat, Jaden would have it too.
“Take good care of him while I’m gone. I’m heading to the company for a while, Ella instructed the servants.
In the following days, Ella became extremely busy Jaden stayed home, waiting for her to return and divorce him. She couldn’t keep it hidden for long. Hank brought people over to deliver the had news. The senior management was concerned and urged Ella to hurry up with the divorce, Everyone took turns persuading her, hoping she would think of the company. It wasn’t just for herself, but for her grandfather and the livelihoods of thousands of employees in the company.
After all, ruining the company for the sake of someone incompetent wasn’t worth it.
At the Monday meeting, before anyone could report on the previous week’s progress, they started pressing Ella about when she would proceed with the divorce, Ella was exhausted from hearing it over and over. “Are you finished?” she asked impatiently.
“We’re finished. What’s your decision, Ms. Willow?” Everyone in the room looked expectantly at Ella
“Meeting adjourned. Ella replied sharply, not wanting to entertain their question
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“Mr. Willow, today you must make a decision. Do you want to wait until Denison Group maliciously undermines us and regrets it!” one of them pressed.
“Yeah, the Watsons have already lost several projects.”
“It’ll be our turn next!”
“Enough!” Ella finally burst out, slamming her hand on the table. “Are you finished? “Today it’s about Jaden. If tomorrow it’s you being asked to divorce, to abandon your family, will you do it for the company? Do you not understand the heartbreak of being torn from loved ones, like a knife through your soul? I might divorce, but would you? Could you do that?”
Silence filled the
e room as everyone exchanged uncertain glances.
After a moment, someone spoke softly. “This affects your grandfather’s legacy. If it jeopardizes the future of Willow Group, how will you face him?”
Ella spoke with conviction, “I know my grandfather better than anyone here. If I’m willing to cast aside my husband just to avoid offending others, am I still a person with integrity and principles! If my grandfather were here, you would all be dismissed! You claim it’s for the company’s sake, but you nearly made me forget that this company belongs to the Willow family, not to all of you!
“I respect your expertise and acknowledge my own shortcomings. I am willing to learn from you, but that does not mean I will be dictated to. If you believe I am unfit to lead Willow Group and that my decisions will lead to its downfall, then find another company. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors!”
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