Chapter 7
The messages Calista had received were all asking where she was–including one that said Lucien had been hospitalized due to a stomach flare–up.
In the past, she would have dropped everything and rushed to the hospital to take care of him, crying in his arms from worry. But not
anymore.
No matter how much she gave him, he never spared her a glance. It was just like he’d said–her presence only caused him trouble anyway. She was dead weight, completely useless.
Jason had been lounging on the hospital couch when he saw Calista’s reply. He immediately jumped up and scurried over to Lucien’s bedside like an excited lackey.
“Uncle… Uncle Lucien! That woman responded!”
Lucien took the phone and clicked on Calista’s profile. He noticed that her profile picture had changed. Before, she’d used their wedding photo. Now, it was an image of a sunflower.
His eyes darkened as he opened their chat and tried to call her. The call immediately failed. When he tried to send a message, only one gray tick appeared.
Her profile picture and “last seen” status had disappeared completely now. It seemed that she had blocked him.
Lucien stared at Calista’s cold message in the group chat, a strange feeling beginning to stir inside him. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he never would have believed that Calista could write something so unfeeling.
During the days she’d been gone, Lucien had continued his routine of going to work and attending meetings day after day, waiting for her to come back. That was until he collapsed during a board meeting and woke up in the hospital.
Only then did he realize that Calista had been gone for exactly 11 days, 11 hours, 20 minutes, and 57 seconds. That was when it hit him that Calista, who had asked for divorce 24 times and run away three times before, had actually left for real this time.
Galen watched Lucien silently. He’d observed his boss‘ condition these past few days.
At the office, Lucien was still the decisive CEO who commanded respect from everyone. But the moment he got home, his eyes would automatically drift to the couch.
It was as if his soul had been drained, leaving behind nothing but an empty shell, wandering around like the living dead. Galen had never imagined that Calista’s departure would hit Lucien this hard.
“Track her phone’s IP address. I don’t care where she is. Bring her back.” Lucien’s voice was ice–cold.
“Yes, sir.”
Galen traced Calista’s location to Brego. Even while lying sick in bed, Lucien couldn’t let go of work.
“Tell her that I don’t have time for these childish games. She’s been in Brego long enough. Give her one day to return.
“If she doesn’t, we’ll terminate all partnerships with the Cannon family.”
Lucien figured that he had probably been too lenient with her all these years. That was why Calista dared to ask for a divorce!
Anthony’s independent venture specialized in automated machinery processing. Over the years, he’d received numerous partnership opportunities with other companies through his connections with the Fenwick family, including major buyers who had provided him with steady business.
“But we can’t reach Mrs. Eenwick. Even if we call, she won’t pick up anymore.”
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Lucien’s fingers stopped typing. “If she won’t come back, then let her find out what she’s giving up by leaving the Fenwick family!”
It seemed that Lucien was truly furious this time. He was actually targeting Calista’s foster family.
Within three hours, Anthony received cancellation notices from all his buyers. Each order was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, totaling over three million dollars in lost business.
Even other parts suppliers started refusing to work with him. Then, he received a legal notice.
His factory was being investigated after allegedly faulty machinery caused a worker to lose his hand. The relevant authorities had now sealed off his factory. One clause stated that, due to manufacturing violations that led to a worker’s injury, operations were suspended pending investigation.
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If this wasn’t handled properly, Anthony could face criminal charges and prison time. His wife, Clarice Morgan, slammed the legal documents onto the table.
“Anthony, look what she’s done! She comes back and brings us this colossal mess. Why did you have to go to Dorcan and get involved?
“Anyone can see that someone’s pulling strings here. Are you happy now?
“We still have thousands in mortgage payments each month, plus the cost of Justin’s baby formula. Now you’ve lost your factory and can’t do business.
“Not only do you have to pay out a huge settlement, but you might go to prison, too. If you don’t send her back to Dorcan, I’m taking Justin and filing for divorce!”
Anthony’s expression darkened. “Blood–related or not, Calista is still my sister. I’d rather lose the factory and go to jail than send her
back.”
Clarice continued, “A crowd of workers has gathered outside, demanding their unpaid wages, which amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. How are you supposed to pay them?
“Calista is just some kid your mother found. You’ve been good to her, but what has she done for us? She didn’t even invite us to her wedding because she was embarrassed by us!”
Calista had just finished helping a patient and was coming back when she overheard this conversation from the doorway. Pain shot through her chest.
She hadn’t left them out of her wedding. The truth was, she and Lucien never even had a real ceremony.
Calista knew that all this was Lucien’s handiwork. She hadn’t thought that he would stoop this low! They were divorced, yet he was still targeting her family.
Calista turned away. She took that familiar number off her blocked list and called it. The phone rang until the very last second before someone picked up.
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