Chapter 3 Reunion with an Old Friend

The dishes on the table were all to Beatrice's taste.

They both ate quietly.

Henry broke the silence first:

"Have you really made up your mind about divorcing Arthur?"

Beatrice's hand paused for a moment, then she nodded calmly.

Henry couldn't help but laugh out loud, genuinely happy.

If any employee from Orion Global Research Institute saw this, they'd be shocked—their usually serious CEO was actually laughing so happily.

Beatrice tilted her head and looked at Henry: "What, you're happy about my divorce?"

Henry quickly adjusted his composure, but the happiness in his voice was still obvious.

"No, I'm just curious what suddenly made you see the light."

Beatrice's tone was flat: "I'm just tired. I can't love anymore."

Henry picked up a contract from the side and handed it to Beatrice.

"Since you're back, come back to the company. After all, you're also a founder. Without you, I really can't handle everything alone."

Beatrice looked at Henry's serious expression, finding it hard to explain her difficulties.

It wasn't that she didn't want to.

The chemistry industry was changing rapidly these days.

She'd been away from the field too long. Even if she went back now, she probably couldn't keep up with the times, let alone lead everyone at the forefront of the industry like before.

Henry and Beatrice had rarely met these years, but he could clearly feel that she'd lost that high-spirited energy from back then.

Thinking of that chemistry genius from before, he never imagined she would feel insecure.

He didn't know much about Beatrice and Arthur's marriage, only that Beatrice had abandoned everything to chase love, but he had his guesses.

Henry looked seriously into Beatrice's eyes: "Being a bit behind doesn't matter. I believe with your talent, as long as you get back on this path, you'll quickly become an industry leader again."

After all, she was someone who once made even him feel inadequate.

"Don't forget, our professor has been waiting for you to come back."

Beatrice scoffed: "The professor must be very disappointed in me, giving up so easily on the field he's pursued his whole life."

Thinking of that refined yet sharp-tongued old man, her smile faded a bit: "How is he? I saw in the news he's still working on the frontlines in the lab?"

"He's doing well, just that we useless students bother him from time to time, urging him to rest, but he kicks us out every time."

Beatrice laughed, this time genuinely happy.

"Come back, Beatrice."

Beatrice gripped her glass, took a deep breath, and downed the liquid in one gulp.

"Okay!"

She'd loved chemistry since childhood.

But for Arthur, for love, she'd abandoned her dreams.

They chatted a bit more. Henry checked the time and arranged to attend a party together Friday evening before heading back to the company to handle business.

As soon as Beatrice stepped outside, she saw Arthur's sister Jessica Capulet walking toward her.

Beatrice knew Jessica was studying at university in Regal City.

But she didn't expect to run into her here by such coincidence.

Beatrice greeted her: "Jessica."

Jessica frowned at her: "What are you doing here?"

"My family is in Regal City. Is it strange that I'm back?"

If Beatrice hadn't mentioned it, Jessica really didn't know Beatrice was from Regal City.

Whatever, she couldn't be bothered.

"Since you're here, help me handle something at school later. It'll save Arthur another trip."

No one in the Capulet Family cared about her except Grandpa.

Jessica had always bossed her around.

Before, because of Arthur, Beatrice had desperately tried to please the Capulet Family.

But now she didn't want to compromise for Arthur anymore.

So she refused directly: "Sorry, I'm busy."

Since she'd chosen to return to her professional field, she should spend her time studying now.

Whether it was Arthur, Jessica, or anyone else,

after the divorce she'd have nothing to do with them. She didn't want to waste time on them anymore.

Jessica didn't expect Beatrice to refuse her, since before she'd always been like a servant, ready to help with anything.

However, Jessica didn't think much of it.

In her view, Beatrice would never refuse her requests. If she was saying she was busy now, she must really be tied up.

After all, why would she easily give up any chance to make her happy?

But her tone still carried some displeasure: "What could you possibly be busy with? Arthur and Sloane aren't even here."

Beatrice gripped her phone, momentarily speechless.

All these years, her world had revolved almost entirely around Arthur and Sloane. All her time and energy outside of work had gone to this family.

Now hearing Jessica's matter-of-fact question, she felt somewhat desolate, and somewhat ridiculous.

In others' eyes, she'd probably long become someone without her own life.

But from now on, that wouldn't be the case anymore.

Just as Beatrice was about to speak, Jessica's classmate came looking for her.

"Jessica, who's this?"

Jessica didn't say Beatrice was her sister-in-law, just said flatly: "A friend."

"Let's go, Jessica, the food's being served."

They clustered around Jessica and quickly left.

Jessica didn't acknowledge her identity. In the past, this might have hurt her,

but now she didn't care anymore.

That evening, Arthur received a message from Jessica.

[Arthur, I need a parent's signature for off-campus housing. Can you come? I ran into Beatrice today, but she wasn't willing to come.]

Arthur looked at the message, somewhat surprised.

Not because Jessica had run into Beatrice, but because Beatrice had refused Jessica.

Arthur replied: [Okay, got it.]

Perfect timing—he had a project to discuss in Regal City anyway.

Sloane was on the phone with Jennifer in the next room when she suddenly ran into Arthur's study crying.

Jennifer had told her terrible news—she was going back to Regal City for a while.

Sloane was devastated and immediately came to ask Arthur.

"Dad, did you know about this?"

Arthur nodded, flipping through documents: "I knew."

"How long is she going back for?"

"About a year."

"Dad, you're mean, you knew and didn't tell me." Sloane sadly tugged at Arthur's hand, shaking it: "I can't bear to be without Jennifer. I want to go to Regal City too."

Arthur's tone was flat: "Got it."

Sloane didn't understand: "What do you mean?"

"We're going to Regal City next week too."