Chapter 6

Eleanor felt her heart sink heavily.

In the end, he still brought up the main issue.

She couldn't help it—her body twitched, and her nails dug into her palms, causing sharp pain.

"What?"

She pretended to stay calm, as if she didn't know what he was talking about.

Arthur frowned, his eyes fixed on the two divorce agreements.

"Why haven't you signed these yet?"

There was no escaping it after all. She smiled bitterly inside, but her voice came out flat: "I'll sign them now."

Sitting back down, she picked up the two agreements and hastily signed her name on one of them.

Eleanor—these two beautiful words now looked particularly jarring.

She understood that once she signed this document, she and he would truly have nothing to do with each other anymore.

From then on, they would go their separate ways and live their own lives.

At the thought of having no connection whatsoever with the man before her, she felt her heart breaking.

The pen in her hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

But still, she remained calm as usual.

This was the outcome he wanted. No matter how much it hurt, she would make it happen for him.

Gripping the pen, she struggled to sign her name on the other agreement.

"Done. Here you go."

She handed him the two divorce agreements.

Arthur took the agreements, still frowning.

He stared at them for a while, then said, "Is this the old agreement? The compensation is so little."

His eyes looked at her, filled more with pity: "You've been with me for five years as my wife. I can't treat you too badly. How about this—I'll draft a new one and try to give you more compensation."

If he truly pitied her, he shouldn't be divorcing her.

She had never coveted compensation when she entered the Boleyn Family.

Over these five years, he should have known clearly that what she had given was far more than any compensation.

Looking up, she gazed deeply at him, meeting his eyes.

If a look could hold someone in place, she wished she could keep him.

"Must we divorce? I don't need compensation."

One last time, she put aside her dignity and tried to keep him.

Looking at her affectionate eyes, Arthur understood that she loved him.

If she didn't love him that much, she wouldn't have joined the Boleyn Corporation after graduation, taking the lowest base salary all along.

She was a socialite too, a talented top student.

It was only because she loved him desperately that she was willing to do all this.

Even after marrying into the Boleyn Family, she took care of him thoughtfully and attentively.

Everyone who knew about their marriage praised Eleanor and envied Arthur for finding such a good wife.

Arthur naturally knew all this, but he just didn't like it.

He didn't like this marriage, didn't like Eleanor. Deep down, he had always been cold toward Eleanor, never caring about anything concerning her.

"You should understand, this marriage was wrong from the start. Wrong things can't stay wrong forever—they need to be set right. Eleanor, we're not kids anymore. We have to pay for our past mistakes."

His voice was cold, his tone impatient, and even his gaze toward her was full of weariness.

Eleanor felt truly ridiculous.

She had actually tried to keep him!

A man who didn't love her, who was even disgusted by the sight of her—why should she force the issue?

When had she become so lacking in self-respect and boundaries?

Arthur shoved the divorce agreements back under the table, his tone even more resolute: "We must divorce, and the agreement must be signed. This is non-negotiable."

Eleanor's heart turned to ashes.

Five years of marriage, living together day and night, side by side—all it earned her was this cold statement.

He had no reluctance or attachment whatsoever.

The reluctance and attachment had always belonged only to Eleanor.

From beginning to end, only she had been in this one-sided love, only she had been intoxicated in this marriage.

She was the only one acting in this play—there was no male lead.

Perhaps it was time for her curtain call.

At this thought, Eleanor's expression grew even calmer: "In that case, I'll wait for your news."

"Okay, I'll notify you as soon as possible."

"I understand."

Their exchange was completely flat, devoid of emotion.

Eleanor prepared to get up and leave again.

"How are the contract negotiations with the Collins Corporation going?"

Suddenly, he brought up work.

"There are some minor issues. I've already discussed them with Lucas. We should be able to sign soon."

She was confident.

When it came to company matters, she had always been dedicated and responsible.

Whenever Arthur asked, she could always answer fluently.

When it came to work ability, she had never disappointed him.

Arthur nodded and chatted with her about some more work matters.

Before they knew it, time flew by. It was already past midnight.

The crystal chandelier in the living room sparkled brilliantly. Under the lights, everything seemed harmonious and warm.

If not for those two divorce agreements under the table that tugged at her heart, she would really enjoy this warmth.

Just being with him filled her heart with contentment.

Finally, he finished discussing business and rubbed his tired eyes, looking somewhat exhausted.

Eleanor could see clearly—he was tired.

"It's getting late. I'll head back now and report to you again tomorrow when you have time."

She spoke in a businesslike tone, trying to reduce his burden.

"The villa has many rooms. You can stay the night and leave tomorrow."

Stay the night and leave? It sounded like she was truly just a guest here.

"By the way, about the divorce compensation—if you have any requests, just say so. I definitely won't shortchange you if I can help it."

Eleanor said calmly: "I don't have any special requirements."

Arthur frowned and thought for a moment: "I'll give you this villa, plus those properties in Gold Valley District. With all that, you should be satisfied."

His tone sounded like he was discussing a business deal. His marriage to her was just a business transaction!

Giving her a few properties meant she'd made a profit, so she had nothing to owe him.

Eleanor looked at the villa before her. This was their wedding home. They had spent five years here together—it held many memories of their time together.

Honestly, she didn't want to give it up.

She thought about it—if he remarried, he probably wouldn't live here anyway.

"I only want this villa. I don't need anything else."

Her voice was cool, like the wind in the deep night.

Arthur was about to say something when his phone rang.

Instinctively, Eleanor glanced at the time. Twelve-thirty.

At twelve-thirty in the middle of the night, only one person could be calling—Sally.

Arthur picked up the phone and pressed answer.

Because they weren't far apart, she could clearly hear Sally's voice from the other end.

"Arthur, isn't Grandpa's birthday coming up soon? I'd like to attend with you."

Her voice was soft: "Your grandpa is naturally my grandpa too. I should show my respect as well."

Her reason was legitimate, impossible to refuse.

"I understand. I'll think about it. It's late—go to sleep early, don't stay up."

After instructing Sally, Arthur hung up.

All this time, he had never been so thoughtful with her.

What time she slept, when she ate—he never cared.

"If she's going, then I don't need to go."

Eleanor said coldly.

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