"That was your only chance." Max's unreadable gaze was locked onto Janice's eyes.
Janice's gaze wavered unwittingly, but she raised her hand to down the water in one gulp to disguise her reaction.
"Aren't we here to sign the divorce agreement?" Shannon asked.
Max froze, then turned and gave her a deep stare.
A woman who had been so quiet during their three years of marriage that he hadn't noticed her existence was actually in such a hurry to get a divorce?
Feeling inexplicably frustrated, Max took out an agreement and placed it in front of Shannon.
The words 'Divorce Agreement' once again stung Shannon's eyes, and her hand froze.
Thinking that Shannon was unwilling to sign the papers, Janice said, "Miss Zanders, don't worry. We know that you came from an ordinary family, so even if you divorce Max, he won't mistreat you. The agreement clearly states that you'll be compensated with a mansion, shares, and cash. I'll also give you another thirty million dollars as compensation for taking care of Max for the past three years."
"There's no need." Shannon lowered her head and frowned, her expression indifferent.
There's no need?
Max's deep gaze was focused on Shannon, as though he was going to see through her.
Janice was unhappy. "Miss Zanders, these things are already worth a lot, given your situation. Please don't push your luck. I…"
Shannon didn't want to speak to Janice. Looking up, her cool gaze was fixed on Max. "I just want this villa. You can keep the rest."
The man frowned slightly. Back then, he had chosen to marry her because he knew that she came from an ordinary family and wouldn't cause any trouble.
But now, she was actually rejecting all this money that she might never be able to earn in her entire lifetime?
His face darkened. After a moment, he spat out two words. "Suit yourself."
Upon hearing this, Shannon took out a pen and signed her name, after which she pushed the divorce agreement to Max, then stood up and went upstairs.
Through the gap in the bedroom door, she could see Janice hugging Max's waist and smiling happily.
Her heart was completely broken.
…
As a poor person, Shannon did not have the right to laze around.
Originally, she thought that she would be able to find a good job with her excellent results in business management at university. However, after a series of unsuccessful attempts and the incessant calls from the property management to chase her for bill payment, she had to swallow her pride and become a salesperson at a shoe store.
The store was located in the central business district of New Jersey. Shannon quickly adapted to the job, and the only downside was that her direct superior wasn't very friendly to her.
On this day, Shannon was sneaking in some time during work to memorize the training notes, when someone entered the shop.
"Hello, welcome."
After bowing deeply, Shannon looked up and was stunned. The person who came in was her mother-in-law?
Oh, no, it was her ex-husband's mother, Sandra Wenley.
Shannon was instantly embarrassed.
Sandra was also shocked. She glanced awkwardly at her good friend beside her, and her gaze towards Shannon became increasingly hostile.
Shannon knew that back then when she married Max, the two elders of the Wenleys had objected strongly. Now that Sandra had met her when she was selling shoes, Sandra's image of her was probably reduced to naught.
"Hey, this pair of shoes looks really nice. Help me put them on." The woman who came with Sandra picked up a pair of soft leather shoes from the rack.
The woman was talking to Shannon. Shannon froze on the spot, not knowing what to do. Her ex mother-in-law's gaze almost burned through her.
"Just now, I saw a pair of shoes that looked even better in the shop up ahead. Let's go there and take a look." Sandra glared at Shannon, then quickly left with her friend.
Shannon smiled bitterly as she watched the two women leave.
She had just turned around when the phone in her pocket rang. Using the excuse of going to the toilet, Shannon took out her phone to take a look. True enough, it was a message from Sandra. "I'll wait for you at the cafe on the fourth floor of the mall."
Clenching her phone tightly, Shannon's heart was in turmoil.
What should she do? Her manager did not like her to begin with. If she applied for leave so soon, she might not even be able to pass her internship.
"Shannon, did you fall into the toilet bowl?" Her manager's harsh voice sounded from outside.
Shannon had no choice but to open the door. "Sir, I…"
'Ring, ring!' Her phone rang. It was a call from Sandra.
Shannon was completely flustered. She bowed deeply to her manager, "Sir, I'm very sorry. There's something that I have to deal with. I'll explain to you later when I return. I'm sorry."
Then, she ran to the cafe without looking back.
She looked around and quickly located Sandra, who was seated in a corner.
"Have a seat." Sandra's expression remained gentle.
Although she didn't show it on her face, Shannon knew that Sandra was very angry.
The Wenleys were the richest and most prestigious family in New Jersey. Even if she was their former daughter-in-law, they could not accept that she was out in public selling shoes.
Just as Shannon sat down, Sandra spoke.
"Quit your job immediately and go home. The Wenleys can't afford such humiliation." Sandra gracefully picked up her coffee on the table and took a sip.
Hearing this, Shannon pursed her lips. It seemed like Sandra still didn't know about her divorce with Max.
She mustered her courage. "Mother, I…"
"Since when did the Wenleys degenerate to such a state that our daughter-in-law has to show her face in public?" Sandra's expression was becoming increasingly ugly.
Shannon's face was pale. "Mother, Max and I have already…"
"Excuse me. Here's your coffee." The waitress interrupted them.
Shannon took the cup of coffee. The strong coffee fragrance permeated her nose, but her stomach suddenly felt queasy. She quickly covered her mouth and turned to the side.
Seeing Shannon's unbecoming behavior, Sandra was incensed. She snorted coldly and grabbed her bag.
"Shannon, I'm telling you upfront, quit your job immediately. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."
She turned around and left, her attitude resolute.
Shannon panicked. She got up and chased after her. "Mother, let me explain. I really didn't…"
Sandra was feeling very impatient. "No matter what you say, I will never accept a daughter-in-law like you."
In Shannon's panic, her vision turned black and she lost consciousness.
When she woke up, she realized that she was in the hospital. Sandra was grinning from ear to ear.
"Mother, I…"
"You don't have to say anything. Just have a good rest. This is great! Our family is going to have an heir."
Have an heir?
Shannon stared wide-eyed at the medical report in Sandra's hands.
She was actually pregnant?
How did this happen? They were married for a few years, but she was only pregnant after they were divorced?
She couldn't help but touch her stomach, her heart overwhelmed with joy.
This was her child.
Her heart skipped a beat, as she thought of a realistic question.
She was pregnant with Max's child, but would a family like the Wenleys allow her to take the child away?
And there was also Max. He was so protective of that woman, would he… let her give birth to their child?