Chapter 3

Eric had dreamed of buying a house in the Rosewood Estate after graduating. However, it would be impossible for him to buy a house in his lifetime while working for David. Needless to say, he did not expect his initial dream to be realized in such a way.

Before leaving, Sylvia had informed Eric that he must spend the night at the Rosewood Estate unless he had something urgent to attend to.

Eric felt hopeless but quickly came to terms upon thinking about the large sum of money he would receive as a divorce settlement three years later.

After recollecting his thoughts, Eric hailed a taxi and returned to the hospital. He let out a huge sigh of relief after depositing the remaining $13,500 into the hospital account. The heavy burden in his heart was finally lifted.

Mrs. Johnson and Elly were still waiting anxiously outside the operating theater. The two of them approached Eric instantly as he came through the doors. Before they could exchange words, Eric's phone rang.

Looking at the incoming call, Eric furrowed his brows and put away his phone after rejecting the call.

"Mom, Elly, Dad's surgical bill—"

His phone rang once again before he could finish his sentence.

"Eric, the call seems important. Why don't you answer it since Dad is still in the operation theater?" Elly suggested.

Eric shook his head, put away his phone again, and continued. "Mom, Elly—"

His phone rang again.

Eric answered the call impatiently, "What is it?"

It was his girlfriend, Jasmine.

Jasmine seemed not to discern Eric's tone and said, "Eric, I was at the mall and found a dress I really like. It's only $300. Please transfer the money to me so I can buy it."

Eric was fuming upon hearing her request.

The audacity she had to ask him for money after she had stooped so low to flatter that good-for-nothing David! What a shameless woman!

"I don't have the money!" Eric hung up right away.

"It's Jasmine?" asked Elly.

Eric nodded silently. He felt embarrassed even thinking about the matter.

Elly added, "Another conflict? Jasmine is still young, so it's only normal for her to spend more. Dad is still in the operating theater. Why don't you—"

Eric interrupted his sister. "Elly, I got this. We've been together for a while now, and I believe I treated her well. But every time she calls me now, it's always about money. There are some issues that are inconvenient for me to explain to you for now. I'm breaking up with her after Dad is out of danger."

Eric pressed his lips together and remained silent after saying that.

His father was still fighting for his life on the operating table, yet Jasmine was treating Eric like a cash dispenser.

However, just when Eric was hoping for a moment of peace, his phone rang again.

Eric took a deep breath, trying to suppress his anger, and answered his phone.

Jasmine asked, "Eric, you're not in the office? Where are you? I'll go meet you."

Eric sneered. Jasmine must have contacted David and found out he was not in the office. Moreover, since Andy had helped him apply for leave, David must have informed Jasmine that he was also in the hospital.

After contemplating, Eric replied, "I'm in the hospital. You may come over."

Eric wanted to see how shameless she could be.

The red light outside the operating theater was still on when Jasmine arrived. She came over in high heels, ignoring Eric's mother and Elly as she walked straight to Eric.

"Eric, the dress I like is very pretty. My bestie laughed at me when I couldn't pay for the dress. Do you know how embarrassed I was?" Jasmine felt something was amiss as she spoke.

In the past, Eric would always smile warmly at her, even when she vented her frustration at him.

However, Eric was looking at her with scorn on his face now.

"Are you done talking?" Eric said indifferently. "I wouldn't have the face to show up if I were you, Jasmine. You really are shameless for showing up here and asking for money. My mom and Elly are here, and you totally ignore them. Fine, I won't hold it against you. However, if I were you, I wouldn't show up here asking for money. I'd go to David instead!"

Jasmine was utterly shocked, unable to fully comprehend what she had just heard.

Had he found out she was cheating on him with David? But how?

Jasmine would never allow Eric to go through her phone, and David had promised to keep that a secret.

"You…" Tears began to well up in her eyes. "Eric! You're suspecting me of cheating on you with David!? I barely even know him! I've only met him once!"

Jasmine gnashed her teeth, her whole body trembling uncontrollably as if she had endured unimaginable mistreatment.

Jasmine was quite a beauty, so she looked pitiful and vulnerable with teary eyes. Who would not be sympathetic and soften their hearts when they saw her like that?

However, Eric would never fall for it again after seeing the WhatsApp chat between Jasmine and David.

He glanced indifferently at Jasmine and said, "Jasmine, we're done. I'm officially breaking up with you!"

Eric turned away without hesitation.

It only took a moment for one's heart to die and end a decade-long relationship.

"Eric!"

Eric did not expect Jasmine to grab him and cry, "What's wrong with you? How could you do this to me? We've been together for almost a decade! Don't you know me? Eric!"

"Jasmine!" Eric pushed her away and said, "Do you really want me to expose your affair with David to make you convinced!?"

Jasmine was shocked that Eric had found out about their affair.

She took out a tissue and wiped her tears.

"Alright, Eric. If that's the case, I'm demanding compensation for all the years I've spent with you! Pay me $13,000, and I'll leave you peacefully. Otherwise, I'll make your life a living hell!"

"You won't get a single penny! Get lost!" Eric was furious.

"Very well!" Jasmine's face darkened. "Yes, I cheated on you with David! Eric, you're a sore loser! David's able to afford whatever I want, and you are broke! You're turning 30 soon, and who's willing to marry a poor loser like you? After breaking up with me, you'll end up single for your entire life!"

Eric laughed and pulled out his marriage certificate. He badly wanted to plaster it on Jasmine's face!

"Jasmine, this is my marriage certificate. Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm married!" Revenge had never felt so sweet.

Eric put away his marriage certificate after Jasmine saw his name on it. She was completely shocked to find out that Eric was married.

"Now get lost!" Eric turned away from Jasmine.

"Alright, Eric. This is not over yet!" Jasmine stormed out the door. She did not seem sad at all.

Perhaps it was true that she had been treating Eric as her cash dispenser after all.

Elly recovered her wits and asked tentatively, "Eric, you're married? Since when?"

Eric smiled wryly and said, "Elly, it's a long story."

He never expected a marriage certificate to come along with the money he borrowed out of desperation.

-

At the Williams Corporation Tower.

Sylvia took a photo of her fresh marriage certificate, blurred Eric's ID number, and uploaded it to the family's group chat.

Sylvester: [Sylvia! You're married!?]

Brook: [Good heavens! You're married? A flash marriage? Why so sudden!?]

Conner: [Eric Johnson? Sylvia, is our brother-in-law from the Johnson family in King City?]

The corner of Sylvia's mouth curled into a faint smile upon seeing her family members' reactions in the group chat. Even her secretary was shocked by their reactions.

After pondering for a moment, Sylvia texted her eldest brother, Sylvester.

Sylvia: [Sylvester, I'm married. So, according to our agreement, I'm still in charge of Williams Corp. for the next three years. Am I right?]

Shortly afterward, a profile picture of a wolf head replied.

Sylvester: [Of course! Sylvia, bring Eric over for dinner tonight. We should get together as a family. We are eager to meet him.]

Sylvia ignored Sylvester's message.

She did not want Eric to meet with the family temporarily. After all, their marriage was just a tool for her to prolong her term as Williams Corp.'s CEO.