Chapter 7: Stubbornness or patience?

The threats from Mr. Shayne Houston and Mrs. Mary Houston only strengthen Alley Houston's determination to hold onto her marriage with Karimba Cellon. Deep down, Alley Houston knows that Karimba Cellon is not a cold-hearted or indifferent person, nor is he someone who doesn't appreciate what he has. There is no major conflict or irreconcilable hatred between her and him, and the Cellon family and the Vũ family are business partners. Alley Houston believes that if she persists and is sincere, Karimba Cellon will open his heart and accept her once again.

Feeling encouraged by her own positive thoughts, Alley Houston dials Karimba Cellon's number and gives him a call. At that moment, Karimba Cellon is entertaining guests at a luxurious restaurant, accompanied by an elegant and dignified woman.

"Who's calling?" Mrs. Janet Cellon, Karimba Cellon's stepmother, glances at the phone screen with sharp eyes and speaks in a cold tone.

Karimba Cellon doesn't look at her, as if the woman has nothing to do with him. His contempt is evident in his every glance, gesture, tone, and attitude, making it clear to everyone who has ever interacted with the Cellon family that Karimba Cellon despises his stepmother.

Mrs. Janet Cellon doesn't say much either. Faced with Karimba Cellon's cold attitude, she merely smirks and softly reminds him, "Karimba, I'm sure you still remember your father's words before he went abroad for work, right?"

"No need for you to remind me!" Karimba Cellon replies sharply.

"Well, that's good then!" Janet Cellon smiles as if nothing happened and continues discussing business with the partner.

After the work session, Janet Cellon suggests that Karimba Cellon have lunch together. However, Karimba Cellon has always disliked her and is haunted by the things she has done, so he can't stand being in the same atmosphere as this woman.

Just standing beside her makes him feel uncomfortable and suffocated, unable to utter a word, even though she is young and beautiful, with porcelain-like white skin and a seductive, charming figure.

Leaving the meeting, Karimba Cellon drives back to the mansion. Along the way, his mind keeps thinking about the text messages Alley Houston had sent. She wants to meet him and, above all, wants to come to the Cellon house to apologize to his parents, hoping they will give her a chance to return.

"Karimba, are you there? I... I just want to meet you for a little while. I'll be waiting for you at the café opposite the mansion. Please come there to see me, just for a few minutes, can you?"

This is a voicemail from Alley Houston when Karimba Cellon didn't pick up the phone. Karimba Cellon never expected Alley Houston to humble herself before him like this, just to avoid a divorce. Alley Houston's stubbornness frustrates and frightens Karimba Cellon.

“I’m busy now.”

Finally, Karimba Cellon decides not to meet Alley Houston. At that café, Alley Houston sits there motionless, frightened at the thought of the threats from Mr. Shayne Houston and Mrs. Mary Houston. Furthermore, Alley Houston knows very well that she would rather spend her entire life trapped in a loveless marriage with Karimba Cellon than return to the Houston family.

After waiting the whole afternoon, Alley Houston starts to feel tired. She leaves the café and stands on the sidewalk, trying to hail a taxi to go home. Right at that moment, Alley Houston sees across the street Karimba Cellon and Brenda Mclean happily shopping together.

"So, this is how busy you are!" Alley Houston runs across the street, standing in front of Karimba Cellon and Brenda Mclean before shouting.

Karimba is truly angry. He didn't expect Alley Houston to coincidentally appear here. Her persistence annoys him.

"Yes, I'm busy taking Brenda shopping. Isn't that considered being busy?"

Alley Houston chuckles bitterly, "So, you don't have time to meet me?"

"Exactly!" Karimba glances away, avoiding Alley Houston's pained gaze, and coldly responds.

Alley Houston smirks, giving Brenda Mclean a resentful glare.

"Just you wait!" 

Then she walks away. Before she leaves, Karimba Cellon sees a teardrop on her cheek. His heart beats so fast and it really hurts inside him.

A few days later, when Alley Houston heard that Mr. Markus Cellon, Karimba Cellon's father, had returned from abroad, she decided to visit the Cellon house. Unaware of her plans, Karimba Cellon and his father arrived at The Cellon Corporation very early. In the spacious three-thousand-square-meter garden villa, only Janet Cellon and her niece Brenda Mclean were left.

"Aunt, I have to admit that the Cellon family is incredibly wealthy. Their wealth seems endless. Aunt is truly fortunate!" Brenda Mclean strolled around the garden, enthusiastically speaking to Janet Cellon.

Janet Cellon smirked, gently stroking Brenda Mclean's soft hair and replied, "Not just me, my dear. Soon, you will also enter the Cellon family. Once Karimba completes the divorce proceedings with Alley Houston, I will arrange everything for you and Karimba."

"Really, Aunt?" Brenda Mclean exclaimed excitedly. "But why do we have to wait until the divorce is finalized? I can be with Karimba openly and proudly right now."

Seeing Brenda Mclean's enthusiasm, Janet Cellon became even more satisfied. She believed that to reach great heights, one must have a thick skin. That was Janet Cellon's conclusion after gaining a reputation as a husband-stealer for over a decade. Brenda Mclean, her niece whom she had raised outside the Cellon household, naturally shared the same mindset.

Janet Cellon smiled, poured a cup of tea for Brenda Mclean, and looked at her young and naive niece, gently advising, "Having determination is good, but we also need to use some tactics."

At this moment, Alley Houston is pacing back and forth in front of the Cellon mansion. She has called Karimba Cellon numerous times, but he completely avoids her. This terrifies Alley Houston immensely.

After being threatened by her parents, Alley Houston becomes even more vulnerable. It seems that her vulnerability only pushes her further to be by Karimba Cellon's side, to return to the Cellon house.

"Brenda Mclean? Why is she here?"