Claire Shaw was a fast learner and got the hang of things quickly, taking a lot of work off Wren Wynter’s plate.
During their lunch break, Joy Lynch pulled Wren Wynter aside to eat, whispering, "Sean seems pretty reliable. It shouldn’t be long before you can finish the handover."
"Yes, her fundantals are solid, and she’s very diligent," Wren Wynter said, taking a sip of soup and offering a thoughtful evaluation.
"Congratulations to my dearest Wren on her impending freedom! What do you think, if that scumbag Kaden Xavier finds out you tricked him into signing your resignation agreent, will he be pissed to death? HAHA! If we knew this trick worked so well, you should have slipped the divorce papers in there for him to sign too," Joy Lynch said with a grin.
"That’s a good point."
Now that she ntioned it, Wren Wynter did feel a small pang of regret.
If Kaden Xavier went back on his word, she would have the agreent as a guarantee.
Soon, it was ti to leave work.
Wren Wynter drove back to the small apartnt she had rented.
The room was empty except for a few boxes of luggage and professional books she had moved in a few days ago.
She took out her phone and dialed Crystal Nash’s number.
The phone rang a few tis before it was answered. The background was a bit noisy; it sounded like she was at her law firm.
"Wren? Why are you calling at this hour? Did sothing happen?" Crystal Nash’s voice was laced with concern.
"I’m fine, Crystal. I just wanted to ask if you, or any reliable real estate agents you know, have any suitable apartnts for rent? A one-bedroom or a small two-bedroom would be fine. Not too far from the city center, and in a quiet neighborhood."
"So you’re really moving out? With Kaden Xavier... is it settled?"
"Yeah," Wren Wynter replied softly. "The bet ends tomorrow. We’ll go handle the paperwork after that."
Crystal Nash didn’t press for details. "Alright, I have a few friends in real estate. I’ll send you so listings later. Oh, by the way."
"If you can’t find a suitable place right away, you can stay with for a while. My guest room is always empty."
Wren Wynter’s heart ward, but then a thought made her blush and she refused.
"No, that’s okay. I’d like to live by myself."
"Okay, I’ll let you know if I hear anything." Crystal Nash wasn’t suspicious.
It’s perfectly normal for an adult to need their own space.
"Okay, thanks."
After hanging up, Wren Wynter felt a little more at ease.
’It’s so good to have friends!’
She started unpacking her boxes. She was about halfway through when her phone vibrated with a text ssage.
The sender was an unsaved number, but it looked sowhat familiar.
[See you at the coffee shop tomorrow at 3 PM. I have sothing to tell you. —Shaun Quinn]
As if he knew Wren Wynter hadn’t saved his number, he had deliberately added his na at the end.
Wren Wynter was a little surprised.
’Why would my senior suddenly ask to et?’
She looked at the text, hesitated for a few seconds, then replied with one word:
[Okay.]
After replying, she saved the number.
「The next afternoon, at the coffee shop.」
It was a shop that offered a quiet escape from the bustle, with retro and elegant decor. Soothing jazz music played, and it wasn’t crowded.
She had just sat down by the window when she saw a tall figure push open the door and walk in.
Shaun Quinn was wearing a black trench coat and casual pants. He was stunningly handso and exuded an air of detachnt.
His gaze locked precisely onto Wren Wynter, and he sat down across from her.
A waiter ca over. He ordered a black coffee, then looked at Wren Wynter.
"What are you having?"
His voice, like his deanor, lacked warmth.
"Just lemonade, thank you."
Shaun Quinn wasn’t one for small talk, and Wren Wynter had no idea why he had asked her here.
He took out an exquisite envelope and pushed it across the table to Wren Wynter.
"For you."
Wren Wynter opened it quizzically. Inside was a ticket to the International dical Exchange Conference.
It was identical to the one Maximus Yates had given her.
"Second Senior, this is..."
"Our professor is going to the conference too. Rember not to be late."
At his words, Wren Wynter lowered her gaze to the ticket in her hand, her long, curled lashes casting a shadow beneath her eyes.
’Back then, our professor had such high hopes for .’
’But for Kaden Xavier’s sake, I gave up the opportunity for further studies and beca a flight surgeon instead.’
After a long mont, she finally parted her lips and said, "Okay."
"When do you plan on coming back?" Shaun Quinn asked, his tone flat and unreadable.
Wren Wynter looked out the window at the bustling crowds on the street and said softly, "Soon."
Shaun Quinn’s expression faltered for a second before returning to normal. "Call if you need anything."
Wren Wynter smiled. "I will, Second Senior. Thank you."
The hard lines of Shaun Quinn’s brow softened slightly. Without another word, he left.
Just then, on the street outside, the car window was halfway down. The man in the driver’s seat had a cold, hard profile, his dark gaze fixed on Wren Wynter.
He had been on his way to the office that afternoon to handle so urgent business, never expecting to see Wren Wynter on a date with another man in a coffee shop.
He even recognized the man, and a sense of crisis washed over him.
An indescribable mix of bitterness and frustration also clogged Kaden Xavier’s chest.
This feeling of being out of control vexed him.
But the thought that Wren Wynter still loved him made him feel much better.
...
When Wren Wynter returned to the villa, Kaden Xavier wasn’t back yet.
She washed up and read for a while. It wasn’t until after ten o’clock at night that she heard the front door open, followed by heavy footsteps from downstairs.
She didn’t go out.
A mont later, there was a knock on her door.
Wren Wynter put down her book and went to open the door.
Kaden Xavier stood outside, reeking of smoke and alcohol. The sll was pungent.
He just stood there staring at her for several seconds before speaking in a hoarse voice.
"We need to talk."
Wren Wynter stepped aside to let him in but remained near the doorway, keeping her distance.
"Talk about what?"
Kaden Xavier walked into the room. His gaze swept over the nearly packed suitcases on the floor, and his eyes darkened.
"You said the other day that we’d handle the paperwork once the bet was over."
Wren Wynter’s heart beat a little faster, but her expression remained calm. "Yes. It ends tomorrow."
Kaden Xavier stared into her eyes, trying to find the slightest trace of hesitation or reluctance—or even just a mont of doubt—but there was none.
"Are you that eager to leave?"
"Is it because... you’ve already found your next man? The one at the coffee shop today? Or that promising young doctor from the hospital?"
Wren Wynter neither explained nor refuted his accusations.
"Kaden Xavier, none of that is important. What’s important is that you promised. When the bet is over, we get a divorce. Tomorrow, or the day after—whenever you’re free, let’s go get the paperwork done."
Her indifference completely enraged Kaden Xavier. His voice was like biting shards of ice. "Fine. As you wish. I hope you don’t regret this!"
’He’d like to see just how Wren Wynter was going to handle the fallout!’
With that said, he didn’t look at her again and strode out of the room.
The door was slamd shut with a loud BANG.
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