The heavy stench of alcohol on him almost made gag.
"Theodore Grant, let go of !"
"I won’t!" Theodore pulled in tighter, a wronged look on his face. "Chelsea Joyce, how long are you going to keep this up?"
"Theodore, don’t you dare throw a drunken fit here!" I was so angry I laughed, struggling even harder. But Theodore’s strength was terrifying; I couldn’t break free at all.
"Chelsea, you were never like this before." Theodore’s hot lips pressed against the side of my ear, his scorching breath filling it. "In the past, whenever I got drunk, you’d make hangover soup no matter how late it was."
"And you know that was in the past?" I struggled with even more force. "Theodore Grant, let go! Let go! We’re about to get a divorce!"
But the arm around my waist was like a branding iron, holding tight. I couldn’t escape no matter what.
"Don’t move. I just want to hold you," Theodore’s voice was hoarse and low, as if coated in a layer of sand.
Unable to break free from his grip, I was exasperated. Just as I was about to scream for help and get the neighbors, I felt Theodore’s face slowly slide down my neck, and the arms that had been clamped around loosened.
I instinctively gave him a push. Without any support, Theodore crumpled to the floor like a heap of mud. His tall, broad body was blocking the doorway, so I couldn’t even close the door!
I took a deep breath, forcing down the wave of nausea that had been rising from the stench of alcohol. Just as I was about to call Noah Brown to co pick up his man, the phone in Theodore’s pocket suddenly started vibrating.
Frowning, I pulled out the phone. When I saw the na ’Clara Langley’ on the caller ID, a cold smile touched my lips. ’She sure keeps a tight leash on him!’
"Theodore, I made you so hangover soup. Where are you? I’ll bring it over."
Clara Langley’s voice ca through the mont the call connected.
’So considerate!’
A cold sneer played on my lips. "Theodore is here with . You’d better co and get your man."
"Chelsea Joyce?" Clara’s voice shot up an octave. "Why is Theodore with you? Didn’t you say you were divorcing him? Why are you still pestering him like this?!"
"You’re also aware that we’re *about* to get a divorce. So, in what capacity are you asking this?"
Clara was stunned for a mont, but then she suddenly beca self-righteous. "I’m Theodore’s buddy. What’s wrong with asking? Chelsea Joyce, are you just playing hard to get? You don’t actually want to divorce him, do you?"
I had no desire to listen to her nonsense. "I’m giving you half an hour," I said coldly. "If you’re not here to pick him up in thirty minutes, I’ll have him sent to a holess shelter!"
"Chelsea Joyce, you’re so cruel! You..."
I hung up before Clara could finish.
In less than half an hour, Clara Langley arrived in a hurry. She must have left in a rush, as she wasn’t even wearing any makeup. She had on a pair of huge sunglasses in the middle of the night; I wondered if she could even see the road.
Seeing her little assistant help Theodore up, finally clearing the way, I headed for the door.
"Chelsea Joyce, since you’re getting a divorce, stop pestering Theodore. You..."
BANG! I slamd the door shut, cutting off Clara Langley’s grating voice.
This whole episode with Theodore and Clara completely ruined my mood. I had planned to go over my lines to prepare for tomorrow’s recording session, but the re thought of having to dub over Clara Langley’s annoying face killed any enthusiasm I had for work. I shoved my tablet straight into my bag.
’Ti for bed!’
...
The next morning, after finishing breakfast, I slung my bag over my shoulder and went downstairs to head to work.
But as soon as I got downstairs, a lazy, magnetic voice that was all too familiar rang out, "Good morning, junior."
"Senior Forrest?" I was completely surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Sebastian Forrest was leaning against his car door. When he saw approach, he slowly straightened his back.
"I found out sothing interesting yesterday and couldn’t wait to share it with you. Get in."
"But I have to get to work..."
Sebastian Forrest didn’t seem the least bit surprised. "Tell the address. I’ll take you."
I happened to have sothing to ask him anyway, so I didn’t refuse. I gave him the address and got in the car.
The car drove along the highway toward the city.
It was a golden autumn day in October, with blue skies and white clouds. The morning air was cool, and the sunlight felt warm and pleasant on my skin.
"You look like you have sothing to ask ." Sebastian glanced at with a half-smile as he drove. "Go on, what is it?"
I couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. ’When it cos to reading people, Sebastian Forrest is an absolute master.’
I quickly recounted the entire story of how Theodore had originally agreed to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau with for the divorce yesterday, only to back out at the last minute.
Finally, I asked, "Senior Forrest, why did you suddenly tell Theodore to get a physical check-up back then?"
Sebastian glanced sideways at . His eyes were dark and calm, holding an unreadable depth.
But just as I tried to get a better look, he averted his gaze. His voice was as nonchalant as ever. "I saw the dark circles under his eyes and casually ntioned he should get a check-up. I didn’t expect him to actually go."
"..."
’So that was the reason.’
’I had figured it might be sothing ridiculous, but I never imagined it would be that casual...’
But that one ’casual ntion’ had made Theodore, who had finally agreed to the divorce, postpone it indefinitely.
A wave of helplessness washed over .
’Does this an I’ll really have to file for a contested divorce?’
’Wouldn’t that drag on for a year or two?’
"What’s wrong? Upset that I ruined your plans?" Sebastian’s long fingers tapped lightly on the steering wheel, his thin lips curling into a lazy smile.
"No," I said, waving my hands frantically.
’Even if that’s exactly what I’m thinking, I can’t say it. After all, I still need Sebastian’s help with the divorce from Theodore.’
Sebastian let out a soft chuckle, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusent, though I couldn’t tell what he found so funny.
"Right, didn’t you say you had sothing to tell , Senior Forrest? What is it?"
’For Sebastian Forrest to personally drive over and wait for downstairs this early in the morning, it must be so bombshell news.’
Sebastian didn’t beat around the bush. He got straight to the point. "Didn’t you ask to look into Clara Langley last ti? I have the results."
His words made pause for a second. ’When did I ask him to investigate Clara Langley?’
But then it quickly ca back to —I had casually ntioned to Sebastian before that I saw Clara Langley furtively registering for an appointnt at the obstetrics and gynecology departnt...
’Could it be—’
At that thought, my eyes lit up, and I quickly asked, "What are the results?"
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