Chapter 9

The next morning, Selena covered the marks on her face with foundation and went to the studio.

The studio was located in a two-story commercial building. She only worked part-time here, so she didn’t need to punch in regularly but had to attend the monthly summary meeting.

Matthew used to be the first one there, but he arrived half an hour late this time. He wore the same suit as yesterday and looked rushed.

Selena stopped fidgeting with her pen when she saw him. She had a feeling that something bad had happened to Matthew.

“Sorry for being so late today,” Matthew said as he walked up to his seat at the front of the room. He noticed Selena’s worried expression and smiled apologetically.

People presented their summaries as usual. After the meeting ended, Selena planned on leaving with everyone else but when she saw that Matthew hadn’t moved, she decided to check up on him.

“Something happened to Sarah’s family,” Matthew said wearily while rubbing his forehead. His voice was hoarse. It seemed that he hadn’t slept all night long. He hesitated before continuing, “I’m considering selling our studio, but I don’t know how to tell everyone.”

Selena was shocked because their studio was currently on the rise. Why would he suddenly want to sell it? Moreover, Matthew shouldn’t be short of money since he poured so much effort into it over these years. ‘He must be in despair now,’ she said to herself.

“How much money do you need?”

“At least 3 million dollars,” replied Matthew bitterly while rubbing his eyes full of red bloodshot veins. “If we had gotten Raymond’s deal last night…”

“I’ll try again with Raymond,” Selena interrupted him while packing. “Just don’t tell anyone about it yet.”

Matthew sighed. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself if it doesn’t work out. It was Sarah’s fault last night, and she’s not emotionally stable right now. So I apologize on her behalf.”

Selena left the meeting room and decided to try her luck at the Raymond Group again. Raymond was in his office now. She would have to meet him before talking to him.

The headquarters of the Montague Group were located in the center of New York CBD as one of the most prominent landmarks. It was said that whatever one could see from the top of it belonged to the Montague family.

After registering at the front desk, Selena went to ask if Raymond was available today.

“Hello,” said the receptionist with a smile upon seeing Selena’s unfamiliar face. “How may I help you?”

“I’d like to visit Mr. Montague. Do you know if he is available now?” asked Selena politely.

The receptionist paused for a moment before sizing up Selena with a few glances from head to toe. “I’m sorry, but without an appointment, Mr. Montague won’t meet anyone.”

This response caught Selena off guard, yet she didn’t give up. “But I’m here for business cooperation.”

“For any business matters, please contact our Business Department,” replied the receptionist coldly. “If there’s any document to be signed by Mr. Montague, it will reach him after approval.”

Selena paused in silence for a while, yet it only made the receptionist look down on her even more. ‘Another woman trying to climb the social ladder! I wonder how many of her kind I’ve seen recently,’ she thought.

Selena didn’t know what to do. ‘I can’t just tell her that I’m actually the wife of your boss, can I? Yet I can’t just wait for him here. Maybe I should wait for him at his home?’ she told herself.

Just as she was hesitating, a message from an unknown number popped up on her phone.

X: [Hello, Miss Fair. I am Mr. Montague’s personal lawyer. I visited your place twice before to hand you the divorce agreement, but you were absent. Do you have time now?]