Andrea, however, snorted and smiled. “Honestly, I think your uncle isn’t wrong. With your status—even as a divorcee—you should find someone respectable. Even if you marry a celebrity, it should be someone decent. Olivia’s fame isn’t high enough, her reputation is terrible, and, most importantly, several wealthy families have already sent matchmakers to introduce potential partners for you. Each of them is leagues ahead of Olivia.”
—
“Mom…”
Since Sophia left, Henry felt the house was empty, as though something was missing. He found himself losing the passion he once had for Olivia. But abandoning Olivia was also something he couldn’t bring himself to do.
“She’s carrying my child. I already said I would marry her!”
Andrea chuckled. “You can support her and even raise the child, but as for marrying her—forget it! A minor celebrity like her can be dealt with using money. If our Scott Family brings her into the fold, the stock prices might just plummet. The losses in the stock market would far outweigh any costs of taking care of her.”
Henry frowned. “Enough, Mom! Stop talking, it’s annoying!”
“Ah, you ungrateful child…”
Watching him walk away, Andrea felt even more displeased. Her son, who had never shown impatience with her before, was now snapping at her because of Olivia. This Olivia was truly trouble!
—
Feeling frustrated, Henry went to a bar that evening to drink his troubles away. The glaring lights of the bar made him even more irritable, and he kept pouring drink after drink to drown his sorrows.
He had successfully divorced, yet he didn’t feel the slightest joy—especially when he suspected that Sophia might have something going on with Livinus.
When she eagerly took the alimony and left without bringing most of her belongings, he felt as though she had long regarded him and their life together as burdens she couldn’t wait to shed.
Thinking about Olivia only made him more irritated. She was far from worry-free, constantly pressuring him to finalize their wedding date. But he had no interest in getting married again.
While drinking, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure at another table. That person was also drinking heavily.
He walked over and frowned. “Kim Brown?”
Kim Brown looked up, startled. “Henry?”
“What’s got a beauty like you down, coming to a bar to drown your sorrows?”
Kim Brown smiled bitterly. How could she admit that she, who had always been the one to leave others, had now been completely ignored by Livinus?
“What about you? Why are you here?”
“I’m frustrated.”
“So am I.”
Both sighed, finding a sense of camaraderie in their shared troubles. They toasted each other and drank round after round, leaving the bar heavily intoxicated and leaning on each other for support as they stumbled out.
—
“Did you see the news about Olivia, Sister Tina?”
Anderson Tina paused. “What happened?”
“Look, she got publicly humiliated by Livinus. Netizens are cheering for it. Honestly, she was too arrogant—forcing the ex-wife out was bad enough, but being so ostentatious about it? A lot of people are now speaking up for the ex-wife.”
“The ex-wife?”
“Yeah, I heard that Henry’s ex-wife’s surname is Smith. Too bad no one’s dug up her photos yet.”
“Smith?” Anderson Tina frowned. For some reason, she thought of Sophia. Could it really be such a coincidence? She vaguely remembered someone saying that Henry’s wife came from a family involved in traditional medicine. Back then, people in their circles mocked him for marrying someone from such a background. Reflecting now, it seemed very likely to be Sophia.
“Sister Tina?”
Anderson Tina didn’t trust anyone in the entertainment industry—not even her assistant or manager.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Give me your phone.”
Her assistant, who managed Anderson Tina’s Facebook account, handed her the phone. Anderson Tina logged in and liked the gossip post about Olivia.
Her assistant screamed. “Sister Tina, what are you doing?! This is going to be a disaster!”
It was too late—the damage was done. Tomorrow’s headlines would undoubtedly feature them.
The assistant quickly unliked the post.
Anderson Tina remained unfazed. “It was just a slip of the hand.”
She had been taking her prescribed medication for a few days and felt significantly better. The discomfort she’d been experiencing had lessened, and thanks to Sophia’s reassurance, her anxiety had eased. Anderson Tina was now deeply grateful to Sophia.
“Anyone who opposes Dr. Smith is my enemy!”
The assistant, utterly confused, muttered to herself, “I didn’t even know Anderson Tina knew Olivia.”
