Contract Marriage: Abusive Love with Mr.CEO
Chapter 23: He Finally Appears

Chapter 23: Chapter 23: He Finally Appears

After realizing all this, Rebecca Quentin felt an inexplicable sadness deep in her heart.

Perhaps those people couldn’t imagine that the one they hoped to flatter might not even show up today...

The memorial service proceeded smoothly. Everyone bowed and saluted as the ceremony required, but most eyes were fixated on the entrance, eagerly anticipating someone’s arrival.

However, just as Rebecca had guessed, Howard Geoffrey never appeared, even after the memorial service ended.

Many people were disappointed and whispered about Howard’s absence, but Rebecca remained calm as she saw them off.

When everyone had left and Rebecca was alone in the memorial hall, tears suddenly slid down her cheeks.

「Quentin, night.」

KNOCK, KNOCK.

There was a knock on Rebecca’s door.

Rebecca, who was hugging her knees while sitting on the bed, roused from her daze. "Come in."

The visitor was Aunt Clare.

"Miss, I hope I didn’t disturb your rest?"

"It’s fine, I haven’t slept yet."

Aunt Clare closed the door, walked over to Rebecca, and sat on the edge of the bed, just like old times, to have a heart-to-heart talk with her.

Looking at Rebecca, Aunt Clare’s heart ached. "Miss, you’ve lost weight..."

Rebecca offered a faint, wistful smile but didn’t reply.

A week had passed since Mr. Quentin’s death. The consecutive days of busyness and exhaustion had indeed made Rebecca considerably thinner.

In Aunt Clare’s memory, Rebecca had always been innocent and lively. She had never been as quiet and silent as she was now. Thinking about all Rebecca had endured these past few days, Aunt Clare couldn’t help but choke up. "Miss... if you feel you can’t bear it any longer, then please don’t... It breaks my heart to see you like this."

Rebecca said casually, "It’s not as serious as you think. I’m fine."

Aunt Clare’s choked sobs grew heavier, almost turning into weeping as she said, "How can you be fine? Your father suddenly passed away, leaving you to manage the vast Quentin, and you don’t understand anything! Besides, you’ve had to deal with those people demanding debts every day... How can you possibly face all this alone?"

Rebecca gently cupped Aunt Clare’s kind face and comforted her, "Everything will pass. I believe that with Father’s protection, Quentin will survive all these hardships under my management."

Aunt Clare stared deeply at Rebecca’s delicate face, which feigned strength, and blurted out, her heart aching for her, "If only Mr. Geoffrey could help you..."

At the mention of Howard, the determination that had been sparkling in Rebecca’s clear eyes gradually dimmed. She paused for a few seconds before speaking, "As I’ve said, this has always been our family’s affair. It has nothing to do with him."

Aunt Clare couldn’t help but exclaim, "But he’s your husband!"

Husband?

Yes, that word should represent a partner who can shield the other from wind and rain, a companion with a deeply connected heart. But to her, "husband" felt like a foreign concept. Moreover, there was nothing that connected them—unless, if one were to force it, it was only their physical compatibility.

Seeing Rebecca’s silence, Aunt Clare continued, "Miss, I know you’ve always been troubled by the reason Mr. Geoffrey married you. But you and Mr. Geoffrey have been married for two years. Even if his kindness towards you is because you strikingly resemble his deceased girlfriend, these two years of living together, day and night, should be enough for him to help you at least once."

Rebecca snapped out of her reverie, her mind processing Aunt Clare’s words. After hesitating for a few seconds, she finally nodded. "Perhaps... I really was too stubborn. Even if we can’t be husband and wife after a divorce, we should still be able to be friends. In that case, asking a friend for help once shouldn’t be unreasonable."

"Divorce?" Aunt Clare caught the sensitive word in Rebecca’s statement and asked in astonishment, "Miss, you want to divorce Mr. Geoffrey?"

At this, Rebecca shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Yes. Once Quentin’s problems are resolved, I’ll talk to him about it."

「Quentin.」

"Miss Quentin, the people from Smooth Bank and Mr. Derek from Forestleap are already waiting for you in the reception room," said Secretary Shaw, Alexander Quentin’s former personal assistant.

Rebecca nodded lightly. "What’s their attitude?"

Secretary Shaw frowned slightly. "They insist there can be no more delays. Otherwise, they will each take legal action against Quentin."

Rebecca, exhausted, propped her forehead with her hand. "Go and keep them company for a little longer. I need to make a phone call... URGH..."

A wave of nausea surged up, and Rebecca hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand. Fortunately, it was just dry heaving; there was no other discomfort.