Chapter 8
“Hold on,
I need to check if there are any dining rules too.”
“Ralph, don’t start eating yet.”
I lowered my head to scan the contract.
Ralph pressed his lips into a tight line.
His resentful gaze fell on the papers in my hands:
“Why… are you still carrying this useless paperwork around?”
I shot him a displeased glare:
“Useless? Just two days ago you told me to guard it carefully, preferably in a safe! Speaking of which, did you buy one?”
Ralph: “…
Ralph forced a smile: “…Not yet.
I nodded: “Remember to get one.”
Ralph: “…Okay.”
I tucked away the contract and tilted my head at him.
“By the way, aren’t you going on a business trip tomorrow?”
Ralph froze, jaw clenched tight. “Yes.”
“And you’re taking me along?”
Ralph kept gritting his teeth. “… Yes.”
“To meet my ex?”
Ralph’s teeth ground audibly, but he stayed silent.
“So you need me to cover for you?”
Ralph practically shattered his molars, grinding them for ages before whispering, “Diana, actually I-”
I clicked my tongue, cutting him off.
“I know what you’re going to say.”
“This is a once–in–a–lifetime chance. If I miss it, who knows when I’ll get another shot, right?”
“I know, I know. No need to repeat yourself.”
Ralph: “No…”
“I know, I know, you’re bringing your friend too, right? Don’t forget- whether I can get back with my ex depends entirely on you two. Go get ‘em, Ralph!”
Ralph: “…Actually.”
“Alright, alright. I know you’ll cover for me. Thanks! What time’s your flight tomorrow night?”
Ralph choked up, voice trembling slightly: “Diana.”
09:50
I turned: “Hmm?”
“…Stop messing with me.”
After speaking, Ralph cast down his long lashes, looking ready to cry.
“Ugh, I’m sorry! I’m just an idiot. A top–tier idiot. A super–sized idiot. The world’s biggest fool! If I had half a brain, things wouldn’t have turned out like this!”
“How could I be this stupid? When Mom gave birth, did she keep the afterbirth and throw the baby away? Am I just… sentient placenta…?”
“Diana, can you just ignore that idiot Ralph from the other day? Actually, he’s dead, yes, he’s dead, he’s really dead. I’m actually Ralph…”
Ralph said.
His face showed an almost desperate regret.
He simply pushed the chair aside and half–knelt in front of me.
With extreme remorse, he slapped himself several times again.
The sound was muffled.
I raised an eyebrow.
Today, Ralph wore a formal black suit for the marriage license.
His jet–black hair was neatly combed back.
Revealing his forehead just right.
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09.50
Chapter 6
The whole person exuded a mature and refined charm.
Yet he asked me in a puppy–like tone if I could stop toying with him.
I averted my gaze, took a sip of ice water, a burning sensation left my throat parched: “Ahem, that’s enough.”
Ralph looked up at me blankly, lashes clumped together, damp, a trace of blood even seeping from the corner of his mouth.
I rapped the table, cutting him off: “Enough. Shut up and eat.”
Hearing this, Ralph immediately fell silent and sat back down, looking aggrieved.
After a while…
He blinked his reddened eyes, asked cautiously: “Then… can we still get our marriage license…?”
I didn’t understand.
My mind was filled solely with not letting this huge sum of money slip
away:
“Why wouldn’t we?”
Ralph nodded, rubbed his eyes hard, his whole demeanor becoming less sorrowful because of those words.
“Do I really still have this chance?… Okay, okay.”
But soon, Ralph lowered his head dejectedly again and stammered.
“Then can… can you give me another chance to start over? A chance for
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Chapter
Ralph and Diana to get to know each other again, can we start over from
now on…?”
“Please, I’m begging you, really begging you…”
Are all men this troublesome? What difference does it make?
I frowned impatiently: “Whatever, I’m fine with it.”
Ralph looked up in disbelief, his eyes shining as he looked at me.
I reached out and took a bottle of drink.
Ralph promptly reached out and opened it for me.
I sniffled.
Ralph quickly handed me two tissues.
I picked up a forkful of steaming meat.
Ralph immediately leaned in to blow on it.
After doing this, he lifted his gaze, staring at me expectantly.
Like an eager dog.
Its tail wagging nonstop behind him.
Suddenly I lost my appetite: “Ralph, stop this.”
His expression froze, Adam’s apple bobbing painfully. “Wh–what’s wrong?
D–didn’t you say we could start over?”
I wiped my lips and spoke evenly.
“Don’t waste your time on me.
“You’re free to pursue others. I won’t interfere.”
“Remember, this marriage is transactional. We’re divorcing in a year.
Prepare yourself mentally–don’t throw tantrums refusing to sign papers when the time comes.”
“These were your own words. Or have you forgotten?”
Ralph’s world came crashing down. His shoulders trembled as he hopelessly dropped his hands: “I… I…..”
“By the way,” I added casually, “I never had any expectations for this marriage. It was always about the money. From start to finish.”
“Seeing you like this only annoys me. Get a grip.
With that, I stood up:
“Alright, enjoy your meal alone. I’m leaving.”
Ralph snapped back to reality, letting out a sob as he instinctively reached
out.
I quickly thrust the contract into his palm.
Blocking his attempt to grab me.
Ralph steadied himself, recognized the document, and nearly passed out cold.
I ignored his reaction and smiled faintly:
“Go home and read what you’ve written here twice.”
“Seems your memory isn’t great. How could you forget your own words so quickly?”
I straightened up, casting one last glance at his knuckles whitened from gripping, then turned toward the door.
The glass door reflected Ralph’s trembling silhouette.
He looked like he was about to shatter.
