"Don't worry, Miss. He didn't do anything to me, he just fired me."
A lawyer's reputation is paramount. After serving as the Linton Family's private lawyer for more than twenty years, getting fired by them is a significant blow. It's likely no one will dare to hire Lawyer Ford now.
A man in his forties is in the prime of his life, yet he had lost his job and was forced into early retirement. It would be a lie to say he was unaffected.
Annabelle Linton frowned. She looked at Lawyer Ford and made a solemn promise. "Ford, the Linton Family wouldn't be where it is today without you. Once this is all over and Ryan's inheritance is secured, I'll arrange a new position for you somewhere else. I'll also give you two million as a thank-you fee."
Lawyer Ford was taken aback and quickly refused. "Miss, I was paid a salary for my work with the Linton Family. It was my duty. Please, you mustn't give me this money. I can't possibly accept it."
"Ford, please don't refuse. You nearly lost your livelihood for our sake; this is the least we can do. Besides, we will need your help with many things in the future. If you don't accept this, we'll feel too awkward to ask for your help again."
"Sigh... Miss, you are truly too generous..." Lawyer Ford didn't refuse any longer.
He knew Annabelle Linton had her heart set on it, and to refuse again would seem ungracious.
Annabelle Linton smiled faintly, a glimmer flashing in her deep eyes. "Ford, there's one more thing I need your help with."
"I'm at your service, Miss."
Annabelle Linton didn't rush to explain. Instead, she turned to Ryan Linton and said softly, "Ryan, so they don't suspect anything is wrong, you'll have to put up with living there for a little while. Once this is all over, I'll find you a new place."
Ryan Linton was exceptionally sharp.
He understood immediately that he shouldn't be present for the conversation that was about to take place.
'If she didn't want him to hear, there was surely a reason.' He didn't insist on staying.
"It's fine, there's no rush. I'm meeting a classmate, so I'll head out first. You two take your time."
"Okay."
"Goodbye, Young Master."
After Ryan Linton left, Lawyer Ford asked earnestly, "Miss, what is it you need my help with?"
Ever since she woke up, there had been only one thought in her mind.
'Divorce Leona Grant.'
'Once she was no longer connected to him, she might not be able to live such a comfortable life or hold such a respected status again, but she still wanted a divorce.'
'She didn't want to go through this life again just to be as aimless as before, suffering the torment of being forgotten and an unspeakable heartache.'
'Besides, she hadn't married Leona Grant for such superficial things in the first place.'
'Since she and Leona Grant weren't compatible, there was no need for them to torture each other.'
Annabelle Linton lowered her gaze and said calmly, "I want a divorce."
...
It was late at night when Leona Grant returned home.
Annabelle Linton and the servants had already gone to bed. The entire villa was pitch-black, save for a single, dim table lamp left on for him in the living room.
He tossed his jacket carelessly onto the sofa and loosened his tie with frustration, his handsome face etched with exhaustion.
Leona Grant made his way slowly upstairs. In the dim hallway, a sliver of warm light spilled from the half-open door of Annabelle Linton's guest room.