?


    Tom gritted his teeth so hard he thought they might shatter, but he still managed to force a smile.


    "You''re right, Mr. Hackett," he said.


    By the time their discussion had finished, it was already past 10:00 p.m.


    Gabriel had other matters to attend to and left first.


    Tom stayed in the private room for a while before stepping out.


    As he exited Violet Carriage, he saw Vrie and Brandon walking out of a nearby restaurant. They had just finished dinner, casually holding hands and both smiling.


    Vrie''s gaze was almost entirely fixed on Brandon, not sparing a nce for anyone else.


    Her eyes, once filled with affection when she looked at Tom, now brimmed with disdain and impatience. She didn''t even want to speak to him.


    A wave of emptiness washed over Tom, and he stood there, watching them walk away.


    Soon enough, when Prospectus Technology fell and the Sumner Group copsed, Brandon would no longer be a threat to him over Vrie. Tom took a deep breath, turned, and headed for his car.


    ...


    Jane received the divorce papers from Gabriel''swyer, Philip Higham. Without even reading them, she tore them up.


    She red at Philip and spat, "I won''t sign! Tell Gabriel toe talk to me in person, or he can forget about divorcing me!"


    Philip remained calm, pulling


    another identical set of divorce


    ????


    papers from his briefcase and calmly cing them on the table. "Ms. Wilkie, my client said that if you''re willing to give up custody of your son, he''ll give you an additional 5,000,000 dors aspensation. You can review the terms and decide."


    Upon hearing the sum, Jane sneered. "5,000,000 dors? He probably can''t even scrape together 50,000. And you''re awyer, yet you actually believe his lies? Do you think he can even pay your fees?"


    Philip didn''t react to Jane''s mockery. Evidently, she had no idea how much money Gabriel had. As hiswyer, however, he wasn''t about to share that information.


    "Ms. Wilkie, I''ve delivered the divorce papers. If you choose to sign, please contact me. If you don''t agree within a week, my client will file for divorce in court," Philip said, standing up to leave.


    Jane blocked his path. "Where is Gabriel? I need to see him!"


    She had tried calling him, but he didn''t answer. Even her attempts to guilt him into softening with their son weren''t working.


    "Ms. Wilkie, my client said he won''t meet with you until you sign the divorce papers," Philip said, his tone still measured.


    It was clear that Gabriel had no interest in seeing her again.


    "Won''t meet with me? Fine! Tell him he''ll never see our son again! I won''t give up custody!" Jane threatened.


    Philip, looking somewhat helpless,


    n


    tried to rify."Ms. Wilkie, my client''s position is clear. If you agree to give up custody, you''ll receive 5,000,000 dors inpensation. If not, he''ll go to court and fight for custody. Either way, he wants custody."


    Besides, Jane didn''t have much of a chance when her financial situation waspared to Gabriel''s.


    Jane snorted derisively. "Didn''t you even do your homework on your client before taking this case? Fine, whatever amount Gabriel is paying you, I''ll double it. Take me to see him."