CHAPTER 14: CHAPTER 14: PERSUADING HIM TO DIVORCE

Ivan Underwood looked at me with slight surprise; we hardly ever even ate together, in fact, we used to pass each other without even a greeting, just a quick exchange of glances.

But since it involved his good friend’s marriage, he knew the relationship between The Preston Family and The Hathaway Family was significant, so after a quick thought, he agreed, "Okay, tonight then, I’m free tonight."

"Great! I know a café where the coffee is really good, the place is comfortable and quiet, perfect for a chat. Come on, let’s exchange WeChat, I’ll send you the location?" I enthusiastically took out my phone, opened the friend QR code, and showed it to Ivan Underwood.

Ivan glanced at the QR code, then handed me a pen, "No adding, write it on paper."

What kind of person is this, a caveman? I looked at him with an indescribable expression and then scribbled down the address of Serendipity Café.

"Eight thirty tonight, meet there."

Smiling, I put down the pen and happily left.

At eight in the evening, Ivan would be at Serendipity Café, but he wouldn’t meet me, he would meet Azure.

With this expectation, I spent the whole day very excited, constantly anticipating the scene of Ivan meeting Azure. I decided to disguise myself and witness this historical moment.

Henry Preston and Ivan Underwood are indeed good brothers, even liking the same woman. It’s unclear whether Ivan fell for Azure at first sight or started liking her after spending time together.

If it wasn’t love at first sight, then tonight might be disappointing.

I changed into loose-fitting black clothes and pants, put on a wig, and at around eight in the evening, I set off alone to Serendipity.

I didn’t go into the café, just peered through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Sure enough, Ivan was already sitting in a corner seat by the wall, wasn’t that my favorite spot?

He was dressed in a simple white T-shirt, had his hair brushed down, looked a few years younger, with an aloof and calm demeanor, quietly sitting there sipping coffee, not even playing with his phone.

And Azure? I looked towards the counter, trying to spot her.

After searching for quite a while, I didn’t see Azure anywhere, but my sneaky actions caught Ivan’s attention. As soon as he saw me, he got up and walked out; I thought about running but felt it was inappropriate.

"Zoe Hathaway, are you blind?" Ivan greeted me with quite some politeness.

"You’re a doctor at least, can’t you speak with some manners?" I was a bit annoyed, pulling off the wig, it was really hot.

"You asked me here to talk, but wore a wig and didn’t come in, what’s the point?" Ivan frowned and asked me.

Evadingly, I replied, "I’m here, aren’t I? Just checking if you’re inside."

Ivan didn’t waste words with me, he pushed the café door open and ordered, "Go in."

Reluctantly, holding the wig, I walked in, checking the counter carefully again, no sign of Azure.

I asked another girl, "Where’s Azure?"

"She’s off today!" the girl replied.

My face immediately fell, all my expectations vanished into nothingness. Crestfallen, I followed Ivan and sat down, ordered a cup of black coffee as usual, and silently drank it.

Ivan stared at me, "Weren’t you going to talk about your situation with Henry Preston?"

I shrugged, "I don’t feel like talking anymore. Here, I’ll buy you a coffee, you can head home early and rest."

Just as the words left my mouth, I sensed a cold aura from Ivan, his eyes sharp, comparable to Henry Preston’s.

"Are you messing with me?" he asked coldly.

"I’m not, I suddenly feel there’s nothing worth discussing between Henry and me. You all know I’ve harbored unrequited love for years? He doesn’t like me, not before, not now, and won’t ever. What’s there to say?" I replied unhappily. "If you really want to help me, then convince him to divorce me!"

Ivan stared at me intently, seemingly assessing how much truth or lies were in my words.

Feeling uneasy under his gaze, I pretended to drink coffee.

"Your family alliance isn’t as simple as an ordinary marriage, you don’t need me to tell you that," Ivan finally spoke up. "Without any major issues, you can’t get a divorce, and Henry won’t agree."

"You do know him quite well, he said the same," I sighed. "Good brothers think alike."

Ivan didn’t speak, just took a sip of coffee.

I didn’t feel like chatting with him further; Azure wasn’t there, and as a supporting character, I didn’t need too much screen time with the main character.

After three minutes of silence and coffee, I got up to pay.

"I’ll do it." Ivan stood up, gentlemanly stopping me.

"Alright." I didn’t act coy; this amount is just a drop in the ocean for Ivan.

When Ivan paid, I quickly left the café and drove away. As I was turning at an intersection, I saw him just leaving the café in my rearview mirror, looking in the direction my car was heading.

I shook my head, sighed alone; Ivan is destined to be one step behind Henry, I’ve helped him twice, and both times failed.

The red thread between Henry and Azure must be as strong as steel, I feel trying to persuade Ivan is simply wasting time.

Better just take it easy; it’s only ten days, I can wait.

As I expected, for the next week, Henry hadn’t returned, we reverted to our previous state, no contact or meetings.

I was quite content with the freedom, having time for my own affairs. When Joel Sutton was discharged, I picked him up, treated him and Azure to a meal, then focused on honing my piano skills that had been neglected for years, drinking Chinese medicine thrice a day, paired with Laura Lawson’s cooking, I actually gained two pounds.

"Zoe, did you eat some kind of magic pill? You look so good, glowing!" At a gathering, Crystal Dawson pinched my cheek and asked.

"Drinking herbal medicine to regulate my body, eating more, gaining weight has some effect," I answered cheerfully.

"Show-off!" Leah Lane exclaimed furiously. "While we’re all struggling to lose weight, you’re here specially using herbal medicine to gain weight?"

Tiana O’Connell smacked Leah Lane’s bouncy bottom, "That’s happy weight, be grateful!"

Leah’s boyfriend was good at cooking and indeed took good care of her.

Leah proudly shook her head, "Jealous much? Ah, that’s the benefit of finding a down-to-earth guy!"

Even though her boyfriend’s family background wasn’t as good as hers, he was a decent person, handsome, honest, and docile, so The Lane Family didn’t oppose.

"Leah, if you have any suitable performance events, take me along next time." I suddenly thought of this, staying home is too boring, I need to develop my career!