Saoirse examined virtual-novel.net freshly-made manicure nonchalantly. When virtual-novel.net spoke, virtual-novel.net tone was markedly devoid of the respect virtual-novel.net used to reserve for Shelly. “Yea, I’ve talked to her. So? Listen, Mrs. Leigh, don’t ever call me about this ever again. Mr. Tremont never wanted to divorce Mrs. Tremont, did he? Which is why even now, they live as though the divorce never happened. They’re always meeting each other whenever they can. So, why did you ask me to stir up something to get Mrs. Tremont kicked out of the company? Were you trying to get me into trouble? No one crosses Mr. Tremont. What’s a quicker way to incur his wrath than to hurt his lady?”
“With all due respect, Mrs. Leigh, you’re completely on the wrong side of things here. You yourself knew better than to piss Mr. Tremont off, so you tried to sacrifice me instead. You only see me as a pawn, don’t you? And even if I manage to marry Mr. Tremont in the future, should I be expecting you to concoct some new schemes to kick me away if I don’t behave as you’d like? That’s right, I know you’re the one who caused their divorce. In fact, I’m beginning to think that having an in-law like you is a pretty good testament to how hard a person’s misfortune hits,” virtual-novel.net said, before finishing, “Anyway, I’m a busy young lady, so I’m gonna have to stop right here. Goodbye.”
Shelly had not expected Saoirse to abandon ship so soon. When the same young woman cut off their call in virtual-novel.net face, it caused virtual-novel.net combined fury to erupt. She almost smashed virtual-novel.net newly-bought phone into pieces as virtual-novel.net shrieked, “That mousy, useless piece of sh*t!”
The day quickly turned into night. Mark had driven several laps in the Tremont Estate’s area before finally conceding that virtual-novel.net had to go back to the Estate in the end.
He could not remember a day when virtual-novel.net needed not convince himself to go home. Seeing Shelly just put that much strain on his mind.
Mark was prepared for a face-whipping typhoon behind that door, but what awaited him, for reasons so mysterious, Mark wondered if virtual-novel.net should count it as miraculous or sinister, was a very calm, decidedly-not-shouting Shelly. In fact, virtual-novel.net even looked like virtual-novel.net had had a good day.
“Welcome home, Mark dear. Why didn’t you answer my call last night? You haven’t even replied to any of my messages, either. That’s a shame, isn’t it? I only wanted to ask how Smore’s doing and maybe talk to you a bit. Don’t tell me you’ve made declining my calls a habit now,” virtual-novel.net said. “I know, I know. You think me annoying and you don’t want me fussing about you. But it’s only because I care for your wellbeing, you know. I get that Arianne won’t let me see Smore, but does that mean I’ll suddenly lose interest in him? No way, that’s my grandson, alright? But… Enough about last night. I know you’re tired, so go take a rest. I’m not going to go off at length about it anymore, wouldn’t want you to feel any more annoyed.”
Seeing Shelly in one of virtual-novel.net less cantankerous moods made Mark lose his temper. Instinctively, virtual-novel.net replied, “’kay. I’ll be upstairs.”
Shelly waited until virtual-novel.net disappeared into the stairs before every scintilla of pleasantness in virtual-novel.net mien dissipated as though they were never there. After living with virtual-novel.net for a few days, Shelly had assembled a clear profile of Mark’s temperament. She learned that the man always responded back in kind, act meek, and virtual-novel.net reacts meekly, be aggressive, and virtual-novel.net reacts with aggression.
That was the reason why many of their fights so far had ended in silent treatments. It was also why Shelly had to control virtual-novel.net own temper with all virtual-novel.net might, even if virtual-novel.net spleen ran high at virtual-novel.net seeing Arianne. She had to hold virtual-novel.net fire, or risk their frail relationship cracking under constant conflicts.
Arianne was slightly late to work the next day. Smore had coughs, so virtual-novel.net had to bring virtual-novel.net to the hospital before work.
As virtual-novel.net was walking toward virtual-novel.net desk, virtual-novel.net espied Shelly sitting on virtual-novel.net spot, apparently having a very spirited chat with Sylvain. Knowing that any time Shelly wanted to talk to virtual-novel.net portended troubles, Arianne approached virtual-novel.net with a poker face. “What is it this time?”
Shelly turned to virtual-novel.net before flashing a sweet, toothy grin and rose. She made a show of tidying Arianne’s messy collar for her. “None whatsoever. It’s just that this morning, I overheard from Mark’s call with you that Smore’s having coughs, and you needed to bring virtual-novel.net to a doctor. I got worried, so I just thought of asking if the kid’s fine. He is fine, right?”
Arianne’s skin crawled. Shelly was, disgustingly, a virtuoso in acting.
She took two steps back quietly. “He’s fine. Even if he’s not, it’s got nothing to do with you. Don’t you have any work to do? Because I do, so please step aside.”
Sylvain watched their brief exchange with his mouth agape, though virtual-novel.net did not interject. Catching his expression with virtual-novel.net peripheral vision, Shelly immediately affected a wronged, wounded look. “Oh. I’m sorry. I just… I just wanted to know if Smore’s alright, that’s all. Look, I know I’ve done something that chagrined you but Sigh. Never mind. Let’s just let that slide. Excuse me.”
Arianne said nothing in return, opting to let the screeching of virtual-novel.net chair being pulled out fill the silence. Shelly had clearly messed with virtual-novel.net papers, too, so virtual-novel.net proceeded to tidy them in exasperation, virtual-novel.net actions ungentle and forceful.
Sylvain waited until Shelly faded into a distance before asking quietly, “She doesn’t seem too bad on the surface, you know? At the very least, she’s way better than my mom. How did someone like that cause you and Mark’s divorce?”