Chapter 7
Clara stared at Beatrice in shock, at that strange smile that bordered on liberation. Her heart skipped uneasily as she hurried to the study, sobbing to summon Brian.
Worried they needed more backup, she also called for Beatrice's younger brother, Nathan, from the master bedroom.
Nathan emerged with blue-dyed hair and immediately sprawled on the sofa, playing a mobile game. His limited-edition sneakers bounced as he crossed his legs, battle sounds blaring from his phone.
Clara and Brian, fresh from the study, scrutinized Beatrice like they were assessing a product's final performance. Beatrice ignored them and pulled out her phone from her purse.
"Finally calling Frederick to beg forgiveness?" Nathan remarked with casual disdain, glancing up briefly. "Should've done it earlier instead of waiting for Mom to blow up."
Ignoring him, Beatrice dialed a number she knew by heart and put it on speaker. Clara held her breath, staring at the phone as if it were the instrument that would determine the Jennings family's fate.
Beside her, Brian dropped his usual philanthropist facade, his eyes behind his glasses betraying unmistakable anxiety.
The rhythmic dial tone echoed through the silent living room. Even Nathan paused his game to listen.
"The number you have dialed is currently switched off." The mechanical female voice came through clearly, followed by the dial tone.
"Beatrice! Look what you've done!" Clara's face flushed as she snatched the phone and redialed, getting the same result. "Frederick won't even take your calls now!"
Her brief maternal act vanished, replaced by the rage of shattered hopes. "Useless! You can't even keep a man interested! We raised you as a socialite for years—was it just so you could be a decoration in the Stuart household?"
Clara paced furiously. "With Frederick not answering, what about the East City property? Your father's life's work, your brother's future—all ruined because you couldn't stay away from that nobody!"
Beatrice reclaimed her phone, the darkened screen reflecting her expressionless face.
"He's not even answering calls?" Nathan tapped his foot, lifting his gaze lazily. "Looks like your position as trophy wife is in danger, sis. He can't even be bothered to pretend—just turned off his phone."
He looked Beatrice up and down with a smirk, tossing his phone aside and sinking deeper into the sofa. "Why fight it? She was always meant to be sold. Sold to Frederick, sold to Lucius—what's the difference?"
His voice dripped with mockery. "Maybe Lucius will pay more out of nostalgia and save Dad's failing project."
"Shut up!" Brian snapped, though without genuine anger—more a display of habitual authority.
He frowned at Beatrice, his expression complicated. "Bea, your brother's crude, but he has a point. This situation needs resolving immediately."
Beatrice's heart felt like it had been submerged in ice water, then pulled out to freeze in the cold wind. This was her family. One forcing her to please a benefactor, the other suggesting she sell herself again.
Just as Clara prepared to lunge forward and unleash her frustration on Beatrice, her own phone chimed with a news alert.
Clara, still fuming, glanced at it impatiently. She intended to dismiss it, but the bold headline and that glaring surname made her tap it open.
#Stuart Group Stock Fluctuates At Opening Bell, Rumors Link To Ceo Frederick's Marital Crisis
The financial news notification occupied half her screen. With trembling hands, Clara opened the article. Beneath the bold headline was a line that made her blood run cold:
[Sources reveal certain Stuart Group shareholders are deeply dissatisfied with the recent negative publicity surrounding the CEO's wife, claiming it damages the group's reputation. To stabilize stock prices and investor confidence, Frederick may consider a divorce settlement...]
Divorce. Clara's vision darkened as her phone dropped onto the expensive handwoven carpet.
"Mom, what's wrong?" Nathan asked carelessly, noticing her reaction.
Clara didn't answer. She stared at the fallen phone, her lips quivering, her complexion shifting from red to pale to ashen.
"What's the big news? Why the drama?" Nathan scoffed, bending to retrieve the phone. When he saw the screen, his mockery and nonchalance instantly froze.
"What is it?" Brian noticed his wife and son's strange behavior and approached with a frown. When he read the message, the color drained from his face.
"Divorce?" Brian stuttered, his voice cracking. His face turned ashen, his breathing labored. "This... this can't be! It's absurd!"
If Frederick divorced Beatrice, what would become of the Jennings family? The East City project wouldn't just stall—they'd be lucky if the Stuart Group didn't actively destroy them!
Who was Frederick? A global business titan with an iron fist who retaliated over minor slights.
Before, his cold shoulder might have left room for negotiation, but now, with the scandal affecting Stuart Group stock prices, this was no longer a simple family dispute—it threatened his core interests.
What would he do to Beatrice and the entire Jennings family?
Clara and Brian exchanged glances, each seeing devastating fear in the other's eyes.
They no longer worried about the failed project, but whether Frederick's wrath would crush the entire Jennings family.
Nathan looked even more distressed than his parents, thinking practically.
Without Frederick as his brother-in-law, what about the limited-edition sports car he'd ordered for next month? Would his friends still fawn over him? Would his unlimited credit card be canceled immediately?
"No... we can't let this happen!" He jumped up and rushed to Beatrice, his previous contempt gone, pleading, "Bea! Do something!"
His voice turned desperate. "You can't divorce Frederick! Explain to him that Lucius was pursuing you—that you're the victim!"
"Yes, yes!" Clara snapped out of her daze, crawling over to clutch Beatrice's legs, sobbing hysterically. "Bea, I was wrong to speak to you that way! You absolutely cannot get divorced!"
She gripped tighter, tears streaming down her face. "Beg him! Frederick will remember your marriage—he can't be so heartless!"
Brian also dropped his patriarchal stance. "Bea, we've wronged you all these years, but now isn't the time to assign blame. Think of the bigger picture!"
Beatrice lowered her eyes to the weeping Clara at her feet, then to the panicked Nathan, and finally to the ashen-faced Brian.
Minutes ago, they had forced her to "prove her value," treating her like a servant they could abuse at will.
Now, one unconfirmed news article had transformed her into their savior. Her "value" seemed to have found a new definition in this moment.
Slowly, Beatrice withdrew her hand. She raised her head to meet three pairs of eyes filled with pleading and fear, and suddenly smiled.