Chapter 5 Job Hunting
Kolton sneered. With his tongue sticking against his cheek, he scoffed, “Playing hard–to–get? It won’t work. You’ll regret it.”
Cecilia turned her head in case he spotted her reddening eyes.
Just then, his client walked over from behind him.
“Mr. Thompson, I’m looking forward to smooth cooperation between us.
The mockery exclusive to Cecilia vanished from Kolton’s eyes, replaced by a smile.
“Likewise. You can stay for more days, so Iris can show you around.”
The foreigner laughed. “I won’t dare to steal your girl. She’s all yours.”
Iris brought the car around. She got out, went up the steps, and stood beside Kolton.
“Mr. Stewart, I’ll drive you to the hotel,” she offered.
The foreigner was flattered. “I’m honored, Ms. Velasquez.”
Kolton leaned toward Iris, put his hand on her waist, and whispered, “Drive safely.”
She nodded.
Before she left with the client, she didn’t even look at Cecilia.
It was like she didn’t recognize Cecilia in another outfit. Or perhaps, she was just ignoring her.
Watching them walk away,‘ Cecilia pressed her lips together.
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This was their first encounter. She had to admit Iris was remarkable.
Was she Kolton’s type?
When he looked at Iris, adoration and appreciation were evident in his eyes. He had never looked at Cecilia that way.
She couldn’t imagine what she was like in his eyes.
Iris was special to Kolton. He couldn’t even be bothered to hide it from Cecilia. What was she to him? Dirt?
Cecilia bowed her head. Her fair neck showed. Her ears were still red from the bicker.
The look in Kolton’s eyes grew intense.
In that outfit, she was ravishing tonight. He couldn’t get her out of his mind.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. He walked closer to her and took out his car keys from his pocket. When he spoke, he still sounded condescending.
“Did you drive your car?”
He knew the answer. He was giving her an opportunity to go home with him.
Against his expectations, Cecilia missed it.
“I have only one thing to do with you now. That is, I’m divorcing you. Whether I came in my car or not, it’s none of your business.”
Kolton’s face darkened. He was irritated.
By talking to her, he was throwing her a bone. How ungrateful she was.
“Cecilia, I’m running out of patience. Don’t push me!”
This wasn’t how he had talked to Iris.
After seeing how he had treated her and Iris differently, Cecilia felt like she was about to be devoured by negative feelings.
Her throat tightened. She couldn’t speak. And her eyes became moist.
“Where does this rat come from?” Veronica called out as soon as she came back. She walked around Cecilia.
With a horrified look, she said, “Why didn’t you run? Rats bite!” She was alluding to Kolton.
Spoiled by her brother and parents, Veronica was fearless. She’d insult anyone she didn’t like in the Sevarin Business Community.
Much as the Harrington family wasn’t as rich as the Thompson family, they were business partners.
Regarding that, Kolton wouldn’t be mad at Veronica.
However, Veronica only got worse.
Slighted by Kolton, Cecilia was often sad. Veronica would tell him off whenever she had a chance.
But it was never so serious. She humiliated Kolton this time.
Afraid that Kolton would take offense, Cecilia meant to leave with her. “Vivi, let’s go.”
Veronica glared at Kolton. Her lips were moving, but no words came out. But apparently, she was calling him names.
Cecilia dragged Veronica to the car. After they got in, Veronica still felt dissatisfied.
She rolled down the car window and yelled, “Kolton! Cecilia will be a
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des voucheric
renowned designer. You’re out of her league!”
Cecilia gasped. She hastened to roll up the window frantically and urged Veronica to start the engine.
They drove away.
But Veronica’s words rang in Kolton’s ears. The street night view was reflected in his sharp eyes.
After a while, he called Trenton. “What was Cecilia’s major in college?”
It was silent for a few seconds at the other end of the line. Then, Trenton answered, “Interior design.”
“Keep an eye on her. Don’t let her work in any design company.”
Kolton didn’t think what he was doing was wrong.
The Harrington family was rich enough to support her for the rest of her life.
Since Cecilia didn’t follow the rules, he wouldn’t be lenient.
He didn’t think he was bullying her, either. He was helping her realize her mistake.
***
“Why are you afraid?” With her hands on the wheel, Veronica was still pissed.
“You’re his wife. Even though it was two vs. one, you can’t let your cheating husband and the homewrecker win!”
Cecilia wanted to say that, she, the so–called wife, was more like a joke.
“For me and the Bradshaw family, angering Kolton is unwise.”
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A scandal of the Thompson family would only complicate their divorce.
Two families would be involved.
“Cecilia, did you tell your family you’re getting a divorce?”
Veronica stopped the car at the traffic lights.
Cecilia shook her head. “No.”
Her family depended on the Thompson family. Her dad would never let her divorce Kolton.
Her mom was soft. She listened to her husband in everything.
Besides, she was always telling Cecilia to be a faithful wife and a good mother.
Cecilia used to think Kolton liked her. He just didn’t know how to convey his feelings.
In addition to her mom’s influence, Cecilia endured his neglect for two years.
It turned out he’d been having an affair. Suddenly, Cecilia realized how stupid and pathetic she was to put up with him for two years.
No one in her family could understand how she felt. So, she must get divorced before they knew it.
“Don’t make a scene yet. It can wait till you get divorced. Have you drafted the divorce agreement?”
Veronica was worried. “Don’t yield on the financial settlement. Get the car and the house. If you can’t, ask for millions of dollars at least.”
“I…I’ll think about it, then.” This had never crossed Cecilia’s mind before.
Veronica knew her mind must be a mess now. So, she didn’t press her.
She took Cecilia home. After dinner, she offered to take her out and have fun all night, so Cecilia could forget about the unpleasant things.
But Cecilia wouldn’t go. She grabbed her laptop and sat on the couch.
“I’m gonna send my resume. I must find a job as soon as possible.”
Veronica thought about it and asked, “Do you need my help?”
If she helped, Cecilia could find a job without sending her resume.
“No, thanks. I can find a job on my own.
Cecilia didn’t wanna pull strings. She believed she could find a job.
She wasn’t being conceited.
It was true that she was inexperienced and had been away from the design field for two years.
But her graduation design won a prize, and most of the companies she was interested in invited her for an interview.
This was a good beginning. Cecilia was motivated and confident.
The next morning, accompanied by Veronica, she bought a business suit for the interviews.
She kept herself busy. But still, she thought of Kolton now and then.
Sadly, Iris would rush to her mind with him.
She knew little about Iris. But every time she thought of her, Cecilia felt inferior.
Her heart seemed to be pierced by numerous needles. Cecilia longed for a
job, where she could prove her competence and put Kolton and Iris behind her. But the sting in her heart made her restless constantly.
She couldn’t think, that if she hadn’t married Kolton two years before, she would be a successful career woman now.
Several interviews were set for Friday.
Cecilia arrived at the first company at 9 a.m. She introduced herself first and waited for the interviewer to ask questions.
Ms. Bradshaw, what did you do in the past two years after graduation?” That was an expected question. Cecilia was ashamed. “I…got married.”
The interviewer was disappointed. “There’s a golden period for job hunting. We would welcome you if you had joined us upon graduation. But now… I’m sorry.”
That was a no.
Cecilia was mentally prepared for rejection. But she didn’t understand. “You didn’t ask any questions related to design. You turned me down only because I’m inexperienced and married?”
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