Beyond the Divorce

There’s No Escape

“Sure, where are you, Mr. Atticus?” I replied.

“I’m at the same clubhouse as last time. I’ll send you the location.”

“Okay!” I agreed and hung up, receiving the location from Atticus shortly after. After checking the location

and directions, I headed straight to the place. When I arrived, Atticus was already waiting there.

“Mr. Atticus.” I walked in briskly.

He wasted no time and poured me a cup of tea, saying, “I have a favor to ask of you, Ms. Chloe.”

Honestly, my impression of this man improved with each encounter. He was straightforward and didn’t play games. I said, “Go ahead.”

Since I was receptive, he pulled out a document and passed it to me. “Look at this first.”

I glanced at him curiously, then took the document. It was a project contract but not under Echelon Group. The development area was substantial, and someone had done the planning well.

However, I didn’t understand why Atticus showed me this contract. After reading it, I looked at him. “Mr.

Atticus?”

He said thoughtfully. “That’s a mortgage contract. The other party can’t repay their debts, so it’s mine now. Still, I don’t want Echelon Group to handle it. Are you interested? All the paperwork is in order and

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Consider it helping me out.”

e you any tr

I replied, “I… Can I take some time to consider it? After all, I have another partner in the company, and I can’t make such decisions alone. Besides, I’d like to learn more about the contract and the situation beyond it. Of course, assuming you trust me enough.”

“Naturally, I trust you.” Atticus nodded and gave me detailed background information on the mortgage contract. He also explained why he didn’t want Echelon Group to handle it.

I knew there were risks and suspected that this situation wasn’t as straightforward as Atticus made it

Take your time to consider it. I trust you completely. Please provide an answer as soon as possible, Though I’m in a hurry, Atticus said, looking at me earnestly, “I can’t find anyone I trust more than you. Of course, you can sel your conditions.”

“All right, (‘il discuss with Ryan and get back to you. Thank you!” | replied.

“Thank you!” Atticus seemed relieved.

“Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll head back now and meet you here again tomorrow. I’ll let you know the time later.” I stood up. Then, I remembered something and looked at the contract. “…”

Atticus was quick to understand and handed the contract to me decisively. It further showed he trusted

1. me. “You can take it with you.”

“Thank you!” I accepted the contract, feeling its weight. The trust behind this gesture was heavy.

He stood up as well. “Ms. Chloe…”

He hesitated momentarily, lowered his gaze, and then look disrespected you. Don’t mind her. That’s just how she is.”

at me. “I know Liora has probably

I chuckled, feeling light–hearted as I teased him for the first time, ‘Mr. Atticus, I’m not that weak.”

“That’s good to hear. But maybe in the future… you can tell me about it,‘ Atticus smiled awkwardly. “There

are some things I don’t know how to say.”

“Don’t worry, Mr. Atticus. I can handle it. If she goes too far, I won’t let her be. If it comes to that, you can’t

blame me for retaliating.”

He smiled and nodded confidently. “No problem! Sometimes, a strong hand is needed to keep her in

check. You don’t need to care about me.”

I Neither of us said much more. We left the place one after the other. In the car, I called Ryan and asked him to wait for me in the office. This matter weighed heavily on my mind.

Accepting the mortgage contract came with risks, but they were more significant for Atticus. Echelon Group was a publicly traded company, and privately taking over this contract was a major taboo.

On the other hand, declining felt like not repaying Atticus’s favor. When I was at my lowest, Atticus helped me without hesitation, regardless of his intentions and motives.

Being in the business world, I couldn’t escape my obligations. Accepting help meant accepting responsibilities, and I had to repay Atticus. But how to do that was something Ryan and I would need to discuss