Beyond the Divorce

I was taken aback and glanced at my phone. It showed an unfamiliar number. I answered, asking, "Who is this?"

"Looks like you're really busy, Mrs. Chloe. This is Lance," came the warm and gentle voice from the other end.

I focused immediately. "Mr. Lance, do you... have something to say?"

"Forgive the intrusion, Mrs. Chloe." The voice sounded pleasantly amused. "Could we meet? I'd like to discuss a collaboration with you."

"What kind of collaboration are you talking about?" I asked calmly.

After recent events, my impression of the Sunny family had hit rock bottom.

His approach immediately reminded me of his brother.

"The project in Solaris," Lance stated bluntly, sounding confident and assured.

with skepticism as my

you have any other ideas," Lance added, perhaps sensing my hesitation over the phone. "There are alternative ways to accomplish it that are easier and more discreet.

the way you put it, it's as if my project in Solaris is something to be

inwardly. How despicable. They were attempting to snatch the project from every angle

Lance urged. "Some things

you know, I haven't been free to go out recently. I've delegated all company business to Ryan. But your proposed collaboration... is unlikely to work out. I don't have any other ideas right now." I rejected

project... Think it over. I'll

carefully," I replied with

thought about what he had said. There

A project in Solaris?

hinting

the little one ran over, wobbling into my

Annika beat me to it, lifting him up first. He struggled and reached out to me, saying, "I want...