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.

Solaris?" I repeated with

be able to proceed with the Solaris project, given your current situation. I wonder if you have any other ideas," Lance added, perhaps sensing my hesitation over the phone. "There are alternative ways to accomplish

disdainfully. "Mr. Lance, the way you put it, it's as if my project in Solaris is something to be

despicable. They were attempting to snatch the project from every

about we meet and discuss this further?" 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

project... Think it over. I'll wait for your call." Lance persisted,

I

said. There

A project in Solaris?

hinting at

brought in some snacks, and the little one ran over, wobbling into my arms. With a toothy

him, but Annika beat me to it, lifting him up first. He struggled