Chapter 277

Richard was completely taken aback. "Enough with the underhanded comments. I've put in money too, just as much as you! How is this debacle my fault?

"Richard, are you really in the dark?" The mocking tone from the other end of the phone stung. "Haven't you heard? It's your daughter-in-law, Joyce, who stirred up this hornet's nest. I've done some digging. Joyce was desperate for cash to prop up her beau. Worried Joyce would squander it, Katrina had Daniela put a freeze on the dividends. Daniela felt the funds could serve a better purpose, so she channeled them into a new venture. Now, all that cash is tied up in research and development, which means dividends are off the table for now."

Richard absorbed every word. He understood them all individually, but pieced together, they were gibberish to him.

His mind whirled, torn between asking,′′Which man is Joyce supporting?" and′′|sit certain there will be no dividends?"

The voice continued, "Richard, it's the talk of Olisvine. Because of Joyce, there are no dividends. Joyce and Katrina are now public enemies. Tell your daughter-in-law to watch her back outside, or she might find herself in hot water!"

The speaker was Richard's old friend. Despite his attempt to moderate his tone, the words came out biting.

To mess with someone's financial lifeline was to court disaster.

This grudge was monumental. 0

Richard's first move was to call the robotics company, which confirmed the invested funds were locked in.

He hung up and sat stunned.

His retirement savings, accumulated from years of toil, were meant to secure a stress-free twilight.And now,because of Joyce,they were up in smoke.

A fierce rage burned within Richard.

Just as he was about to call Alexander, the door clicked open and Joyce entered.

"How dare you show your face here?" Richard leaped to his feet. "Joyce, do you comprehend the chaos you've caused? Because of you, the Bennett family is dragged through the mud. How can you just waltz in here? Are you tangled up with another man?"

He couldn't bring himself to say "having an affair." He trusted Joyce hadn't strayed that far.

Before marrying Alexander, Joyce had been as headstrong about it as Daniela. Having achieved her goal,why would she stray?

Daniela was decent. Joyce, raised in the same home, should know better.

But Joyce, disheveled, declared, "Everything they say is true. I want a divorce from Alexander, and half of the Bennett family's assets."

Richard froze. A chill crawled up his spine. He stared at Joyce, his eyes wide with shock and dismay."What did you just say?"

"I'm perfectly calm, and I mean every word," Joyce asserted, her lips pressed tight. Before arriving, she'd talked to Milo. He wasn't after her money, but he was strapped for cash. If she couldn't help him, he'd have to look elsewhere.

How could she let the man she loved slip through her fingers? Milo was too precious; he was hers alone.Since she couldn't liquidate her shares in the robotics company, she'd cash in her now meaningless marriage instead.

She settled herself on the sofa, channeling Daniela's usual composure, trying to think what her sister would do in such a scenario. Somehow, this brought her peace.

She told Richard, "The Bennett name carries weight, and Alexander cares about his image. I'm still his wife.If I'm shamed, it reflects poorly on him too, right?" Richard trembled with anger at that. He realized he had overestimated Joyce's sense of propriety. He scoffed, "So what?"

"I don't want to have a falling-out with you. I've given my all to this marriage, but Alexander has never truly accepted me. He's hinted at divorce before. I know he still pines for Daniela. I'm ready to step aside. After the divorce, blame it all on me, and I'Il bear it silently."

Richard was taken aback. He saw that when people lost all shame, they gained a cunning edge.

Joyce was so clear-headed,calculated and determined.

She eyed Richard and said, "But this divorce won't come cheap."

Richard braced himself, knowing Joyce was about to lay down her terms.

"I want half of the Bennett family's assets, not a penny less."

Securing half of the fortune would more than suffice to tide Milo over through his financial storm. Then,they could weave their future together.

Richard, trembling with fury, pointed a finger at Joyce, his tone icy and measured. "You've only been part of the Bennett family for a mere half a year. Aside from a trail of scandals, what value have you added? On what grounds do you stake a claim to our wealth? Joyce, if you have any conscience, you'd initiate the divorce yourself, respecting the years you and Alexander have shared."

Joyce responded with a cold, humorless smile. "I don't have any conscience. There's no thread binding Alexander and me. I am not as forgiving as Daniela. I lay claim to what's mine, and I will seize it."