Chapter 5 How Much Do You Love Me?

The penthouse suite was fully equipped, sitting right next to an open-air tearoom bathed in the refreshing warmth of pastel colors and the morning sun. It should have been an uplifting setting if one could ignore the grating voice.

"Why hasn't he come to find me yet?"

"Arouse his possessiveness? It doesn't work on my husband at all!"

"Stop talking about it. It just makes me angry! That guy yesterday was so embarrassing! I paid good money, and he couldn't even drive a decent car?"

"Are you serious? Are you really a romance expert?"

The sharp, biting tone nearly made Isaac's jaw drop.

A romance expert?

She paid somebody to put on a show?

Glancing at his boss standing next to him, whose face darkened, Isaac instinctively looked away due to the icy murderous look in his eyes.

Nanci was initially stunned as she caught sight of Edward, then her eyes lit up with joy. She switched her tone in a second, her voice sickly sweet. "Edward! What brings you here?"

Edward's rage was palpable.

Oblivious to his angry eyes, Nanci ran over in small, hurried steps. "Are you here for me? You still care about me, don't you?"

As she almost threw herself on him, Edward deftly stepped aside, his gaze icy.

Seeing this, Nanci stopped in her tracks, scared, but quickly plastered a smile on her face. "Edward, I know you still care about me. You're just too shy to say it! Don't worry. I won't laugh at you..."

"Shut up!" Edward's voice was stern as veins throbbed in his forehead.

He glared fiercely at Isaac, who ducked his head, then asked in a deep voice, "Who was the man that picked you up yesterday afternoon?"

Nanci, her face blank at first, then showing a trace of realization, wrapped her arms around his waist. "Are you jealous? We're about to get divorced. If you really didn't care, you wouldn't have come asking."

Her cheeks flushed, and she giggled shyly, covering her mouth.

From what he had just heard, and the smug look now on her face, Edward could piece together the whole story.

Edward hated these schemes, especially from such foolish women. He wanted nothing more than to sever ties immediately, his teeth gritted. "Pack your things. Let's get the paperwork done!"

Throughout the journey, Nanci gazed at him with a mournful expression.

Edward, as if he saw nothing, closed his eyes to rest.

But the more he thought, the more things seemed off.

When he mentioned finalizing the divorce earlier, although she appeared devastated, she quickly grabbed her documents as if she had been prepared in advance.

And if she could stoop to deceiving him with another man, why not lure him into the room just now?

If they could stir up a scandal, she could then announce her status as Mrs. Clarkson. Wouldn't that be more advantageous for her?

For three years of marriage, she never caused trouble, never made things difficult for him, crossed the line, and was always docile. Why the sudden change?

He suddenly opened his eyes and looked at the person by his side.

Nanci had been giving him a resentful look for over ten minutes, but seeing him unmoved, she finally lowered her guard.

She turned to look out the car window, her eyes filled with joy. They were nearly there. In no more than ten minutes, she could finalize the divorce and be completely free!

For a moment, she couldn't help but smile slightly.

Edward's eyes narrowed as he studied her as if he had never truly known her.

Nanci, sensing his scrutiny, turned abruptly, only to meet his deep blue eyes, sharp as if they could see through everything.

A shiver ran through her, and she forced a smile. "Edward, what are you looking at?"

"Sir, Miss Ross, we've arrived."

The car smoothly stopped in front of the courthouse.

Nanci looked out the window with a desolate expression, her lips tightly pursed, her eyes full of reluctance. "Edward, do we really have to get a divorce? I love you. How can that be wrong?"

Edward gazed at her intently for a few seconds. "Do you love me?"

Nanci was taken aback, not expecting him to suddenly engage her. "Of course!"

"How much do you love me?"

A nearly imperceptible twitch crossed Nanci's lips.

Was he asking for a confession of love?

How shameless could this man be?

They were about to divorce, and yet, he sought validation and a display of his limitless charm from her.

"Edward, you are flawless. Even your expressionless face sends my heart racing. Every blink you take sets my heart fluttering! From the moment I first saw you, I fell for you. If I did something foolish, it would surely be under the spell of your magnificent charm! You are entirely to blame!"

Based on what Nanci knew about Edward, he detested complications, slick talkers, and those unapologetic about their mistakes, especially those who shifted blame.

She was nearly convinced by her nonsense, her smile growing wider. "As long as you don't divorce me, Edward, I'm willing to do anything!"

Edward was silent for a few seconds, then looked at her radiant face. "Really?"

Nanci didn’t see it coming.

What was happening?

Why hadn't he told her to get out of the car?

"Then give me the phone number of the man from yesterday."

Nanci choked, hardly maintaining her composure.

Their eyes met.

There was deep probing and also surprise and panic.

A sudden ringtone broke the eerie silence in the car.

It was from the Clarkson family.

Edward looked at her deeply again before answering the call, the voice on the other end urgent but trying to mask concern. "Olivia's condition is very bad. Come back now."

In the taxi, Nanci leaned against the window, watching the scenery whizz by, her expression stern.

Suddenly, she got a message from Brian. "How did it go? He didn't find out anything, did he?"

Nanci's performance at the hotel was to give Brian a chance to slip away. With his years of experience in escaping, this wouldn't be difficult for him.

Nanci took a deep breath as she texted, "Considering how clever that man is, he probably grows suspicious."

Fortunately for her, the phone call from the Clarkson family just now gave Edward no time to inquire further.

But Olivia...

Brian texted, "Hide it as long as you can. If he really finds out, confront him and tell him that you can save his grandmother with the proviso that he should help you reclaim the Ross family. Your marriage is fake. Use him if you can. If there’s a spark between you guys during this cooperation, maybe you could even become a real couple!"

Nanci replied, "No, this marriage must end, and it must be Edward who initiates it!"

Brian didn’t understand why Nanci insisted on divorcing.

If it was just because of her malicious mother-in-law and sister-in-law, she had ways to thoroughly handle them.

Why did she exhaust her mind over divorcing, insisting that Edward be the one to propose it?

He didn't press further though. "Alright, the stuff you need is in my room. Go and get it. I won't be back these next few days, and you stay put until his grandma's condition stabilizes."

The sun slowly rose higher, its golden light enveloping the city, a breeze stirring the leaves under the sunlight.

Nanci entered a cafe and chose a seat by the window.

Two minutes later, a girl in her early twenties, dressed in the cafe's uniform, brought over two drinks.

"Here's your possum pie and coffee."

Her words were gentle, but she set down the plates with a thud, then sat directly across from her, glaring resentfully.

Nanci withdrew her gaze and glanced at her before picking up the spoon. "Could you not look so aggrieved, as if I'm taking advantage of you?"

"Am I not? You block my way to wealth and exploit my surplus value! You’re a cheapskate, just like Felix Grandet!"

"I'm Nanci Ross."

"Nanci Grandet!"