In the comments section, there was one reply where Cara referred to herself as Warren's girlfriend.
Everything she had done for Warren now, she had once done for me. She was having such a good time that she probably wouldn't be back anytime soon.
Just as I was heading to my usual restaurant with the divorce decree, intending to celebrate by myself, I unexpectedly heard laughter and conversation from Cara's family and Warren.
Inside the private dining room, Cara's mother, Daisy Brown, held Warren's hand affectionately and looked at Cara.
She said, "Listen to me. Don't miss out on a good man like Warren. Hurry up and divorce Julian. All these years, he's been mediocre at the company and never amounted to much. He's been living off you, like a useless freeloader. I can't even hold my head up when I go out to play poker with my friends.
"I've heard Warren is very outstanding. Not only is he capable at work, but he's also popular at the company. Sometimes, he can even keep an eye on things you don't notice. If I had such a capable son-in-law, I'd be proud to tell everyone."
Through the crack in the door, I saw Warren lower his head shyly while carefully observing Cara's reaction.
She remained silent for two seconds before hesitantly lifting her glass to take a sip. "Julian and I have been married for ten years. If we divorced now, people will talk."
She didn't explain why I had supposedly never amounted to much all these years. Nor did she explain whose shoulders Warren had stepped on to obtain those achievements and projects.
I clenched my fists and was about to push the door open when Cara's younger brother, Carl Lavigne, spoke from inside.
"What are you afraid of, Cara? People get divorced left and right these days. Forget ten years. People can still get divorced whenever they want after spending 20 years together.
"I don't want Julian as my brother-in-law. He's so embarrassing. My classmates always make fun of me behind my back for having a freeloader brother-in-law."
"Exactly." Cara's younger sister, Carly Lavigne, chimed in. "Why don't you just marry Warren? He's way better than Julian. I don't want my classmates laughing at me again when college starts."
The only reason Carl and Carly had gotten into college was that I had constantly helped them find tutors, contacted educational institutions on their behalf, and even personally tutored them in their coursework.
Now that they had made it through college applications, they turned around and said I wasn't good enough.
I chuckled coldly and thought how expected it was that the most ungrateful people were all from one family. Even their excuses for looking down on me were identical.
They all thought I was an embarrassment. But they seemed to have forgotten that back when I was investing money and effort into the company, Daisy constantly praised me as the most wonderful son-in-law she could ever have.
Whenever she met an acquaintance outside, she couldn't wait to sing my praises and tell everyone that Cara was so fortunate to have married me.
Now that the company was thriving and Cara's net worth had risen accordingly, they turned their backs on me right away.
I reached up and pushed the door open.
Then, I instructed the server who had been leading me to my room. "There's no need to get me another private room. I'll just eat here."
Upon hearing my voice, everyone turned to look.
Without exception, shock appeared on all of their faces. Cara lifted her glass to conceal her awkwardness, though the flash of tension in her eyes did not escape me.
A moment later, she recovered and questioned me with a frown. "Shouldn't you be at the company handling work? What are you doing here?"
Judging by the puzzled look on her face, she still didn't know that I had already resigned.
But on the day I resigned, the employees had been gossiping everywhere. I didn't believe for a second that they hadn't passed the news on to Warren.
Cara spent every day attached to him. How could she not know?
Even if Warren had intentionally concealed it, HR still had to report the whole resignation process to her via email. So, there was no way she could have been unaware.
If it had been Warren, who was someone she cherished, she probably would have noticed immediately.
I met her gaze and answered calmly, "I resigned. I can go wherever I want."
"Who gave you permission to resign?" Cara demanded instinctively, showing no concern whatsoever for why I had resigned.
Hearing that, Daisy looked surprised.
The moment she realized I was unemployed, she immediately chimed in, "Julian, have you got no shame at all? Are you planning to sit at home and live off a woman now? If I'd known you were this pathetic, I never would've agreed to let Cara marry you!"
Daisy trembled with anger, and Warren quickly stepped forward to comfort her.
Cara's expression turned grim instantly.
After thinking of something, she said icily, "Maybe your resignation is for the best. But let me make one thing clear—I won't give you any living expenses. You'll have to figure out your own finances."
The Lavigne siblings seemed to think of something and immediately joined in.
"Doesn't that mean a position has opened up at the company? Why not give it to Warren? He's so capable. He'll definitely lead the company to even greater success."
Daisy nodded in agreement.
After pondering for a few seconds, Cara readily agreed.
With just a few words, Warren obtained the Vice President position that I had put ten long years of hard work into securing.
Cara's hypocritical act amused me.
Just as I was about to speak, Warren stood up and thanked Cara. "Thank you, Cara. I definitely won't let everyone down."
As he spoke, he flashed me a smug smile. That was the smile of a victor.
Then, he took out a gift box and handed it to me. "I know you're angry with me. I prepared this gift as an apology. I hope you can forgive me."
As he handed it over, he accidentally revealed the expensive watch on his wrist. I had seen a matching pair of those watches on his social media before. The other one was on Cara's wrist.
I glanced at the gift box and scoffed. "So this is how you apologize to others? By giving away promotional freebies from luxury brands?"
I happened to own the same gift set. The one he was giving me was a complimentary item that came free without additional purchase.
"Watch your words, Julian!" Cara immediately came to his defense. "What freebie? Warren personally picked this out for you!"
Warren lowered his eyes and stood beside her dejectedly.
In a hurt tone, he said, "It's okay, Cara. It's normal for Julian to dislike my gift. It's my fault for not having enough money to buy something from a more prestigious brand."
"Warren, it's the thought that counts. This isn't your fault. It's Julian who's ungrateful!" Carl spoke up immediately, picking up the gift box.
Carly comforted Warren. "Exactly! He's the one who doesn't know how to be appreciative!"
Daisy suddenly slammed her glass onto the table and said coolly, "Enough. Julian, let's settle this face-to-face. You're no longer worthy of Cara. You two might as well get divorced."
With his head lowered, the corners of Warren's mouth lifted once again. But when he looked up, his eyes were filled with pretentious regret.
He said, "Mrs. Lavigne, Cara and Julian have been married for so many years. It would be such a shame for them to separate. Cara wouldn't be able to bear parting with him either."
The Lavignes all turned to look at Cara.
Under everyone's expectant gaze, she took a deep breath and walked over to me.
"Julian, you've really gone too far this time. You shouldn't have trampled on Warren's sincerity. As long as you apologize to Warren and hand over the client information you've compiled privately, I can choose not to divorce you," she said.
Hearing that, I couldn't help but scoff. Even now, all she could think about was how to pave the way for Warren.
"There's no need."
I held the divorce decree up in front of her and replied coldly, "We're already divorced."