novelxo Chapter 4
Chapter 4
A divorce agreement? What was Gisele trying to do?
Dorian’s face darkened. How dare she bring up divorce in front of Declan? Was she aware of what would happen once she proposed divorce to Declan?
It meant that the Jeffersons would carefully evaluate his marital status.
“Let’s go home first.” Dorian forcefully pressed Gisele’s hand back down.
Gisele didn’t feel pain, but her fingers ached from Dorian’s grip. Before she could recover, Dorian had dragged her out of the villa.
“How long are you going to make a fuss?” Dorian released Gisele as soon as they left.
“Isn’t divorce what you always hoped for, Mr. Jefferson?” Gisele looked at Dorian as she rubbed her fingers to ease the numbness.
Dorian frowned. Gisele had never looked at him with such a calm expression before.
Her eyes used to be timid and filled with adoration, and she had always avoided his gaze. Yet, they had constantly followed him.
Now, she appeared calm and unruffled as she met his eyes steadily. Somehow, this accentuated her graceful demeanor.
She stood there in silence, but she exuded a sense that few things could shake her resolve.
Gisele had chosen to be his wife unwaveringly for three years. She would not waver now that
she wanted a divorce.
The crease between Dorian’s brows deepened as he extended his hand toward Gisele. “Let’s go back first.”
“I already sent the divorce agreement to your office. There won’t be any dispute over the
division of assets.”
Gisele stepped back. “Dorian, from now on, I wish you all the best.”
As Dorian was about to say something, a car stopped in front of Gisele. It was the e–hailing cab that Gisele had arranged in advance.
She opened the car door, but Dorian pressed his hand on the frame, saying, “I’m not finished with you. Who allowed you to leave?”
Gisele lowered her head and sl*pped into the car under Dorian’s outstretched arm. Only then
Chapter 4
did he notice how slim and agile she was.
By the time he thought of pulling her out, she was already sitting inside, looking poised and elegant.
“Gisele, don’t make me say it again.” Dorian’s upbringing prevented him from dragging Gisele out of the car. “Grandfather told us to-
Gisele interrupted Dorian and said, “Mister, let’s go.”
“Miss… I’m only a driver. Why don’t the two of you…” The driver interjected with caution.
Dorian didn’t need to make his identity known. His commanding demeanor alone indicated that he was either wealthy or of noble status. His clothes alone could also buy the driver’s
entire car.
The driver feared that if he touched Dorian, he wouldn’t be able to cover the cost of damaging the latter’s clothes.
“Drive, or I’ll give you my first–ever bad review,”
Gisele said.
“My esteemed passenger, please fasten your seatbelt. I’m about to drive away now,” the driver promptly replied.
Dorian frowned. So, Gisele was also capable of precisely targeting one’s weakness?
Gisele slammed the car door shut, leaving Dorian with a face full of exhaust fumes.
“Mr. Dorian, Mr. Dorian…” Dorian was heading toward his car when Alfred hurried out.
“Mr. Jefferson Senior said today is a special day. You must go to Jefferson Manor. If he finds. out you didn’t, he’ll personally attend the board meeting this year.”
Dorian’s frown deepened. Declan was the one who led the Jefferson family, but Dorian’s performance over the years stood out.
After Dorian had gotten married, Declan hadn’t attended any board meetings. He claimed that he preferred to stay at home. If Declan resumed attending the meetings, it would draw
speculation
“Mr. Dorian, before the board meeting is convened, Mr. Jefferson Senior hopes to see you and Ms. Meyer get along,” Alfred said.
“Understood.” Dorian sat in his car and opened the navigation. But Jefferson Manor wasn’t listed under his frequent addresses. Dorian paused briefly.
Alfred kept his head respectfully lowered as he spoke, his smile carrying a hint of meaning.” Jessie is already waiting for the two of you at the manor.”
Dorian entered Jefferson Manor’s address and started the car, mumbling to himself, Grandfather, don’t you worry.”
Half an hour later, he reached his destination.
Jefferson Manor wasn’t new to Dorian since it was one of the earliest properties owned by the Jeffersons. It had primarily been used as a nuptial home.
Dorian had rarely gone there and had visited even less after he had married Gisele.
As he stepped into Jefferson Manor, he paused. The manor hadn’t changed much, but it felt somewhat foreign.
The living room had once been spacious and airy. Now, it had beige tablecloths, health teas, a small bookshelf, and fresh flowers. All of them had been meticulously arranged to foster a sense of tranquility.
Under the flowers, there was a fluffy cat figurine. Without realizing it, Dorian’s frown softened at the sight of it.
Several lush, plump plants sat beside the windowsill, accompanied by a matching watering can adomed with kittens.
Next to them lay culinary medicine books, all of which had dog–eared pages. Dorian randomly fl*pped through one of the books.
It was filled with densely packed sticky note annotations. Each was almost more detailed than the original text.
He picked up a recipe book next, finding multiple versions of recipes for a red bean and barley porridge.
Several modifications had been written down, outlining changes in texture and health
benefits.
The elegant handwriting conjured the image of a meticulous woman sitting by the window, jotting down her culinary experiments.
“Mr. Dorian, you’re back.” Jessie Winslow, the housekeeper, greeted Dorian as she wiped her hands and walked out of the kitchen.
Like Alfred, Jessie had worked for Declan for years.
After Dorian got married, she had moved to Jefferson Manor to take care of Dorian and Gisele for a while. But, six months ago, Jessie had returned to Jefferson Villa due to Declan’s
Chapter 4
deteriorating health.
“Isn’t she back yet?” Dorian put down his book, frowning.
In the past, if he was going to come to Jefferson Manor, she would have been waiting at home.
“Mr. Dorian, Madame Gisele might be busy. But she made soup as usual,” Jessie said right away when she saw that something was amiss with Dorian’s expression.
Then, Jessie brought some soup for him. A whiff of its rich and familiar aroma aroused a primal craving in him.
His surroundings, coupled with the fragrance, felt tranquil and cozy.
Dorian, who’d had a hectic day, didn’t hesitate to pick up his spoon. “Give her a call and ask when she’ll be back.”
Jessie was taken aback. This was the first time Dorian had initiated contact with Gisele.
She responded in a flurry. Just as she took out her phone, it rang. Jessie looked at it and was even more delighted. “It’s Madam Gisele.”
Dorian tilted his chin, and Jessie immediately answered and put it on speaker. “Madam
Gisele.”
“Jessie, I slow–cooked the lentil soup.” Gisele’s clear voice came through the phone.
Dorian raised an eyebrow. Gisele must have instructed Jessie to remind him to drink the
soup.
She had used to make porridge and soup, then sent them to the Jefferson Group. Following that, she had repeatedly reminded Jon to make sure he drank it.
“Discard the soup. Or you can feed it to the dogs.” Gisele’s calm voice came through.
Dorian had just taken a sip of the soup when he started violently coughing. Reflexively, he pinched his throat, making the cough silent. Despite this, his face flushed red after a couple of chest heaves.
“Mr. Do-“Jessie became worried when Dorian coughed like this.
Dorian immediately raised his hand, suppressing his cough. He gestured a zipping motion over his m*uth to silence Jessie.
“What’s wrong, Jessie?” Gisele asked, puzzled.