Chapter 9 Elijah flung the door open . " What do you mean by this ? " Even Walter , seasoned in dealing with the craftiest businessmen , felt a shiver run through him when he saw Elijah standing there . Elijah walked toward him and asked , " What is this three - year period , and why are you saying she loves you ? " Walter let out a nervous laugh . " It's just family love , Mr. Tarver . Don't get the wrong idea . We're siblings . It was only a bet between us with a three - year limit , that's all . " Elijah's dark expression finally eased , and his tense muscles relaxed . " What do you mean Avery is missing ? I saw her packing earlier . She must have gone on a trip . " Walter let out a sigh of relief . " Good , that's a relief . " After the conversation , Elijah didn't go home . Instead, he went straight to the office and worked through the night until 3:00 am . He leaned back in his chair , rubbing his forehead wearily . " Ave, get me a glass of water , " he muttered instinctively . However , the empty office answered only with the echo of his own words. Elijah let out a cold laugh . He had forgotten that while something so serious happened at home , his beloved wife hadn't returned to help . Instead , she was out enjoying herself and ignoring all his messages . He realized he had spoiled Avery far too much . He had gone out of his way to give her the title of Mrs. Tarver , yet she still dared to push his limits . Since Avery wouldn't obey , she needed to be disciplined until she learned to listen . Elijah's expression darkened as he picked up the phone and dialed a number . " Is this Mr. Gowther ? Draft a divorce agreement for me . The person on the other end agreed immediately , and soon the sound of typing filled the line . " Just draw up a simple one . I only want to scare my wife a little , " Elijah said . Thinking of how much Avery loved him , he decided a small punishment would suffice . While waiting , Elijah lost himself in memories of Avery from when they had first married . Back then , she didn't know how to please him and was always clumsy , constantly causing funny little mishaps . The first time she cooked , she accidentally added sugar instead of salt and nearly ruined the dish . The first night they were together , she was so shy that her whole body flushed , yet she Chapter 9 bit her lip and went through with it . Even before Lara returned , he had been soft - hearted toward her sometimes . Elijah's eyes darkened . Since Lara came back , Avery seemed like a completely different person . The sweet , girl he had married was gone . Now , all that remained was a jealous , vindictive woman . 2/3 innocent The voice on the other end of the line snapped him back to reality . " Mr. Tarver , I'm afraid the divorce agreement can't be drafted . " Elijah frowned . " Why not ? " " You and Ms. McPherson have already divorced . " Elijah shot to his feet , knocking his chair over with a loud crash . "What did you say ? " He gasped , as if struck by lightning . " I looked into it . You and Ms. McPherson officially divorced a week ago , " the voice on the other end said . The voice on the line grew distant , as if muffled behind a wall of air , leaving Elijah with only a ringing in his ears . A week ago ? How could that be ? Suddenly , Avery's desperate cries from that day flashed in his mind . " We're already divorced . You can't do this to me . ' At the time , he had assumed she was just panicking and saying nonsense . He hadn't paid it much attention . Only now did he realize she had known all along . However , he had never signed any divorce papers . It seemed impossible . Staring blankly at the pristine ceiling , Elijah finally remembered his father's words from not long ago . " Get rid of what's useless . " He had been busy taking care of Lara after her fall and had barely glanced at the papers his father handed him . He had signed them absentmindedly and left . Regret and fury surged within him , almost overwhelming his senses . He muttered , " Well , Avery . You actually had the nerve to run from me without my permission . Didn't you love me ? I will make sure you regret ever divorcing me . " He kicked the chair across the floor and grabbed his car keys . Chapter 9 A maid stepped forward , holding a package . " Mr. Tarver , you're back . This is yours . " Before she could finish , Elijah snapped , " Get lost ! " The maid kept her head down , a trace of malice flashing in her eyes . When Elijah wasn't looking , she casually threw the package into the trash . 3/3 Chapter 10 1/3 Chapter 10