Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 312

Chapter 312 Familiar Glance

Finished

Herman couldn’t make sense of it. Draven had spent that much money and didn even ook at the painting?

The only explanation he could come up with was that the CEO had made an impulsive, emotional purchase.

Troy wasn’t about to let the trip be for nothing.

There were plenty of artworks at the auction. Their prices were just a bit lower than the one that had been sold off.

And for a gift to Ayla, there was no need to buy the best of the best. Something decent would be more than enough.

Besides, he had come in person instead of sending Isabella to handle it. That alone counted as sincerity.

Ayla would understand. She should appreciate it and be touched.

When Draven returned to his mansion in Beverwyn Hills, the oil painting he had spent one point five million dollars on was placed in the middle of his living room. He glanced at it twice, didn’t even bother to unwrap it, and had it tossed into the storage room instead.

He had liked the painting at first, but the moment Troy tried to compete with him for it. Draven instinctively lost interest.

Even more than that, he didn’t want it ending up in Troy’s hands, only to be passed on to Ayla.

Just like Herman said, it was childish and impulsive behavior. But he did it anyway.

The painting was shoved into the farthest corner of the storage room. Before lu dust, no different from junk.

Draven silently withdrew his gaze and closed the storage room door.

uld be covered in

Draven had been away on a business trip for a week. Ayla did the math–he had only lived at her place for two days. His being gone for a week didn’t really change anything.

She flipped open her calendar. Martin’s birthday was two weeks away.

There were still about 15 days left.

Aside from Martin, Ayla had long since blocked everyone else from the Winstons.

Yet even now, she still hadn’t received a single call from Martin

Martin already knew about their divorce. If that were the case, Ayla should have received a call from her.

The fact that there hadn’t even been a basic check–in meant Troy hadn’t said a word about it.

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Chapter 312 Familiar Glance

Ayla could understand why. Troy didn’t want to bring it up because he didn’t wan

face.

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Or maybe he was hoping she would step forward herself and take the blame for the failed marriage.

After all, in the Winstons‘ eyes, she had married up. Now that she was the one asking for a divorce, it would only look like she didn’t know her place–married into such a good family and still couldn’t just settle down and live properly. They’d probably think something was wrong with her.

Bria was the perfect example.

If there was blame to be placed for a divorce, it would all land on her.

Ayla’s goal was simple: get the divorce certificate. Once it was in her hands, her objective would be achieved. She truly didn’t care about the gossip, but not caring didn’t mean she was willing to take all of it quietly.

She wanted Troy to say it himself, in front of everyone.

Martin’s birthday party was the perfect opportunity,

The entire Winstons would be there, including Troy’s parents.

Once the guests had left, she would make Troy say it out loud himself and let him face Martin’s questions.

Since there were still two weeks left, Ayla decided to buy a gift

Martin lacked nothing, but she did have a fondness for antiques and artwork.

The pieces available in stores were average at best. Auction items were better.

So Ayla made plans with Halle.

Halle’s collaboration with Lisa was basically settled. She had been busy with it ali was putting together the research team. Once Ayla officially resigned and took a te transition right into it without any downtime.

nd the next step

ays off, she could

When Halle heard Ayla was buying a gift for Martin, she thought Ayla was being remarkably gracious..

On the way to the auction house, Halle suggested grabbing a few drinks afterward.

“No, I’m done drinking recklessly,” Ayla said. She had learned her lesson.

“You’re still young. Why are you already acting like you’re into wellness?” Halle said.

“It was fun while drinking, sure. But being drunk afterward was awful, and you know it,” Ayla replied.

She had slipped and fallen, needed Draven to help her up, and he had even blow–dried her hair afterward. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that getting drunk only created trouble for herself and for other people.

“Weren’t you miserable that day too?” Ayla asked back.

The moment Halle thought about it, her scalp practically tingled. She had been so drunk she didn’t even have the strength to wash up before falling asleep. The next morning, she woke up disheveled, and worse-

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Chapter 312 Familiar Glance

there was a very real, living man next to her.

Finished

Halle was extremely particular about her appearance. Even when she went out just to take out the trash, she put on light makeup. She was almost never bare–faced. How was she supposed to accept that?

That morning, she’d woken up smelling like alcohol, her makeup smeared, her hair a complete mess, and her clothes… she wasn’t wearing any. It had been a disaster she never wanted to think about again.

“You’re right. I’m drinking less from now on,” Halle said firmly.

Ayla and Halle walked into the auction hall, found their seats, and flipped through the catalog of the day’s items.

Ayla had her eye on a piece of artwork by a well–known artist. The opening bid was 100 thousand. She planned to cap it at 500 thousand, a gift that wasn’t too much or too little, just right for Martin.

That was when Ayla suddenly spotted familiar faces.

Skyla and Howard had also shown up at the auction.

There were several rows between them.

Skyla and Howard sat toward the front, while Ayla and Halle were farther back.

As they passed by, both sides noticed each other.

Skyla, just like always, looked down on people. She glanced at Ayla once, then withdrew her gaze with trace of irritation.

Howard and Halle had more or less had a falling–out the last time they mer. Th

t been especially

close to begin with, and over the years, they’d barely stayed in touch; It wasn’t outright hostility, just cold distance.

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