Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 424

Chapter 424

Vance never held back when telling them what he wanted to eat. It was better to keep them busy than let

them sit around sighing every day.

After dinner, he helped Andrew tend to the small vegetable garden in the backyard. The once-overgrown yard now had neat rows of vegetables and finally felt alive again.

But as he squatted among the plants, he couldn’t help recalling the time he and Rebecca had gone back to Josette’s suburban house.

They had sat at the front door watching the melons and flowers blooming in the yard. The pain hit him without warning, but there was nothing he could do.

Only when it was dark did he leave the place and return to the hotel.

The next morning, he showed up at the office. Aiden had arrived earlier and was waiting with several

outsourcing company representatives.

“Let’s go to the conference room,” Vance said.

“Now that Mr. Bradford is here, you can finalize the renewal contracts with him,” Aiden told the representatives smoothly.

Everyone sat down around the table. As Aiden had said, they had come today not only to renew the contracts but also to settle their outstanding payments. They were waiting for Vance’s signature.

“I’ve reviewed the contract Mr. Hodge sent me. No issues. We’ll continue working together as usual,” Vance said, frowning slightly. “As for the payments… You know our current situation. It’s really…”

Aiden forced a smile. “We understand, but the payment deadline is approaching, so…”

“Let’s push it back a few days,” Vance suggested. “There are still a couple of days left, right?”

“Could you sign first?” one of the representatives asked.

“Let’s do everything together-sign the new contract, settle the old payments, and handle the new project deposit at the same time,” Vance replied, handing the documents back.

The representatives looked at Aiden, who said smoothly, “Then we’ll wait a few more days. It’s not a big

deal.”

The meeting ended, and everyone left the conference room. A flash of ruthlessness crossed Aiden’s

eyes.

Lucas arrived and greeted Aiden, but the latter ignored him, which made him feel bad.

Vance was still in the conference room. Lucas walked in with a dejected look. “Vance…”

He then recounted everything about Aiden’s divorce and how Catherine had been kicked out of the house. “Aiden wants to cut ties with me because I helped Sonia.”

1/2

Chapter 424

+25 Bonus

He was genuinely upset. Aiden had really stopped speaking to him. At first, he had thought those were just angry words.

Vance stared at Lucas, his mind replaying scenes of them playing basketball in college, starting the company together, celebrating their first successes, and encouraging each other through tough times.

Those passionate days and shared struggles were gone forever. He didn’t know where things had gone

wrong.

Was it because he hadn’t been good enough? Or had the ruthless tide of vanity finally washed everything away?

“Lucas…” he muttered with genuine sadness. “If only…”

He paused mid-sentence, suddenly catching a glimpse of a corner of cloth flickering at the door. He changed his words. “If we can’t survive the pressure Gabriel is putting on us, what then?”

“Huh?” Lucas blinked. “We start over. What’s the big deal? We’ve faced tougher times before. As long as the three of us stick together, I believe we can get through anything.”

Vance gave a small, bitter laugh and lowered his head, hiding the tears that had welled up in his eyes.

“And what about Cathy?” Lucas asked quietly. “She’s pregnant. Aren’t you going to check on her?”

Vance steadied his emotions. When he looked up again, his eyes were clear.

He stared at the shadow outside the room and declared, “Of course, I’ll check on her. She’s doing fine right now,” (3

Chapter 425