Mr. CEO Your Wife Has Wanted a Divorce for a Long Time (by Zora Pradeep) novel Chapter 470

**Freedom 470**

**Chapter 470**

As Franklin and Julia stepped into the vibrant restaurant, they were immediately enveloped by the lively atmosphere, a cacophony of laughter and clinking glasses swirling around them. The air was thick with the savory aromas of various cuisines, a sensory feast that contrasted sharply with the tension that lay just beneath the surface of their evening. Franklin’s eyes quickly landed on a familiar sight: Maggie and Johnny, seated at a nearby table, their presence a stark reminder of the complexities that awaited them.

Julia’s face was a carefully constructed mask, her features betraying no hint of the emotional storm that raged within her. She stood beside Franklin, her posture rigid, as if she were a statue carved from stone, impervious to the chaos surrounding them. Inside, however, a whirlwind of thoughts and feelings churned. The sight of Maggie stirred a mixture of anxiety and resolve within her, but she remained silent, knowing that any words spoken would only add fuel to the fire.

Franklin, on the other hand, offered a brief nod to Maggie and Johnny, a gesture that felt almost futile in the face of their indifference. His acknowledgment was like a whisper lost in a gale, unnoticed and unreturned. To Maggie and Johnny, he was merely a fleeting shadow, an afterthought in their evening, and the weight of their disregard hung heavily in the air, amplifying the already thick tension that surrounded them.

Just then, Kevin, ever the optimist, stepped forward, his cheerful demeanor a bright spot in the otherwise charged atmosphere. “Franklin, how about we head upstairs?” he suggested, his voice light and inviting. There was a hint of urgency in his tone, as if he sensed the need for a change in scenery, a way to escape the mounting discomfort.

Gratefully, Franklin nodded, relief washing over him at the prospect of a distraction from the oppressive mood that lingered like an unwelcome guest.

As they began to move towards the staircase, Johnny’s voice cut through the moment like a knife. “They’re already acting so high and mighty, even before the divorce is finalized,” he scoffed, bitterness dripping from his words. “I can only imagine how insufferable they’ll become once it’s official. With Cole, or your teacher, or even me around, they’d probably crush you alive.”

Maggie’s lips tightened into a thin line, the sting of Johnny’s comment hanging heavily in the air. She chose silence, her resolve unbroken as she refused to engage with his cutting remarks. The weight of his words barely registered as she focused on maintaining her composure, a fortress of calm in the storm of emotions swirling around her.

At that moment, Nolan and Yulia entered, their arrival injecting a burst of energy into the scene. Their laughter cut through the tension, a welcome distraction, yet the discomfort remained palpable among the Brown and Green families, who were acutely aware of the powerful connections surrounding Maggie. This realization only deepened their unease, as they contemplated the implications of her potential success without Franklin by her side.

Upstairs, the atmosphere shifted. The restaurant manager himself attended to the Brown and Green families, eager to cater to their every whim, a stark contrast to the tension that had defined their earlier interactions. Pleasantries were exchanged, laughter echoed, but it was all a thin veneer, a façade that barely concealed the deeper currents of unease flowing beneath the surface.

As they lingered, waiting for their table, their elevator ride delayed just long enough for them to catch sight of Maggie’s group nearby. Yulia walked alongside Maggie, their hands intertwined, their lighthearted conversation radiating warmth and camaraderie. Nolan trailed behind, engaged in a lively discussion with Johnny, their camaraderie evident. Yet, the sight of this trio seemed to unsettle the Brown and Green families, their smiles tightening into grimaces, the unease palpable.

They were acutely aware of Yulia and Nolan’s formidable positions in their respective industries, and Johnny’s rapid ascent only added to their discomfort. With such influential allies surrounding her, Maggie’s future appeared secure, even in Franklin’s absence. It was no wonder she seemed poised to sever ties and embrace a new chapter in her life.

Old Mrs. Green, her voice dripping with thinly veiled disdain, offered a cool smile. “She really does have good luck,” she remarked, her words laced with sarcasm, a jab that echoed the sentiments shared among the others.

Franklin, still engaged in conversation with the manager, remained blissfully unaware of her cutting comment, while Janice and Tracy exchanged knowing glances, their expressions revealing their shared thoughts. The sentiment resonated deeply; it was precisely what they had all been contemplating. Maggie was far too fortunate for their liking. Even without Franklin, she would undoubtedly thrive.

Sophia, seething with envy, shot a hard glare at Maggie’s retreating figure as she made her way toward the escalator, a storm of emotions brewing within her.

—

After dinner, the two groups diverged, each taking their own path to ensure they wouldn’t cross paths again.

Maggie and Johnny accompanied Nolan back to his residence, where discussions about several ongoing projects unfolded. The logistics of their work filled the air, but Maggie’s mind drifted elsewhere. Her travel schedule to the base had been tentatively confirmed, and as she considered the implications, it dawned on her that pursuing a mutual agreement for divorce would be far less complicated than filing a court petition.

Once she left Nolan’s place, she slid into her car, the engine humming softly as she opened her phone and typed out a brief message to Franklin:

[Let’s go handle the divorce paperwork the day after tomorrow.]

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