She Was Never Just a Pretty Face novel Chapter 125

Though Luther didn't say it aloud, he already knew the answer in his heart. Jolie was the one who had leaked the agreement.

As dawn broke, Luther picked up his phone and called Attorney Crane, his voice heavy. "Put the divorce proceedings with Hilda on hold. We'll wait until this storm passes."

Attorney Crane was utterly speechless. Women weren't the only ones who were fickle.

Aegis Group threw massive amounts of money at the problem, forcibly suppressing the news.

Since the equity transfer hadn't officially gone through yet, the shareholders' fury gradually began to subside.

...

That day, Hilda walked out of the Indigo Tower. She was heading to the hospital for a prenatal checkup. The little life inside her was nearly sixty days old, and today was a comprehensive appointment. Just as she reached the ground floor and prepared to get into her car, a familiar voice called out from behind, "Hilda."

Hilda turned around and saw Luther's mother.

Her feelings were incredibly complicated.

Over the years, she had built a wonderful relationship with Luther's family. But the fact remained that she and Luther were getting a divorce.

She just couldn't bring herself to say the word 'Mom' anymore.

Eleanor completely understood her hesitation. She stepped forward and gently took Hilda's hand. "I asked Harrell and found out you were working here. Come have a coffee with me. I just want to chat with you for a bit."

Hilda knew exactly what she wanted to discuss. After a brief hesitation, she agreed.

A few minutes later, the two women sat by the window in a cafe.

Eleanor ordered two coffees.

Hilda smiled politely. "I'll just have a glass of plain water."

Eleanor was an experienced woman with an incredibly sharp eye. She immediately asked, "Are you expecting?"

Hilda gently shook her head. "No, I've just been having some stomach issues lately."

Eleanor immediately grew concerned. "Should I take you to get checked out? I know a fantastic specialist."

Hilda brushed it off, saying it was just a mild bug. Only then did Eleanor relax.

She paused for a moment before getting to the main point of her visit. "Hilda, I know Luther wronged you, and I really have no right to tell you what to do. But speaking simply as a woman, I still want to urge you to give him another chance. Just looking at the settlement he drafted for you, it's clear he still has deep feelings for both you and little Annie. I really hope you won't give up so easily. If you're feeling stressed, go take a vacation abroad. Travel for a bit. By the time you come back, maybe Luther will have come to his senses."

After a long silence, Hilda spoke in a very low voice. "I appreciate your kindness, truly. But I have no faith left. I was the one who wanted the divorce first."

"Part of the reason this marriage failed is Luther, but part of it is the family I grew up in. If I had been raised in a stable, loving home, I might have had the confidence to fight for my husband's heart. But I've grown so used to coldness since I was young that my instinct is always to walk away. Loving Luther has completely drained my soul. I don't want to love anymore, because loving someone is just too painful. And I refuse to be trapped in a marriage that lacks both love and loyalty. In a crowded room of three, someone has to leave. It's either Jolie or me. She uses threats of death to force his hand, and I refuse to stoop to that level. I not only have my child, but I also have myself. For the rest of my life, I want to finally live for me."

Eleanor came from a prestigious background, and she listened to Hilda's words very carefully.

She could hear the deep agony in Hilda's heart. Only a woman could truly understand another woman.

By the end, she couldn't bring herself to persuade her anymore. She couldn't bear to watch such a wonderful woman stay trapped in a loveless marriage, even if the man involved was her own son.

Eleanor slowly reached out and covered Hilda's hand. She tried to speak, but her voice choked with emotion.

Hilda was deeply grateful for her kindness.

After a long pause, he asked softly, "What did you say?"

Hilda didn't answer.

The man knew better than to push it, so he dropped the subject.

She was still a married woman, after all. It really wasn't appropriate; he had overstepped his bounds.

The black Cullinan slowly pulled out. At that exact moment, someone walked out of the cafe. It was Eleanor.

She stared blankly at the departing SUV.

Was her mind playing tricks on her, or was that Harrell?

Why was he acting so intimate with Hilda?

Even though they were relatives by marriage, sharing a ride alone right now felt undeniably ambiguous.

Her own black luxury sedan pulled up to the curb.

Eleanor got in and immediately instructed the driver, "Follow that black Cullinan up ahead."

The driver chuckled. "Isn't that Mr. Harrell's car?"

Eleanor pressed a hand to her forehead. The world spun darkly before her eyes.