: The Battle Robe

4

I stretched my stiff muscles, finally waking up the next afternoon.

Lying in my $688,000 luxury massage bathtub, I started to rethink things between Julian Sterling and me.

Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I could see the roses in our garden and, across the water, the hustle and bustle of the city.

This house used to be a seaside bed-and-breakfast, connected to the city by a large bridge.

Julian Sterling knew how much I loved the tranquility of viewing the city from across the water, so he bought it and converted it into a private residence just for me.

To live here with me, he had to cross the bridge every day to get home, even though his company was in the city center.

Even his friends started buying up ocean-view properties on this side of the bridge one after another.

Because this group of rich playboys moved in, they single-handedly drove up the prices of the old houses here. With a constant influx of new residents, restaurants and convenience stores started popping up.

And just like that, the city gained a new little commercial district. It was absurd.

It was from that moment I realized just how much profound wisdom my mother's words held.

Ever since I was little, my mom taught me never to marry some poor bastard on a whim.

"A rich ex-husband is more useful than a poor current one."

My mom had suffered because of love, so she wanted me to be a rational person who loved herself first.

The winter I got together with Julian Sterling, my mother, who had been strong her whole life, passed away.

Thanks to Julian Sterling throwing wads of cash around, my mother's final days were exceptionally carefree and comfortable.

In that respect, Julian Sterling had treated me quite well.

That's why I wasn't really that bothered by Eleanor Wynne's appearance.

But based on Julian Sterling's attitude last night, he didn't seem to be in a rush for me to step aside, either.

He could afford to have a woman on each arm; after all, he had the resources for it.

'Too bad. No matter how comfortable this bathtub is, it can't hold back a heart that wants to leave.'

After thinking it over and over, I still decided to get a divorce.

I couldn't allow a man with an old flame to keep sleeping by my side.

After my bath, I started scrolling through my contacts on WeChat.

Eleanor Wynne was truly charming; Julian Sterling wasn't the only one who liked her.

Soon enough, I found another one of her quiet "lapdogs."

Through his messages, I learned of Eleanor Wynne's current whereabouts.

An all-too-familiar silhouette against an exceptionally beautiful backdrop.

'Just as I thought. Another secret rendezvous under the guise of a reunion.'

I put on my sunglasses, picked out a lightning-fast little sports car, and headed out.

The restaurant was famous and just a turn after the bridge. It was ridiculously easy to find.

While my car was stuck in traffic on the bridge, I got a call from my SA.

"Miss Gu, your haute couture gown has arrived. Would you like us to deliver it to your home, or will you come to pick it up in person?"

'Heaven is on my side!'

Compared to Julian Sterling, whose heart I couldn't hold on to, I cared more about my haute couture gown that I'd been waiting for for almost a year.

The dress was originally ordered a year ago, but between the recurring pandemic and endless customs delays, it was eight months late.

For the past few days, I had been constantly checking for updates, just waiting for this very call from my SA.

'Well, now. It seems my battle armor and I are on the same wavelength.'

The time for goodbyes has come, and it will grant me one last, magnificent entrance.

Things were developing just as I'd hoped. All I had to do was "catch them in the act," and then I could justifiably make a huge scene.

Julian Sterling is so concerned with his public image that as long as the number I propose isn't too outrageous, he'll definitely agree.

'Tsk, I really am a clever girl.'