?


    All these years they had been married, it had always been Anthony who gave in to Monica. She was ustomed to having her way with him, so it was unlikely she would hold her temper now.


    What she could not tolerate most was Anthony hitting her in front of a maid.


    Silence settled between them.


    Anthony regarded Monica with tired eyes, devoid of the affection that once filled them.


    Monica''s heart pounded as she realized he might actually be serious.


    "You" she began, her voice faltering.


    He cut her off, "Fine. If you want a divorce, we''ll divorce."


    She stared at him, stunned. She had only intended thement as a threat, never imagining he would actually agree.


    As the shock wore off, it gave way to rage. Not only was he not apologizing for hitting her, but he was also so brazen about it.


    "Fine! But don''t you dare regret it!" She spun around, anger burning within her, and stormed back to her car.


    Watching her drive away, Anthony remained silent. He turned to the maid at the door and asked, "Could you please let Mr. and Ms. Weir know that I''m here to apologize and ask if they''ll see me?"


    The maid replied coolly, "I''ll ry your message, but they may not agree to meet with you."


    Anthony nodded. "Sure, thank you."


    The maid closed the door and went back inside.


    In the living room, Vrie was chatting with Phoebe when she noticed the maid enter.


    "Have they left?" she asked.


    The maid exined, "Ms. Weir, it appears Mr. Updike came to apologize. He even pped Mrs. Updike when she tried to stop him.


    "Mrs. Updike was so angry that she demanded a divorce, and Mr. Updike agreed She drove off in fury. Mr. Updike is still at the door and has asked to meet with you and Mr. Weir to apologize."


    Vrie remained unaffected. Setting down her cup, she replied, "Tell him I have no intention of settling. He''s wasting his time here."


    "It seems he''s determined to wait," the maid added.


    Vrie smirked. "If he wants to wait, let him."


    The maid nodded and left. "I''ll let him know right away."


    Outside, Anthony''s expression darkened further as the maid ryed Vrie''s message.


    "Alright, thank you," he said, his voice t as the door closed, taking with it thest of his hopes.


    "Mr. Updike, perhaps we should head back," Anthony''s secretary suggested. "There''s still so much to handle at thepany."


    Anthony was quiet for a long time


    before he shook his head. "I''ll wait. Those matters won''t change thepany''s situation whether


    handle them now or not."


    The only way thepany could be saved was by staying there until Vrie was willing to see him.


    With a sigh, Anthony''s assistant said nothing more.


    Anthony must know better than him that seeing Vrie wouldn''t change anything. Despite that, this was their only option. Even if it was likely a futile gesture, they had no other choices left.


    Finally, by evening, the door opened.


    Vrie drove out in her white BMW. When she noticed that Anthony was still there, she looked surprised.