Chapter 242
“What daughter and son-in-law? Look more closely. I’m p>
“Oh, I’m sorry, I must have mistaken you. But I saw you and your daughter-in-law wearing matching outfits, so I just assumed you were close. Are you really divorcing? Maybe there’s just been a misunderstanding? It’s normal for couples to argue sometimes. Maybe you could think it over a little more?” The staff member slipped into their usual lecture, trying to talk them out of the divorce.
Davina nearly snapped her teeth in half.
She shot back, “Are you blind? What is wrong with you? Want me to file a complaint p>
The staff member froze, totally caught off guard, and looked helplessly at Camilla and Barnard. Camilla stepped in, her voice calm but firm. “You got it wrong. She’s not a relative. She’s my husband’s mistress. As you can see, I really need this divorce. Could you please just help us process it p>
Even though she tried to keep her expression professional, the staff member’s eyes went wide, especially when Camilla named Davina’s role so matter-of-factly. She kept sneaking glances at Davina, clearly flustered.
The embarrassment was heavy in the air. When the three of them had walked in together, the staff member honestly thought Davina was someone’s mother. She never saw this coming.
“I… I’m so sorry. That was my mistake. Window three should be available any minute. Let me take you there and get things sorted. You should be able to get your documents today,” the staff member stammered.
“Thank you,” Camilla replied politely.
Even after leading them over, the staff member was still stealing glances their way.
A senior colleague came over to check on her. “What just happened over here p>
The younger staff member spoke hurriedly. “That trio over there is filing for divorce. I saw the two women together, thought it was a mother, her daughter, and son-in-law, so I tried to give some well-meaning advice. Turns out the older woman is actually the husband’s mistress. She threatened to report me, Regina. Do you think I’m in trouble?” She looked genuinely nervous, especially since she’d only just started the job.
Regina gave the group a quick look and seemed to get the picture. “Oh, them? Don’t worry about it. They’re rich; their reputation matters a lot. They’re not going to file a complaint p>
“You know them?” the staffer asked, surprised.
Regina pulled out her phone and pulled up a set of pictures. “That’s the heir to the Carter family. Their family drama has been all over the internet lately. Here, take a look p>
The younger woman glanced at the screen. She saw those viral memes from the internet, the ones where Barnard and Davina are made to look like aliens—faces twisted by AI filters, expressions totally over the top. No wonder she hadn’t recognized them right away.
“Wow…” she breathed. Lately, Barnard and Davina were even more infamous than most celebrities. Online rumors painted Mrs. Carter as so ugly or sickly that of course her husband would stray.
But seeing her in person, Mrs. Carter was the picture of grace and elegance. If anything, it was the mistress who seemed out of place.
The young staff member couldn’t help but root for Mrs. Carter, even though her training said to always encourage reconciliation. Sometimes divorce just made more sense.
Meanwhile, at the front counter, the couple just ahead of Camilla was also there to end their marriage.
The man was obviously drunk, reeking of booze, and shouting at the clerk. “So what if I’m drinking? I already told you, I’m totally sober. I want a divorce, now! Why aren’t you listening p>
“Sir, for legal reasons, both parties must be completely sober for the divorce process. Please come back when you haven’t been drinking,” the clerk insisted.
“I told you, I’m fine! I’m totally aware! Are you going to help me or not p>
“Sir, these are the rules. Please step aside and let the next people through p>
But the man just wouldn’t leave.
Camilla checked her phone—only fifteen minutes left. If this dragged on, she was going to miss her window.
She stepped up. “Sir, how about this—I’ll buy your spot in line. How much would it take for you to let me go ahead p>
He turned to look at Camilla, wary. She met his eyes. “Ten thousand p>
He didn’t answer, just stared at her.
She smiled a little and raised the offer. “Fifty thousand p>
That definitely got his attention.
She upped it one last time. “Let’s make it one hundred thousand. Just let me take your place right now p>
She could see that Barnard was having second thoughts. Why else would he have gotten Pamela to mess with her work? She’d finally managed to drag him here—there was no way she was letting this slip through her fingers.
She wanted to be free of Barnard, for good.
At the sound of a hundred grand, the drunk looked instantly alert.
He stared at her, almost in disbelief. “Are you serious p>
“If you let me take your spot, I’ll transfer the money right now,” Camilla said.
“It’s yours, it’s yours! It’s not happening for me today anyway,” the man exclaimed.
Camilla pulled out her phone, sent the money, and quickly swapped places. She pushed her documents to the clerk. “Our cooling-off period is over. We’re here to finalize our divorce p>