"Linda, if real estate confuses you, then you shouldn't be here causing problems," Barlor said, dismissing her with a cold tone.
Viole quickly added, "Exactly, Linda. Your interference has cost Mr. Wayne ten billion dollars!"
Linda let out a small laugh. "Ms. Stale, I think you're mistaken. This land is mine to purchase, not Barlor's. Why would it be his concern?"
"But that's ten billion dollars…" Viole stammered, trying to grasp the situation.
"Ten billion? That's nothing more than a bit of pocket change for people like us. Isn't that right, Ms. Autumn?" A familiar voice echoed from the back. Vardy walked up with a casual stride, Fern beside him.
Linda caught sight of Fern and responded calmly, "Indeed. I bought it for amusement."
Viole's complexion turned pale, realizing how out of her depth she was. While ten billion meant little to Barlor, it seemed to mean even less to Linda.
Embarrassed, Viole's face flushed red. She realized she had made a fool of herself in front of these powerful people.
Suddenly, Fern asked, "I heard Mr. Wayne got married recently. Is this lady beside him Mrs. Wayne?"
Viole's face grew redder, and she shook her head nervously. "N-No…"
"She's mine, Linda," Barlor declared, pulling Linda close to him. Linda tried to free herself from his grip, but Barlor held on tighter.
He'd noticed Fern's lingering gaze on Linda. Men could always tell when another man was interested.
"So, Ms. Autumn is Mrs. Wayne. My mistake. I just assumed, seeing Mr. Wayne sharing a laugh with this lady earlier, that she was his wife," Vardy remarked, tapping his forehead in mock realization. "So this young lady must be his secretary, no wonder she was bidding on his behalf."
Linda couldn't help but laugh at Vardy's words, though she had grown indifferent to Viole and Barlor, the situation still amused her.
Viole's face drained of color. She looked as though she might faint.
Seeing this, Barlor ordered, "Larry, take Viole home."
"Yes, Mr. Wayne."
Vardy grinned, taking Fern by the arm. "Well, we won't keep you. Goodbye."
As soon as Vardy and Fern left, Linda finally yanked her hand free from Barlor's grasp. "Stop holding onto me!"
Barlor hadn't expected Linda to react this way. In the past, she had always been eager to be close to him, following him around like a shadow. But tonight, she seemed like a different person entirely.
"If this is some new way to get my attention, Linda, it's unnecessary," Barlor said, his tone cold.
Linda was left momentarily speechless. She wanted to argue, but the words didn't come. Given how she used to feel about Barlor, she could see why he'd think she might pull a stunt like this for attention. But that wasn't her anymore!
"Think what you want," she said, brushing him off.
"Hold on."
"What now?"
"What's your connection to Fern?"
"There's nothing between us. I barely know him," Linda replied.
Barlor's expression darkened. "Linda, whatever your relationship is, remember, you're Mrs. Wayne. You should mind your status and keep your distance from other men."
Linda couldn't help but laugh. "Barlor, before you lecture me, maybe you should take your own advice. Did you respect our marriage when you brought Viole here today?"
"I told Larry to inform you."
"And what was the message? That I shouldn't come?"
Barlor fell silent, realizing Linda had a point.
Linda continued, "Even Fern, who barely knows us, assumed Viole was Mrs. Wayne. So what do you think others are thinking? If you truly care for Viole, let's just end this marriage."
"Are you out of your mind?" Barlor's frown deepened. He didn't like Linda, but divorce wasn't something he was considering. Their marriage was a matter of convenience, and untangling it wouldn't be easy.
Linda looked at him, seeing the seriousness in his eyes. She knew the reason he wasn't considering divorce was because of her family's influence. In a few years, when she was no longer of any use, he would discard her without a second thought. Thinking of her grim future, she decided she'd rather end things now.
"I'm serious, Barlor. Let's get a divorce."
The following day, news of Linda's extravagant land purchase spread like wildfire. As the Autumn family's only heir, Linda controlled vast wealth, but even ten billion dollars was no small amount. However, her family's business operations meant there wasn't much liquid capital available.
Linda lay in bed, rubbing her temples. Should she approach Barlor?
No.
After she'd brought up divorce, Barlor had left without a word. She couldn't understand him. She was willing to hand over her family's wealth, yet he still refused to end their marriage. But who else could she turn to?
Suddenly, Linda sat up with an idea. "Fern!"
In high society, connections mattered. Linda used hers to track down Fern. She knew his power base was abroad, but he'd been in Celest City for the past two years. Others might not know, but she was aware that Fern would soon dominate Celest's business world and would inevitably clash with Barlor.
In the Foster Group's conference room, Fern played with a lighter, waiting.
Linda walked in and got straight to the point. "I need to borrow eight billion dollars."
Vardy, sitting nearby, nearly choked on his tea. He had seen people being direct before, but never quite like this!
"Ms. Autumn, you certainly don't waste time, do you?" he said, amused.
Linda blinked innocently. "Last time, you mentioned ten billion was nothing to you."
"We said that to spare your feelings. I've never seen someone repay kindness with such a bold request!" Vardy shook his head in disbelief. Beautiful women, he thought, were all a little crazy.
Fern continued to toy with his lighter, unfazed. "And why should I lend you eight billion?"
"I only needed two billion to secure the New Moon Estates. But thanks to your interference, Mr. Lane, the price has jumped to ten billion."
"That's not a good enough reason."
Linda paused, considering her next move. Then she spoke, "Mr. Lane, your businesses are mainly abroad. But you've been here in Celest City for the last two years. I'm guessing you're planning to shift your operations here, laundering money through legitimate channels. Am I right?"
Vardy, in the middle of sipping his tea, froze. He glanced at Fern, shocked. The Autumn family's heiress, of all people, had figured this out? He had never heard of anything like it.