"You overestimate yourself!" Evie couldn't help muttering under her breath.
"Whether I do or not, I have to be careful. In life, especially in matters like this, you always have to manage the risks!" Alexander replied calmly.
Evie had nothing left to say to him. Besides, she had no plans to remarry anytime soon.
According to the Vance family tradition, after her divorce from Alexander, her mother would probably start pressuring him to remarry soon. By common logic, he would remarry before she did.
So this clause was basically pointless. It made no difference whether it was there or not. Evie had no more objections.
So the agreement was revised and printed according to the requirements just mentioned.
Evie read it again. After she had no further opinions, she signed her name on all three copies.
"When do we go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to finalize the procedures?"
"Three months from now!" Alexander answered without lifting his head.
"Why three months?" Evie asked in confusion.
"We need to give the company's PR department time to prepare. Otherwise, a sudden change in the marital status of the Sterling Group's chairman could negatively impact the company's stock performance."
"No!" What did that have to do with anything?
"Don't you see?
A chairman's marriage, even if it's just in name, still needs to maintain the appearance of love to project a good image to the public.
Similarly, as the chairman of Sterling Group, I have a responsibility to present a positive image to investors and customers. I represent the company's image most of the time!"
"..." Evie was speechless.
She wanted to say, can you really compare yourself to a president?
But she had to admit some of what Alexander said was true. The words were harsh, but they made sense.
"You said it yourself. Since we're getting a divorce, it's not like it's a matter of one or two days!" Alexander teased.
"But it's not one or two days. It's three months!"
"Isn't three months worth the freedom for the rest of your life?"
"It is!" Evie had to agree.
After the agreement was signed and sealed, Alexander took it away. He said that once the agreement took effect, the lawyer would contact her and give her a copy for her records.
Evie nodded.
"If there's nothing else, I'll go out first."
"Alright!" Alexander replied.
Evie walked out of Alexander's study. Alexander sat in his original position, motionless.
Only when the study door closed again did he show a bitter smile.
He never thought he would have a day like this.
Using every trick in the book to defend his marriage.
It was like using all the business skills he had learned over the years, but he still felt a little embarrassed.
It seemed marriage was more complicated than business!
The divorce agreement was signed. It was perfectly normal for a couple to live apart.
But Alexander insisted that although the agreement was signed, they hadn't formally gone through the divorce procedures. Legally, they were still husband and wife.
He felt he had the right to defend his legitimate rights and interests during his marriage.
Evie was immediately stunned by Alexander's logic.
Fortunately, Alexander just slept in the same bed with her and didn't make any other moves. Otherwise, Evie really didn't know whether to refuse or cater to him. It would be even more awkward.
Later, Evie thought for a long time and decided to move back to her parents' house first.
Although the divorce procedure would be completed in three months, she could temporarily live at her parents' home during this period. That would save her the embarrassment.
So that evening, she discussed with Alexander whether she could move back to her parents' house first.
At first, she was a little uneasy. She thought Alexander wouldn't agree so easily.
She didn't expect Alexander to agree directly without even thinking about it.
Evie thought she had heard wrong.
"Any questions?" Alexander looked at Evie and asked.
"No, thank you!" Evie came back to her senses and answered.
"Let the nanny go back with you and the baby. The nanny has been taking care of the baby for so long. She knows the baby's habits."
"If the nanny agrees, I have no objection!" Evie replied.
"When are you planning to move back to your parents' house? I'll take you and the baby over then!" Alexander asked.
"No, no, just let the driver take us back!" Evie quickly refused.
"I'd better not. How did I marry you in the beginning? Now that we're getting a divorce, I'll send you back."
"Well, in two days. I'll talk to my parents first." Evie had to compromise.
Alexander nodded and said nothing more.
After discussing with Alexander, Evie called her sister Victoria first. If she called her mother first, her mother would probably explode directly. She would be scolded bloody at that time. It was better to call her sister first and give her a heads-up.
Then she would call her father and finally inform her mother. At that time, even if her mother was angry again, at least her father and sister could calm her down.
Evie called her sister Victoria and explained the situation.
She thought her sister would lecture her first. But she didn't expect Victoria to accept it calmly. It seemed she had guessed that Evie and Alexander would divorce sooner or later. She didn't think it was a surprise.
"I'll ask the housekeeper to clean up your room and the guest room tomorrow. Then I'll let the nanny live in the guest room." Victoria said on the other end of the phone.
"Okay, thank you, sister!"
"The whole family doesn't have to see each other.
Originally, I wanted to bask in your glory. When I went out, I was reminded that I had a sister who was Mrs. Sterling, the chairman of the board.
In the future, I think it's better to wear sunglasses when I go out. That way, no one will say it's the elder sister who is taking care of the next wife of the family." Victoria made a sarcastic remark.
"Sister—" Evie was caught between laughter and tears.
"Forget it, forget it. It's no use talking about it now. Anyway, you're getting a divorce!" Victoria answered.
"Yes, yes, none of that!" Evie forced a smile.
After calling her sister, Evie called her father and said that she had negotiated a divorce with Alexander.
Her father was stunned for a moment.
"Divorce?"
"Well, the divorce agreement has been signed!" Evie answered uneasily.
"You child..." Her father sighed and said nothing in the end.
Evie managed to survive without danger.
Finally, she had to inform her mother. Evie took several deep breaths, but she still couldn't do a good job of psychological construction.
Wait until her mother knew she had divorced Alexander. She didn't know how her mother would scold her!
Last time, when her mother knew she was going to divorce Alexander, she threatened to break off the mother-daughter relationship with her!
Evie sighed and finally dialed her mother's phone.
After a while, the phone was connected. The sound of mahjong came from the other end. Her mother asked impatiently,
"Evie, what's the matter? Tell me quickly. I'm busy!"