After Divorce: The CEO’s Ex-wife Shocked The World Novel – Sitting in the Prestige Penthouse Haven, she was surrounded by two male prostitutes. “Shocking! Beckett Smith from Star Group Holdings seen intimately with stepsister Annie Henderson at the airport, Mrs. Smith nowhere to be found!” Just then, the door to the private room opened. He looked coldly at the bottle of wine, fruit, and dice on the coffee table, and finally fixed his gaze on Adela, who had just been laughing brightly but now had an expressionless face. “So, you came here to have fun.” Adela showed no hint of guilt. He could come here every day, and besides, he didn’t know how many times pictures of him and Annie had been leaked from here. So she was just here for simple entertainment. “What’s wrong with that?” Moreover, tomorrow they would dissolve their marriage.
Once again, Adela Thomas found herself abandoned by Beckett Smith at a social gathering. This had happened countless times in the past three years. As the party swirled with high society ladies and noblewomen, Adela maintained a composed smile, determined not to give anyone the satisfaction of witnessing her humiliation. However, in every corner, she couldn’t help but overhear various taunts. “Poor thing, left here in front of everyone by her husband, and she has to pick up the pieces.” “It’s not easy being a lady of privilege. Ever since she married into the Smith Family, I’ve seen her being left behind on several occasions.” “I heard…,” the voice trailed off, but Adela, standing at the corner, heard every word clearly, “Mr. Smith only married her because his family didn’t approve of him being with Annie.”
“Isn’t Annie the daughter from Mr. Smith’s stepmother? They have no blood relation, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right?” “Well, that’s why Mrs. Smith can’t even be considered a fig leaf.” “…” Adela pursed her lips, even though she didn’t hear the rest of the conversation, she could imagine what was being said. Over the years, she had heard even the harshest words. Ding- Her phone suddenly received a message. It was from Annie Henderson. Adela’s eyelid twitched, her intuition telling her that it wouldn’t be pleasant. She opened the message and was immediately met with Annie’s sarcastic words. “It’s been three years, and your father’s efforts to secure your marriage still can’t compare to a single phone call, Adela. Look how much Beckett dotes on me.” There was also a photo attached, showing Beckett rolling up his shirt sleeves and standing in a hotel’s makeshift kitchen, carefully cooking porridge. His tall and elegant figure seemed out of place against the kitchen counter, but he was bending down, fully focused on the task at hand. So, it turned out that he had left her this time to cook porridge for Annie.
Three years ago, her father was critically ill with cancer, so she begged for this marriage, hoping that she would have someone to take care of her and a safe haven for the future. However, Beckett could provide her with this marriage, but love and care were never meant for her. Adela looked at the photo of Beckett carefully tending to the porridge in a small pot for a while, then glanced at the suit jacket casually thrown on the sofa in the corner of the photo. It was before the banquet, and she had personally chosen and ironed that suit for him. What a stark contrast. Adela didn’t respond to Annie, she put away her phone and turned to continue chatting with the host. This banquet was in Los Angeles, and Beckett had brought her from Washington, D.C. to attend it, emphasizing that this banquet was important to him. Adela knew the importance of discretion and that some jokes had to be kept under the table. Even if she was alone now, she had to maintain a dignified appearance.
After finally managing to handle everything, she left the banquet. Sitting in the car, Adela took a deep breath and chose to send a message to Beckett: [I have something to tell you when you come back tonight.] After sending the message, it was as if it had disappeared into thin air. Even when she returned to the hotel, took a shower, and sat on the edge of the bed, there was still no response. This kind of situation was not uncommon. Adela really hoped that Beckett would see the message in time and come back to the hotel. But as the night grew darker, she waited until she could barely keep her eyes open, and there was still no sign of him at the door. He wasn’t coming back. Adela’s grip on the blanket suddenly loosened, and her heart gradually turned cold.
The next morning, Adela woke up at half-past nine. She picked up her phone, and the first thing that caught her eye was a trending topic notification: [Shocking! Beckett Smith from Star Group Holdings seen intimately with stepsister Annie Henderson at the airport, Mrs. Smith nowhere to be found!] Underneath the entry were the various photos of Beckett and Annie, intimately supporting each other at the airport. Adela immediately recognized it as Los Angeles airport. Beckett had changed his clothes from yesterday. In one angle, he had his arm around Annie’s shoulder, patiently listening to her speak, their gentle expressions evident in the play of light and shadow. And the comments below had already become lively. [Good heavens, these two are a perfect match.] [They’re not even blood relatives, just innocent childhood friends.
If they could get married, what a beautiful love it would be. Mrs. Smith is lucky she’s not here, otherwise she would surely feel superfluous, wouldn’t she?] [Exactly, exactly, Beckett and Annie are a match made in heaven! That Adela can just go away!] [I heard from a friend that Beckett always leaves Mrs. Smith for Annie. Even so, she still occupies Mrs. Smith’s position. How shameless.] [She meddled in Beckett and Annie’s relationship. She’s truly despicable!] [Why hasn’t Adela died yet? Give Annie back Mrs. Smith’s position!] [Didn’t her father die of cancer? How come she didn’t inherit it?] Adela’s fingertips turned pale as she clutched her phone. Insults, humiliation, curses—over the past three years, she had heard countless attacks against her, and she had been able to endure them all. But this time, they had implicated her father. Adela’s father was a renowned botany professor, and he had some connections with Beckett’s grandfather in the industry.
That was why Adela had been able to interact with Beckett from a young age and develop feelings for him. Later, Adela’s father was diagnosed with cancer, and he entrusted Adela to the Smith Family, fulfilling her love for Beckett. But who could have imagined that this trust would not only fail to bring Adela happiness, but would also lead to her father being dragged out and trampled upon three years later. Adela knew this was Annie’s doing. Otherwise, the media would not have been able to accurately capture the time when Annie and Beckett appeared at the airport and take photos. But without Beckett’s permission, Annie would not have been able to resort to such tactics at all. In the course of three years, there have been countless incidents like this. Perhaps in his eyes, both she and her father were to be trampled upon without consequence? Suppressing her discomfort, Adela closed the page only to discover a message on WhatsApp. She opened it and saw that it was from Beckett, sent earlier that morning. [Annie’s heart hurts. I’m taking her to see a doctor first.
Rest well and make your own way back.] In an instant, Adela’s emotions surged and she almost collapsed, struggling to catch her breath. Her heart hurts? So this is the reason they were caught embracing at the airport? Even if he had asked his assistant to call her and rush to catch the flight, but instead he left her behind and went back to Washington, D.C. with Annie in that manner. When Annie was a child, she saved Beckett and as a result, her health suffered. Over the years, Beckett had hired the best doctors from around the world for Annie, and her condition had improved significantly. She wouldn’t easily fall ill. But every time she and Beckett attended events together, or when she met Annie face-to-face, Annie would fall ill. And then Beckett would drop everything to go back and accompany Annie for treatment, or blame her for upsetting Annie.
He couldn’t distinguish between what was true and what was false. He couldn’t even be fair and had to put on a show with Annie in front of everyone. So what was she still holding on for? Adela closed her eyes, and her state of mind went from chilly to numb. [Beckett, let’s get a divorce.] These were the words she wanted to say to him face-to-face last night, but now she could only convey them through the screen. This was her marriage. Adela packed her luggage and went to the airport alone. While waiting to board, the message she sent remained on the screen. She calmly exited the chat and scrolled through her contacts, finding a number she hadn’t contacted in three years, her father’s close friend, Lance Carpenter. As soon as the call connected, Adela nervously called out, “Lance, it’s me.” A relieved voice came from the other end, “Adela, you finally decided to call me. How have these years been treating you?” How have they been treating her? Certainly not well, and everything was in shambles.
She didn’t answer, but instead said, “Lance, I want to return to the Botanical Research Institute.” Lance, upon hearing these words, paused for a moment. Instead of directly inquiring about the matter over the phone, he kindly responded, “Very well, I welcome you. When you have the time, come to the Botanical Research Institute and we can sit down and have a proper conversation, shall we?” Adela glanced at her watch and replied, “Then I will go to the Botanical Research Institute this afternoon to find you.” After exchanging a few brief words, they hung up the phone, and Adela made her way to the boarding gate. Upon returning to Washington, D.C., it was almost noon. She did not see Beckett, who had returned earlier, at Villa del Paradiso Perduto. Presumably, he was still accompanying Annie. In the past, she only thought about being around him every day. Adela remained calm and collected as she finished her lunch and prepared to go to the Botanical Research Institute. Influenced by her father since childhood, she inherited his legacy and pursued a degree in botany. Back in school, she had already developed new technologies and could have entered the Botanical Research Institute early on.
However, Mr. Foster, her father’s dear friend, did not want her to step into this industry. Adela listened to her father’s dying advice, stopped her research, did not enter the Botanical Research Institute, and chose to be a full-time housewife. But now, she no longer wanted that. For years, she had always revolved around Beckett, never truly considering herself. Since they were getting a divorce, she had to plan her own future. Adela was about to leave when she heard Daisy Peterson’s voice from behind. “Mrs. Smith, aren’t you planning to prepare Mr. Smith’s lunch today?” She immediately stopped in her tracks. Indeed, for these past few years, she had personally taken care of all three meals for Beckett because of his stomach ailment. Whether he ate or not, she still prepared the meals as usual. She even obtained a nutritionist certificate specifically to create stomach-friendly meals for him. Daisy was aware of this. “No need, he won’t starve,” Adela said, without even looking back.
Daisy stood there, dumbfounded. Adela would never say such things on a normal day, what could have happened? Did Beckett and Adela have a fight? Twenty minutes later, Beckett returned to Villa del Paradiso Perduto. Upon entering the house, he didn’t see Adela as usual. He glanced at his watch. At this time, Adela should have returned from Los Angeles. Beckett turned to Daisy, “Where is Adela?” Daisy nervously replied, “Mrs. Smith left in a hurry after finishing her meal, I’m still preparing your lunch, it will be ready soon…” Beckett frowned slightly. Adela had personally prepared his three meals a day for the past three years, never leaving it to anyone else. But this time, she entrusted it to Daisy. And then there was that text message.
Beckett’s brows furrowed, “No need.” Daisy watched Beckett’s retreating figure, wanting to speak but hesitating. From the moment he entered to the moment he left, it was only two minutes. After all, she had been a maid at Villa del Paradiso Perduto for several years and could keenly sense that something was wrong between Adela and Beckett this time. What should she do? Sitting in the car, Beckett stared at the message lying silently in his chat box with Adela, making him very uncomfortable. In a moment of thought, he decided to call Adela and ask where she had gone. Just then, Annie’s call came in. “What’s wrong?” “Beckett, you promised to take me to buy rare seeds, and I want them now,” Annie whined over the phone. “I’ll take you tomorrow,” he softened his tone. “No, I want them now. If you take me now, I promise to stay at home and rest obediently during this time, okay?”
Annie’s words were filled with pleading. Beckett pinched his forehead and finally gave in, “Alright, I’ll come pick you up now.” In the office of the Botanical Research Institute, Lance expressed his delight at Adela’s willingness to return. “Adela, I am thrilled that you are coming back to the Botanical Research Institute. With your expertise in genetic modification, I believe that in a few years, you will surpass your father and become the most outstanding botanist.” Lance finished his statement with a smile, then asked, “Has Beckett been bullying you?” Adela knew she would be asked this question. Washington, D.C. was not a big city, and even if Lance didn’t intentionally inquire, he would surely hear some gossip. So she had already prepared an explanation: “He hasn’t been bullying me. It’s just that after spending so much time together, we realized that we are not suitable as a couple. Therefore, we are preparing to proceed with a divorce.”
Upon hearing this, Lance had a clear understanding, but he didn’t directly ask. Instead, he kindly reassured her, “It’s alright, if you want a divorce, then get a divorce. You have always been like a daughter to me, and I will take care of you and protect you.” “Thank you, Lance.” After a few more subtle exchanges, they discussed some work matters. With a successful conversation, Adela would be able to start working at the Botanical Research Institute tomorrow. Saying goodbye to Lance, she left and thought about contacting her friends to meet up. However, just as she reached the entrance, she was surprised to see a couple approaching from the parking lot. It was Beckett and Annie! She was shocked to encounter them here. Then she thought, it had been almost a day, and Beckett had not informed her about the divorce. Instead, he was here with Annie. Divorce seemed to be of no importance to him. Taking a deep breath, Adela refused to let herself get upset over something unworthy. She didn’t want to run into them, so she turned around and left through the back door. The Botanical Research Institute was located in a remote area, and it was not easy to find a taxi. Adela hadn’t anticipated it would be so difficult.
She walked for a full ten minutes and still didn’t see any shared bicycles on the roadside. It seemed she would have to buy some means of transportation when she returned. Suddenly, a familiar black Rolls-Royce parked on her left side. The rear window rolled down, revealing Beckett’s handsome face to her eyes. Before Adela could even express her surprise, he commanded, “Get in the car.” She snapped back to reality and immediately refused, “No need, my taxi will be here soon.” Beckett frowned at her direct refusal. As soon as he entered the Botanical Research Institute, he saw her fleeing figure and knew it was Adela. Upon hearing the news that Adela was going to work at the Botanical Research Institute, it suddenly occurred to him what her previous profession had been. He had thought that she was just being impulsive, and that in a couple of days she would calm down and stop mentioning divorce, so that he could pretend that nothing had happened.
But now, in less than a day, she had even arranged her post-divorce plans clearly. The more Beckett thought about it, the more suffocated he felt by this uncontrollable emotion, which made him quite uncomfortable. Adela, after being rejected, continued walking without looking back. Annie was still in the car, and Adela was unsure whether to make her squeeze into the backseat with three people or let her sit in the passenger seat, which would be rather awkward. She didn’t want to inconvenience herself with such disgusting matters. But before she had taken two steps, Lange Hughes blocked her way: “Mrs. Smith, get in the car.” “You really don’t have to…” “Miss Annie has already taken another car back, so it’s just the boss in the car.” Lange saw through Adela’s thoughts and deliberately explained, lowering his voice and expressing his concern, “Mrs. Smith, get in the car, otherwise I won’t be able to handle it.” After hearing this, Adela quickly considered that if she could make Beckett temporarily leave Annie and talk to her about divorce, then he must want to discuss it with her.
Thinking of this, she didn’t refuse anymore and turned to get in the car. After getting in the car, Lange tactfully raised the partition, separating the two spaces in the car. “Do you have time now to go register for divorce?” Adela looked at him and asked straightforwardly. Beckett’s eyebrows furrowed and his gaze turned cold, “Why are you here?” “Just strolling around.” “Did you specifically take a forty-minute taxi ride to come here for a stroll?” Adela knew that he would be able to find her and must have known that she was preparing to work at the Botanical Research Institute. She admitted frankly, “I came for an interview.” Beckett said, “The Smith Family has not treated you unfairly.”
She sneered, they hadn’t treated her unfairly, quite generous even, but what she had done was not something a person could do. “Whether the Smith Family has treated me unfairly or not is not directly related. Since I have already mentioned divorce, do I still have to cling to you and not leave?” She asked again, “Are we going to the Office of the County Clerk to get a divorce now?” Beckett withdrew his gaze from her and said in a cold tone, “Do you think that getting a divorce is easy for us?” Adela, with a puzzled expression on her face, said, “Isn’t it just going to the Office of the County Clerk to register? Isn’t that easy?” She had memorized the procedure inside and out, and if Beckett himself didn’t need to be present, she could get divorced on her own.