“A one-week leave? Why am I just hearing about this now?”

Philip lowered his head in silence, lacking any explanation.

“From now on, I want you to report her every move to me. Do you understand?” Carlos ordered sternly and took out his phone.

“Yes, Mr. Huo.”

“Where is she heading? And why?”

“Um…” Philip hesitated for a second. “Mrs. Huo didn’t mention anything.” ‘Didn’t mention anything?

I guess she is avoiding me, ‘ Carlos wondered. Without further delay, he called Tristan and said, “Inform the airport immediately that…”

Within one hour, Debbie and her luggage showed up in the CEO’s office at ZL Group.

As soon as she stepped into the office, she left her luggage against the wall, and hastened towards Carlos’ desk. “Mr. Huo, what’s this supposed to mean? Why did you do this? Don’t I have my own freedom anymore?”

Carlos didn’t say a word until he had finished going through the papers in his hand. He raised his sights to her face and said, “Come to the university with me this afternoon.”

“No.” Debbie refused him outright.

Disappointed, Carlos got out of his chair and asserted, “Too bad, you don’t have a choice!”

Debbie slumped in an armchair in shock. Stunned, and not to mention angered, she finally spoke again after a moment. “Since you are not so busy right now, let’s get to the matter we’ve been talking about without mincing our words. I’ve already signed the divorce papers. I really hope that you would do the same for me, for us, so that we can go our separate ways and carry on with our own lives.” Ever since the idea of a divorce had popped into her head, it had always been there at the back of her mind.

Moreover, Carlos had been interfering with her personal life lately. Far from feeling like she had married a husband, in truth, she felt like she had found herself a father.

As stubborn and proud as she was, Debbie had never flattered anyone to gain favor, but lately she had been trying very hard to please her husband. As if that weren’t bad enough, he wasn’t making it any easier for her. Instead of having to see him only in the mornings and the evenings at the villa, she would now have to put up with him in her school.

Debbie just couldn’t catch a break with this man. It had to end today. She would much rather lay her cards on the table and get it over with.

Carlos walked around the desk to the sofa across her and sat down.

of the couple fulfils their marital duties. My dear, if you will allow me, I’d love to fulfil my duties to you as a husband.” As soon as he finished his last sentence, he stepped closer. When their faces were about to touch, Debbie shook her head in shame and said hurriedly, “No, no, no, no…”

Out of the blue, Carlos pulled her up and took her in his arms. “Therefore, my dear, I think your best option is to stay married to me and stop letting your mind wander.”

By then, Debbie had already been bewitched. She looked at his gorgeous face and nodded her consent.

His scent was intoxicating. The smell of his presence gave her a sense of security. And his lips… tasted like heaven!

Satisfied by the spellbound look in her eyes, Carlos smiled.

‘No! No! This isn’t right.’ Debbie suddenly pulled herself back to reality and shook her head to clear her mind. “Why don’t you want a divorce? You know it as well as I do that we don’t love each other,” she asked.

“Why?” Carlos ran his fingers gently through her smooth hair. “First of all, you need money to pull yourself through university and make your dreams come true. Secondly, I need a woman as an alibi to block all the other women out of my life. And lastly, my grandfather once said that he had our fortunes read. The fortune teller convinced him that our Eight-Characters and constellations matched perfectly. What are the odds of two people being so perfect for each other?”

Debbie was at a loss for words. ‘Eight-Characters and constellations? Seriously? He is so crafty and smooth-tongued he should be a lawyer, ‘ she mused.