Chapter 319: Chapter 319: I Don’t Believe in Marriage

After Sophia Zobel left, Christina Lynch was about to head upstairs to the study when Renee Jennings stopped him.

“What did you mean by what you just said to your mother?” Renee Jennings was on the verge of tears, her voice full of disbelief. “You want to divorce me?”

Christina Lynch’s expression changed. He fought to hide the panic in his heart. “…You heard us talking just now?”

Renee Jennings nodded. “I was bringing out the tea and heard you and your mother plotting. The only way to keep a secret is to not do it in the first place.” A flash of pain crossed her eyes. “I can’t believe you want to divorce me!”

“That’s not it!” Christina Lynch said. “You know my mother has a difficult temperament. If I don’t say that, she’ll never let it go.” He went on the offensive, accusing her first. “What are you even thinking? Have you forgotten that when we first started dating, I went against everyone’s advice to marry you? I love you so much and have done so much for you, only to be met with your suspicion and doubt every single day!”

Thinking of their sweet past, Renee Jennings’s expression softened. “Nathaniel, don’t be angry. I’m just so scared. You’re so outstanding that it makes me feel insecure. We’ve been together for so many years… How could I live without you?”

A deep sense of satisfaction washed over Christina Lynch. Yet, as he pulled Renee Jennings into an embrace, the adorable face of a younger female colleague from his company inevitably flashed through his mind.

*

Naomi Kenway and Victor Vance were in frequent contact. They were like-minded, with similar values, so it was only natural that they became friends. At first, their conversations always revolved around Nathan Lynch. As they grew closer, the topics of their chats became much more varied. Victor loved to give Naomi clothes she had designed, often remarking that Naomi was a natural-born model and a Muse who gave her endless inspiration.

In return, Naomi would give Victor desserts and would invite her over for a meal whenever she knew Victor was in Veridia.

Today, Victor had asked Naomi out for a meal. She was waiting on set for Naomi to finish filming.

Naomi went to the dressing room to remove her makeup and deliberately changed into a set of clothes Victor had given her.

After leaving the dressing room, Naomi looked for Victor. She spotted her standing by an RV, and not far away stood the film’s assistant director, Aidan Dawson, who was also Victor’s senior from school.

Victor was chatting with Aidan Dawson, a somewhat helpless look on her face. Meanwhile, Aidan, blushing, pushed up his glasses, looking just like a greenhorn fumbling to confess his feelings.

“Victor, do you have time later? It’s been a while. I’d like to treat you to a meal.” He quickly added, “A few of our old classmates will be there too, Old Zhang and the others. I was wondering… if you’re free?”

Victor smiled and declined. “What a coincidence, Senior Dawson. I’ve already made plans with a friend. Breaking a promise is a bad habit, don’t you think?”

Aidan Dawson nodded, slightly dejected. He asked again, “Then when are you free, Victor? I, I, I really want to take you out to eat.”

“Ah, my friend is here.” Victor smiled and waved. “Nina, over here.”

Naomi walked over. “Have you been waiting long?”

Victor shook her head with a smile. “Not at all.”

Naomi then turned to Aidan Dawson. “Director Dawson.”

Faced with Naomi, Aidan Dawson was able to speak normally again. He nodded and said, “Ah, Nicole. I didn’t realize the friend Victor mentioned was you. You two go ahead and eat, I won’t bother you.” Then he turned to Victor. “Victor, it’ll probably be late by the time you’re done. Why don’t I come pick you up?”

“There’s no need, Senior Dawson. I don’t drink, so I can get home on my own. Besides, I remember your driving being pretty terrible. On that one trip, you nearly drove the car into a ditch.”

Aidan Dawson scratched his head in embarrassment. “That was so long ago! I’d just gotten my license and wasn’t used to it yet. My driving is super steady now!” He wasn’t stupid; he knew Victor was turning him down. As he walked away, he called out, “I’m heading out! Text me when you get home so I know you’re safe, Victor!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Victor nodded.

Overjoyed, Aidan Dawson left with a smile.

Naomi watched Aidan Dawson’s retreating figure and smiled. “I never knew the quiet Director Dawson had such an adorable side to him.”

Victor nodded. “Yeah.”

“Sonny, I think Director Dawson might have a thing for you. He always rushes over so eagerly whenever he sees you.” Naomi continued only after seeing no obvious aversion on Victor’s face. “What about you? What do you think?”

Victor didn’t hide anything. “I know he likes me. I can tell from the way he messages me to ask me out to eat.” She recalled, “Senior Dawson is a very good person. He looked out for me a lot when we were in school, and I’m very grateful to him, but…”

She sighed. “I really have no intention of remarrying. I just want to watch Mona grow up well. I don’t want to string Senior Dawson along, and I’ve tried to be direct with him a few times, but he always pretends not to understand. I don’t know what to do anymore…”

“Does his behavior bother you?”

“Not bothered, exactly. It’s just…” Victor lowered her gaze. “If I had encountered this kind of affection right after I graduated, I probably would have said yes. But now I’m divorced, and my reputation in the country is so bad…” She gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Christina Lynch was very good to me before we got married, but afterward, it was like he became a different person. He’d use his status as a Best Actor to order me around every day…”

She shook her head. “I’m not some seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl dreaming of romance anymore. After everything I’ve been through, I’ve long since lost faith in marriage. It’s like a tomb. No matter what kind of man he is, he becomes selfish and impatient after getting married, just like Christina Lynch. I know Senior Dawson is a good person, but I still don’t have the courage to try a new relationship. And we’re such good friends; I don’t want us to end up hating each other. When it comes to fashion design, I believe hard work pays off. But marriage is different. The more you put in doesn’t mean the more you get back…”

This was the first time Naomi had heard Victor speak at such length. She knew that Victor’s previous marriage had left her with deep scars and unhappiness.

“I’m so sorry, I got carried away and said so much. Maybe my views are too extreme. You and Mr. Shaw have such a great relationship, after all. I’m just…” Victor sighed with a smile. “I’m just not a very lucky person. I don’t want to be a gambler in marriage anymore.”

Naomi glanced at the rational, clear-headed woman beside her. She found it impossible to believe that Victor would have cheated. On the other hand, the sanctimonious Christina Lynch…

Naomi patted Victor’s shoulder and comforted her with a smile, “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. Just let nature take its course. No one says you have to live the way most people do. Whether you get married or stay single, I hope you find true happiness. A person as wonderful as Sonny deserves the best that fate has to offer.”

Tears welled up in Victor’s eyes. “Thank you…”

“There’s something I want to tell you…”

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