Chapter 5

Elisa used to casually ask about his schedule, always wanting to know what he was up to.

He figured she just couldn't last her act for a day, so she showed up in front of him again.

When she heard this, Elisa couldn't help but burst out laughing.

She shot back, "Howard, seriously? I never realized you were so full of yourself. We just happened to run into each other. Do you think every woman who glances your way is into you? Get a grip, man."

Her sharp words left Howard and Arthur speechless.

Arthur almost lost it, trying not to laugh.

Howard's face darkened with anger, but he knew they were in public. He didn't want to make a scene and get laughed at for arguing outside.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to stay calm and said, "Grandpa wants us over for dinner tonight."

"I'm not going," Elisa shot back without hesitation. "We're getting divorced. No need to keep up this fake happy couple act. It's exhausting."

Every time his grandpa, William Brown, invited them for dinner, he'd make a big deal out of it, hoping they'd have a kid soon and grow closer.

William knew the real state of their relationship, though.

He couldn't have known that Howard always insisted on using condoms, even if they ran out, he'd wait for more to be delivered before sleeping with her.

So, no matter how much William tried, they were never going to have a kid.

Howard's face turned even darker, and he glared at her. "Elisa, think this through! I'm giving you one last chance. If you don't come back with me, I'm not unfreezing those bank cards. Don't come crying to me when you're broke!"

Elisa was stunned, staring at Howard in disbelief, her heart aching.

She never thought that after three years of marriage, Howard would see her as someone who only cared about money.

Did he really think she'd beg him if she ran out of cash?

She glanced down at the cheap, plain ring on her finger and let out a bitter laugh.

When they first got married, she insisted on buying it, hoping their marriage would be simple and lasting.

At first, even though Howard gave her a hefty allowance every month, she never used it.

Later, she realized that only when she wore fancy clothes and jewelry did Howard's gaze linger on her, even if just for a moment.

So, she started buying more, thinking that if she looked better, Howard would notice her.

She never expected that her attempts to get his attention would become proof that she couldn't live without his money.

Did he never think she could support herself? Or did he just assume she was useless and only knew how to spend money?

She sighed inwardly, 'Forget it, no point in dwelling on it.'

Looking back on those three years, Elisa felt a bit ashamed of herself. No wonder Howard saw her that way.

Elisa slowly slipped the ring off her finger, grabbed Howard's hand, and placed it in his palm. "Don't worry, even if I'm homeless, I won't come crawling back to you. Just sign the divorce papers already, so you don't have to stress about me spending your money."

Arthur, standing nearby, looked surprised. "You guys are already talking divorce?"

Howard clenched the ring in his hand, ignored Arthur, and shot one last harsh remark at Elisa. "You want a divorce? Fine, but you won't get a dime from my family!"

He didn't believe someone as extravagant as Elisa could survive without the Brown Family's money.

Unexpectedly, Elisa calmly agreed, "Fine, have the lawyer draft the divorce agreement and send it over for me to sign."

Her words made Howard fume, and he stormed off, slamming the car door behind him.

Arthur shook his head helplessly and reminded Elisa, "Aren't you going to chase after him? Howard's really mad this time, and he's hard to calm down when he's angry."

Elisa frowned and asked, "Why should I chase after him?"

She thought, 'Does Arthur also think I'm here to follow Howard?'

Elisa straightened up and said, "I'm here for business. Let's go to your office and talk."

Arthur was puzzled. He didn't know he had business to discuss with Elisa.

It wasn't until Elisa sat down, took out the first half of the script for "Restart," and the contract Luminous Pictures had sent her, that Arthur's jaw almost hit the floor.

Was Elisa actually the screenwriter E.G., whose every script had turned into a hit show?

He realized belatedly that E.G. was indeed the initials of Elisa's name. He hadn't expected that among all the people with the initials E.G., it would be Elisa, who was known for only shopping and revolving around Howard. She had really hidden her talents well!

Arthur's view of Elisa changed instantly, and he looked at her with newfound admiration.

Elisa discussed the upcoming plot direction with him, and Arthur was very satisfied. He even offered a price twice as high as before without Elisa having to ask.

After all, she was Howard's wife, and there was some personal connection involved.

Elisa was pleased with the price and was about to sign the contract when Arthur suddenly said, "Howard just asked me to give the lead female role in 'Restart' to Victoria."

Elisa's hand paused, and her heart ached.

She lowered her eyes, hiding her emotions, and asked coldly, "What does that have to do with me?"

Arthur persisted. "Don't you mind at all?"

Howard had repeatedly given resources to Victoria, and now it was happening with her own script. This was a script Elisa had written herself. Could she really accept Victoria playing the lead role?

Elisa should have minded it. In the past, just seeing Howard and Victoria together made her incredibly upset!

But now she was determined to let go. Whoever Howard wanted to be with or be good to had nothing to do with her anymore.

Even so, Elisa still hesitated to sign her name.

After a while, she looked up and replied, "If you want me to sign, I need to add a condition. I want to be involved in casting the main characters!"

After all, this was likely her last work. She had to be responsible for it.

She couldn't let people with capital pull the strings, allowing just anyone to be cast in the production. At least the actors' performances had to meet her standards.