Chapter 4

Stanley was about to speak when Diana's icy voice cut through the air. "Mr. Visconti, we are even regarding what happened three years ago and two nights ago. You don't need to worry about me hanging on, and I won't hold a grudge for your mistake."

She shot Stanley a wary look, making it clear she wanted to draw a line between them.

Stanley, sitting in his wheelchair, frowned, his face growing colder. "Even? You surprise me."

She was even colder than he had expected.

Stanley had braced himself for her anger. After all, he had wrecked her once-happy marriage, leading to her disgrace.

But her lack of anger left him feeling even more stifled. It was like losing control for no reason.

Diana could have asked him for anything—compensation, even marriage and love—and he would agree willingly.

But she seemed to have an empty heart, with no desires or demands.

Diana's lips curled into a mocking smile. "What else could it be?"

Time couldn't be turned back, and she couldn't escape Alex.

After that accident three years ago, even though she was no longer a virgin, the Smith family had no intention of divorcing, and Alex never said he minded.

But the Smith family began to look down on her in various ways. And And no matter how much Alex tried to convince himself not to mind, he still failed because of his parents' daily complaints.

When Alex brought his lover and had sex on their bed, it emboldened the Smith family's servants to gossip about her behind her back.

This led Diana to finally realize the truth: the Smith family cared that she wasn't a virgin but were unwilling to give up her status as the daughter of the Mellon family.

Did Alex love her or her identity?

Diana couldn't figure it out.

Eventually, she stopped trying.

"Mr. Visconti, you should leave now. I need to rest." Diana was worried that Alex would suddenly show up and see her alone with Stanley, and go crazy again.

Stanley looked at her. "Don't be afraid, he's been locked up."

Diana looked up and scrutinized him.

Only then did she clearly see Stanley's face.

He had a strong bone structure, prominent brow bones, a high nose bridge, and a slightly sharp jawline, always giving off a stern vibe. Despite sitting in a wheelchair, he exuded an air of nobility.

Before Diana could speak, Stanley continued, "He came to trouble you because he couldn't find any information about me and saw the divorce papers. Ms. Mellon, I'm sorry for the accident three years ago. You must be eager to get a divorce. The only thing I can do to make up for it is to help you get the divorce."

Diana was stunned for a few seconds.

Maybe she was too tired and frightened by Alex. Anyway, her mind went blank.

Meanwhile, Stanley continued to persuade, "Don't worry, your mother won't be affected. I'll handle it."

When Diana came to her senses, her gaze at Stanley grew more complicated. He seemed to know her very well.

Even Alex's threats using her mother to refuse the divorce, he knew it all.

The man in front of her might not be a good person either, but Diana had no other options.

She had been tormented enough by Alex. If it dragged on any longer, she didn't even know how many more years she could live well, let alone take care of her mother in her old age.

Even if it might be fake, she wanted to give it a try.

"What are the terms of the exchange?" Diana looked into his eyes, very seriously.

The fact that he could suppress Alex showed that his background was not simple.

Such a person, willing to help the daughter of a fallen family and the daughter-in-law of a wealthy family, must have a purpose.

Stanley chuckled lightly at her words, his expression relaxing a bit. "Ms. Mellon is a smart person."

She was more interesting and sharp than he had imagined.

As slippery as a fish, not easily fooled."Just pretend to be my girlfriend. At business events, I can't avoid being harassed by other women. Having a female companion by my side can save a lot of trouble."

As if afraid Diana wouldn't believe him, Stanley added, "Ms. Mellon, your medical skills are excellent and can help me deal with emergencies."

Diana lowered her eyes, thinking.

Her long eyelashes trembled gently in the light from the window.

Stanley looked at her and suddenly felt a tickle in his heart, remembering the night before when she was pressed under him, her eyes misty with emotion, her cheeks flushed, and her breath coming in uneven gasps.

"Alright, but it can't affect my work." Diana worked day and night to earn more money to pay for her mother's medical bills.

To avoid arousing her suspicion, Stanley had his assistant Barry Jones draft a contract.

After handling the matter, Diana could no longer withstand the fatigue and fell into a deep sleep.

Outside the hospital room, Barry cautiously leaned forward, "Alex couldn't take the torture, fainted and woke up again and again, and is still locked in the basement."

"Throw him at the gate of the Smith Manor," Stanley said expressionlessly.

In the morning, it was the cleaning servant who found Alex, covered in blood, lying at his own doorstep.

In less than five minutes, the entire Smith family was alarmed.

Alex's mother, Joanna Smith, was furious, her face tear-streaked, her eyes swollen from crying. "Who is against my Smith family! Find out, I want to see who dares to bully Alex!"

Joanna's scolding continued for a long time before Alex's secretary, Zayne, timidly said, "Mrs. Smith, Mr. Alex went to the hospital to find Mrs. Diana early this morning, and they had a dispute, then..."

Then, Alex disappeared.

They checked the hospital's surveillance, and Alex seemed to have evaporated like a drop of water, leaving no trace.

Joanna angrily knocked over the cup beside her, her face twisted with rage!

"Diana! That wretched woman! How dare she lay such a heavy hand on my son!"

Joanna ordered to stop Diana's mother's medication and sent her trusted aides to capture Diana.

Meanwhile, Diana was already on a private plane to Harmony City.

Stanley, worried that she hadn't rested well, provided all the necessary food, clothing, and bedding; and fearing she might feel uncomfortable facing him, he specially brought a servant to accompany her.

Diana, however, couldn't sleep.

To be precise, she hadn't had a good night's sleep in three years.

Seeing her staring blankly at the flowers on the table, Stanley spoke in a low voice, "Why don't you take a break?"

Diana blinked and looked at him, "I feel a bit dazed." This was her first open confrontation with Alex.

Stanley chuckled, naturally raising his hand to rub the top of Diana's head, but she instinctively moved back.

His hand paused in mid-air for a moment before he withdrew it. "Are you afraid of me?"

Diana was very reserved when facing him, a stark contrast to the passionate nights they had shared.

"Mr. Visconti, the leader of that group has been caught. After just one night of torture, he was so scared that he wet his pants, and one of his eyes was gouged out..." A subordinate suddenly came and said.

Diana was stunned then felt a bit dizzy.

Stanley glanced at her, then turned to glare at his subordinate, "Talk outside."

The subordinate, who had originally wanted to show off his achievements, sensed the atmosphere was off and hurriedly waved at Diana, "Ms. Mellon, don't be afraid, we're all legal! This is considered lenient, you wouldn't believe what happened before..."

Before Stanley's subordinate could finish speaking, he was grabbed by the neck and thrown out by Stanley!