Chapter 6
I knew Rhett was probably blowing up my phone right now, only to be met with that cold, dead silence of a blocked number, so pissed she'd probably smash her phone in frustration.
I also knew Ivan would soon get a "concerned" call from Thiago, or maybe even be summoned for a "chat." His dream of becoming vice president was already overshadowed before it even began.
And my Intelligent Living project would be handed over to a better, more suitable partner, one who'd be more than happy to see Ivan crash and burn.
The first round of startup funding would be in my account soon.
The sunlight was a bit harsh, so I squinted as I pushed open the café door.
The bell above the door jingled brightly.
It felt like the curtain was rising on a brand new drama.
Meeting up with Arthur went off without a hitch.
He was a straight-up businessman, only cared about the bottom line, never asked questions.
When I laid out some of the core plans and connections, his eyes lit up. He made the call on the spot, and the price he offered was fifteen percent higher than I'd expected.
"Mr. Fisher, you're a man of action." Arthur raised his coffee cup, toasting me. "I like people like you, No nonsense. Not like those guys at Evershine Tech, dragging their feet and sending Ivan over to negotiate. He doesn't know a damn thing, but still acts all high and mighty."
I just smiled and clinked my cup with his, not saying a word.
The contract was signed in no time. Arthur was in a rush to lock things down before Evershine Tech could even react.
"The first payment of 0.6 million dollars will be in your company account by tomorrow afternoon at the latest," Arthur said, putting his pen away, looking pleased. "The rest will follow as the project progresses. Mr. Fisher, looking forward to working with you."
"Looking forward to it," I replied.
When I stepped out of the café, the sky was ablaze with orange dusk, streaks of sunset painting the horizon.
Clutching the contract, its ink still fresh, I could swear the slim bank card in my pocket felt heavier, like it was finally starting to carry some real weight.
One ponit six million dollars wasn't a fortune.
But it was enough to rent a new office and build a brand-new, clean team that answered only to me.
And it was more than enough to put the first real dent in Rhett and Ivan's dream before it even got started.
I didn't go back to that lifeless place I used to call home. Instead, I grabbed a room at a hotel close to work.
Lying on the clean hotel bed, I scrolled through my phone, ignoring the dozens of missed calls from unknown numbers, obviously Rhett, calling from a new number. Then I opened my social media feed.
As expected, it was a total circus.
Several so-called "mutual friends" were lining up to comfort Rhett under her post, which looked sad on the surface but was practically dripping with passive-aggressive vibes.
Rhett had posted a photo of the city lights outside her window, with the caption: [Finally realized some connections just aren't meant to be. Letting go is also a kind of freedom. Thanks to everyone who's always been there for me.]
There were tons of comments underneath.
[Rhett, don't cry. You deserve someone way better.]
[That ungrateful bastard? You should've ditched him ages ago.]
[Sending hugs. Leaving the wrong guy is how you find the right one. Ivan's been waiting for you forever, now that's true love.]
[Congrats on finally getting out of that hellhole. Some guys cheat and even hit their wives. Walking away with nothing is honestly letting him off easy.]
Cheating? Domestic abuse? Walking away with nothing?
I nearly laughed out loud at these ridiculous claims.
Rhett's talent for making up stories was really reaching new heights.
And that "one who's always by my side", Ivan. Dropped a hug emoji and replied: [For the rest of your days, I'll be with you, come rain or shine.]
That was cringe opening the door for even more cringe.
I kept scrolling down.
More "friends" jumped in with their so-called "concern."
Juniper Hicks, who used to call me his buddy and was always mooching food and drinks off me, posted: [Wow, he always seemed so honest, but who would've thought he'd do something like this? Rhett, don't be sad, I've got your back.]
Chloe, Rhett's card game friend who used to always praise me for being a good family man, wrote: [Marriage is like a second life for a woman. Marry the wrong guy and it can ruin your whole life.
[Rhett, you did the right thing by cutting her losses, but it's a shame you didn't get anything in the end. Still, as long as you're a good person, you can always make more money.]
Every comment was laced with judgment from their moral high ground, full of speculation and cheap shots at me.
It was as if I'd become some scumbag, cheating, abusive, abandoning my wife and kids, while Rhett was the brave soul, breaking out of her marriage prison to chase true love.
Not a single one of them bothered to ask me what really happened.
Maybe they didn't care about the truth at all.
They just wanted a spectacle, an excuse to pass judgment and show off their so-called "morals," plus someone to kick while he was down, so their own lives seemed a little more perfect in contrast.
Back in my last life, those comments cut like knives, after losing everything, I still had to take the hit of everyone trashing me, piling on the shame.
Now? All I felt was boredom.