Chapter 5 Let’s Get the Divorce Papers Now

Kenan, feeling a bit embarrassed, spoke softly to Maria. "She’s scared. She knows she did something wrong, so she feels too ashamed to face you. She really knows she messed up." Kenan sat on the edge of Maria’s bed and looked at her, speaking gently. "I know you’re struggling with this right now. Even if Kyle explains everything to Johnson, he might think she’s just protecting you, but…" Maria cut him off before he could finish. "I don’t care about what Johnson thinks anymore. It doesn’t matter to me." When she was still conflicted about Johnson, she cared deeply about his thoughts and feelings. But now that she no longer cared about him, it didn’t matter to her how Johnson saw her, whether he thought she was a good person or a bad one. It was all irrelevant to Maria. Because that part of her life was over. It didn’t matter anymore. Meanwhile, Johnson stood outside the door, his heart racing, his body trembling. He was angry. But he wasn’t sure if he was angry because Maria said she didn’t care about this matter, or because she didn’t care about him anymore. Johnson didn’t plan to go inside just yet. Kenan thought that maybe Maria’s talk of calling the police was just a way to plead with Johnson. So when he heard that she didn’t care about Johnson anymore, Kenan sighed in relief. "In that case, can you let it go and not give Kyle a criminal record?" To his surprise, Maria shook her head. "She may have thought she was doing this for my benefit, but that’s just one side of it. My not caring about Johnson is another. Kyle claims she was acting in my best interest, but she made a huge mistake. Now my reputation is ruined. Which school in Los Angeles would want me?" "Or rather, which good university would accept a woman with a tarnished reputation? That’s why I’m asking Johnson for a public apology." After saying this, she sighed deeply. "I’ve only lost a husband who lost his memory. My life has to go on. But without a college degree, without an education, how can I survive in this world? Do you even think about these things?" The public outrage was already intense. If the police didn’t clear her name, Maria’s status as a once-promising scholar invited to attend a prestigious university in Los Angeles would be wasted. Without a proper degree, what kind of job could she get? Maria was not like Johnson and his friends. She wasn’t a wealthy heir but just an ordinary person. In her situation, she had no one to rely on. If her path in life was blocked, she would truly be finished. Kenan nodded, understanding her reasoning. He sighed. After all, it was his sister who made the mistake, so he had to step in and deal with it. "Maria, how about this: I’ll compensate you. You can work for our family’s company, and I’ll give you a lifelong employment contract. You can choose where, even which country, you want to work in." Maria shook her head, rejecting his offer. "All I want is fairness. I don’t need your compensation. I just want to get back to my own life." As she finished speaking, Johnson pushed the door open and walked in. Maria instinctively turned to look at him, meeting his gaze. At that moment, Maria looked frail, dressed in a hospital gown that made her appear even more fragile. Her complexion was poor, and where there had been some expression on her face, it vanished when she saw Johnson. Johnson squinted his eyes, clearly displeased, but he still spoke. "Maria, I know what kind of person you are. As long as you go with me to get the divorce papers today and promise to stay out of my life with Catherine, I’ll give you the public apology you’ve been dreaming of tomorrow." Before Maria could respond, Kenan spoke up. "Johnson, I came here to explain about Kyle and the drugging incident. On your birthday…" He was about to continue when Johnson cut him off with a cold stare. "Do you two siblings think I’m stupid, playing this act in front of me? Aren’t you tired of it?" Johnson was furious but didn’t want to take it out on Maria, so he directed his anger at Kenan instead. "You must be worried that the police will find out Maria did something wrong, so you’re trying to cover it up, right? As if I don’t know whether Kyle would do something like this!" The implication was that he didn’t trust Maria’s character. Maria found it amusing. Despite not believing her, Johnson was still willing to apologize publicly. It showed just how eager he was to distance himself from her. But Maria didn’t care. As long as he agreed to the apology, that was enough. Maria looked up at him. "When are we getting the divorce papers?" Her voice was calm and steady, without a trace of emotion or even a hint of reluctance. She was very composed. Why was she so calm? Maybe because he hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly, the room fell silent for a moment. Maria continued, "What time are we going to get the divorce papers?" Perhaps it was her attitude, but although Johnson appeared calm on the outside, he was seething inside. He replied angrily. "Now!" Maria heard this and got out of bed. "Okay, let me change clothes. Kenan, you can go. I’ll tell the police to drop the case." Kenan was stunned. He couldn’t believe this was ending so quickly. Johnson narrowed his eyes. "Wait, Kenan, you can drive us to get the papers. I didn’t drive here." Maria looked at the two of them, covered her bruises with a scarf, and said, "I’ll meet you at the door. I need to go home and grab some things." Johnson let out a cold laugh. "Are you trying to avoid the divorce? Forget it. We’ll drive you home. I don’t trust you not to try something." Maria didn’t mind. She led them through a maze of small alleyways until they reached a little backstreet. Johnson and Kenan were surprised to see that she lived here. They looked at Maria. "What’s going on? Why are you living in a place like this? It’s dangerous for you to stay somewhere like this. You should have gone to stay with Kyle, or at least gone back to the school dorms!"