Chapter 40

40 40. The Burden on Her Shoulders

“He said he would never sign the divorce papers. Didn’t you say that he was the one who wanted the divorce in the first place?” Helena, Paula’s lawyer asked in confusion. She thought that this divorce case was not the difficult one.

Paula was stunned. She remembered what had happened when she spent the night with him. But, remembering what Lea told her, she brushed the thought. She didn’t want to put hope in uncertainty. “Maybe, something is wrong with the document. We can discuss it later!”

Paula ended the call, exhaling lightly. She couldn’t think clearly about the divorce matter since there was a big problem in the Tokyo branch of her father’s company.

“Sorry, that was Helena,” Paula said, turning to face her father.

“Is there any problem?” asked Robert anxiously. He was afraid there were difficulties that Paula needed to overcome.

“No biggie.” Paula shook her head, smiling lightly. “Let’s continue where we left off!”

Paula and her father were in the middle of discussing the affairs of the Tokyo office. There was a big problem, company secrets were being leaked by traitors. Nobody knew who did it. If this problem wasn’t solved immediately, it can lead to bankruptcy.

“Sorry, I didn’t want to force you to leave immediately while you’re in the middle of the divorce process. We can’t help, we have no other choice,” Robert said with a regretful expression. “I want to go there by myself, but the problems in Italy are not over yet.”

A sad look flashed in Robert’s eyes. He didn’t want to give so much burden on Paula, but she was his only daughter. The only heiress that he could rely on.

.....

“It’s okay, dad! I’ll do my best to save the Tokyo branch,” Paula said without hesitation. Her blue eyes stared confidently at her father.

To make the stern situation lighter, Paula took a cup of coffee and offered it to her father. “Monica’s coffee is the best. Try it!”

Robert then happily took the coffee from Paula’s hands and took a sip of it. “Hmm ... I hope I come here every day.”

“I told you,” Paula giggled.

The atmosphere lightened up. Paula then offered snacks to her father and they laughed, talking about gossip.

However, that was only temporary. Before long, Robert started talking about serious problems again.

“Then, what do you plan about your divorce?” Robert’s eyes looked at Paula in hesitation.

“I’ll ask Helena to take care of everything,” Paula replied, trying to put her father’s mind at ease. “She is such a great lawyer.”

Robert sighed. “Don’t you want to meet William and talk about some important things?”

Paula shook her head again. “We’d better think about the company, dad. It’s much more important than my silly divorce,” Paula said, squeezing her father’s hand. “Do not think too hard about my problem!”

Paula’s heart was hurt, seeing Robert smile weakly. His father’s face looked pale recently. There were so many problems that the middle-aged man had to deal with.

“I’m sorry Paula. I shouldn’t have asked you to marry William.” Tears rolled down the corners of the man’s eyes. “I failed to be a good father to you.”

“Dad, don’t be like that!” Paula said. “William and I had to end the marriage. But believe me, dad. I was very happy with William. It was really fun. Just like dating a hot guy in college. We need to end the relationship once we graduate.”

Robert chuckled hearing Paula’s words. How could she talk so lightly about complicated household matters? A divorce was supposed to be sad and full of tears.

That man patted Paula’s shoulder, showing that he could do nothing but put his faith in her only daughter.

“Your residence permit is already accepted. Miyuki will soon arrange your itinerary. She is also preparing your accommodation in Tokyo,” Robert explained, sighing. He pursed his lips, forming a thin line. “Be careful. Call me if you need help. You won’t be able to handle everything by yourself, angel!”

Paula smiled and nodded slowly. Her father then excused himself, giving Paula another time to settle things for her bakery business.

Shortly after, Monica came into Paula’s room to hand in the progress report. “The marketing strategy is working effectively. The new types of cakes we offer alternately every week keep customers from getting bored. In the end, quality does the job,” Monica explained cheerfully. That girl looked at Paula with enthusiasm because their success deserves a thumbs up.

“Promoting your product is very important. But the product itself must be of the best quality,” Paula concluded. She checked Monica’s report carefully and found that the bakery problem had indeed been resolved. It’s just a matter of maintaining the company’s performance.

After signing the pile of documents Monica had brought, Paula said, “I’m leaving for Tokyo soon. Meanwhile, I will leave this bakery to you as we discussed earlier. I can’t trust anyone but you, Monica.”

“I will try to do my best,” Monica said with a smile. “To be honest, me and the others are sad that you are leaving.”

Paula hugged Monica, her confidant whom she considered both a friend and a sister. “I will miss you and the others very much. How about if we have a farewell party before I leave?”

“Of course! You have to,” replied Monica who was now crying and smiling at the same time to support Paula.

Monica freed herself from Paula’s arms. She looked at the young woman in front of her with concern. The young Paula had already faced many problems and responsibilities.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Samuel is waiting outside,” Monica told Paula, stopping her sobbing before she left the room.

Suddenly, Paula’s kind and graceful face turned dark. She recalled what William said about Samuel kissing her. Her grudge toward him was unstoppable.

In a dangerous whisper, Paula said, “He dares to bring his disgusting ass to my face again. Look, don’t blame me if I make him pay the price.”