My Blind Wife Wants Divorced

Leonel went through the files given by Chris over and over again. None of the information satisfied him. Everything only heightened his emotions. In less than twenty-four hours, Leonel encountered numerous problems, and Deborah eventually became his shield.

Many meetings were unilaterally canceled by Leonel, not because he wanted to avoid meeting with clients but because he also had to explain the numerous cancellations that flooded his email. Even Deborah herself didn’t dare to enter Leonel’s office anymore, as the boss’s face seemed stiff and tense.

“Everything is organized, Leonel,” Chris gave his opinion. Since yesterday, he had only slept for a few hours. His mind was suddenly filled with the events involving the Grisham family. As their family lawyer, Chris had to provide many explanations that various parties requested. This also significantly affected the numerous business contracts canceled by Grisham’s clients.

“I don’t understand,” Leonel rubbed his temples. “As long as I’ve been involved with Ester, maybe some media outlets have caught wind of it. But I’ve kept it tightly sealed, and I know which media outlets provided the photos of us before they were released to the public. And I silenced them. Until now, just seconds before that damn news spread, everything followed what I wanted.”

Chris nodded in understanding.

“Have you found out who spread this news?” Leonel asked curiously. Since yesterday, he had been continuously thinking about the party that wanted to bring him down just when he was about to reach the pinnacle.

“It’s unknown, but we’ve started working with your contacts, Leonel. Mr. Robby has already given the order to track down everyone who spread and created this fake news,” Chris replied.

This time, Leonel nodded. He leaned his tired body against the back of the sofa. His eyes closed slowly. Glancing briefly, he saw that the time on his Rolex showed one in the afternoon. “I was supposed to have an appointment with Josh today.”

“Josh Corp?”

“Yes,” Leonel said without turning. “Do you know anything about him?”

Chris appeared thoughtful for a moment, thinking, and then smiled faintly. “I only know about his achievements, Leonel. Besides, he has been living in Singapore for a long time.”

Leonel nodded again. “I don’t know why, but he has another purpose.”

“What do you mean?”

“I caused a scene at the party last night, and you know that for sure, right?”

Chris smirked. “It’s too obvious for a husband who previously neglected his wife suddenly become attentive and jealous.”

“Can you not make me more annoyed about last night?” Leonel asked with an irritated gaze. He needed to talk to Chris, but he didn’t need excessive interruptions from a man who laughed as if mocking Leonel’s difficulties. It was frustrating.

“Putting that aside, I watched the CCTV footage. There was no problem between them, Leonel. You acted too rashly. As if it wasn’t you.”

Leonel bowed his head, remembering what had triggered him to lose control last night. “I met Ester.”

“But didn’t Ester accept the invitation?” Chris asked, looking closely. He also had to untangle the intertwined threads and figure out what they should do because he couldn’t deny that the news about Leonel Grisham tempting Ester Gisela had spread widely. It couldn’t be stopped or forgotten just like that. Digital records took work to erase.

“Yes, she did. Almost all the models working with Mountain accepted the invitation without exception. However, for the past few years, Ester has yet to show up. And she didn’t say she was coming this time and has yet to show she wouldn’t come, just like in previous years.”

“Did you talk to her?”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Leonel shook his head softly. “It was just a reaffirmation conversation. Like what I said in Cattle Village, I intend to change, improve our marital relationship, and leave Ester.”

“That’s why she got drunk, and coincidentally, you were there?”

“Something like that.”

“Regardless of everything that has happened, I’m quite curious. It seems like you’re serious about ending your relationship with Ester. Is that true?” Chris asked with a curious expression on his face.

“Yes. I do intend to do that. Leave Ester and reflect on everything that has happened, even though much has slipped from my grasp. Whether I still love Ester in the future or amidst my struggle to seek forgiveness and a chance from Chloe, love might develop unexpectedly high. I don’t know the future, right?”

“But what do you want? You’ve already made up your mind about getting a divorce. And with Ester, you won’t marry her?”

Without hesitation, Leonel nodded. “Let our marital relationship be temporarily hindered by legal status and official documents, but my intention is becoming stronger to win Chloe back.”

Chris let out a long sigh. “That won’t be easy, Leonel. And also, does Chloe know about this incident?”

“I don’t think so. I left Chloe this morning when she was unwell.”

“What?” Chris asked with an incredulous look. “How can you want a chance for forgiveness from Chloe but end up leaving her?”

“For God’s sake, Chris!” Leonel straightened his back. “Do you think that’s what I wanted? If it weren’t for the damn social media frenzy that targeted me, I would still be at home!”

“Good luck with your struggle, then, Leonel.”

“Deal with this outrageous and disrespectful news first. I don’t care how you do it or who is involved. They all must be after something that I can’t yet grasp. Because I’m certain that Ester herself is not the one behind making me like this.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Gossip among celebrities spreads faster than among businessmen. People in business can have affairs and other women, and shortly after, they’re hit with news about another phenomenal artist. But everything will be sought after for artists, from models to the roots, including Ester’s personal life. And I think now Ester’s side is also limiting her activities because of this news,” Leonel explained at length.

***

Ester stood on the balcony of her apartment. She let the sunlight shine on her body, as she needed a significant distraction. She wasn’t sure if her mind could push away the thoughts that had filled her head since last night. The news has spread and continued to develop extensively until now. It dug deep into Ester, who fortunately rarely posted about her life. Everything was about her achievements. She kept it private because she knew the risks of being in the entertainment industry.

The same applied to her relationship with Leonel. When they were together, many intimate photos of them filled her phone and laptop’s memory. She never specifically shared any of them, as she highly valued privacy and reputation. She could quickly become the target of haters, especially considering her relationship with Leonel was an affair.

Fortunately, Leonel had kept much about the two of them private.

But now? Why did everything suddenly turn into a hot topic? It seemed to lead to trouble for Ester, yet she received a lot of sympathies because Leonel was reported to have forced himself on her.

“What is happening?” Ester wondered as she sipped her soda. All her activities were disrupted, and she couldn’t quickly leave the apartment. Many journalists were waiting downstairs. Luckily, both Sofi and Rio, her assistants, responded quickly and could help Ester get through the coming days.

“Sofi,” Ester called her assistant, who was busy working on her laptop. Ester had yet to grasp what Sofi had been doing since this morning. She had complete trust in Sofi’s reliable performance.

“Yes, Miss.” Sofi immediately got up and left her work. She also had to report on some pending tasks that couldn’t be delayed any longer. They were only given a week to manage the situation, ensure smooth operations, and handle ongoing promotions.

“Do we have an email from Jana’s team?”

Sofi furrowed her brow but then smiled meaningfully. Due to the circulating gossip, they wanted to avoid obstacles to Jana’s newly agreed contract. “No, Miss. I’ve restricted comments from anyone on your social media.”

“Whatever. I don’t care. The most important thing is that I can live in peace. I’m confused myself; why is this news even happening?”

“I’m not sure, Miss. Oh, Clear magazine’s team mentioned a one-week postponement of the photoshoot until the situation is somewhat conducive for an outdoor shoot.”

“I’m not concerned about that. I’m wondering why everything is shifting toward Leonel because of this news.

Sofi didn’t know how to respond. “Miss, please don’t make any statements regarding this gossip. We don’t know which parts are true or false yet. It’s still being investigated. Mr. Leonel sent a message asking you to care for your health.”

Ester sighed. “What’s the point of a simple message? Just ignore it. I hate how he pretends to care but doesn’t. I could go to him and seek protection, clarifying any misunderstanding, but I know that step will be blocked by the Grisham family, especially Agatha Theodore.” Ester spoke with wounded eyes. “Is it just because I’m the child of his business rival from the past? That’s why I’m being cast aside so easily?”

Sofi stared intently at Ester’s suddenly gloomy face. She had never heard Ester Gisela complain about her past. As far as she knew, Ester had been without parents for a long time. Both had died due to illness, with her father passing away first. Within a few years, her mother also succumbed to sickness.

So, where did the idea come from that Ester’s father was a business rival of the Grishams? Ester was born as the child of a successful businessman.

“Enough already. That’s the past. There’s no need to dwell on it too much. If I were adopted as a child, maybe I could have made what Papa built far more successful than it is now,” Ester grumbled. “You just focus on your job. I won’t meddle in any news out there.”

“Understood, Miss.” Sofi also had no intention of delving deeper. Ester’s matters were always kept private. And Sofi had just learned about the recent statement. Could this be why Joshua and Ester’s relationship, which should have flourished, was hindered?

Are they all victims? Including Chloe? That’s so unfortunate, Sofi thought silently.

Before she could continue working for another twenty minutes, her phone, which she used for communication with the agency and many clients, rang. Emir’s name appeared, giving Sofi a slight sense of relief. Without the assistance of Emir and Joshua’s team, Sofi wouldn’t have known the latest developments that could jeopardize the model’s reputation she was overseeing.

After a brief conversation, it was possible that Ester could be seen as the accused in this hot gossip, especially after reading about Leonel’s wife, who Sofi knew had a semi-permanent disability.

“Yes, sir?”

“Is Miss Ester doing well?”

“So far, she’s doing well, and there haven’t been any issues regarding her work. Everyone was understanding and willing to cooperate when I explained that matters were to be attended to.”

“Josh wants to meet tomorrow in Ocean Building.”

“Is that possible, sir? Rio said the lobby had been filled with journalists since morning, and the security personnel couldn’t simply remove them. I don’t know why they insist.

On being there. Perhaps because of Ester’s sudden rise in popularity, they all want to get an exclusive story related to the social media news.”

“Yes, Sofi. That’s how the media works, right?” Emir said. “Tomorrow, someone will pick you up using the emergency lift. You’ll coordinate with the building management regarding Ester’s situation. You can handle it, right?”

“I’ll do my best, sir.”

“See you tomorrow morning.”

The call ended shortly after. Sofi quickly relayed what Emir had said.

“I wanted to meet Josh,” Ester said with a thin grin. “In that case, I can’t go anywhere today, can I?”

“No, Miss Ester.”

“I also don’t want to meet anyone, including…” Ester handed Sofi the phone that had been ringing. Leonel’s name appeared on the screen. “You’re good at finding excuses for me.”

“Understood, Miss.”