Chapter254


    It turned out that Hackett never actually considered marrying her. He was just using her to achieve his own goals.


    Thinking about this, Elsie suddenly felt very unhappy.


    It was not that she liked Hackett, but she felt her self-esteem had been impacted. Wasn''t she talented and live? Why


    was Hackett so attached to his humble ex-wife?


    She could not figure it out.....


    Elsie''s gaze drifted to the window. She pretended to be indifferent and said casually, "If Kaden holds on and we sessfully cancel the engagement, would you choose to pursue your ex-wife again?"


    She looked at Hackett''s profile, eagerly awaiting his response.


    However, she didn''t know exactly what she was expecting. Was she hoping Hackett would say he wouldn''t?


    Hackett kept his eyes on the road, one hand firmly on the steering wheel. He pondered for a long while before saying, "We''ll


    see.


    Elsie immediately breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he didn''t say "yes" Yet, she couldn''t help but find herself being a bit ridiculous. What did it matter to her if Hackett wanted to win back his ex-wife? Why was she happy about it?


    There were only seven days left until the engagement ceremony at the end of the month. However, Elsie found herself increasingly unable to understand her feelings. It seemed she didn''t quite want to hold onto Kaden as much anymore. Instead, she was starting to look forward to seeing Hackett in that suit at the engagement banquet.


    Along the way, her thoughts raced.


    She had no idea how much time had passed when the car slowly pulled up outside the Maddox''s vi.


    "We''re here. Get out," Hackett said emotionlessly.


    Elsie nced at the familiar front door. She realized they had already arrived home, and she oddly didn''t want to go in so quickly.


    "Oh...


    She undid her seatbelt and slowly got out of the car, closing the door behind her.


    Elsie thought about waving goodbye to Hackett, who was inside the car, but Hackett didn''t even spare her a nce. He started the car and drove away, leaving her with only the sight of the taillights growing smaller and smaller in the distance. Was this man always so aloof?


    Was he like this with thewyer, Valeria, too? Elsie couldn''t fathom how Valeria could be willing to have a child with Hackett. The following week, everyone was busy with their matters. Valeria and Hackett didn''t meet again.


    Hackett still picked up and dropped off Alex at school every day. But every time he went to River Valley, Valeria was either already gone or hadn''t returned yet.


    "Dad, can you take me out to y tomorrow? Mommy won''t be at home," Alex whispered to his father.


    Hackett took his son''s small hand and walked up to the door, pressing the doorbell


    "Really? What''s Mommy been busy withtely?" He never saw Valeria when he came, and he wondered what she had been


    G TO


    up to. Was she deliberately avoiding him?


    Alex frowned and said, "Mommy said she''s going to open an office. Anyway, she''s really busy and doesn''t have time to y with me on weekends." An office!


    Did Valeria n to go solo?


    Indeed, she could easily start her ownw office with her reputation and abilities.


    Hackett chuckled and said, "Alright, I will pick you up tomorrow. Where do you want to go?"


    "Ster Park! It was fun thest time I went there. I still want to go!" Alex''s face was filled with excitement and anticipation. He knew that his dad had never refused any of his requests before. Hackett rubbed Alex''s hair and said, "Okay, I''ll take you there.


    At that moment, E opened the door. "Mr. James


    "Help him with a bath. We were ying ser earlier, and he worked up a sweat."


    "Will do."


    Hackett asked again, "Is Valeria nning to open her ownw office? Does she not intend to return to her original one?"


    E replied, Tm not entirely sure. But recently, Valeria has indeed been busy with matters concerning thew office. She wants to open her ownw office, and she''s certainly qualified. I also encouraged her." Hackett didn''t say anything further. He handed Alex over to E and turned to leave.


    After dropping off Alex at home, Hackett headed straight to the club. There was a dinner gathering tonight.


    In the past, he had never dealt with these kinds of social events. But now that his father and grandfather were gone, the entire James family relied on him. He had to step up.


    its


    Upon arriving at the private room in the club, it seemed that not everyone had arrived yet.


    Hackett took out his phone and hesitated for a moment. He then dialed Valeria''s number.


    After a long ring, Valeria answered, sounding busy on the other end.


    "Sir, please help me deliver these office supplies to the office building in Oaksfair. I''ll send you the specific address."


    Hackett heard that Valeria was purchasing office supplies. Then, she turned her attention back to Hackett on the phone and said. "Is there something you need? Please tell me quickly. I''m a bit busy."


    "Are you nning to go solo?" He didn''t beat around the bush and was straight to the point.


    "What if I am? Is there a problem? nning to refer clients to me?" Valeria shot back.


    Hackett replied, "There''s no problem. It''s just, have you thought it through? If you go solo, you might be even busier. Before this, you were just busy working. After you have your ownw office, you might be too busy to take care of Alex." Of course, he knew how much it took to run aw office. Valerianould not have time to care for Alex because of the daily socializing and workload.


    On the other end of the phone, Valeria seemed to havepletely misunderstood his intent. She asked, "I can understand this as you trying to contest custody with me, right?"


    G TO


    Hackett thought about trying to exin himself but decided against it. He would wait until the DNA test results were out.


    "I didn''t mean that. You''re busy, so I''ll stop bothering you."


    Meanwhile, after the call was abruptly ended, Valeria let out a coldugh. "What the hell"


    She went back to her work. She was determined to sessfully open herw office at the end of the month.


    Suddenly, she thought of Hackett, who seemed to be getting engaged at the end of the month.


    Valeria chuckled at herself. What did it have to do with her? He had made it very clear that he didn''t want any connection with her.


    "Valeria? Is that really you?"


    Someone was calling her. She turned around and was momentarily stunned.


    It was Keith, whom she hadn''t seen in a long time. It felt like ages.


    Keith approached her. "What are you doing here? I''ve been calling youtely, but you haven''t been picking up."


    "I... I''m buying some office supplies."


    Keith looked at her shopping list, which included aputer, office desk, and chair. Was she nning to open her ownw office?From N?velDrama.Org.


    You''re going solo?"


    Valeria didn''t intend to keep it from him. She nodded and admitted. "Yes, I want to open my ownw office."


    Anyway, they would have to face this sooner orter. There would be a lot of dealings with Keith in the future.


    Keith was slightly surprised, but not entirely.


    He had long seen that Valeria wasn''t someone who would obediently work for others. Sooner orter, she would make a name for herself in the legal world. "Congrattions. Since that''s the case, I won''t inst on you returning to Cooper Law Office." Keith smiled.


    Valeria said, "Thank you, and I''m sorry, I was selfish."


    Be it selfishness or recklessness, keeping her distance from Keith was for the best for everyone.