Chapter 226: No one can help me.
Franklin sauntered into Theodore’s office as if he owned the place, his posture relaxed, and his trademark smirk plastered across his face. Without waiting for an invitation, he dropped into a chair, leaning back casually. "Hey, bro," he began with mock concern. "I heard you kicked Bella out of your life. Is that true?"
Theodore’s eyes shot up, a cold glare locking onto Franklin. His muscles tensed, every instinct urging him to wipe the smug grin off Franklin’s face, but he swallowed the anger rising in his throat. "I don’t have time for gossip, Franklin. Why don’t you go find your little group of party friends and leave me alone?"
Franklin chuckled, unfazed. "Oh, trust me, I’d love to. But you know how my dear mother is—constantly nagging me to focus on work. So, here I am, being the good son, offering to help."
"I don’t need your help," Theodore hissed through clenched teeth. "If you’ve got nothing better to do, get out."
For a brief moment, Franklin’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing as a flicker of irritation crossed his face. But just as quickly, he regained his cocky composure.
"I heard Bella resigned. Went back to her hometown." He watched Theodore closely, searching for any reaction.
Theodore said nothing. He continued checking the file.
"She was close to Willow, wasn’t she?" Franklin continued. "I always thought she’d become a designer like her. But it looks like she gave up on that dream. What’s your take?"
Theodore’s patience snapped. He slammed the file shut; his jaw clenched. "I don’t care," he growled. "I don’t want to know what’s going on in her life. We’re done. I divorced her."
Franklin was momentarily thrown off by Theodore’s cold reaction. He had fully expected Theodore to defend Bella or at least react emotionally to her name, but the indifference in his tone indicated that he had already gotten over with her.
But he wasn’t ready to believe Theodore had moved on so quickly. Suspicion flickered in his mind. Could this be just an act?
"Really?" Franklin narrowed his eyes, studying his expression with skepticism. "You divorced her already? That seems... quick."