Lilian woke up the very next morning to a series of knocks on the door.
She yawned and scratched her tousled black hair a few times before she finally left the bed.
"Who could be looking for me so early in the morning?" She grabbed the door handle. "I haven't asked anything from the…"
The rest of her words traveled back down her throat upon setting eyes on the guest. It was a middle-aged woman, average in height, with the gentlest of expressions on her face.
Immediately the woman locked gazes with Lilian, she smiled in a way that made her bear a resemblance to a certain someone.
Lilian closed her eyes. My mother-in-law. What does she want now?
"L-Lilian," the woman fiddled with her fingers.
Lillian opened her eyes. "Why have you come?"
"May I come in first? I want to speak to you, dear."
She was reluctant. She did not want to have a conversation with her ex-husband's mother. But the woman was quite nice even to the original soul of this body. She could not really turn her down.
And so, she stepped aside, allowing her in.
She turned around and smiled awkwardly at her. "May I know what you wish to talk about?"
"Is it true?" Lady Stoman asked. "Have you really divorced my son?"
Lilian blinked at her. "Well…"
"Lilian!" The older woman shuffled closer and grasped her hand. "Lilian, listen, I know Caesar is a difficult man. I know he is not the best, but…must you divorce him? I thought you loved him. I thought you wanted to make the marriage work. W-what happened? Why did you suddenly serve him divorce like this?"
Lilian was beginning to grow irritated. She forced a smile, taking her hands back. "Mother, if you must know, your son wanted the divorce."
"You did not have to give it to him. He can be quite impulsive sometimes, you know."
"And what? Should I smile and wave whenever he's impulsive?"
"That's not what I'm saying. I–"
"Mother, there is no need for this. We are already divorced. We are no longer married to each other, and nothing can change that."
Lady Stoman grabbed her hands again. "Don't say that, Lilian. Listen, why don't you take down your post, hm? It is causing quite a stir on the net, and many reporters are seeking answers to the sudden divorce. You two are public figures, and I really can't hold my face if they find out it is because of a mistress. Please, show me a little face, won't you?"
Lilian chuckled a little. "Ma, we are divorced, and that's the truth. Why should I try to protect anyone's image?"
"Lilian–"
"Taking the post down is not a problem. I can do it, but there is a price to pay."
"A price?"
Lilian shrugged. "Naturally. I can't just do it, after all, your son never treated me well. He deserves to lose face a little bit, but now you need me to take the post down. How can I not ask for something in return?"
The woman gazed at her with disbelief. Lilian never used to be this way. Nevertheless, she asked, "Go ahead then. Tell me, what do you want in return?"
Lilian shifted thoughtfully on both feet. A smile was etched onto her face, and she reached out her hand, proceeding to rub her fingers together like a merchant. "This is what I need."
Lady Stoman lowered her gaze to her gestures. How could she not understand immediately? "Money?"
"Yes."
"You…" This was unbelievable. Lilian did not used to be this way. "How much?"
"5 million."
"5 MILLION?! Lilian, are you—"
"Ma, you're the one who needs me to take the post down to save your and your son's face. That aside, your son inflicted too much emotional damage on me. He even did things with his mistress in our matrimonial bed. I think 5 million is a fair price."
"Lilian…" She shook her head. "Don't you think it's too much?"
"Too much?" Lilian spread her hands innocently. "You don't really have to pay, you know? I just won't take the post down. I can't lose in the marriage and also lose outside of it. So what do you say? Wire the money into my account and I will delete it right here and now."
Lady Stoman deeply gazed at her. "When did you become this way?"
"Me?" Lilian pointed to herself. She cackled. "Aiaa, I've always been this way. I'm a business woman. But your son somewhat bewitched me, and the spell has unfortunately expired."
She sighed as a grieving widow. "So? Do we have a deal?"
A beat of silence ticked between the two women for minutes before Lady Stoman shakily took out her phone. The transaction was quick. In return, Lilian picked up her cell and deleted the post.
"You're happy. I am happy. We are both happy." She was gleeful, nearly levitating off her feet in delight. "Is there anything else, Ma?"
Lady Stoman subconsciously nodded. Had her son truly broken this gentle woman? "I want you to come over to my family house tonight and have dinner. I would like us all to talk and see if things can be sorted out."
She met Lilian's gaze.
"Will you come? Surely you can do this much for me. I have always treated you well, Lilian."
Lilian awkwardly tapped her thighs. She forced a smile. "About that…" She rolled her fingers in cash signs. "...Payment will need to be made as well."
"What?!"
"Think about it, Ma. I'm very angry with your son," she said. "Don't you think it will take a toll on my mental health to have dinner with your family? Paying me is not too much of a gesture, you know. 10 million is surely not a big deal. If you can give it, I will cooperate. I'll after all need some money to treat myself."
Lady Stoman nearly staggered. They may be filthy wealthy, but money does not fall from trees. How could she be so thick-skinned? "Lilian!"
"Emotional damages, Ma! Emotional damages," Lilian chanted. "Think about it. You have a daughter, surely you wouldn't want such for her, would you? I am also someone's daughter. Have pity on me. 10 million is not too much."
She murmured, "I'm being generous actually…."
"I can't believe you." Lady Stoman shook her head. "Money is what you want?"
"Mhm."
"Fine! I'll hand you money!" She made the transaction, handing over a whooping 15 million.
The successful ringing of the alert was like music to Lilian's ear. A cheerful smile quickly bloomed on her face. "I'll make sure to arrive as early as possible, Ma. Tonight, is it?"
"Yes."
"Well then if that is all, you may leave."
The older woman left. But she momentarily stopped at the door. She looked at Lilian, her gaze quite pitiful. "I know you have turned this way because of my son, and so, I will not hold a grudge."
The smile fell off Lilian's face. Huh? What grudges?
"Thank you for your kind words, Ma," still, she said.
Lady Stoman lingered a bit more but eventually closed the door. As soon as she was gone, Lilian jumped on her feet, exhilarated.
"It appears I really won't have to suffer so much here if I play my cards right. You might have had 0 money in your account initially, but I will fill it up sooner or later until it overflows."
She threw her head back, bursting into laughter.
"Hahahahahahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Hahahaha—"
Her laughter was suddenly cut short by the abrupt ringing of her phone. She stood frozen for a second before begrudgingly walking to the bed to pick up the device.
The name on the screen irritated her to the bones.
Hubby.
Why did I never change the name? She shivered in disgust.
"And why does he keep pestering me like a cockroach?!"
Quickly, she declined the call. Then, she scrolled over and blocked him.
"Let's see how you'll contact me again," she scoffed.