Chapter 278
Effie finished speaking, turned on her heel, opened the door, and left the room.
Of course, she still had a sliver of kindness left in her; after stepping out, she didn’t forget to close the door behind her.
When Shirley saw Effie emerge unscathed, she breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over, all smiles.
Naturally, not everyone felt so pleased.
If Nelly still hadn’t figured out what just happened, then truly, there was no hope for her.
Fuming, Nelly glared at Irving Butler. “Why?” she demanded. “Why would you do this to me? Haven’t I always been good to you? I’ve given you so much!”
She’d given him everything—what more did he want?
The reason she and Irving Butler had gone to the hospital that day was because she was pregnant. Irving hadn’t wanted the child and insisted she get rid of it. She’d thrown a fit, threatened to make a scene at his house if he didn’t take her himself.
So Irving had no choice but to go with her.
But at the hospital, they were told that the baby was perfectly healthy, and unless there was a medical issue, the procedure couldn’t be done.
In the end, they left in a rush and slipped into a small private clinic.
The very next day, Nelly was back at work, pretending nothing had happened. Only she knew how much she was hurting inside.
Irving let out a cold, humorless laugh. The look he gave Nelly was nothing like the gentle one he used to wear. “Nelly, don’t act like you’re the only victim here. You know exactly what’s been going on between us-we’ve always used each other. You traded your looks for what you wanted. All those big contracts and perks went to you because you were with me.”
“But isn’t that how it works?” Nelly shot back. “If it weren’t for those perks, why would I have put up with you-a sleazy, middle-aged man?”
“Enough. I’m done talking. I’ll give you seven thousand dollars. That’s it. My wife made a scene here today-now the whole office knows about you. There’s no way you can stay here anymore, is there?”
Tears welled in Nelly’s eyes. She looked heartbroken as she asked, “So, everything you’ve done is just to force me out, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.” Irving didn’t bother pretending anymore. Everyone knew, so what was left to hide?
“Seven thousand? Do you think you can buy me off like a beggar? You know exactly how many kickbacks you’ve pocketed these years.”
Since the gloves were off, Nelly didn’t hold back either. “I have all the chat logs with those clients you made me entertain, plus some very private photos… If you don’t want me to go public, transfer me fifty thousand. I’ll leave as soon as I get it.” Irving’s eyes burned with fury. After all these years, she turned out to be a snake! “Fifty thousand? Forget it.”
In his mind, Nelly had been passed around enough times-she wasn’t worth that kind of money.
“Fine,” Nelly sneered. “Then I’ll just send the evidence to the company’s group chat and let everyone see what kind of person you really are!”
“Irving, don’t be so short-sighted-don’t lose the big picture over a few pennies!”
Irving’s face was so dark it looked like it might rain, but in the end, he gritted his teeth and transferred the money.
Satisfied, Nelly walked out, money in hand.
Not long after, Irving-still wearing a thunderous expression-called Effie into his office. “Nelly’s gone. Happy now?”
Effie looked at him—a grown man acting like a coward, hiding from his own mess, still avoiding his wife after all this. What a disgrace.
And yet, he was quick to shift all the blame onto someone else.