Chapter 1 The Bates Are So Disgusting

"Vanessa, what are you up to? Are you trying to run away from home?"

Just as Vanessa James was about to go downstairs with her suitcase, she heard her sister-in-law, Ella Bates, talking to her.

Instead of giving any responses, Vanessa spared her an indifferent glance and continued to go down the steps. When Vanessa reached downstairs, she happened to bump into her mother-in-law, Julia Bates, who always looked down upon her.

"Where are you going with a suitcase at this hour?" Julia asked with disdain laced in her gaze.

After getting married into the Bates family for three years, Vanessa knew that Julia was about to make things difficult for her.

If it was in the past, she would apologize and coax Julia carefully. However, things were different now. Since she no longer wanted to be with her husband, Killian Bates, how could she possibly put up with this bad-tempered woman anymore?

"Wherever. Don't worry, Mrs. Bates. I won't come back here again." Her voice was cold, and she was no longer as humble as before.

When Julia saw the sudden change in her attitude, her face darkened at once. "Vanessa, is this how you treat the elders?"

Vanessa raised her eyebrows. "I'm just treating you the same way you treat me."

Hearing that, Julia was bent out of shape. "Do you even still see me as your mother-in-law?"

Looking at Julia with a smile, Vanessa replied, "Sorry, you won't be my mother-in-law soon."

As soon as she finished speaking, a car honked from outside the villa.

"I'm leaving now. You can do whatever you want with the things I left in the room. I don't want them anymore. All that I ask is for you not to contact me again from now on." Dragging her suitcase with her slowly, she added, "The Bates are so disgusting."

Julia had yet to understand what Vanessa meant by saying that she would no longer be her daughter-in-law soon when she heard her calling the Bates disgusting. She flew into a rage at once. "Vanessa, are you crazy? I'm going to tell Killian that you—"

"Mom, did you see Vanessa? She was carrying her suitcase just now. Could it be that she wanted me to make her stay by walking past me on purpose?" As Ella descended the stairs, she saw Julia standing still at the front door, so she sauntered over, tugged at her mother's sleeve and asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"

Julia had a complicated expression on her face. If it was in the past, Vanessa would always yield to her whenever she mentioned Killian. However, today, Vanessa left decisively without looking back.

The sports car outside sped away. Julia walked out and only caught sight of its taillights.

"She... She left?" Ella followed suit and quirked her lips. "Whatever. Louise is back now. Even if Vanessa doesn't leave now, Killian will still drive her out sooner or later!"

Julia felt that her words made sense. Now that Louise Keillor was back, it was smart of Vanessa to leave on her own.

Sitting in the Porsche, Vanessa flipped through the divorce agreement. After reading the terms, she dropped her signature without any hesitation.

At the sight of that, her friend, Nicole Clarke, clicked her tongue. "That's it?" she asked while driving.

Vanessa snapped the cap on her pen. "Or what?"

Killian's first love was back. There was nothing else Vanessa could do.

Three years were neither too long nor too short. Vanessa used to think that she could warm up Killian's heart no matter how cold it was.

However, she was wrong. Louise was the only one he loved.

Vanessa felt that she was indeed shameless. Back then, she had forced Killian to marry her by using repaying her favor as the reason. For three years, she had trapped herself in a loveless marriage. Now that Louise was back, Vanessa would naturally have to give up her position as Killian's wife.

After all, Killian had been keeping his virginity for the sake of Louise.

Yes, throughout the three years, Killian had never made love to Vanessa, not even once. No outsiders knew about this, or else she would end up as a laughingstock. Anyway, three years of hopeless marriage was enough to quell her seven years of infatuation.

Vanessa covered her eyes with her hand. She didn't want Nicole to see her tears.

No matter how free and easy one could be, anyone would still feel sad when their ten years of love didn't receive a good ending.

Soon, the red sports car pulled up outside the company building. Raising her sunglasses, Nicole said, "We are here. Vanessa, go ahead and do whatever you want. I've got your back!" Then, Nicole blew a kiss to her.

Vanessa smiled, "All right. I'm entering now."

It was going to be difficult to toss the divorce agreement at Killian in a way that was both domineering and graceful at the same time.

With the agreement in her hand, Vanessa pushed open the door and got out of the car. It wasn't her first time coming to his company, Grandwalk Company, nor was it the first time she was treated perfunctorily by the receptionist. "Miss James, you can't enter without an appointment. Mr. Bates is very busy. If everyone can meet him without an appointment, what's the point of me as a receptionist?"

Even a receptionist had the guts to be disrespectful to her. In the past three years, she had never been called Mrs. Bates in his company. Clear enough, Killian had never taken her seriously.

Vanessa looked down, letting out a soft chuckle. "The staff training here is pretty bad. Why do I have to make an appointment to see Killian when I am his wife? It seems like being his wife is pretty boring."

She cast a cold glance at the receptionist before walking to the elevator.

It was the first time the receptionist had seen Vanessa behaving like this. After being stunned for a moment, she let out a snort. Nevertheless, she was worried that something would happen, so she immediately called to inform Killian's secretary about it.

Hence, Killian was aware of Vanessa's arrival.

"I'm not seeing her," he frowned.

There was a meeting that he needed to attend in another five minutes.

His secretary, Gavin Harris, hummed in acknowledgment and left. As soon as Gavin walked out of the office, he saw Vanessa coming over.

She had dressed herself well today, which made her look gentle and dignified. Gavin felt that she was somewhat different today.

"Gavin," Vanessa greeted him. Before Gavin could say anything, she directly entered Killian's office and said, "Excuse me, Mr. Bates. I need you to sign an agreement." She strode toward the man at the desk and put the divorce agreement in front of him. "Sign it."