Chapter 5 A Power Struggle

Linda found herself at her breaking point: "Shane, we're in a hospital!"

"I'm perfectly aware of that."

Shane remained unmoved. He leaned in close, his face inches from her ear, his tone a low threat: "Do you have any idea who that is?"

Linda understood the unspoken accusation.

He was Shane's Group's president, a man of considerable standing. He wouldn't tolerate his wife being overly familiar with other men.

A bitter smile touched Linda's lips.

"Shane," she said, "I don't share your suspicious mind, nor am I in the mood for such things. Don't worry, I won't have an affair with anyone before our divorce."

With that, she pushed him away and went inside the ward.

Shane followed her in.

He frowned as he entered. It wasn't a private room.

Colt pulled out a chair for him, whispering, "Please, sit down! I'll ask Linda to peel some fruit for you... Linda, don't just stand there! You can go home with Shane later. I'll stay and look after our father!"

Shane sat and began talking with Jacob.

He might be cold towards Linda, but he was always impeccable in front of Jacob. Years in the business world had taught him how to charm, and he easily made a good impression.

Jacob had always been fond of him.

However, when Shane suggested moving him to another hospital, Jacob politely declined, "Don't bother! This place is fine, and Dr. Harold is very attentive."

Shane didn't press the issue: "Alright, Dad, if you're comfortable here, then that's what matters!"

Just then, Linda handed him a peeled apple.

Shane took it, but placed it aside. He grasped her wrist, stood up, and said to Colt and Beatrice, "I'll take Linda home now. Take care, Dad."

Jacob nodded as he watched them leave.

Beatrice began tidying up. Suddenly, Jacob spoke, "They've been having trouble lately, haven't they?"

Beatrice's hands trembled.

She quickly recovered, "It's nothing! Linda and Shane are doing just fine!"

Jacob sighed softly, "You're lying to me! Linda looks at him differently. She used to look at Shane with such light in her eyes, but now, it's gone."

Beatrice was taken aback. Softly, she said, "You should talk to her!"

Jacob leaned back against the head of the bed. After a moment, he whispered, "No, I won't. She doesn't say anything, thinking I don't notice... I don't want Linda to be trapped either."

Beatrice stopped herself from speaking.

...

Shane escorted Linda downstairs.

The setting sun cast a red glow on the black Bentley, making it look almost fiery.

Linda was guided into the car. She tried to get out, but he gripped her wrist tightly.

Shane's expression was impassive. From the outside, it was impossible to tell how much force he was using. Linda couldn't move, a clear demonstration of the difference in strength between a man and a woman.

When she stopped struggling, Shane released her.

He sat in silence, smoking.

Linda's breathing was slightly uneven. She looked at his profile. The dim light cast shadows on his face, highlighting his strong features. Combined with his status, he possessed a charm that could easily captivate women.

Linda vaguely remembered,

It was that very face that had once fascinated her and held her affection for so many years.

Shane glanced sideways at Linda.

He rarely bothered with Linda's affairs. He wasn't particularly attentive to her, but he didn't want to change his wife. Men in his position didn't readily replace their wives.

After a long pause, he extinguished his cigarette and pulled out a velvet box from his pocket.

He opened it, revealing a diamond ring.

Linda's throat tightened. This was... the wedding ring she had sold that night.

Had Shane bought it back?

Shane kept his gaze fixed on her face, watching for the slightest flicker of emotion, as if trying to understand her every thought.

Finally, he spoke, his voice flat, "Hold out your hand and put on the ring. Then come home with me. I'll pretend the other night never happened. You can still be Mrs. Linda."

Linda, rarely on the receiving end of Shane's generosity, remained steadfast.

Her slender, pale fingers subtly curled inward.

Shane's patience wore thin. "What exactly is it that you want?" he demanded.

Linda's voice was barely audible as she replied, "Divorce. I want a divorce."

Shane, consumed by work, had been further aggravated by a morning quarrel with Linda and his inability to locate his cufflinks. On the verge of an outburst, he spotted a white BMW in the parking lot where Harold was engaged in conversation with a nurse.

His mood worsened, and he was about to unleash his anger when his phone rang. It was Secretary Esther. Shane answered with a sharp tone, "What is it?"

Secretary Esther reported dutifully, "Miss Maria had a fall getting out of bed and may have damaged the nerves in her leg. She's quite upset. Mr. Shane, would you consider visiting her in California? It would greatly improve her spirits."

Shane paused, holding the phone, seemingly uncomfortable with Linda's presence.

The call wasn't muted, and Linda overheard the conversation.

A faint smile touched her lips. She opened the car door, stepped out, and walked away without a backward glance.

A chill evening breeze swept over her, and Linda felt a shiver.

*Thankfully*, she thought, *when Shane presented the wedding ring, she hadn't faltered or changed her mind. She was ready to leave behind their suffocating marriage*.

*Thankfully*, she repeated to herself.

As her figure receded into the distance, Shane, staring after her, snapped into the phone, "Get her the best doctors available!"

Secretary Esther was surprised, "So, you won't be going to California to see her?"

Shane ended the call.

After disconnecting from Secretary Esther, he tried calling Linda, but the call wouldn't go through.

He attempted to message her on WhatsApp, but the message failed to send.

Linda had blocked his number and WhatsApp account.

Shane tossed his phone aside in anger. After a moment, he picked up the diamond ring and examined it intently. He now understood the depth of Linda's desire to leave him.

*However*, he thought, *unless he agreed, she would remain Mrs. Linda .*

***

Three days later, on the top floor of the Shane Group Building, in the his office...

Shane stood before the panoramic window, speaking with his mother on his mobile phone. The old lady, thinking of Linda, urged him to bring her home for a visit.

Shane offered placating words.

A knock sounded at the door. "Mr. Shane, a special delivery for you."

Shane raised an eyebrow, already suspecting the nature of the delivery.

Moments later, Secretary Esther entered, placed an express package on the desk, and quietly said, "Madam sent this."

Shane, still by the window, observed it for a few seconds before approaching. With deliberate movements, he picked up the document and opened it. As he had anticipated, it was a divorce agreement.

He quickly scanned the document. Linda was firm, asking for nothing.

A clean break, leaving empty-handed.

His expression darkened. After a prolonged silence, he asked in a low voice, "What has she been doing lately?"

Secretary Esther responded promptly, "She appears to be selling the house. Many have viewed it, but no one has made an offer yet. Additionally, your wife is seeking employment. She received a national award in college, and a reputable institution is interested in hiring her with a good salary."

Shane sank into his leather office chair.

After a long pause, he picked up the divorce agreement and stared at it.

His voice was icy as he said, "Have someone contact the realtor and buy that house for the lowest possible price!"

He scoffed, "As for work, she won't be allowed to struggle!"

Secretary Esther was taken aback.

She had expected Shane to push the Linda family further down, but instead... No.

Didn't he despise Linda above all else?

Hesitating for only a few seconds, Shane erupted, "Are you still here?!"

Secretary Esther withdrew.

Outside the office, she wrung her hands, paused briefly, then dialed a number on her mobile phone...