Chapter 6 At city hall , Richard showed up early that morning to drop off bid - qualification documents . The moment he walked in , he bumped into Simon . Simon was there for the compliance review . Unlike the Monroes , who got knocked out in the first round , he had the Linton family backing him all the way to the finals . He thought , ' Once we land this project , the Yeats family will rival the Monroes in influence . Ten Rolls - Royce Phantoms ? Easy ! ' He said , " Mr. Monroe , what a coincidence . Are you here to see Mr. Cole again ? " Richard smiled , " That's right . I have an appointment with Mr. Cole ." Simon snorted , thinking , ' Cut the act . Everyone knows you've worn out the steps at City Hall chasing the Bayview Project . Bidding's about to start , and you're still clinging on !' " I've got a meeting with Mr. Cole for the compliance review . Care to join me ? " Simon asked . He aimed to expose Richard's cover - up right to his face . To Simon's surprise , as soon as they hit the downstairs , a staff member stopped them . " It's review day for bid - qualification documents . No outsiders allowed ." Simon couldn't help but chuckle , saying , " Mr. Monroe , just wait out here . Maybe Mr. Cole will have time for you once he's done . " Deep down , he muttered , ' Is the Monroe family really all that great? Hinchester isn't run by just one family anymore !' Richard wasn't fazed at all . He pulled out his phone right away and called Jackson . As Simon headed upstairs , he glanced back . ' Still putting on an act , huh ? ' he snorted in his mind . Before he could get up there , he saw Jackson come out alone , rushing like he was meeting a big shot . ' Looks like the Linton family has strong connections . Jackson respects me so much , ' Simon wondered . He extended his hand . " Mr. Cole , no need for such formalities . Why would I need you to greet me ? " Jackson paused briefly , shook Simon's hand lightly , and let go . " Oh , Mr. Yeats , just leave the materials with the staff upstairs ." Before the words could fade , Jackson brushed past Simon , hurried downstairs , and shook 11:17 Wed , Sep 17 Chapter 6 ... : 36 E55 vouchers Richard's hand warmly . " Mr. Monroe , apologies for keeping you waiting . Please come upstairs right away ." Richard gave Simon a cool , indifferent glance , and Simon nearly froze on the spot . He thought , ' What the hell is going on ? I've already kicked Abigail out , so how could she still be affecting my luck ? ' Simon sat on a bench upstairs for hours without seeing Jackson again , until two hours later , when Jackson personally escorted Richard out . Simon had never seen Jackson smile so brightly . Jackson said , " They said if you win the bid , there's a one - million - dollar reward for you . So , Mr. Monroe , make sure you treasure this opportunity ." His words left Richard in confusion and surprise . " Who do you mean by ' they ' ? " Richard asked cautiously . " The Pierce Group from Canasia put up the money . " ' The Pierce family from Canasia ? ' Richard thought , and his heart pounded hard twice . Jackson smiled meaningfully . ' With the Pierce family backing the project , why fret over Hinchester's GDP and CPI ? ' he thought . He told Richard , " You'll handle the Bayview Project this time , Mr. Monroe . Contact me if any issues come up . " Judging from Jackson's tone , the bid was Richard's for sure . Simon's heart raced . As soon as Richard left , he rushed over . " Mr. Cole- " The moment Simon started , Jackson's smile faded . " The review results are in . The higher - ups said your family's got bad blood . There's nothing I can do . Please leave . " ' What the hell ? What's that got to do with this project ? ' Simon complained inwardly . He explained , " Mr. Cole , are you talking about Abigail ? I threw her out already . Now it's the Monroes with bad blood . " Jackson frowned , having no idea who Abigail was . Seeing Simon wouldn't give up , he spelled it out . " Mr. Yeats , the state issued a cease - and - desist order long ago . Hunting endangered species is a federal crime . You'd better take a long , hard look at your own backyard ." Simon stared , baffled . ' Endangered species ? Does he mean the fish I caught in the river two days ago ? ' he thought to himself . Jackson's jaw tightened . The day before , a senior academician from the Eastalia Research Institute called Jackson personally to condemn the Yeats family for harming a national treasure . 11:17 Wed , Sep 17 Chapter 6 36 55 vouchers Jackson thought , ' I know some wealthy families flout wildlife protections , but going after the bald eagle ? The Yeats family was the first . ' Simon stormed out of city hall . Richard had been waiting outside . " Mr. Yeats , I need a word with you ." Simon paused and then followed him . Richard said , " I know you don't want my family to adopt Abigail , but James and his family are stubborn . Once they set their minds on something , they won't let go . " So , Mr. Yeats , please step back and stop smearing her . If you accidentally expose the secrets your family is hiding , it'll harm everyone . Don't you agree ? " Richard thought , ' No parent would treat their own daughter like this without reason . The harder the Yeats family tries to hide the secret , the more it needs looking into .' He added , " I trust you're a smart man . " ***** At eleven in the morning , after pacing endlessly outside Abigail's door , Ethan finally lost patience and went to Vivian . " Mom , Abigail still isn't up . " Vivian was cutting fabric in her third - floor studio , not looking up . " If you're hungry , there's last night's cake in the fridge . " Ethan thought , ' How can you let your precious son make do with a cake ? And a leftover one at that ' " Mom , back then , if I wasn't up by nine , you'd come at me with a stick , " he insisted stubbornly . Vivian looked up , thought seriously , and said , " Seems like it's been three days since I last hit you ." Ethan tensed up and snapped , " I'm talking about Abigail . She's still not awake . Mom , you should take a stick and go discipline- " Before the last word left his lips , Vivian shoved his head aside and warmly greeted Abigail at the door . " Abigail , did you sleep well last night ? " Abigail nodded , her gaze sweeping over Ethan . Ethan felt a sudden icy chill on his neck and shivered . " Perfect timing . I was just about to make you some clothes . Come on , let me take your measurements , " Vivian added . 11:17 Wed , Sep 17 Chapter 6 36 55 vouchers Abigail looked around the studio ; many clothes hung there , and the style looked quite familiar . Ethan found her eyes glued to the samples on the wall and boasted , " Mom's got great skills , huh ? We may be poor , but we never lack for clothes . At my last speech competition , folks almost thought my outfit was Senior Designer Tyson's work . " Even Aunt Helen , the pickiest fashion cop in the family , said Mom's knock - off is so good that it could pass for the real thing ." Ethan beamed with pride . Abigail nodded . " Indeed ." Ethan's pride deflated . " Don't act like you've ever worn Senior Designer Tyson's clothes . You couldn't afford one . " Vivian snapped her measuring tape across his arm . " How dare you speak to your sister like that ? " Ethan winced and shouted , " Mom , you'll lose me this way . " With that , he stormed off . After measuring Abigail , Vivian said softly , " You must be starving . Go grab a snack . Lucy's almost done with lunch . " " Mm - hmm . " Abigail headed downstairs straight to the kitchen . Lucy , the Monroe family's part - time cook , was all warmth and smiles . Spotting Abigail , she scooped a piece of meat from the pot . She said , " You must be Ms. Quinn , right ? Mrs. Monroe hasn't stopped talking about you . Finally , she brought you home . Try this , how's my cooking ? " The pork belly simmered golden , fat rendered perfectly , meat tender but firm . Abigail nodded . " Mm - hmm ." Lucy blinked as she thought , ' What does that mean ? Right , Mrs , Monroe warned me Ms. Quinn isn't much of a talker . I'll take that as a compliment . Right then , the garden gate bell chimed . " Likely Mrs. Monroe's package , " Lucy figured . Stuck at the stove , she wiped her hands and called , " Mr. Monroe . " When Ethan didn't answer after a long moment , Abigail spoke , " I'll get it . " Lucy's brow furrowed . " You know how ? " Abigail murmured , " Probably ," Lucy was at a loss for words . 11:18 Wed , Sep 17 Chapter 6 : 36 55 vouchers . Still at the stove , Lucy watched Abigail cross the garden , reach the gate , and open it smoothly before smiling . " Ms. Quinn is so capable , " she muttered . Ethan came belatedly and heard Lucy's words , his mouth twitching . " I've fetched ten packages for you , and you never praised me ," he complained . 曲 Title: After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became a Billionaire In "After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became a Billionaire" by CrushReel, the story revolves around Claire, who conceals her immense wealth to marry Milo for love. Set in Los Angeles, Claire navigates the challenges of keeping her true identity hidden while leveraging her riches in secret. As the drama unfolds, themes of betrayal, ambition, and revenge intertwine with the complexities of their relationship. Claire's dual identity as a billionaire and Milo's wife adds a layer of intrigue to this modern tale of love and deception. The storyline delves into the dynamics of power and control within their contract marriage, highlighting the tension between hidden truths and public personas. With a backdrop of office politics and personal vendettas, the narrative explores the consequences of choices made in pursuit of wealth and status. What sets "After Divorce, My Ex-Wife Became a Billionaire" apart is its exploration of the repercussions of concealing one's true self in the pursuit of love and success. The interplay between Claire's billionaire status and her intimate relationships creates a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged throughout. Discover the captivating twists and turns of this gripping story available to read at CrushReel.