Chapter 40: Divorce

[Chapter 40: Divorce]

Beverly Center, Parking Lot.

Hawke rolled down the car window and looked toward the nearby Samantha's Beauty Center, saying, "She's been in there for forty minutes. According to what I heard, Deborah should be coming out in about ten minutes."

Edward admired, "Boss, you've really got your ear to the ground."

In the front passenger seat, Jacqueline, who was showing a bit of a belly, asked, "Am I going down now?"

Hawke had already said what needed to be said. He pulled out a Cartier women's necklace and handed it to Jacqueline. "This is our evidence."

He had rented the necklace from Big Daddy's Art Store.

Jacqueline pocketed the necklace and opened the car door. "I'll go right now."

Hawke reminded her, "If things go sideways, just come back. Edward and I will be waiting for you."

Edward chimed in, "I'm pretty good at handling women with kids."

Jacqueline shot a surprised glance at Edward as she walked toward the beauty center.

Hawke put on a common Dodgers baseball cap, instructing Edward to follow Jacqueline at a distance.

Edward asked, "Aren't you going to take any pictures?"

"No need," Hawke quickly replied. "Jacqueline's just here to provoke Deborah. If she makes the news, we could be in trouble."

Edward couldn't understand, "Why go about it this way?"

Hawke simply explained, "As far as Downey is concerned, whether he's messing around or using, it's the norm in Hollywood. Deborah can tolerate it, but add a kid into the mix and there's a battle for the fortune."

This struck a chord with Edward, who realized, "Having a kid means a hefty child support payment, which directly harms Deborah's interests."

Hawke said no more, choosing instead to scan the area for other paparazzi. The entertainment industry's gossip and scandals changed direction too quickly, and the Downey couple had temporarily lost their heat.

...

Jacqueline arrived at the entrance of the beauty center and waited near Deborah's car.

A few minutes passed, and Deborah emerged wearing sunglasses, immediately spotting Jacqueline.

The bump in Jacqueline's stomach couldn't hide her youthful beauty.

Being an upscale escort wasn't just about looks; her demeanor seemed to carry weight too.

She stepped forward, saying, "Deborah, can we chat for a minute?"

Deborah shot her a cold glance and headed straight for her car.

Jacqueline pressed on, "Do you know who the father of my child is?"

Deborah remained unfazed; similar scams had played out numerous times in Hollywood.

Jacqueline followed her, pulling a trump card from her pocket -- a Cartier women's necklace dropped in front of Deborah.

Deborah halted. She recognized the necklace as the gift Downey had given her for their wedding anniversary.

Not liking the style, she'd worn it for just one evening before putting it in the closet. Later, when she couldn't find it, she even asked Downey about it, to which he replied that it would turn up when he didn't feel like looking for it.

And sure enough, here it was.

Jacqueline whispered, "He gave this to me."

Deborah's resentments flared instantly. She didn't even doubt it because Downey had spun countless lies.

He had made promises countless times about cheating and sobriety, yet delivered on none.

Using too much of drugs clouds your judgment; you just did whatever and treated people like junk before you knew it.

Jacqueline protected her belly with both hands, asking, "Can we talk alone now?"

Deborah glanced toward a Starbucks not far off. "Let's go over there."

They headed to the cafe together.

As soon as they sat down, Deborah tried to suppress her anger and frustration, wanting to take control of the situation. "You have two choices: take a cash payout to terminate the pregnancy, or I can send someone with you to help."

Jacqueline, an experienced escort, acted as naturally as if she were dealing with a male client. She said according to Hawke's instructions, "That night, he brought about eight or nine people. Things got rowdy. I'm not sure about the others..."

Deborah's expression grew darker.

Jacqueline gently stroked her belly, saying, "I won't terminate my child. As long as he's in the picture, I won't have to lift a finger from now on."

Deborah continued to endure. "You found me just to try to destroy my family..."

"I never intended to ruin your family," Jacqueline interrupted, her tone condescending. "I'm here to give you a piece of friendly advice: get yourself checked out. There are people in my circle who've contracted AIDS. I'm lucky, I'm fine now, but as for the others that night? I can't promise anything."

Deborah's mind exploded with realization, her hands shaking uncontrollably.

At that moment, she reflected on the numerous betrayals since their marriage and how she forgave him each time.

She thought of the front-page photo in the National Enquirer; this jerk had even dared to mess with the wife of a producer.

If Downey kept spiraling into drugs and chaos, it could only end one way -- a fate countless stars in Hollywood had lived through -- bankruptcy!

If her husband were an ordinary man, Deborah would have been long gone.

But with Robert Downey Jr.'s millions, she had endured and kept forgiving.

Yet at that moment, the thought that had crossed her mind countless times surged forth uncontrollably.

Divorce!

Downey was at fault and earned more; she could claim the majority of their assets.

Though she had hesitated for several years, it often only took a split second to make such a decision. Deborah feigned a few more phrases of conversation before she left the cafe and headed back to her car.

Once inside, she locked the car doors and called her lawyer. "Sofia, I want a divorce. Activate all the evidence you've been keeping for me."

On the other end, the female attorney replied, "Honey, it's about time you took this step to protect your rights."

If the high-ticket clients weren't divorcing, how could she see an influx in her income? "I guarantee you'll secure the majority of the family assets."

Next, Deborah called her private doctor to arrange for an examination as soon as possible. Then she started the car and drove back to Brentwood; she was moving out with her son.

...

At that moment, Jacqueline got into a Mondeo and returned the necklace to Hawke, saying, "She lost her mind for a moment and then regained it; I still can't figure out what the status is now."

Hawke instructed Edward, who was driving, "Follow her."

Edward drove the Mondeo, tailing Deborah's car straight to Brentwood.

Hawke grabbed his camera and aimed it at Deborah's car, snapping photos as they sped away.

In the back seat, Jacqueline watched Hawke and Edward with newfound interest, suddenly finding the job quite engaging.

But then she recalled Hawke's instructions. It would require brainpower and lots of running around, and the payouts weren't guaranteed to be all that great. It felt dull after all.

Deep down, in her heart, Jacqueline still believed her current job was simple and made quick money.

After all, it was a guaranteed winning industry.

...

Deborah's car pulled into the driveway and headed straight into the house.

Robert Downey Jr. was drinking when he saw her and smiled, "Hey, babe, you're back so soon?"

Deborah felt like she was going to explode. She rushed forward, grabbed his wine glass, and splashed it in his face.

Before Downey could process what had happened, she picked up the entire bottle and poured it over his head.

Downey got angry and shoved her arm away, standing up to confront her.

That was the reaction Deborah wanted. She stepped back only to crash into a shelf with a loud bang.

Downey shouted, "Are you out of your mind?"

"I'm officially notifying you, we're getting a divorce." She turned and bolted for her room to grab her camera.

If she waited any longer, the marks from her collision would vanish.

Downey wiped the wine off his face, yelling after Deborah, "Divorce? Then let's do it!"

Cole quickly stepped forward, grabbing tissue to help Downey clean up the wine stains, eager to speak.

But Downey jumped in ahead of him, "If this crazy woman wants a divorce, I will divorce her!"

Cole hesitated to say more as he hurried to join Downey in changing his clothes.

Downey, feeling agitated and now devoid of all restraint, called for Cole to get him the goods, wanting to erase all his worries.

At that moment, the only thing clouding his mind was his addiction.

As for the losses and consequences of the divorce? Those could wait.

...

At the intersection in Brentwood, Hawke picked up his binoculars to take another look at Downey's mansion.

There was movement; Deborah's car was pulling out and heading their way.

Hawke watched closely, peering through the car window to see Deborah along with a little boy.

"Let's go," he told Edward.

Jacqueline curiously asked, "I just easily destroyed a family?"

Hawke replied, "You saved a woman and a child."

Edward first dropped Jacqueline off, but then Hawke got out, calling Cole to set up a meeting.

*****

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