Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Ruth Kettering

Mrs. Derek Kettering lived on Gulson Street.The servant opened the door and let him in as soon as it was von Alding.She smiled at the millionaire with a look of respect.The millionaire then walked into the hall.His daughter saw him from the window and cried out with joy. "I'm so happy, Dad, you're back! I call you all day long, but your secretary can't tell you when you'll be back." Ruth Kettering was twenty-eight years old, not exactly good-looking, but attractive in all her shades.Blonde hair, black eyes, jet-black eyelashes, and she dresses herself in these shades.She has a slender figure, and at first glance she really looks like the Madonna painted by Raphael.A closer look reveals a line between her mouth and chin, a distinguishing feature of her father's resemblance.

If a man has such an obvious wrinkle, it will not be too noticeable, but if a woman has such a wrinkle, it seems that a painter has added a heavy color in an ingenious way, which is very attractive. She had been accustomed to insist since she was a child, and if anyone dared to experience her will, he would soon come to the conclusion that von Alden's daughter never gave in. "Naton told me you called him. I just got back from Paris in half an hour. What's up with your husband?" Ruth's cheeks flushed with anger. "It's outrageous!" she said, "he just ignored my words."

"But he should have listened to me," said the millionaire angrily. Ruth continued: "I haven't seen him in over a month. He hangs around with that bad woman all day." "Which bad woman?" "The dancer at the Miret Parthenon." Von Alden nodded. "I was at his father's last week," said Ruth. "He liked me very much, and was all on my side. He said he must find a chance to educate his son." "Come on, old Raycombrie never dared to say anything seriously to his son. He's half buried." "Dad, can you help me?"

"Of course you can," said the millionaire.He thought for a moment and continued, "I can use various methods. The most important thing is to achieve a practical goal. Son, do you have the courage?" Ruth stared at her father with a puzzled expression.Von Alden nodded to his daughter. "Do you have the courage to admit to the public that you made a mistake. This is the only way you can get out of this embarrassing situation. Make a clean break with the past and start a new life!" "You mean..." "divorce!" "divorce?" Von Alden smiled.

"You say those words, Ruth, as if you're hearing them for the first time. And yet you've got your girlfriends divorced one by one." "I know that, but..." Ruth swallowed again.She bit her lip.Her father glanced at her and gave her a look of understanding. "Ruth, I understand you. You, like me, will never stop doing what you want to do. But I've learned, and you should learn to understand, that sometimes situations are complicated and there's only one way out of them." I might be able to bring Derek back to you. If that happens, the pain of the past will come back to haunt you. He is a hopeless man, completely depraved. I often blame myself for allowing you to He was married. But you took a fancy to him, and then it seemed that he might turn out well. Only once, my dear, I went against your will."

Von Alden did not look at his daughter when he said the last sentence, otherwise he would have noticed Ruth's face flushing for a moment. "Yes!" Ruth Kettering's voice was firm. "My heart has softened, and I don't want to go against your wishes again. But at that time, it would be nice if I could be more ruthless. You have experienced too many things in recent years." "There's no such thing as a happy time," said Ruth Kettering. "Therefore, I say it's better to end." He slapped the table with his hand. "You may still like him. Forget it, let it be what it is. He married you for money. That's the way it is. You're going to dump him and see what happens to him."

Ruth stared long and hard at the floor.Then without raising his head he said: "But what if he doesn't agree?" Von Alden looked at Ruth in bewilderment. "We don't have to ask him at all." The flush came back to Ruth's face, and she bit her lip. "But what if he disturbs your peace?" "You mean he would object? If he dared! But I don't believe he would. Any lawyer would tell him that his position is hopeless." "You don't believe he would..." Ruth hesitated. "I mean, is he going to cause a lot of trouble just to torture me?"

The father looked at his daughter with a look of incomprehension. "Are you saying he's going to counter-appeal the divorce? That's unlikely. He has no grounds for counter-appeal, and he never will." Ruth did not answer what her father said. Von Alden gave his daughter a serious look. "Ruth, come here, tell me, what secrets do you have in your heart, tell me!" "No, Dad, it's nothing." But Ruth's voice was unsteady. "Are you afraid of public opinion? You let me handle this. Everything will pass quietly." "Well then, but Dad, do you think this is the best solution?"

"You still like this kid? Do you?" "No." Ruth's voice was firm, and von Arden was satisfied.He patted his daughter's shoulder affectionately. "It's going to be all right, boy! Don't worry. Talk about something else now. I'm bringing you a little present from Paris." "Really? What's cute?" "I hope you like it," said von Arden with a smile. He took the paper packet out of his pocket.Ruth greedily tore off the paper and opened the box. "Ah!" was a long cry.Ruth liked gems, she always liked them. "Oh, Daddy, how nice it is!"

"A real goodie!" said the millionaire with satisfaction. "Do you like it?" "Like it? What a treasure, how did you get it?" Von Alden smiled. "It's my secret. I'll have to buy it myself, of course. These ornaments are extremely expensive. Do you see that big jewel in the middle? You've probably heard of it. It's the historic 'Heart of Fire' gem'." "'Fireheart Gem'!" Ruth repeated. She took the jewel out of the box, held it in her hand, and pressed it to her chest.The millionaire looks at his daughter.At this moment he was imagining all the women who had worn this gem, imagining all the jealousy and injustice caused by the gem. The Fireheart Gem, like other famous gemstones, has a history of violence and assassination.Now in Ruth Kettering's hands the gems seemed to have had their sinful power fully advanced.This Western woman seems to demonstrate with her calm and perseverance that she can resist all kinds of tragedy and barbarism.

Ruth put the stones back in the case, then ran up to Papa and put her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Dad, thank you! This jewelry is wonderful. You always give me such a wonderful gift." "It should be so," said von Alden affectionately, "you are everything to me, little Ruth." "Would you like to eat here, Dad?" "I don't want to eat here, do you want to go out?" "You don't have to go, there is nothing special." "No," said von Alding, "go ahead, I have something to do anyway. See you tomorrow, my dear. If I call you, I'll probably call you at Galbrain." " Galbrain Kahnsen was von Alden's legal adviser in London. "Okay, Dad." She hesitated. "This won't stop me from traveling to the Riviera, will it?" "when are you leaving?" "Number Fourteen." "It's easy. Divorces like this don't drag on very long. Besides, Ruth, if I were you, I wouldn't carry the gems with me on such occasions. You'd better keep them in the bank." Ruth nodded. "I don't want you to be touched or assassinated because of the 'Fire Heart Gem'," joked the millionaire. "But you carry the gems around with you," said the daughter with a smile. "indeed." Von Alden hesitated.Daughter looks at father. "What are you going to say, Dad?" "Nothing." He smiled. "I was just reminded of a little adventure in Paris." "adventure?" "Yes, the night I bought these things." He pointed to the jewel box. "Tell me about it, Dad!" "It's nothing special, boy. There were two thugs trying to play tricks, and I shot 'em and they ran off. That's all." She looked at him in surprise. "No kidding with you, Dad!" "you are right." He kissed his daughter affectionately and left.When he returned to the apartment, he instructed Knighton: "You try to get Gabby. I have his address in my notebook. Tell him to come to me tomorrow at nine-thirty." "Okay, sir." "I'd also like to have a word with Mr. Kettering. You must find him! You may find him at his club, and tell him to come to me about twelve o'clock tomorrow morning. It's early, isn't he?" Will get up." The secretary nodded, indicating that he understood.Von Arden left his own employees.The bath water was ready, and when he lay in the hot tub, he remembered his conversation with his daughter.All in all he was satisfied.He had long been sensitive to the fact that divorce was the only way out of his daughter's predicament.As he had hoped, his daughter had consented.Even so, he always found it unpleasant: there was something reluctance in her manner.He frowned. "It might be an illusion of mine, too," he muttered. "No, she may have some secrets from me."