Simon looked silently at her for a while without saying a word, and the more he remained like that, the more panicked she became.
She understood that Simon didn't want her to put herself in danger, but for the sake of the clan, she was willing to do anything for them.
She couldn't help but recall what led them to this very moment.
The Willow clan was just one of the several clans in their country. There were big, medium-sized, as well as smaller clans. There were also individual families which dominated. It wasn't everyone who loved being in a clan.
The Willow clan, just like other clans, dated over two centuries. It was formed by Simon's ancestor, who migrated from his village to the current area, which is Millstone town because of severe drought.
The majority of his family perished during that time because of hunger and plague. Only a few of them survived.
The land was allocated by the chiefs and back then, there wasn't much development, so he took that chance and the Willow clan started.
Unfortunately, the clan never managed to become a big one but maintained its small state despite two centuries of existence.
It wasn't everyone who wanted to be tied down to a clan. A lot of people preferred being free, thus the low numbers.
The clan currently has around six hundred people, including herself. As the matriarch, it's her duty to know such things. It helps when doing accounts or checking to see how many people need counselling. Apart from her love of gardening, she was also one of the clan's counselors.
Three years ago, natural disasters decided to grace the world. There were heavy rains which caused floods. These floods destroyed everything that was on its way.
Being a farming clan, all the crops planted during that time were uprooted, the poultry died in a few days and the rest of the livestock either died or caught some strange illness.
By the time that disaster passed, the heavy losses they suffered were so heavy that they had to take out the reserves. However, the plague that followed the floods nearly emptied the clan's treasure as well.
The following year, it didn't rain, and the famine was no joke. All the seeds that they planted became useless, and it was another resounding slap of loss for them. Although it wasn't just them who were affected but everyone in the clan, it was a fatal blow.
In order to keep the clan afloat, Simon, being the patriarch and leader, had to sell some of the clan's assets to raise funds, thus reducing the clan's wealth. The funds were used to maintain the clan, but it wasn't enough.
In the current year, they borrowed from the bank, and loan sharks, hoping for the best. They tried farming once again, and this time, the rain was normal. It's just that when the crops were towards the maturing stage, a locust infestation happened. And all the crops, trees, grasses, and everything that these cursed locusts saw was eaten clean.
This time, the clan received the greatest and fatal blow of all time.
After suffering such a heavy blow, they became restless. They had to repay the loans, but where would they get the money now that they borrowed from both the bank and loan sharks?
They started selling some moveable assets once again, selling some of the factories, but due to the current situation, they were sold cheaply. It was do or die for them.
Unfortunately, the money wasn't enough. Employees had to be let go, and Simon was busy running around, seeking opportunities everywhere. It was futile. Those who he considered friends and partners looked aside and pretended as if they weren't seeing them.
Honestly, she prepared for the day when the bank would come and foreclose the clan house. After all, it was mortgaged when Simon took a loan from the bank.
When all hope was getting lost, he got lucky and received a ticket to this business seminar held in Doncaster city which was four hours away by road from Millstone town. After getting such an opportunity, Simon didn't let it go and went there.
The seminar lasted for three good days and during those three days, it wasn't easy for Gloria. If Simon fails to make it this time, then she should be ready to inform the clan people who lived, especially at the clan house, that they would be homeless.
At least for those who lived in town, some had their house, while others rented. They were safe from being evicted. While they were safe from eviction, they weren't safe from being unemployed. It was just a disaster after the other. Nothing was better either way.
Thankfully, Simon had a breakthrough, and there was someone who wanted to save them. Although she had heard Simon telling her about this clan leader Xander, she didn't expect that instead of asking for shares or writing some unfair condition to be met in the future, he would blatantly propose to have her brought over to his side.
When she first heard about how she would be tending gardens and the like, she didn't mind since that's what she was good at, but when Simon fed that idea of humiliation and getting used. Her mind changed.
She knew that she could no longer object to going to Doncaster City. The deal was sealed and if she refused, then the clan would be doomed. She couldn't let that happen.
Since she was already going there, she might as well help her clan and do something to save them from whatever schemes the Frost clan had for the Willow clan.
With that thought in mind, she was ready to listen to Simon. He was quite clever and his ideas could be pretty useful. He wouldn't hurt her.
She believed strongly in the vows that they took.
As a result, an hour later, Gloria looked doubtfully at the divorce book in her hand in wonder. Just what exactly did she do?
She couldn't help but look at Simon, whose expression was worse than hers and suddenly felt guilty.
If she hadn't suggested anything in the first place, Simon wouldn't be this sad because of what they have done.
She stashed the divorce book in her purse and hooked Simon's arm with a faint smile.
Sensing her actions, Simon lowered his head to look at her and forced a smile onto his face. The anguish in his eyes was visible for her to see and seeing that, she felt guiltier and became determined to do a good job.
"Dear, this is just a momentary thing. When I come back, we will get married again and this time, let's have a grand wedding!" she comfortingly said, patting his arm affectionately.
Simon sighed heavily as he looked at the sky and dejectedly said, "I really didn't want to divorce you!"
"I know dear. I know, but for the greater picture, this is the only way!"
Simon looked down and stared at Gloria, his eyes a bit red and responded, his voice choking, "I …. I will always remember this sacrifice. I … I will definitely give you a grander wedding no matter what outcome we face!"
Gloria smiled brightly when she heard that. "I know and I trust you dear," sincerity oozing from her pores made Simon feel guilty the more he looked at her.
Gloria didn't understand Simon's mind's ins and outs. She wasn't a worm in his belly, so she had no idea what he was thinking.
But what she knew and understood was that, for the sake of the clan and their reputation, this divorce was worth it.
If she goes to another clan being a married woman, that would rouse suspicions. Their reputations were at stake here and after what Simon said to her, the more she thought about the divorce the more she wanted to do it.
Simon really cared about her reputation. With her reputation intact, she could still continue from where she left off without any problem. Didn't that show that he loved her?
How was she so lucky to find such an awesome man?
Gloria's eyes sparkled the more she thought about it.
"Now we just need to spread the news!" Simon sighed heavily as he looked at the sky once again.
When she heard that, her smile vanished and a glint of helplessness flickered in her eyes.
Without that spread, it would be difficult for others to understand. News spread very fast in their clans. At least when she appears in a new clan, no one would doubt her or be suspicious of her.
Although she didn't want that to happen, for the greater good, she could only let the plan proceed.
As a result, in less than an hour, the whole clan received the news of the separation and it caused a disturbance. A lot of cars drove to the clan house, and the most panicked was Sia, who didn't expect that something that serious would happen suddenly.
How did it come to that in just a few hours?