The next morning.
Caden Sterling received the divorce agreement.
His eyes were icy as he sneered and tore the document to pieces.
“Tell Chloe Austin to stop playing tricks.
We agreed when we got married that if we ever divorced, she would leave with nothing.”
As if anticipating this, the lawyer handed over another identical agreement.
“Mr.
Sterling, I suggest you read the contents first.”
Caden’s eyes turned cold.
He casually flipped through it, frowning slightly at the stark black-and-white terms laid out before him.
Chloe Austin would leave with nothing.
She didn’t want a single cent; she only wanted a divorce.
If he disagreed, she would take him to court and accuse him of domestic violence?
Caden frowned, wondering if she genuinely wanted a divorce.
The lawyer spoke slowly, using a persuasive tone.
“Mr.
Sterling, Miss Austin is completely sincere about this.
She hopes you will consider it carefully.”
Caden’s expression remained freezing, and the aura around him turned gloomy and chilling.
The lawyer rubbed the goosebumps forming on his arms and took a deep breath.
“Mr.
Sterling, if you have any questions, you can have your lawyer contact me.
I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t take up any more of your time.”
Watching the man leave, Caden felt an unusual surge of irritation.
Just then, Vivian Sullivan walked in carrying various bags and packages.
She looked at Caden with a gentle expression.
“Caden, the promotional photos we took yesterday are out.
Do you want to take a look?”
As she spoke, she pulled up the photos on her phone, leaning in so close that her face was almost pressed against his.
“Sure.” Caden had no interest in looking.
Feeling slightly uncomfortable, he stood up and casually put away the divorce agreement, but the sharp-eyed Vivian still caught a glimpse of it.
A fierce glint flashed in her eyes.
Why hadn’t they divorced yet?
Was Chloe a complete doormat?
How could she endure so much?
However, Vivian had no intention of letting her keep enduring it.
“As long as they’re okay,” Vivian said.
“Caden, I bought these desserts specifically for you.
They’re delicious.”
Her slender fingers picked up a piece of pastry and held it to Caden’s lips.
As she spoke, her expression suddenly fell, and a touch of melancholy entered her voice.
“This is what I missed the most during all my years abroad.
You used to love eating this back then, too.”
Caden’s eyes flickered with discomfort.
He reached out, took the dessert, and took a bite.
Back in college, he had always forced himself to eat the sweets he disliked just for her sake.
Seeing his distant demeanor, a ruthless gleam flashed through Vivian’s eyes, but it vanished just as quickly.
Biting her lip, Vivian spoke up with feigned difficulty.
“Caden, you know I just returned to the country and I need a brand to establish my footing here.
So, I want to wear Airlie’s exclusive jewelry designs on stage.
You also know that their exclusive designs are hard to negotiate for…”
Hearing her trailing sentence, Caden immediately understood her true motive for visiting.
“I’ll contact them for you.”
Vivian immediately threw herself forward, linking her arms around his.
“You’re the best, Caden!”
He nodded, quietly pulling his arm out of her grasp and taking a few steps back.
Naturally, Vivian noticed this, and an obscure, dark expression flickered in her eyes.
When Chloe Austin woke up, she found herself lying in a hospital bed.
Jensen Austin was slumped over next to her, sleeping lightly by the bedside.
The moment she shifted slightly, Jensen’s eyes fluttered open.
“Chloe, are you okay?”
“Jensen…”
Chloe called out to him, her voice brimming with grievance.
She was actually the only daughter of the Austin family, one of the top wealthy merchant families in Maridia.
Her family had been in business for generations and was in no way inferior to the Morgan family.
When Chloe was younger, she had defied her family’s arrangements, insisting on testing into the same university as Caden Sterling.
Later on, she had even ignored their warnings to marry him.
Therefore, the outside world had no idea about her true identity.
She rarely returned to the home that had once showered her with unconditional love.
Looking at his haggard sister, Jensen’s eyes were full of heartache.
He stepped forward, poured a glass of water, and handed it to her.
“Chloe, let’s go back to Maridia.
Dad is on his way here.”
Chloe nodded.
Then, she frantically covered her stomach.
“Jensen, my baby…”
Seeing her like this, Jensen let out a helpless sigh.
“The baby is fine.
Just don’t let yourself get upset anymore.
Your constitution is already weak as it is.”
Hearing that her child was safe, Chloe finally relaxed.
Her grip on the water glass tightened.
“Jensen, I need you to do something for me.
I’m going to divorce Caden.
I already arranged for a lawyer last night, but he might try to cause trouble later.
Please help me handle it.”
Jensen gave her a meaningful look.
How could he not understand his own sister?
How could she just suddenly let go of everything?
Something must have gone terribly wrong.
The daughter of the Austin family would never be subjected to such mistreatment!
He stared at the bruises on Chloe’s neck, a flash of absolute resolve in his eyes.
“Leave the rest to me.
You just focus on being our family’s little princess and safely delivering this baby.”
Chloe’s eyes stung.
She threw herself forward, hugging her brother tightly as uncontrollable sobs racked her body.
Jensen felt a mix of heartache and anger.
“Have something to eat.
It’s already mid-afternoon.
You were unconscious for so long; you must be starving.”
Chloe smiled helplessly.
“I’m not hungry, Jensen.
Tell Dad not to come.
We’ll head home this afternoon, and from now on, I’ll stay home and keep him company.”
Jensen nodded and left to handle the discharge procedures.
Chloe’s pregnancy couldn’t be kept a secret for long.
Once the Morgan family found out, they would definitely come to snatch the child away.
So, he simply went to the doctor and had them issue a certificate of miscarriage, ensuring it was officially filed in the hospital’s records.
Later, at a downtown shopping mall.
Chloe and Jensen were taking a stroll.
She wanted to buy a gift to bring home for their father.
The moment they walked into a boutique, a sharp, abrasive voice rang out.
“Why won’t you sell this dress to me?
This is exactly my size!”