<h4>Chapter 30 - Silence</h4>


    Spencer cast a horrified look at Mnie and then at thewyer. Dam* t! Of course he was not worried abotu the divorce situation because they had met the requirements to the tee, but he would have rather preferred Mnie to keep things to herself until the papers for the handover of the assets were signed.


    After a moment of rm, he turned back to thewyer with a reassuring smile, "There are a few... misunderstandings. But that''s normal in any marriage, isn''t it? Things have been a little rocky, sure, but that doesn''t mean we should dwell on it. In fact, we are just about to celebrate our third anniversary tonight."


    He shot Mnie a meaningful look, as if urging her to go along with the story. "So, let''s just finalize everything quickly, shall we? That way, we can get on with our evening and put all this behind us."


    Thewyer, who had been watching the exchange with quiet scrutiny, steepled his fingers and regarded them both carefully. "Is that true, Miss Mnie?" he asked, "You are celebrating your third anniversary tonight?"


    Mnie tilted her head slightly, her smile never faltering, but there was something almost amused in the way she regarded Spencer. "Our anniversary?" she mouthed at him. Then, after a moment, she let out a light chuckle and turned to thewyer. "I think there''s been a misunderstanding, indeed, Mr. Truman."


    Spencer''s jaw clenched. "Mnie—"


    She ignored him. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her gaze sweeping across the room before settling back on thewyer. "You see, Mr. Truman, Spencer and I were never truly married."


    The words dropped into the room like a stone in still water.


    The elder Sir Collins straightened in his chair, his expression dark as he banged his cane against the floor. "What nonsense is this?"


    Spencer, looking visibly shaken now, let out a nervousugh. "She''s joking," he said quickly. "Mnie, stop this."


    But Mnie merely crossed one leg over the other and folded her hands neatly in herp. "Am I?" she mused aloud.


    Spencer stood up then, unable to keep hisposure any more. He strode over to Mnie and caught her arm, in a tight grip." Mnie. This is enough. You think this is a game? You have no idea what you''re doing right now."


    He expected her to back off and heed his threat, but instead she caught his hand and slowly pulled his fingers off her. "Let go, Spencer."


    Thewyer also stared at the two people and was about to intervene when Mnie turned to him," Mr. Truman, you asked for my presence today. What exactly do you need from me?"


    Thewyer hesitated, ncing between Spencer—who looked ready to explode—and Mnie, whose calm demeanor had unsettled the entire room. Clearing his throat, he finally spoke.


    "It''s about LuxeArt," he said slowly. "The business was set to be handed over to you today."


    Mnie raised an eyebrow then? "Really? It is not to be given to Spencer?"


    Thewyer frowned and shook his head," No. LuxeArt was gifted to Lady Collins by your grandmother. Lady Collins wanted you to have it, regardless of anything else."


    "LuxeArt is to be given to me? But I thought that was part of my divorce settlement."


    "Divorce?" Attorney Truman repeated slowly, his sharp gaze shifting toward Spencer, scrutinizing him.


    Spencer met thewyer''s stare, and raised his chin defiantly. "The only thing you''ll be getting from the divorce is separation, Mnie," he said, "When I said I would let you have LuxeArt, I meant that I wouldn''t contest it or demand that it be divided. That''s it."


    He exhaled in irritation then, "ording to the prenuptial agreement you have no legal im to anything that belongs to me. But I, on the other hand, have every right to im fifty percent of everything you own."


    It didn''t take long for Attorney Truman—who had dealt with all kinds of high-stakes negotiations and human deceptions—to understand what was truly unfolding before him.


    He leaned back slightly,cing his fingers together as he regarded Spencer with a knowing look. "Mr. Spencer Collins," he began, his voice even yet probing, "are you saying that you and Miss Mnie are moving forward with a divorce?"


    Spencer''s expression remained rigid and a muscle ticked in his jaw before he finally gave a curt nod. "Yes," he admitted, the single word cutting through the room like a de.


    It seemed that Lady Collins, despite her careful efforts to ensure Miss Mnie''s well-being, had ultimately failed in achieving her true goal. Had she been blind to Spencer Collins'' true intentions? Could it be that he had only married Mnie for the sake of securing his inheritance? But he could not have known that. He''d been dating Miss Mnie even before the olddy passed away.


    So, Spencer could not have known... unless... he nced at Sir Collins but looking at the old man who was staring at his own grandson angrily, he rejected the idea that the elderly man would have betrayed his wife''s confidence.


    Attorney Truman let out a slow breath, shaking his head. He had warned the olddy against including such rigid terms in her will, had advised her—repeatedly—that it would be wiser to either remove the stiptions altogether or, at the very least, inform Miss Mnie about the conditions she was unknowingly agreeing to. But Lady Collins had been steadfast in her decision, stubbornly choosing secrecy over transparency. And now... this was the result.


    The only person to lose out the most in this position was Miss Mnie. Such a shame. He nced at the woman again. She did look as if she had already epted her fate.


    As silence stretched across the room, Spencer turned toward thewyer with a hardened expression. "Don''t try to pull anything, Uncle Truman," he warned, his voice edged with impatience. "The will was clear—crystal clear. It stipted that Mnie and I had to remain married for three years. And as of today, those three years are officiallyplete. That means I inherit the entire estate. There was no mention of separation after three years, so I am free to divorce Mnie and be done with her!"


    His gaze flickered between thewyer and then to Adam and Mnie before his lips curled into a smirk. "These two," he gestured dismissively, his toneced with finality, "can take their constion prizes and be done with it. That was the deal from the start, and I intend to see it through."


    And yet, despite everything, Attorney Truman was not prepared to let the matter rest so easily.


    "Mr. Spencer, the original purpose of these stiptions was to ensure that Miss Mnie would be properly cared for. Lady Collins wanted to guarantee her security, not leave her vulnerable to maniption. And so, if your marriage was nothing more than a calcted move to im your inheritance...it is unquestionably too hical..."


    But Spencer, simply shrugged before sending a gloating smile at the man," hical? Hmm.. perhaps... But still legal, isn''t it?"


    There was no remorse in his voice—only the cold certainty of a man who knew the game he was ying. He felt Mnie staring at him then and he simply shrigged, "Sorry, Mel. I could not let this estate slip from my hands. And to be fair, grandma should have simply made a will. Why involve you in something like this? Now, be a doll and let''s get on with the formalities."