She had powerful connections overseas, and no one dared to question her authority.


    Upon hearing the trantion, the man was surprised. "Is this the prodigy apprentice you always mention when you visit us?"


    Jade nodded with a cheerful grin.


    Everyone chimed in, insisting that when this person arrives, a party must be thrown so everyone could finally meet them. They''ve all been curious for a long time.


    "Of course, of course."


    Jade agreed eagerly, her smile growing wider.


    She was aware that today was the day of M''s divorce court hearing. With a professional team ofwyers on her side, there was no doubt the case would go smoothly.


    In Verdelune''s room, Jade had everything prepared and beautifully decorated. All that was left was for M toe home.


    ...


    On the shaded path by the courthouse.


    M struggled fiercely, her phone suddenly ringing in her pocket, echoing loudly in the otherwise quiet path.


    It was likely thewyer impatiently trying to reach her.


    The man loosened one hand to grab the phone, and in that brief moment, M drove her elbow backwards with all her might. She wed at the car door, trying to escape.


    "Help!"


    She cried out hoarsely.


    But before she could shout again, the person behind her, perhaps in anger, yanked her back with tremendous force. Her hands slipped from the door, scraping her skin and leaving painful, raw red marks.


    Her mouth and nose were tightly covered, and the feeling of suffocation overwhelmed her.


    In her dizzying vision, M watched helplessly as the car door slowly closed. She wanted to scream, but her mouth wouldn''t open. Tears streamed down her face, sshing onto the hand that covered her mouth, causing it to tremble slightly, yet never loosening its grip.


    Through blurred eyes, M''s hands fell limp, but within her heart, anger and hatred surged.


    Lysander.


    Lysander!


    LYSANDER!


    ...


    Inside the courtroom.


    Time ticked by, but the intiff still hadn''t shown up.


    M''s legal team, pressured by the judge, kept calling her, but she was unreachable. Some members of the team began to cast suspicious nces at the defendant''s side.


    Lysander sat there confidently, a subtle smile ying on his lips, exuding an air of calm assurance.


    The court session began, and ording to protocol, they waited an additional thirty minutes. With no sign of the intiff, no contact, and no valid reason for her absence, the court ruled right then and there.


    The case was dismissed due to the intiff''s absence.


    No divorce granted!


    As the judgment was passed, Lysander stood up with a smile. His bodyguards blocked M''s legal team as they tried to question her whereabouts, and he walked out confidently.


    He was determined to winpletely, and to do so, he ensured she never even got her day in court.


    This round was his victory!


    "M, I told you, without my consent, you will forever be Mrs. Montgomery, mine and mine alone!"


    He murmured to himself as he exited the courthouse.


    Outside, the sunlight reflected in his fox-like eyes, dazzling and enchanting, yet strangely chilling.


    He got into the car waiting by the curb.


    Lysander loosened his tie with a long finger, his Adam''s apple bobbing slightly. When he spoke, his voice was brimming with unstoppable delight, a hint of eager anticipation barely concealed.


    "Take me home."


    His wife was waiting for him there.


    Today, he wouldn''t be going to the office!