<h4>Chapter 156: Arrogant Assumptions</h4>


    Outside, the sound of the torrential rain continued, the heavy sheets of water obscuring any view of the scenery beyond...


    The Davis Household.


    The rain had finally stopped. Brianna sat in front of her vanity, staring at her slightly haggard reflection in the mirror.


    She had taken good care of herself, but she couldn’t stop the fine lines from creeping around the corners of her eyes.


    "Women... they age so quickly. I gave everything to one man for so many years, and in the end..." Brianna let out a bitterugh, her eyes filled with a fierce, vengeful glint.


    The bruises on her face had mostly healed, but some lingering marks remained, yet she still retained an air of a distinguished woman.


    "Mom, how about taking a walk outside? The rain has stopped, and it’s been a while since you’ve had some fresh air," Hannah said as she walked in, taking Brianna’s hand with a smile.


    A warmth spread through Brianna’s heart. This daughter of hers had grown more considerate, offering herfort during her lowest moments.


    "Alright, it has been a while since I’ve gone out..." Brianna began to rise, but the phone on her vanity suddenly rang. She nced at it, surprised to see Robert’s name on the screen. A flicker of excitement crossed her face, but remembering the current state of their rtionship, she answered with a cold smile.


    "Mr. Davis, what can I do for you?"


    Brianna asked icily, hoping her aloofness would provoke some unease on his part.


    Sure enough, there was a moment of hesitation before he spoke. "Brianna... could youe out for a bit? I need to talk to you."


    Brianna felt a small thrill of satisfaction. She had been investigating Emily’s background over the past few days, though she hadn’t found much. However, she did discover that Emily had a severe allergy to pollen, so she had bribed a servant to secretly scatter some in Emily’s room.


    By now, Emily must be covered in hives, her body swollen and red from the allergic reaction.


    "Sorry, I’m busy right now!" Brianna replied coldly and hung up.


    Hannah smiled faintly. "Mom, you’re really clever, ying hard to get. After all these years, there’s no way Dad can just walk away like that!"


    Brianna felt a touch of pride, her lips curling into a slight smile. "Of course. I’m counting on him to remember all we’ve been through and not treat me too harshly."


    She was confident. No matter what, Brianna believed that Robert was the type who only cared about a woman’s appearance. So once Emily broke out in hives, Robert would surely be disgusted.


    No one could feel any kind of attraction towards a woman who was covered in red, swollen welts!


    "Mom, when you do meet him, make sure you look absolutely stunning. Show him that even without him, you can still be beautiful and radiant!" Hannah said with a smile, her mood visibly improved.


    She hade to terms with the situation, realizing that as long as E had Eric by her side, they just had to bide their time and wait for the right opportunity.


    Once Eric discarded E, there would be plenty of chances for them.


    Thinking of this, Hannah felt much more at ease, and her spirits lifted.


    "You’re right. Of course, I need to look my best—I can’t let that woman outshine me!" Briannaughed lightly. "Let’s go to the nearest spa and treat ourselves to some beauty treatments!"


    In high spirits, Hannah apanied Brianna to the spa. After their treatments, they received another call from Robert.


    This time, Robert was practically begging her toe down. Hannah chuckled softly. "Mom, I think Dad might be missing you."


    Brianna’s aging face flushed slightly, a rare expression of difort appearing. "Don’t talk nonsense! That vile man missing me? As if!"


    "I think you should go while he’s still groveling. A man’s patience is limited, and if that Emily recovers..." Hannah’s words trailed off, leaving a hint of concern.


    Brianna’s expression darkened. Her daughter was right—she needed to strike while the iron was hot, taking advantage of Emily’s allergic reaction.


    She called Robert back and told him to meet her at a restaurant across the street.


    Since it was already lunchtime, they could eat together.


    Hannah smiled, her eyes filled with hope. "Mom, I won’t go with you. It’s better for you two to have some time alone... I hope you can make the most of it."


    Brianna felt a little shy, almost like a young girl in love, andughed yfully. "You, always so sharp! Don’t tease your mother. I’ll go wait for your dad at the restaurant. You head home and have the servants prepare lunch for you."


    Hannah nodded and quickly headed back toward their house.


    Brianna arrived at the restaurant first and reserved a private room. By the time Robert arrived, the food had just been served.


    Robert took off his ck hat, and Brianna looked at it in surprise. "Why are you wearing a hat in this hot weather?"


    Robert nced at her indifferently. "It was too sunny outside, so I wore a hat."


    Brianna noticed the coldness in his demeanor,pletely unlike someone looking to reconcile.


    But then, why had he humbled himself to ask her to meet him?


    The food was served, and Robert quietly started eating.


    Brianna’s face flushed with a mix of emotions. She had assumed that Robert had invited her out to reconcile, but he was just eating as if nothing was wrong!


    She could hardly bear it. She wanted to demand to know what Robert’s intentions were right then and there.


    But if she lost herposure, it would ruin her strategy of ying hard to get.


    Robert ate and drank his soup in silence, but there was a cold glint in his eyes as he ced his hat to the side.


    Brianna remained silent as well, the two of them sitting there, each silently admiring the other’s patience.


    It was the longest, most difficult meal Brianna had ever endured.


    Finally, when she set down her utensils, Robert calmly looked at her and spoke, "Brianna, for all these years, we’ve lived like polite strangers, but I never expected it to end like this. After more than a decade, I’ve finally seen you for who you truly are."


    Brianna’s entire body shook, and she red at Robert, realizing that he hadn’t asked her here to reconcile but to discuss divorce.


    "Yes! For over ten years, I’ve served you tirelessly! But now I’m just another discarded woman! You’ve fallen for that pretty young mistress, haven’t you? Let me tell you, mistresses age too! No, I should say, when you get old and can’t satisfy her anymore, she’ll ditch you and run off with another man!"


    Briannaughed bitterly, her wordsced with venom, wishing nothing more than for Robert to be abandoned by Emily.


    Robert frowned, disgusted by her spiteful words. His dislike for her deepened.


    He opened a folder and pushed the divorce papers toward Brianna. "Look over the agreement. If you have no issues, just sign it."


    Brianna’s breathing becamebored, and her chest tightened painfully. But after all these years with Robert, she knew him well.


    Once he had decided on a divorce, no one could change his mind.


    Just like with Isabe. He had refused to divorce her, wanting to keep her tied to thepany.


    No matter what tactics Brianna used to force him, he wouldn’t budge. And when Isabe found out about Robert’s affair, she hadn’t even gotten angry or asked for a divorce.