?Chapter 1069:


    Blood drained from Evelyn’s face when she saw Jeffry standing there. Panic flickered in her eyes as she wondered how much he’d overheard and when he’d arrived. No matter how much she resented Elena, she didn’t dare let it show in front of Jeffry, not with how protective he was of Elena. If he found out about their conflict, he would surely dislike her.


    Evelyn stered on a nervous smile and tried to smooth things over. “Jeffry, I was just worried about the Harper family’s reputation. I don’t want the family to be dragged into gossip…”


    Her words fell t under Jeffry’s frigid stare.


    Jeffry kept his face nk. “Looks like it’s time we have a serious talk.” A chill ran down Evelyn’s spine. She stammered, “T-talk? About what?”


    Jeffry’s voice was steady and t. “The divorce papers.”


    Evelyn’s face went ghostly pale. Was Jeffry really saying he wanted a divorce? He’d actually consider ending their marriage, all because of Elena? The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her stunned and speechless.


    Flustered, Evelyn questioned, “I only reproached Elena out of concern for the Harper family’s reputation, and now you want a divorce? Jeffry, how could you do this to me?”


    Evelyn couldn’t believe it. Hadn’t she stepped up for the Harper family when they were facing hard times? And now, over something so minor, Jeffry was ready to cut her loose? Did he honestly think the Harper family would be where they were today if she hadn’t helped?


    A mix of anger and disbelief surged through Evelyn. “The three-year agreement isn’t up! You can’t just end things now!” The prenuptial agreement clearly stated the marriage was valid for three years. He couldn’t just toss her aside.


    Jolie was also caught off guard. She’d been mad at Evelyn, but the idea of Evelyn and Jeffry ending a marriage less than six months in made it feel like the whole thing was a farce. She stepped forward and suggested, “Jeffry, take a breath and chill out. Evelyn may act out, but she’s still the one you walked down the aisle and exchanged wedding vows with.”


    Evelyntched onto Jolie’s support instantly. “Jolie’s right. You can’t just walk away. You have to honor yourmitment to me.” She was quick to change her tune, her earlier fight with Jolie forgotten in an instant.


    But once Jeffry made up his mind, there was rarely any turning back. It was a well-known trait of the Harper family. “Mom, this marriage was never about love andmitment to begin with. It was a partnership based on a business deal, nothing more.”


    Before Evelyn could react, he’d already blurted out the very thing she’d desperately buried deep. Now that the truth was out and the Harper family knew their rtionship had always been a charade, how was she supposed to show her face here ever again? Jeffry made it clear he was determined to divorce her.


    Jolie’s expression chilled instantly. “Exin yourself. What do you mean by that?”


    Jolie had never imagined her most reliable son would do something so reckless. Getting married not out of affection but over a business deal totally unrted to love was utterly unthinkable in the Harper family. For generations, the Harper family members had prided themselves on loyalty and lifelongmitment. Both Alexander and Vince had adored their wives, just like their father. How had things…


    shifted so drastically with Jeffry’s generation? Without hesitation, Jeffry exined, “This marriage was never about love.”


    Jolie’s vision darkened, and she nearly fainted.


    Elena quickly moved to Jolie’s side, gently pressing some points on her hand until the color slowly returned to Jolie’s cheeks.


    The truth stunned Elena as much as anyone. She abruptly recalled the whirlwind announcement of Jeffry and Evelyn’s marriage. It hade out of nowhere, right when Keith’s father, the deputy mayor, was putting the Harper family under intense pressure. Now, all the pieces fit.


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