Chapter 184

Chapter 184

The Habsburg Manor.

Isaac and the others sat on the sofas. Ethan had already changed into a suit, while Elizabeth stood before them like a criminal being interrogated.

Cornelius sat on another sofa with a cold expression, saying nothing.

Samuel leaned against the back of the sofa, slouching yet impatient. "I don't understand what there is to discuss here. The facts are pretty clear, aren't they?"

Gavin glared at him. "Would you shut up for once?"

Samuel sneered. "Why should I shut up? She dared to do it—is she afraid of people talking? If she's really unhappy with Cory, she should talk about it openly. Worst case, get a divorce and part on good terms. But seducing Ethan? That's a scandal! A massive scandal! I feel ashamed just saying it out loud."

Isaac's expression grew darker. "Ethan, what exactly happened here?"

Ethan spread his hands. "I'm just as baffled. I had a meeting this morning, got my clothes dirty, went to the hotel to change and take a shower. Next thing I know, she walks in spouting all kinds of nonsense. I'd like to know—what were you doing coming to my room?"

He looked at Elizabeth with malice in his eyes.

He was deliberately being vague.

Everyone looked at Elizabeth.

By now, if Elizabeth couldn't see this was a setup, she'd truly be a fool. But she didn't understand why Angelina would use such a crude scheme.

"I received a message from Angelina saying this room had the lead I needed." She pulled out her phone. Angelina's message was still there, saved, along with recordings of their phone conversations.

Gavin breathed a sigh of relief, ready to speak up for her, when he suddenly realized the atmosphere in the living room hadn't relaxed at all.

Elizabeth noticed it too. She hated explaining herself, but she couldn't tolerate being falsely accused either, so she explained. "I didn't expect Ethan to be in the room. If I'd known, I wouldn't have come in."

"That's what you say now, but when you walked in and saw Ethan, didn't you still go inside?" Isaac's face was stern. "Elizabeth, do you realize what will happen if word of today gets out? How many people will laugh at the Habsburg family? Saying the wife of the Habsburg family heir seduced her husband's best friend, actively went to his room—practically stripped herself naked and threw herself into his bed."

The words were like a slap in the face. Elizabeth couldn't bear it. This was humiliation. "Uncle Isaac, aren't you going a bit far? I already said—I didn't know he was in the room. I have no other intentions toward him whatsoever."

Isaac said coldly, "What matters now is that we all saw it."

Elizabeth suddenly understood everything.

This was a trap—not one Angelina had set for her alone. Isaac was definitely involved, which meant the recordings and messages were useless.

Because Isaac had no intention of believing her. His goal was simply to pin this accusation on her.

"So what do you want?"

"Divorce." Isaac spoke coldly.

Elizabeth glanced at Cornelius. From start to finish, he hadn't said a word, as if he weren't the other party involved in this incident.

"Fine." Elizabeth agreed—lightly, quickly, without a moment's hesitation. "Should we go handle the paperwork now?"

At those words, the living room fell silent.

Ethan looked at her deeply, then turned to Cornelius.

Cornelius kept his eyes lowered, saying quietly, "Are you done?"

Isaac frowned. "Cornelius, you can't keep indulging her. This woman has gone too far to be tolerated. Divorce is necessary. After the divorce, I'll find you a better wife."

"I think Angelina would be great." Samuel chimed in at just the right moment. "Plus, if you marry her, you'll already have a child. Mrs. Hazel Habsburg has always wanted a grandchild. If she gives Mrs. Hazel Habsburg a grandson, she'll be over the moon."

Isaac considered for a moment. "That could work, but we still need to ask Angelina's opinion."

Samuel immediately said, "Don't worry, Angelina won't refuse. Cory's been married all these years, and Angelina's been waiting for him. The child in her belly is the best proof."

Elizabeth listened calmly as they made their plans. She, the legitimate wife, was still standing right here, yet it was as if she didn't exist.

They were treating her as invisible.

But she had to speak up. "Allow me to remind you—even if you want to fantasize about the future, you should end this relationship first. Otherwise, she won't be Mrs. Habsburg. She'll be a mistress taking her place."

This was the first time she'd been disrespectful—even mocking—toward the Habsburg family.

Fury flashed in Isaac's eyes. He shot to his feet. "If you don't know how to speak, shut your mouth. What do you mean, mistress? After pulling such a disgraceful stunt, we haven't publicized it out of consideration for the Habsburg family's reputation!"

Elizabeth laughed bitterly. "I think you've gotten something wrong."

Under everyone's gaze, she spoke word by word. "I want a divorce because I want one—not because I did something wrong. I haven't admitted to doing any of those things. I won't accept accusations people throw at me."

"How can you be so shameless...."

Before Isaac could finish, Cornelius stood up.

"Enough."

The living room instantly fell silent.

Cornelius said coldly, "Who said I'm getting divorced?"

His gaze swept over the quiet crowd, then landed on Isaac's face. Isaac's expression had turned extremely ugly.

"You're still going to defend her? Even after she betrayed you?"

Cornelius methodically adjusted his cuffs, walked to Elizabeth's side, his gaze not lingering on her. "She said she didn't do it."

"And you believe that ridiculous excuse?"

"I do."

Isaac laughed in frustration, but had to admit—as long as Cornelius believed Elizabeth, they could drag her through the mud and it wouldn't matter.

Samuel couldn't believe it. "Cory, this is betrayal! Aren't you ashamed?"

"What betrayal?" Cornelius looked at him calmly, even reaching out to pull Elizabeth to his side, lightly wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "I said I believe her. Unless you find concrete evidence, shut your mouth."

Samuel was about to lose it. Watching helplessly as Cornelius led Elizabeth upstairs, he went ballistic on the spot. "Has he lost his mind?"

At this moment, everyone was thinking the same thing.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth was pulled into the second-floor bedroom by Cornelius. She struggled to shake off his hand, rubbing her wrist and frowning. "What are you doing?"

Cornelius said nothing, advancing step by step.

Elizabeth had no choice but to back away until she reached the bed and sat down abruptly, looking up at him, her expression full of wariness.

Cornelius studied her carefully.

Still that face. Still those eyes. Not much different from his memories. On their wedding night, he remembered—in this same position, she'd looked at him, her eyes full of love.

Now, all he saw was wariness and resistance. She looked docile, but she was ready to bolt at any moment.

He cupped the back of Elizabeth's head and leaned down to kiss her.