"What, what is it?"
For some reason, Emily felt a sense of panic upon hearing Raphael's words.
However, Raphael just glanced at her without saying anything.
Seeing this, Emily felt even more uneasy but had no way to address it.
After about ten more minutes, the family finished their meal.
Emily followed Raphael to the study.
Once inside, she watched Raphael walk straight to his desk. She bit her lip and followed closely, asking, "Raphael, you said you had something to tell me. Now that it's just the two of us, can you say it?"
"Sign this."
Raphael said, taking out a contract.
Emily looked at it in confusion, and then her pupils contracted.
On the white paper, the words "Divorce Agreement" were very prominent.
"I won't sign it!"
Emily screamed hysterically and took a step back.
She looked at Raphael in disbelief, tears welling up in her eyes. Her voice choked as she said, "Raphael, let's not get divorced, okay? I know I was wrong. I really know I was wrong."
Raphael stared at her without speaking. His expression made it clear he was determined to get a divorce.
Seeing this, Emily became even more flustered.
"I don't care; I won't get divorced! Besides, you told your parents before that you wouldn't divorce me. You can't go back on your word!"
"Before, I didn't want the Howard family to bear the reputation of being unfaithful and unjust. Now that you're out, why shouldn't I divorce you? Should I keep you around to continue harming the Howard family?"
Raphael spoke in a deep voice, his tone very unfriendly. "Since you joined the Howard family, what have you done for us? It's always been us cleaning up your messes and the Jones family's messes. Now the Howard family has been shaken to its core because of you. We've done enough by marrying you. What right do you have to refuse a divorce?"
These words left Emily feeling utterly humiliated and unable to refute.
Indeed, since marrying into the Howard family, she had brought no benefits, only endless trouble. But even so, she was unwilling to divorce.
Thinking of this, she looked pitifully at Raphael and pleaded again.
"Raphael, I promise this time I won't cause any more trouble. I'll stay home and won't even attend parties. Please don't divorce me."
Raphael said nothing, his eyes cold as if his decision wouldn't change.
Seeing this, Emily felt her heart grow cold.
This man was determined to get a divorce.
No, she couldn't get divorced!
If she got divorced, not only would she face unknown consequences back home, but how could she ever compare herself to Deanna again?
Just as Emily was thinking about how to win Raphael back, he finally spoke.
"You really don't want a divorce?"
"No!" Emily quickly shook her head, a glimmer of hope rising in her heart.
Maybe Raphael was just trying to scare her into behaving better in the future.
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. She promised again, "Raphael, I meant what I said. From now on, without your permission, I won't step out of the house!"
Faced with her sincere vow, Raphael gave her a long look and put away the divorce agreement.
Seeing this, Emily breathed a sigh of relief.
But before she could fully relax, Raphael pulled out another agreement.
"If you don't want a divorce, then sign this."
With that, Raphael pushed the agreement toward Emily.
Emily didn't move. She stood there warily and asked, "What is it?"
"Consider it a guarantee."
Raphael gave Emily a cold glance.
Perhaps worried that Emily wouldn't sign it, he took out the previously stored divorce agreement again and threatened, "In any case, you have to choose one of these two agreements."
Hearing this and seeing the two agreements on the table along with Raphael's indifferent expression, Emily knew he was determined to make her choose today.
But she would never choose divorce, so she could only opt for the other agreement.
However, when she saw what the other agreement entailed, her eyes contracted again.
It wasn't a divorce agreement but something even more disheartening for Emily.
The agreement clearly stated that Emily must compensate the Howard family for the losses incurred due to her actions.
"Raphael, do you really have to be so ruthless?"
Emily put down the agreement in disbelief and looked at Raphael with a pained expression.
Raphael coldly replied, "Isn't this what you brought upon yourself?"
These words left Emily speechless.
Before she could say anything else, Raphael continued, "Moreover, I'm only asking you to compensate for the Howard family's losses this time. I haven't even mentioned repaying the funds we lent to the Jones family during this period."
"But... but I don't have any money."
Emily's eyes flickered as she bit her lower lip and spoke with difficulty.
Little did she know that Raphael saw through her intentions and coldly said, "If you don't have money, use something as collateral."