Chapter 84

Chapter 84

The two remained in a standoff the whole way. The driver in the front seat didn't dare say much, only occasionally glancing back.

The atmosphere in the car was frighteningly quiet.

Aurora seemed numb to it all, quietly staring out the window. Her foot had been cut by something, but the bleeding had stopped, and now she could barely feel any pain.

The exhaustion from walking barefoot on the road earlier seemed to have disappeared too.

Aurora felt completely drained now. She felt like she was in a vacuum, unable to hear any sound or feel anything. Only the light before her eyes flickering on and off.

The streetlights flashed before her eyes as she sniffled softly.

"Take me back to my mom's place," she said quietly.

Simon heard her and turned around. "What?"

Aurora didn't repeat herself. "I know you heard me clearly."

Simon would deliberately ignore what people said, but he never failed to hear them. Especially when she had just spoken so clearly.

Simon fell silent. After a moment, he pressed his lips together, his voice cold.

"How can you go back looking like this? She'll think we had another fight. Is this how you solve problems?"

Aurora didn't turn her head. "We're getting divorced anyway. Why do you still care what impression you leave on my mom?"

"I didn't say I wanted to divorce you."

"But I want a divorce."

As Aurora spoke, she seemed suddenly drained of all strength.

Her voice was filled with endless hatred. "Simon, I told you, I hate you. I really hate you."

Back then, she had desperately saved him, and they had walked into marriage together. Aurora had thought they would be happy forever.

Who knew it was all just her fantasy? How long had it been since the wedding before they lost their initial closeness?

"I really don't have the energy to fight with you anymore. An early divorce is good for both of us. Like I said, I won't ask you for money."

She never needed money.

As the Venture Capital Queen, Aurora could support herself and Mia.

When she got together with Simon, money was never what she wanted.

Simon said nothing more.

The car headed in a familiar direction, and Aurora realized he was taking her back to their marital home.

Seeing the familiar villa, Aurora was too tired to be angry. "I don't want to come here."

"Unless you want to come back to the Coldridge estate with me, get out of the car."

The two were at a standoff in the car again, until finally Simon backed down. "I won't stay the night here."

"I'll carry you back, you get some rest, and tomorrow you can go wherever you want. I won't stop you."

This was already Simon making a concession.

Aurora took a deep breath and pushed the car door open to get out herself, forgetting she was still holding her high heels.

Her bare feet touched the ground, making her gasp.

The gravel path wasn't easy to walk on. The moment her toes touched the ground, she shuddered. The wound that had just healed seemed to throb with pain again.

Simon slammed his car door and came over, naturally picking her up, ignoring Aurora's struggles.

Aurora couldn't push him away, so she simply accepted his service without guilt. Simon gently placed her on the living room sofa.

"How's your injury?"

He hadn't missed the bloodstains on Aurora's feet, probably from cuts while walking barefoot.

But just as Simon was about to crouch down, Aurora curled up and grabbed a nearby blanket to wrap around herself.

"Don't bother. Just leave."

This time Simon didn't stick around. He took a breath, as if provoked.

Just when Aurora thought he would lose his temper, he turned and left.

Aurora sat blankly on the sofa. After a long while, she covered her face, suddenly feeling helpless.

Meanwhile, the Radcliffe family's party was still brightly lit.

Aurora and Simon's departure hadn't brought silence or awkwardness to the scene.

Edward was still there, holding a glass of wine, quietly observing everyone present.

Many people wanted to approach him to discuss business, but were all discouraged by his cold attitude.

But the Ember family refused to take the hint.

Stephen and Isabella came to this party to connect with more people. Now that they could contact other business partners, they couldn't ask for more.

The path through Simon was completely blocked, so the two decided to seek more partnerships.

They soon approached Edward.

"Mr. Radcliffe, long time no see."

Stephen, relying on the fact that he had dealt with Edward before, spoke first.

Edward collected his thoughts and turned to look at him, his eyes deep and without a trace of smile.

Staring at that face, Stephen felt inexplicably afraid, his tone becoming strained. "Mr. Radcliffe, it's like this..."

Before he could finish, Edward waved his hand and called over nearby security.

Stephen and his wife were stunned, not knowing what was happening. The next second, they heard Edward's blunt words.

"Why are these two still here?"

"Show them out. Put them on the blacklist. They're not allowed at any Radcliffe family events again."

Stephen and his wife were still in shock as they were escorted out.

The two stood at the entrance like stray dogs, looking at each other.

"This is all your fault! You said Mr. Radcliffe would agree to work with us. What does this mean now?"

Isabella started blaming Stephen.

"If you ask me, we should have held onto Simon, our cash cow! We should go back and figure out how to win Blair over..."

Stephen was also full of frustration but couldn't say anything.

The whole family felt confused.

Simon had just left the villa and sat in the car in a daze.

The driver hesitated several times, not knowing whether to speak up.

Until a phone rang. Simon glanced at the caller ID. Seeing it was Blair, he initially didn't want to answer.

He hung up. After a while, several messages popped up. All from Blair.

Seeing one key phrase, Simon narrowed his eyes and called back directly.

"What do you want?"

Blair heard the anger in Simon's voice and her tone became extremely soft. "Simon, I know you're upset about today. My parents didn't mean it."

"When you entrusted me to them, they were just following your instructions to take care of me... They just wanted to protect me."

Simon didn't catch what Blair said next. He lowered his eyes, his thoughts already drifting away.

"Simon, did you hear me? I admit I have feelings for you because of my sister. I'll try to..."

Hearing this, Simon simply replied, "Don't mention irrelevant people."

"Blair, my care for you ends here. Whatever happens to the Ember family next, don't come to me."

She was just an adopted child.

But now, he was about to divorce Aurora. To him, this seemed like a losing deal.