Chapter 631

Chapter 631

Eleanor and Wendy were on the verge of another screaming match.

That's when Lucas stepped forward, pulling Wendy behind him protectively while glaring coldly at Eleanor. "Eleanor, can you show some decency? Look at yourself right now—it's pathetic."

"I'm pathetic?" Eleanor let out a bitter laugh, her disappointment in Lucas evident. "You caused all of this. What gives you the right to lecture me?"

Lucas refused to address Eleanor's accusation directly.

He kept Wendy shielded behind him. "Wendy and I are just work colleagues. Friends. That's it.

This partnership only succeeded because she stepped in to help facilitate things. I suggest you show a little gratitude."

Mentioning the partnership only made Eleanor angrier. "You've got some nerve bringing up that partnership to my face."

Her gaze toward Wendy turned venomous. "Whether it's actually 'work' or just an excuse for the two of you to carry on behind my back—you know the truth."

"Eleanor!"

Lucas's voice dropped dangerously low. "Watch your mouth."

Eleanor scoffed. "I'm only stating facts. If you weren't guilty, you wouldn't be so defensive."

Done with this charade, she turned on her heel.

She slammed the door behind her, leaving them with one parting shot: "I hope you're this self-righteous when you're sitting across from my divorce attorney."

The tension in the room finally dissipated.

Wendy glanced guiltily toward where Eleanor had disappeared, then turned to Lucas with an apologetic expression. "I'm so sorry, Lucas. I came here hoping to stop you two from fighting. I never meant to… I'm such an idiot. I can't do anything right."

Her eyes reddened, and she looked like a wounded little rabbit as she leaned against Lucas's side.

The perfect picture designed to trigger protective instincts.

Lucas's gaze softened with sympathy as he looked at her.

He offered her comfort. "Don't worry. Even if we get divorced, it has nothing to do with you. Eleanor brought this on herself."

He sank onto the couch, head bowed, barely concealing the impatience and disgust in his eyes.

Yet his words were perfectly calculated to manipulate, as he sighed dramatically.

"You've probably heard about our missing child."

Wendy nodded, settling gently beside him on the couch.

She took his hand, her voice dripping with sympathy. "With your work schedule, I imagine Eleanor was the one watching the child most of the time."

Seeing Lucas absorbed in his supposed grief, she sighed again. "In my opinion, protecting children is a mother's sacred duty. As a mother, she couldn't even take proper care of your child—and now you have to bear the pain of losing him."

"From that perspective alone, Eleanor failed completely."

Lucas still seemed reluctant to criticize Eleanor too openly.

He appeared conflicted and pained as he said to Wendy, "I just don't understand how things turned out this way."

"It's okay. We're good friends—you can tell me anything."

Lucas gently squeezed Wendy's hand. "Without you, I honestly don't know what I'd do."

He took a deep breath and continued, "Ever since we lost our child, we've had nothing to say to each other."

"Eleanor… she wasn't like this before. But now her moods swing wildly, she explodes over nothing—I can't take it anymore."

Wendy felt triumphant inside.

'That's exactly the point—make Lucas unable to stand her.'

Where else would she find such a perfect opportunity?

She adopted a tender, understanding tone. "I understand. You're staying with her out of obligation, but don't you think separating would be better for both of you?"

"Divorce isn't some terrible thing. If the love is gone, why torture each other? Let each other go. Wouldn't it be better if you could both pursue happiness separately?"

Lucas hesitated. "You don't understand."

He sighed. "I want the divorce too, but Eleanor and I have been together for years. Our business interests are deeply intertwined. If we cut ties carelessly, we could both suffer significant losses."

He watched Wendy's reaction carefully from the corner of his eye.

Then continued, "If I divorce without getting leverage on Eleanor first, I'm afraid I'll lose a considerable portion of my assets."

He deliberately showed vulnerability.

Setting the perfect trap for Wendy to fall into.

But surprisingly, Wendy displayed unusual caution on this matter.

She continued smiling sympathetically, keeping Lucas company.

Yet she said nothing about helping him voluntarily.

Lucas felt frustrated but could only change the subject and continue playing along.

After storming out, Eleanor headed straight back to the office.

Shortly after, she received an email from Lucas reporting that Wendy hadn't taken the bait. If they wanted to hook her, they'd need more time and effort.

Their current approach clearly wasn't enough.

After reading it, Eleanor didn't hesitate to continue the performance.

Since Wendy still hadn't bitten, they'd simply turn up the heat.

Eleanor made her intention to divorce even more obvious. This time she went directly to Eric.

She asked Eric to compile all the business dealings between herself and the Lawrence family, along with the prenuptial agreement from their marriage.

Acting like she was preparing to completely sever ties with Lucas and make him pay.

When Eric heard the news, he rushed to see Eleanor immediately.

He admitted that his previous dislike of Lucas wasn't because Lucas had done anything wrong—Eric simply felt no one was good enough for Eleanor.

But he couldn't bear seeing Eleanor heartbroken.

Now that Eleanor seemed serious about divorce, Eric felt no joy whatsoever—only deep concern.

The moment he saw her, he asked anxiously, "What happened? Everything seemed fine not long ago. What did Lucas do?"

Eric was both angry and heartbroken.

He pressed Eleanor, "Did Lucas do something to betray you? Whatever it is, tell me. I'll handle it for you."

But divorce…

Whether it was public opinion or Eleanor's own assets, there would be serious complications to deal with.

Eleanor still refused to elaborate, simply instructing Eric to do as she asked.

Then she sent him away.

Eric returned to the Lawrence family estate, confused. His instincts told him something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out what. In his desperation, he actually considered contacting Grace and Austin.

"No, Eleanor wouldn't divorce lightly. Lucas must have done something. I need to get help…"

Just as Eric was about to make the call.

A hand suddenly snatched his phone away.

It was Phillips, wearing a strange expression.

"What are you doing?!"

Eric panicked. "Something this serious is happening, and you're not even concerned? Give me back my phone."