Chapter 27 No Longer Related
She had never regretted anything as much as she did at this moment!
She glanced at Anne, hoping to see disappointment or regret on her face, but there was nothing.
Titan Old Lady couldn't help thinking, if she hadn't fallen out with Anne, wouldn't Holden be able to directly inherit the duke title, and the Titan family would have become the most prestigious existence second only to the king and princes!
Even with Holden's current achievement in the southern campaign, it was uncertain whether he could be granted an earl title. To become a duke, he'd probably have to walk the same path Duke Skoda did back then, which would likely be impossible in his lifetime.
And such an opportunity had just slipped through their fingers!
However, the two were still husband and wife. If worst came to worst, she could still try to persuade Anne to adopt a child from the family under her name, so they could still inherit.
Titan Old Lady thought with determination that she would never let this prize catch Anne slip away!
The duke title and wealth must stay with the Titan family!
But Conor, having enjoyed everyone's expressions, continued reading.
"Furthermore, according to law, a man may only have one wife. When Holden sought to marry Candy based on his military achievements, though it violated the law, the two had outstanding military records and made a good match. Anne came to the palace to report and requested His Majesty the King to grant her a legal divorce from Holden. Since Holden violated the law first, Anne's request is reasonable. Therefore, I, Rolf Soth, hereby grant permission for Holden Titan and Anne Virlet to legally divorce. From now on, the two families have no relationship whatsoever. Anne shall immediately settle her dowry and return to Virlet Manor with all her property. As proof, I sign here and affix the royal seal!"
Anne finally showed her first genuine smile of the day. She lowered her head and bowed again, "Anne thanks His Majesty the King for this grace."
Beside her, Holden's face had gone completely numb, as if one push would send this knight commander who had fought for years crashing to the ground.
Anne went to see His Majesty the King to ask for a divorce!?
Didn't she love him very much?
When she heard he was going to marry Candy, she even left Titan Manor and took a carriage to the knights' camp to find him. Wasn't that to stop him?
Holden thought about how he had said over and over that if Anne was more generous, he would reluctantly give her a chance to get pregnant.
What was Anne's expression like then?
She seemed to look at him with disdain and mockery, as if watching a joke.
He and Candy had always believed that to keep him, Anne must have used every trick and done all sorts of underhanded things.
But what was the truth?
It seemed that after confirming he truly wanted to marry Candy, she had already decided on divorce.
Holden felt an indescribable discomfort in his heart. He looked at Anne, his lips moved, and after a long while, he finally spoke hoarsely, "You really want to divorce me?"
Anne seemed genuinely happy, and hearing Holden's words, she just nodded with her smile fading slightly. "Shouldn't you be happy? This way, no one will stop you from being with Candy, and you won't have to suspect me of plotting against you."
Holden was stunned, "But, but..."
He couldn't quite say it.
Originally he wanted to say, didn't you love me very much?
But looking at Anne's beautiful, gentle blue eyes, Holden suddenly remembered they had truly loved each other—that's why she, a duke's daughter, had been willing to marry him, a mere viscount's descendant.
This marriage had been unequal from the start. It was just that back then, love had filled the gaps in their relationship, so the imbalance wasn't so obvious.
Later, he left on their wedding day and set off on the southern campaign.
Then, he fell in love with Candy and forgot about his beautiful wife at home.
In the end, Holden could only murmur, "But you don't have to leave..."
Titan Old Lady hadn't expected this either.
How could Anne go and request a divorce!?
What Titan Old Lady expected even less was that His Majesty the King had granted her request and told Anne to take all her things with her.
What about the Titan family? What about her!?
"Anne!"
Hearing Holden's words and seeing Anne's silence, Titan Old Lady sensed an opportunity and lunged forward to grab Anne's hand. "You see, Holden still has feelings for you in his heart. He doesn't really want you to leave!"
Anne gently shook off her hand, "What does that have to do with me?"
"What?"
Seeing Anne completely unmoved, and remembering how she had threatened Anne earlier, Titan Old Lady gritted her teeth and actually bowed her head to apologize, "If you're angry about what happened today, then mother apologizes to you. Mother thought you were bent on revenge and wanted to frame Holden and the Titan family, so in anger I wanted to punish you. It was mother's fault. Please forgive me!"
Anne didn't even lift her eyelids and said flatly, "Madam, you worry too much. And you don't need to keep calling yourself mother. Now I have no relationship whatsoever with Holden or the Titan family. You shouldn't try to claim connections anymore. After all, as you know, there's still someone in the living room who hasn't been dealt with."
Titan Old Lady froze at these words, then turned pale with shock.
That assassin—Anne was planning to go after the Titan family!