Chapter 119
This struck terror into Maricela’s heart. All her talk of love–would she have looked twice at Cedrick if he’d been penniless?
“Cedrick! You can’t!” she blurted out.
Immediately realizing her overreaction, she added hastily, “Those were gifts! Meaningful keepsakes… I cherish them. Besides, my home holds traces of our life together…”
Traces? What traces? Was she deliberately trying to disgust Lucille even now?
Lucille smiled faintly, pointing upward. “Our home surveillance captured everything. You just admitted your residence bears evidence of cohabitation with Cedrick–handing me proof to sue him for bigamy! I’d thought prosecuting bigamy would be tough. Thank you, Maricela.”
Maricela paled further. “You agreed to drop the charges!”
“I agreed to drop yours. What happens between Cedrick and me is none of your concern.” Lucille’s smile widened.
“None of my concern? Aren’t you divorcing Cedr-” Maricela’s temper flared, betraying her true thoughts before she caught herself. After all, she’d crafted an image of being content with just a place in Cedrick’s heart. This half–spoken truth choked her with frustration. She glared at Lucille, wishing her stare could bore holes through her!
“Cedrick, is the second condition acceptable?” Lucille turned to him.
Cedrick’s expression darkened abruptly–this condition clearly cut him to the quick.
Lucille waited patiently, letting the silence stretch.
Cedrick finally gave a resolute look, nearly through gritted teeth. “Fine!”
“Third condition…” Lucille trailed off as if pondering something.
Cedrick’s eyes sharpened, alert as a leopard. “You’re not asking for a divorce, are you?”
At the word “divorce,” Maricela’s eyes flashed with brilliance.
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Chapter 119
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Lucille felt a stubborn thrill at denying them satisfaction. “No, I won’t mention divorce.”
She avoided Cedrick’s gaze, unaware of his expression, but Maricela’s brilliant eyes now flared with flames that seemed ready to consume Lucille.
Lucille smiled coldly at her. “Cedrick, I want your promise: never marry Maricela.”
Truthfully, this clause existed solely to spite them. Once she left, they could do as they pleased–it was no concern of hers.
But seeing their discomfort brought her satisfaction. At this moment, Maricela sitting opposite looked ready to faint from rage.
“Cedrick…” Maricela pleaded urgently, watching him tensely. If he agreed, what would become of her?
Cedrick kept his eyes fixed on Lucille, staring for a long while.
“Cedrick!”
Maricela called again.
Only then did Cedrick snap out of it. “I promise.”
Maricela instantly looked desperate, biting her lip so hard it might bleed, yet unable to protest.
Lucille frowned. “How do we make this legally binding? Verbal promises mean nothing.”
Cedrick sneered. “You doubt me? My name is my bond!”
Lucille chuckled coolly. “Mr. Maynard, your credibility with me stands at zero.”
Cedrick’s expression darkened.
“My terms are set, Mr. Maynard. Now it’s your turn: draft these conditions in black and white–get lawyers or notaries to make them legally binding. Then fulfill each condition step by step. Oh, and liquidate the properties and luxury goods. Wire me the proceeds after sale. As for your travel expenses? Cash equivalent, wired to me. One week to complete. Fail, and I’ll consider our agreement void.”
Lucille paused, adding, “And don’t bother threatening me with Mrs. Hopkins anymore. Whatever you can arrange, Mr. Maynard, rest assured your wife can match it.”
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“You?” Cedrick’s face twisted with scorn. “Running to that dancing socialite for help?”
The taunt stung, but Lucille only slightly furrowed her brows. “Who I seek is none of your
concern.”
“Everything’s ‘none of your concern‘ with you! Remember–you’re still my wife! If we’re truly unrelated, you’d have no standing to demand conditions one through three, let alone four through six!” Cedrick snapped, rising angrily. “Let’s Maricela.‘
go,
They left like a whirlwind. Maricela threw a final hate–filled glare over her shoulder.
Chapter 120
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