Chapter 104

Sylvia's composure fractured at the mention of divorce. Without another word of protest, she ran a hand through her hair, turned on her heel, and walked into the living room.

Morning sunlight flooded the space. Sylvia sank languidly onto a chaise lounge, clutching a throw pillow that Liliana had painstakingly chosen. Walking through the villa, Liliana felt an undeniable pang in her heart, but she forced it down.

"You resigned on purpose, didn't you?" Liliana began, cutting straight to the point. "Did you want to watch me come begging, or did you just want to prove that Cedric will always take your side?"

It made no sense for Sylvia to resign from Zephyr Group. Liliana couldn't tell if Cedric was in on this scheme to humiliate her, or if he was simply blind to Sylvia's pathetic theatrics. After all, if she really quit, how would they find excuses for their business trips and late nights at the office?

She remembered what Juniper had discovered about Sylvia's background. The Forrest family had tried to send her abroad years ago when they first noticed something brewing between her and Cedric. No woman wants to be a secret forever. Liliana refused to believe Sylvia wasn't trying to secure her position, especially after all the thinly veiled insults she'd thrown at her during their last meeting.

Sylvia studied her, a trace of unease in her eyes. "Liliana," she began, her voice cautious, "are you truly certain about going through with the divorce?"

A man like Cedric? Even without love, the title of Mrs. Forrest was enough to guarantee a lifetime of luxury. Her investigation had painted Liliana as a woman who revolved around Cedric like a planet around the sun. But the woman standing before her now was nothing like she'd imagined.

"As long as you go back to Zephyr Group and resume your role as Vice President, we will get a divorce," Liliana stated plainly, laying out the terms of her agreement with Cedric.

Her directness seemed to throw Sylvia off balance.

After a long pause, Sylvia finally spoke. "Honestly, whether you two divorce or not doesn't matter to me. So you have nothing to tempt me with." She was trying to regain control, feigning indifference.

But to Liliana, her words sounded like an admission: Sylvia knew she would never be accepted into the Forrest family and was content to be Cedric's mistress forever.

They might be content with that arrangement, but Liliana certainly wasn't.

"I'm not tempting you," Liliana said coolly. "I'm offering you a golden opportunity to spend more time with Cedric. If you're not the Vice President of Zephyr Group, you'll see him half as often, won't you?"

Cedric was a workaholic. Even as his wife, she often only saw him late at night, and sometimes not for days when he traveled. As his mistress, Sylvia's opportunities would be even scarcer.

"It's such a shame Cedric doesn't appreciate a wife as understanding as you," Sylvia retorted, seizing the chance to twist the knife. "But being understanding isn't enough fora woman. You need to be capable to stand by his side. Don't you agree?"

Liliana had expected the condescending remarks. Two years wasn't a long time, but she had poured all of her energy and love into this marriage. How could she not feel the sting? But she refused to show any weakness in front of Sylvia.

"So, are you going back or not? If not, I'll just go home and we'll make do with our marriage."

After a few seconds of silence, Sylvia stood up. "Fine. I'll go back to work."

"Today," Liliana added. She had brought the divorce papers with her. Her plan was

to go straight from here to Zephyr Group and have Cedric sign them.

Sylvia's jaw tightened. "...Fine."

Liliana turned and walked out without another word.

Through the floor-to-ceiling window, Sylvia watched her hurry away, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. Things were moving in the direction she wanted-Liliana and Cedric were divorcing. But Liliana's reaction was completely unexpected. She had assumed Liliana would discover the affair and have a massive,, screaming fight with Cedric, forcing him to end the marriage. Instead, Liliana was calm, rational, and orchestrating the divorce herself.

She bit her lip, thinking for a long moment before pulling out her phone and calling Cedric.

"Cedric, I... I'm not going to resign after all. Is that okay?"

"What happened?" Cedric was surprised. How had Liliana convinced her? Had she realized it was all a misunderstanding and apologized properly? Given Sylvia's temper, she wouldn't have caved so easily otherwise.

Sylvia hesitated, then launched into

her story. "Mrs. Forrest came to see

me. She said if I didn't come back, she would expose your marriage to the press, along with all the

'evidence' she has that suggests our relationship is improper. Cedric, I

know it was wrong for me to stay in your house. If she spreads those rumors, it could cause you a lot of trouble!"