Chapter 28

Because in his mind, Liliana knew that a man of his status wouldn't risk a public argument and would likely cave to her demands. Cedric, a man who prided himself on his ability to read people in the boardroom, was confident in his assessment. Yet, he hesitated. Should he cancel the appointment?

He rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.

Beside him, Timothy cleared his throat. "Actually, sir, we don't have to cancel. Today, Hale..."

*Bang!*

The door flew open, and Liliana rushed in, breathless. "Cedric, I need to talk to you." "How did you get in here?" Cedric's expression darkened instantly, though the deep furrow in his brow seemed to relax ever so slightly.

"I ran into Timothy's assistant downstairs." Seeing Cedric, Liliana immediately felt her unannounced entrance was a mistake. She was here to ask for a favor; pissing him off was not the way to get it. Her eyes fell to the schedule on the floor, the first line clearly visible: *9:00 a.m. - Finalize divorce with Liliana at City Hall.*

She was struck by the realization that she had come here this morning to divorce him. Would he still help Hale find a lawyer?

"Liliana, don't you think it's a little late to come groveling for forgiveness?" Cedric leaned back in his chair, a scornful smile playing on his lips as he loosened his tie with a flick of his wrist.

"I... Hale's in trouble. Can you please help me contact Attorney Chase?" Liliana wasn't one for beating around the bush; she cut straight to the chase. "He hit someone with his car, and they died. I looked into it on the way here, and it seems the victim deliberately threw herself in front of the car. I know those cases are hard to win, but with Attorney Chase, there's a chance. Can you... can you please help?"

With a fatality involved, she wanted Vida to focus on consoling the victim's family. No matter what, Hale was responsible for a death, and as the perpetrator's family, they couldn't just think about minimizing damages or evading responsibility. A lawyer was meant to help them achieve a peaceful resolution that would satisfy the other party. But if the person had intentionally sought to get hit, the entire nature of the case changed. Hale couldn't be blamed for a life he didn't take!

According to Hale, he had seen the woman standing on the roadside from a distance. She hadn't moved, so he assumed she was waiting for someone. But as his car approached, she suddenly darted into the road, so fast that he had no time to brake.

Cedric's expression grew colder, the smile on his face freezing. "We're about to get a divorce. Why should I help your brother?"

One was desperate, the other completely indifferent.

Liliana bit her lip until she tasted blood. "I won't take a single penny from the divorce settlement. Just please, help me get Attorney Chase. Is that okay?"

"Hah..." The sound that escaped Cedric was a laugh born of pure rage. He shot up from his chair and rounded the desk to stand in front of her. Heloomed over her, his tal frame casting a dark shadow "What gives you the right to any of my family's assets? In two years of marriage, what have you contributed? Hmm?"

"Sir, that's not..." Timothy tried to interject, but Liliana cut him off.

"For two years, I've taken care of you! If that's not a contribution, it's at least hard work! You call that nothing?" Liliana's eyes reddened as she met his gaze.

"Mrs. Forrest..." Timothy tried again, wanting to explain something to her.

But Cedric cut him off once more. "Any maid could have done what you did. Don't flatter yourself."

Cooking and cleaning could have been handled by the staff. She had chosen to do it herself; he had never asked her to.

"What about sleeping with you?"

Liliana's voice rose, sharp with a mix of desperation and defiance. She didn't know if she was arguing out of her own sense of injustice or trying to find some leverage to force his hand. Either way, bringing their sex life into it was deeply humiliating.

"Do I need to remind you that sex is a marital obligation?"

A vein throbbed in Cedric's neck. He searched her face, looking for any sign that she wanted to call off the divorce. There was none. She was only here for Hale.

Fine. She wanted a divorce? Then why the hell should he help her?

Liliana's heart felt like a block of ice. Against Cedric, she never stood a chance What now? Could she threaten him with their secret marriage? Would that make him save Hale?