At the sound of the loaded title, Leona Grant, who had been completely still, snapped his head up to look toward the door.

Unfortunately, from his vantage point, all he could see was the hem of her light-colored dress and a strand of hair; he couldn’t see her face.

Still, a thrill went through him. ’He’d never imagined she would come to see him!’

Leona Grant pursed his lips. Despite desperately wanting to look at her, he haughtily turned his face away to gaze out the window. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

’Damn woman, wasn’t she done with him? What is she doing here now?!’

"Yes," Annabelle Linton said, her expression blank as she looked at Chase. "Is your president in? I need to see him about something."

...’Your president.’

Chase keenly caught those two words. His gaze then fell to the manila envelope in Annabelle Linton’s hand, and a terrible premonition instantly washed over him.

...And he had a feeling he knew what was coming.

"Um, our pres—"

Seeing that he clearly didn’t want to let her in, Annabelle Linton coolly bypassed him and walked inside. "Just a few words. I’ll leave when I’m done."

"..."

What else could Chase do?

All he could do was resign himself to his fate, say "Yes," and close the door, silently saying a prayer for Leona Grant.

Annabelle Linton walked into the hospital room.

What greeted her was the sight of Leona Grant’s tall back. He stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling window, dressed in a black shirt and impeccably pressed, slim-fit suit trousers.

His posture was tall and elegant, his silhouette long and imposing. Bathed in the dual glow of the room’s lights and the moonlight, he exuded an austere, captivating aura.

Just moments before, he had changed his clothes with the utmost speed.

Before Annabelle Linton could even speak, Leona Grant’s cold, emotionless voice reached her ears. "What are you doing here?"

Leona Grant stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, his narrow eyes gazing into the pitch-blackness outside.

Though he didn’t seem to be looking at her, his gaze was fixed on her reflection in the glass, never leaving her for even a second.

When his eyes landed on the envelope in her hand, he whipped around, his gaze locking onto it.

Then his eyes shot to her. "Annabelle Linton, what is the meaning of this?"

Annabelle Linton coolly placed the envelope on the coffee table and looked at him, her face impassive. "It means nothing. Just divorce."

That single word was enough to make Leona Grant shatter.

BANG—

His eyes flashed dangerously. He viciously kicked the nearby hospital bed, sending it flying, then turned his bloodshot, menacing eyes on Annabelle Linton. "What did you say?!"

In stark contrast to Leona Grant’s violent outburst, Annabelle Linton seemed to have expected it, remaining much calmer.

She was unnaturally quiet, her eyes merely resting on him coolly.

Her gaze was on him, yet it seemed to look right through him, as if she were seeing something else entirely. Her expression was perfectly serene.

In that instant, Leona Grant’s heart felt terrifyingly empty.

Annabelle Linton’s lips curved into a faint smile. As their eyes met, hers were firm and chillingly indifferent. "Why such a big reaction? This is what we’ve both been dreaming of. What, do you need me to play the villain who dumps you? Solidify my reputation as a scumbag who cheated on you and then ran off with another man? Mr. Grant, just sign the papers. There’s no need for all this drama between us, is there?"

"Annabelle Linton!" Leona Grant practically roared. "Don’t you dare use that tone with me! I’m asking you, what the hell do you want?"

"A divorce."

She said it casually, her words light and airy.

But to Leona Grant’s ears, they were filled with boundless sarcasm, and his heart clenched tight.