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Chapter 98
I almost blurted out, “Where can I go after a divorce? Do I even have a home?“}
“You can come back…” Victor’s throat tightened. He wanted to say “Come back to the Lane family,” but the words stuck in his throat.” “Then that’s it,” I said softly. “Wishing you a happy marriage.”
I linked arms with James, ready to leave, but Victor stretched out his hand to stop me.
“Give me a chance to prove myself to you.”
“No matter if it’s Jacqueline or Mrs. Lane, I’ll settle the score for you.”}
My eyes flickered and I gave him a rare smile. My smile unsettled him.
“Alright, if you help me deal with them, I’ll consider you.“}
I turned and got into the car, the door cutting off Victor’s burning gaze.}
James immediately leaned in and kissed me. “Honey, you’re not seriously considering him, are you?“}
“It was me who made that man spill Mrs. Lane’s secrets. Shouldn’t I get the credit?”
I laughed despite myself. “That depends… on how well you behave.“}
That day, the day my father passed, James Burn also rushed to the hospital.
That’s when I realized I’d seen him before as a child. James was only a couple of years older than Victor. They used to play together at the Lane residence, but I never knew his name.}
Before we got married, James made me watch him take a full physical exam and even handed me the report. He called it “checking if your future husband is clean.“}
On our wedding night, I learned the truth. James wasn’t impotent. Far from it.
He just didn’t burn easily. But once he did, he was almost impossible to put out.
Then his phone buzzed. It was an invitation from Victor.
“Bring Julia over in three days,” the message read. “It’s Mrs. Lane’s birthday banquet. There’ll be a show.”
***
Three days later…}
Mrs. Lane’s 50th birthday was an especially grand affair. It was personally organized by her stepson, Victor Lane. All the elite in this city’s social circle were invited.
When I arrived on James’s arm, I saw Mrs. Lane standing in the spotlight. Beside her stood Jacqueline, equally exquisite and beautiful.” The crowd heaped praise on them.}
“What a lucky woman, divorced with a daughter, yet she still married into wealth.“}]
“Look how stunning she is. Her daughter Jacqueline studied abroad for ten years, such a prodigy.“”
Then someone whispered, “Wait, doesn’t Mrs. Lane have another daughter?”
All eyes briefly turned to me.”
Someone gasped, “She’s the one who married the Jade–Faced Devil, James Burn! What bad luck.”
“I heard he made her get a physical before the wedding. Guess he thought she was… unclean.”}
I was confused, why was I the one taking the physical? Did James not trust me?
I glanced at him quietly and he looked back at me with the same innocent calm.}
Jacqueline lifted her chin and sauntered over.
“Sis, congratulations on your wedding,” she said mockingly.
“I never thought you’d actually marry… him.”
She smirked. “Oh, by the way, Victor is giving me another big gift today. After all, it is Mom’s birthday.”
Mrs. Lane gave me a cold smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Lia, James is a decent man, isn’t he?”
I nodded absently.”
“You…”
Mrs. Lane was about to say more when she was interrupted.
Victor tapped the microphone. The sharp feedback hushed the entire room.
Jacqueline hurried to his side, looking concerned. But Victor’s eyes, once warm, were now cold and unreadable.}]
“Today is Aunt Jacqueline’s birthday,” Victor began. “But I have a special gift for you both.”
His words hung heavily in the tense silence.
“May your mother–daughter bond remain eternal,” he added with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.”
Jacqueline giggled sweetly. “Victor, you’re so thoughtful.”
Victor gently stroked her face, but the look in his eyes? It wasn’t affection. It was lethal. Like holding a viper, ready to strike its head off.
