Chapter 3
Is the sweet, graceful woman just a façade? Is this fierce and proud version of her the real deal! Yancey thought.
“So what Yancey, you can’t control me anymore” Daphne scoffed, her eyes cold and lacking the affection they once held. Her tone was final, her expression more frigid than that of a stranger.
Yancey searched her eyes, feeling a surge of emotions stirring in his usually calm heart. A complicated mix of feelings began to bubble up inside him as he said. “Daphne, you’re going to regret this.”
Daphne smirked back, meeting his gaze boldly. “Don’t flatter yourself. There are plenty of guys around. Do you think I’m short on options?”
“Nice comeback? Philip strolled into the villa, instantly grabbing everyone’s attention.
Yancey frowned. “Thilip?”
“Mr. Goodman, great to see you, Philip said, walking over with a big grin and extending his hand for a shake.
Yancey’s expression remained icy, showing no intention of shaking hands. “What are you doing here?”
He knew all about Philip–vice president of Galaxy Realty, the biggest mining company of Arittal, and rumored to be the second son of the super wealthy Sheppard family.
The Goodman and Sheppard families were pretty evenly matched. While it wasn’t exactly a blood feud, they had built up quite a few grudges over the years. On the surface, they acted like everything was fine, but each family was always ready to stab the other in the back.
Philip kept his charming smile, turning to Daphne as she came down the stairs. He made a gentlemanly bow and said, I’m here to take this lovely lady out for a romantic candlelit lunch”
Daphne casually placed her delicate wrist on Philip’s arm, a level of intimacy she had never shown Yancey.
Yancey’s expression darkened. He watched her link arms with Philip, a storm brewing in his eyes. “Is this why you want a divorce?”
Daphne met his harsh gaze, her heart aching with those years of torment flashing back.
“The reason I want a divorce! She laughed bitterly. If a relationship just isn’t working, sometimes it’s best to move on
Yancey’s face hardened. “We’re not divorced yet.”
on and find someone better”
Daphne shrugged, unconcerned. “So what?”
“You can’t leave,” Yancey insisted.
“Mr. Goodman, holding her against her will it
I isn’t exactly okay, is it?” Philip–stepped in front of Daphne, grinning He seemed laid–back, but there was a tension in the air as he cracked his knuckles.
Yancey’s expression turned menacing as he stepped closer. Philip tried to block him, but ncey landed a solid punch square on Philip’s face, sending him sprawling to the ground
“Yancey, have
lost it?” Daphne gasped. She knelt beside Philin
beside Philip, her voice filled with worry. “Are you okay?”
Philip wiped the blood from his nose and shook his head. Tm fine. Don’t worry
Before he could finish, Yancey yanked Daphine up off the ground. With fierce intensity in his eyes, Yancey grabbed her wrist and said firmly. “Daphne, you’re still my wife. Even if you’re thinking about leaving, you need my permission.”
His grip was like a vice, and no matter how hard Daphine struggled, she couldn’t break free. Tears of frustration sparkled in her eyes as she shot him a fiery glare “Yancey, I’m not your pri
After all these years, has he ever truly seen me as a real wife! she thought, fury bubbling within her.
The hatred in her gaze hit Yancey like a splash of cold water, instantly cooling his rage. After a moment, he let go of her wrist, his voice rough “Just
Daphne quickly grabbed a cloth and wiped away the spot where he had touched her. “I’ve signed the divorce papers, and they’re on the bedside table in my room. Meet me at the courthouse tomorrow at nine.”
With that, she turned and walked off with Philip, not wanting to say another word to Yancey
As they left. Hannah stepped outside, pretending to be concerned, “Yancey, don’t be mad at her. She just says what’s on her mind
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Chapter 3
Yancey looked up, his deep eyes swirling with anger.
Hannah felt a chill run down her spine and instinctively took a step back. “Yancey…
Yancey closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself. “You should go too.”
Seeing the tension in the air, Hannah quickly grabbed her bag and slipped out the door, not daring to speak up again.
Once outside, her expression darkened. With her long nails digging into her palm, she gritted her teeth and muttered to herself, “Everything that’s mine–I’ll get it all back, one way or another.”
The grand foyer of the Sheppard manor buzzed with excitement as everyone gathered to welcome back their beloved family member.
Daphne stepped through the door, surrounded by her cousins. Two aunts by marriage rushed over, grabbing her hands with concern.
“You’ve lost weight. Are you okay!” one exclaimed.
“I made your favorite ribs. You need to eat and get your strength back, another aunt chimed in.
Her second uncle, Ashton Sheppard, added enthusiastically, “And we caught some delicious fish from the pond today.”
Daphne couldn’t help but feel a mix of embarrassment and amusement. She barely had a chance to say anything until Matthew, at the head of the table, cleared his throat, bringing the chatter to a halt.
One of her aunts leaned in and whispered, “Go say hi to your grandfather. After knowing you were coming back, he didn’t sleep well last night and was up early waiting for you”
Daphne nodded and approached Matthew, leaning down to greet him “Grandpa.”
“Good to see you back, Matthew nodded, appearing calm. However, the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth revealed his true feelings.
He was genuinely thrilled that Daphne was home. Although he still seemed healthy, he had more gray hair than before, and it was clear he had aged quite a bat in the last few years,
Feeling a lump in her throat, Daphne squeezed Matthew’s hand and said softly, Tm sorry, Grandpa. I won’t make the same mistakes again.” It hurt to think about how she had wasted three years on a jerk like Yancey
Matthew gently patted her head, offering comfor. “That’s all behind you now. You have family looking out for you. Let’s see who dares to mess with you from now on ”
Pinilip added with a malicing grin, “We’ll take him down under the cover of night
Instantly, laughter filled the room, bringing a lightness to the atmosphere.
After dinner, Daphne joined Matthew in the lakeside
in the lakeside pavilion for a game of chess. Besides Philip, her other cousins had headed back to work.
From childhood, Daphne had been the only one who could challenge Manhew on the chessboard. The rest of her cousins typically found themselves “checked” in just a few moves.
Playing against a worthy opponent felt like a special bond for Matthew, especially when that opponent was his favorite granddaughter. Naturally, he doted on Daphne even more.
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