Chapter 4

The bidding was fiercely competitive, but whenever someone bid, Julian would raise his paddle without hesitation, directly outbidding them, his demeanor nonchalant yet utterly determined to win.

Finally, he secured the necklace for Chloe at a jaw-dropping, astronomical price.

The entire room gasped in shock, all envious or jealous gazes focusing on Chloe Sterling.

Chloe happily wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

I stood not far away, watching this scene, my chest aching with a dull, numb pain.

In all our years of marriage, he had never even given me a single decent gift.

I always thought he was just emotionally detached, unromantic.

It turned out he just wasn't willing to be romantic *with me*.

I clutched the divorce papers in my hand, took a deep breath, and walked towards that dazzling yet searing pair.

Julian Thorne noticed me first, his casually smiling face instantly turned cold. Almost instinctively, he shielded Chloe behind him: "What are you doing here?"

That instinctive protective gesture was like a sharp knife, piercing deeply into my heart.

I tried my best to remain composed and handed him the document in my hand: "I have a document that needs your signature."

Just then, a staff member came over, asking Julian to go backstage to finalize the handover of the necklace.

Julian's voice was icy: "I'm busy right now. We can discuss whatever it is later."

Later? I didn't want to wait another second.

"It's a very important document, it will only take a few minutes." I insisted, my voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor. "Julian Thorne, let's get a divorce. Once you sign this, and the mandatory waiting period is over, we'll have no ties to each other. Since you have someone you truly love, I'll let go, and you let me go free. We'll both find our own happiness, neither of us holding the other back."

I spoke in one breath, mustering my courage, waiting for his reply. But Julian merely frowned, and after a long while, he slowly turned his head, as if he hadn't heard what I said at all: "What did you just say? I told you I'm busy. We'll talk later."

With that, he followed the staff member backstage.

**CLIFFHANGER**

I took a deep breath. He was always like this. Five years of marriage, and every single word I said was just air to him!

Just as I was about to follow him, Chloe suddenly walked over and snatched the document right out of my hand.

"Oh, you're Julian's arranged-marriage wife?" Chloe looked me up and down, a hint of disdain in her eyes. "Just let me sign any documents! Julian gave me a personalized seal with his name engraved on it! He said I could sign any documents for him!"

My heart felt as if an invisible hand had gripped it tightly, squeezing the breath right out of me!

A personalized seal… to sign *all* documents? Everyone knew Julian was meticulously careful, personally reviewing and signing every important paper! Yet now…

Chloe seemed intent on proving it. She actually took out a small, exquisite personal seal from her tiny purse. Without even glancing at the contents, she flipped to the last page and, *thwack*, stamped it!

"There, it's signed," Chloe said, pushing the document back into my hand, her tone a mix of condescension and warning. "Julian told me you two are just a business marriage. Since that's the case, you should know your place. For small contracts like buying houses or jewelry, just bring them directly to me to sign in the future. Don't bother Julian for no reason; he doesn't want to see you."

I looked at the vibrant red imprint on the agreement, the symbol of Julian Thorne's authority, and felt an overwhelming sense of irony.

I opened my mouth, about to tell her this wasn't some house purchase contract, but divorce papers…

Suddenly, the blaring fire alarm rang throughout the venue!

"Fire! Run!" Someone screamed, and instantly, the crowd descended into utter panic, stampeding towards the exits!

Chloe and I, standing towards the interior and being relatively small figures, were instantly knocked to the ground by the chaotic, terrified crowd!

"Ah!"

"Don't step on me!"

Countless feet trampled over us. Excruciating pain shot through me. My bones felt like they were being crushed. I tried desperately to get up, but I was completely helpless!

"Julian! Julian, help me!" Chloe cried out in terror.

"Baby!" Julian's anxious voice reached me.

I saw him return, pushing through the crowd with effort, and a pathetic flicker of hope ignited deep within my heart.

But he rushed over, his gaze unerringly locked onto Chloe. Without a second's hesitation, he bent down, scooped Chloe into his arms, shielding her, and turned to rush out!

He didn't spare a single glance for me, lying helpless on the ground!

"Julian Thorne! Julian Thorne!" I shouted his name with my last bit of strength, my voice swallowed by the cacophony of screams and cries.