Chapter 5

In the dead of night, a heavy rain began to fall.

When Scarlett arrived at the hotel, the banquet had long since ended.

She found me sitting expressionless amidst the wreckage on the floor.

"Julian—"

I heard her voice and slowly lifted my head, my eyes hollow.

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Everything's ruined. All the team's efforts, down the drain."

"Ms. Hayes, are you satisfied with this lesson?"

Scarlett's face paled at my words, her voice trembling slightly.

"Julian, I didn't know this banquet was so important.

"Why did you make me unhappy that day? I just wanted you to admit you were wrong—"

Scarlett's voice grew softer and softer, until it completely faded.

I stared at the wine glass by my feet.

The leftover red wine reflected the hazy overhead lights, making me dizzy.

"Scarlett."

My emotions gradually steadied, followed by a profound weariness.

"Nine years, you played around for nine years, and I never thought of leaving you.

"I always thought you just hadn't grown up, that you were still childish.

"But today, you publicly humiliated me, made all my efforts for you utterly useless—"

I slipped off my wedding ring and placed it in Scarlett's hand.

"Scarlett, let's get a divorce."

Hearing that, Scarlett actually laughed.

"Is this your ultimate goal?

"I thought, a mere new product launch, why would you be so distraught?

"Turns out you just want to threaten me into settling down for you."

Ah, the spoiled rich girl, raised with endless indulgence.

Sometimes, her stupidity was truly laughable.

"Julian Blackwood, you'll always be the Hayes family's son-in-law. Stay in your place."

Scarlett had no patience. Her breath, light and ticklish, grazed my ear.

"It's fine to make a fuss sometimes, but overdoing it makes people dislike you."

"Leo poses no threat to your position."

Scarlett picked up the ring and put it back on my finger.

Even now, she still believed I was just making a scene.

I took the ring off again, twirled it between my fingers in front of her, then loosened my grip.

The ring spun in the air, landing on the floor with a crisp clink.

"This isn't a game of playing hard to get, as you seem to think."

"Scarlett."

I looked up at her.

"Let's get a divorce."