Chapter 17 If Lysander truly disliked Navier, he would never have allowed her into his life in the first place.
There had been plenty of women who had tried to date with him but he had pushed away without at second thought.
Yet somehow, Navier had been allowed to remain.
After the awkward silence stretched too long, his friends attempted to smooth things over.
âAlright, alright,â James conceded. âWhatever you say. We get it. Youâre just being a responsible guyâconcerned about a childhood friend abroad. Weâll help you look for her too. By the way, have you spoken with Navierâs parents about her disappearance?â
âThey should know something, right? Sheâs their daughter, after all. Itâs been quite a whileâyou should probably notify them.â
Lysander remained silent for a long moment before nodding.
The deafening music in the private room abruptly cut off as he dialed Mr. Armstrongâs number.
A heavy weight settled in his chest just before the other end finally picked up.
He had treated Navier poorlyâthere was no denying that.
âLysander! Whatâs up, my boy?â Mr. Armstrongâs cheerful voice came through.
Lysander cleared his throat, maintaining a composed tone. âDad, Navier and I are divorced. She left New York and hasnât been heard from since. Did you and Mrs. Armstrong know about this?â
âOh, that! Sure, sure. Navier told us sheâs off chasing her dreams now. We gave her our blessing! Divorce happensâwe never thought you two were gonna last anyway. No need to call me âDadâ anymoreâback to Mr. Armstrong, just like the past.â
âYour parents were in such a rush to pull you out of your depression back then, pushing that marriage arrangement. Navier volunteered for it, and whatever happiness or unhappiness came with that choice was hers to bear. Now sheâs divorced and doing her own businessâthatâs healthy growth, isnât it?â
The Armstrongs had progressive views and clearly took the divorce in stride, clearly from the 14.02 The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights 22.2%
Chapter 17 âmarriage isnât forever if it doesnât workâ school of thought.
Lysanderâs face tightened and struggled to form his next question.
âSo thatâs it? Sheâs really moved on? and sheâs just fine with it?â
Mr. Armstrong chuckled casually, giving it no deeper thought. âYeah! Ohâfunny thing, though. I actually ran into her a while back while I was traveling for business. Looked like she was having a great time. And there were a few handsome guys around her too, you know?Maybe sheâs already started a new relationship!â
âWHAT?!â
Lysanderâs grip on the phone tightened so severely that veins bulged along his forearm, nearly warping the device.
âThen is she-â
âSorry to cut this short, but Iâve got to runâbig merger negotiation waiting. If you wanna know more, maybe try calling her yourself. Later, kid.â Mr. Armstrong hastily hung up.
The call disconnected before Lysander could finish his question.
In the next instant, his phone flew across the room, smashing against the wall with such force it shattered completely.
Everyone in the room had overheard Mr. Armstrongâs side of the conversation. They froze, not daring to make a sound.
Lysanderâs mind replayed Mr. Armstrongâs words on an endless loop, a suffocating aura building around him.
Rage blazed through him, consuming all rational thought.
8 CRACK!
His fist slammed into the glass coffee table, shattering it instantly. Countless shards embedded themselves in his hand with blood streaming down onto the floor.
He appeared not to notice the pain, only head slightly bowed as he let out a cold, bitter laugh.
22.5%
Chapter 17 âWell, well, Navier... Barely divorced and already in someone elseâs bed? Was I not enough for you?â
âThis is your game, isnât it? Trying to make me jealous and come running after you? Not a chance in hell!â
Lysanderâs pitchâblack eyes seemed bottomless, his entire being radiating a terrifying energy.
The others remained silent, knowing they couldnât sway him or change his mind. It was painfully obvious for them:
He was lying to himself. He cared desperately but was too proud to admit it.
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