Betrayed by the Father Reborn in His Rival's Arms novel Chapter 160

Madeline invited Tessa over to catch up and strategize.

Tessa arrived shortly after. The two women sat comfortably on the plush sofa, admiring the breathtaking ocean view. The villa's location was unparalleled—the massive floor-to-ceiling windows framed the vibrant harbor perfectly. It was a view you could fall in love with a million times over.

"Regarding what happened yesterday," Tessa began, "all the attendees received heavy legal warnings from Lucius and the event organizers. They successfully contained the PR fallout, so the scandal didn't leak to the press."

Madeline nodded in understanding. Given the elite status of the guests, everyone knew how to play the game of silence.

"So, what's your next move?" Tessa asked.

Madeline met her friend's inquiring gaze and sighed. "He refuses to sign the papers. Arthur told him that if we divorce, he'll strip him of his inheritance."

"So it's all about keeping his power, right?" Tessa scoffed.

"Exactly," Madeline agreed. "Plus, he's so incredibly narcissistic that he simply refuses to believe I actually want to leave him. He genuinely thinks I'm just throwing a tantrum. The only way to get through to him is to slap the finalized divorce certificate right across his face."

Tessa's eyes lit up with predatory excitement. "I am dying to see the look on his face the day you smack those papers into him. It's going to be glorious. But what's got you so anxious right now?"

The Whitman family never actually liked her; they only tolerated her to maintain the corporation's stability and public image.

Madeline made her decision. "If Lucius knows Arthur won't actually depose him, he'll stop fighting the divorce. Kill two birds with one stone."

Right now, Lucius was exploiting his legal status as her husband to track her movements and locate her properties, which was a massive security risk.

Madeline was absolutely certain he was only clinging to her because he was terrified of losing his corporate power. After Liliana had sabotaged his business twice, Lucius desperately believed he needed Madeline to salvage his empire. But if she legally promised not to disrupt their corporate partnerships, and Arthur guaranteed his inheritance, Madeline knew Lucius would immediately sign the papers.