Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding novel Chapter 199

That single sentence plunged the elevator into a bizarre, suffocating silence.

Fragrance was far too intimate a detail.

It spoke to personal taste, privacy, daily habits.

And undeniably symbolized a deep physical intimacy.

Furthermore.

The scent Sebastian wore was a private bespoke blend, completely unavailable on the open market.

The smile resting on Seraphina's face dissolved.

Sebastian lowered his gaze, looking straight at Raelynn.

Even Raelynn was caught off guard.

After being married for so many years, she suddenly realized just how deeply her tastes and habits had intertwined with his.

"Director Stevens, Ms. Vance is standing right here. Let's not play matchmaker where it doesn't belong," Leo remarked with a half-smile, immediately picking up on Seraphina's darkening mood.

Director Stevens realized his blunder instantly. "My apologies. My mouth moved faster than my brain. Please don't take offense, Ms. Vance."

Seraphina forced her expression to soften. "It's fine. I never waste my energy on trivial little coincidences."

Raelynn easily translated her subtext.

She was accusing Raelynn of deliberately coordinating her scent to look like a desperate schemer.

She didn't have the patience to stand there and listen to them coddle Seraphina over a 'trivial matter.'

Raelynn stepped out of the elevator as well.

Opting to take a separate lift straight to the top floor.

After Preston dropped his luggage off, he came up to her suite to discuss their project proposals.

At eight o'clock that evening.

The doorbell rang.

Raelynn went to answer it.

Luke Sterling was standing in the doorway, his eyes trailing into her suite. "Is it a good time to come in?"

Raelynn crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe, making zero room for him. "Bad timing. Mr. Moreno is here. If you need something, can it wait until tomorrow?"

Luke frowned, a wave of intense irritation washing over him.

He had already noticed how fiercely protective Preston was of her.

And now they were holed up in a hotel room together late at night?

"Raelynn, shouldn't adult men and women observe proper boundaries? Being alone in a room together like this isn't a good look." He stared down at her, a tight smile playing on his lips, though his tone was layered with blatant displeasure.

Raelynn laughed. "Are you trying to manage me?"

"Mr. Sterling," Seraphina greeted him with a bright smile.

Julian Yves had just arrived as well. Seaport City was his hometown, and he had flown in the day before to handle some corporate business, carving out time to join their gathering.

He was the first to notice Luke's foul mood. Swirling his whiskey, he raised an eyebrow. "Not in a good mood?"

Sebastian cast a lazy, sidelong glance.

And casually clinked his glass against Luke's.

Since the Sterling and Yves families were related by marriage, Luke didn't bother hiding his frustration. "Give me some advice? I've been making moves on a woman recently, but I'm getting absolutely nowhere."

As soon as he said that.

Everyone understood the implication.

'Making moves'? What other kind of progress did a man ever want?

Leo laughed. "Met a stubborn one? Just bury her in money and gifts. If that doesn't work, drag her out for drinks and a heart-to-heart. Alcohol is great for blurring lines. You're both consenting adults; whatever happens next is just a natural progression."

Julian, however, suddenly stiffened, staring hard at Luke. "The woman you're trying to sleep with... is..."

At the sound of this.

Sebastian slowly lifted his eyes and looked over.

Luke chuckled, a suggestive edge to his tone. "Mr. Croix knows her too. Raelynn Ortiz. Ring a bell?"