Her tone was laced with icy hostility and a subtle... territorial accusation.
She made it sound as if Raelynn were a desperate woman trying to seduce another woman's boyfriend.
Instantly, the people who heard Seraphina's voice turned to look from afar.
Raelynn didn't look at Sebastian. She simply placed her hand against his chest and pushed, putting distance between them.
Chloe had already stormed over. Realizing Seraphina was trying to twist the narrative to humiliate Raelynn, she let out a cold scoff. "Ms. Vance, exactly what title gives you the right to make that demand? Care to clarify for the rest of us?"
She wanted to see how a homewrecker dared to act so high and mighty in front of the actual wife!
Leo glanced over. "Just keep your distance. There's no need to blow this out of proportion."
Raelynn almost laughed. So now it was them blowing things out of proportion?
Wasn't Seraphina the one who started this whole mess?
Seraphina knew Chloe was trying to attack her relationship status, so she ignored her entirely and spoke directly to Leo. "I just wanted to offer a friendly reminder. We wouldn't want inappropriate behavior to start any nasty rumors. After all, it's hard enough for women in the corporate world."
Chloe's jaw practically dropped.
So now she was pretending to care about Raelynn's reputation?
They had been married for years; did they really need her 'kindness'?
Leo scoffed. "Unfortunately, some people don't appreciate the warning and just think you're being petty."
Seraphina shook her head with a gentle smile. "It's just a game. If they insist on twisting my words, there's nothing I can do."
Raelynn had to admit, Seraphina was a master of manipulation. With just a few cleverly crafted sentences, she had completely flipped the narrative. Now, Raelynn was the villain—a woman inappropriately clinging to a taken man, rejecting genuine advice, and desperately trying to start a petty catfight.
"Raelynn, come over here," Luke said, his face tight as he stepped squarely into the middle of the conflict, refusing to let the situation escalate further.
He had witnessed the intense intimacy between Raelynn and Sebastian just moments ago.
For a second, there had been an undeniable, striking harmony between them, as if they possessed a deep, ingrained history of closeness. The realization had sent his mood crashing to rock bottom.
An indescribably bitter taste filled his mouth.
He walked right up to Raelynn and shot Sebastian a pointed look. "Mr. Croix, you were just trying to win the match, right?"
Sebastian slowly lowered his bow, countering coolly, "What else?"
Hearing that answer put Luke at ease. He turned to Raelynn, his tone heavy with meaning. "You heard him. It was just for the competition. Don't read too much into it. After all, his girlfriend is standing right there."
Julian replied, "He's on his way."
Dr. Hayes nodded in satisfaction.
She immediately turned her attention back to Raelynn, engaging her in a warm conversation.
Noting Dr. Hayes's focus on Ian Hudson and her incredibly warm demeanor toward Raelynn, Seraphina narrowed her eyes. The older woman's uncharacteristically enthusiastic treatment of Raelynn sparked a flare of deep resentment within her.
Suddenly, she spoke up. "Chairwoman Hayes, I heard Mr. Hudson has a marriage contract with the Yves family?"
Raelynn looked over.
The moment of truth had finally arrived.
Dr. Hayes's expression softened instantly. "Yes. I have a granddaughter. She and the Hudson family were betrothed as children. Both families still hold the official marriage documents."
But...
The normally vibrant and stern old woman suddenly looked broken and utterly exhausted. "But my poor, sweet granddaughter... I have no idea where she is..."
Raelynn no longer cared what Seraphina was trying to plot. She reached out, gently patting Dr. Hayes's hand. "She'll come home."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
I think for as slow as the beginning was, their turning point is just so fast... really hope we actually get to read about R and S and their rekindle.... we did not read 950 pages for their story to be sidelined. Im for this sideline story, but it if it's to separate from the main characters and their story, please make it separate book....
Author please update more chapters...
I really like Zella, she is becoming a good friend to Raelynn. Ian needs to go. The relationship with Chloe is confusing. Some chapters they are cousins, sometimes they're sibling. A little confusing....
Julians role as big brother- I feel comes from a genuine place, but in a relationship thats is just as stained as Raelynns and Sebastians. It hard for me to connect to his big brother role as he too was such a problem before. And while they talked a little bit, the conversation did not give me the believe there was resolution between Raelynn and Julian. For a brute, he should make his feelings clear about the situation to Raelynn and then step back, until there is more foundation for him to stand on....
Knife in my heart. I hurt for Raelynn. She has made it this far, but how much does she have in her, everyone has a breaking point. Some back of me hopes the author is joking to lighten the mood after so many intense chapters, but thats not this kind of story or couple....
My heart cannot take this. This, cannot be how it ends with these too. They need resolution with each other. Raelynn needs to be more humanize with Sebastian. We know she is hurt, but this is the branch. She needs all these answers, if not for them to be together, then for Lily to have both her parents. Stop with the mind games Raelynn!...
Its like the story is just repeating itself...
Timeline is getting lost for me. So many treasured little memories Raelynn has but yet, he was gone for years ? Anyways... still rooting for them! These two need a heart to heart. Lily "forgetting" someone, not possible in this day and age and I hope thats not their storyline....
Sebastian, the man of few words.... needs to find all the words! Needs to fight for her! On note, seven years seems like a long time for this master plan (which I am sure goes back much farther). Rereading this novel, and it seems like everything has played out in a 5-8 month time span. And I feel like all Sebastian's doings/ plan have not been revealed. I hope we get to see the whole picture and have the resolutions we hope. But seven years of mistreatment, I just don't see Raelynn fully coming back. If these was 2-3 years, maybe, and I know it changes some characters around, but it would still work. Rooting for them!...
Literally on edge!...