A deep sense of sorrow washed over her.
Having spent most of his life deeply entrenched in the medical field, Adrian had seen it all. He was used to it, but he still gave her shoulder a comforting pat. "With funding, they'll slowly recover."
Raelynn understood that, and she even felt it was a great deal.
Trading Seraphina's meaningless apology for the lives of so many innocent children was entirely worth it.
Knowing what she was thinking, Adrian sighed. "How are things at Longstride? Have you gotten everything settled?"
He could easily guess that the company was likely in turmoil at a critical juncture like this.
Setting the files down, Raelynn shook her head. "I still have a lot of restructuring to do. There are several pending partnerships and contracts. Seraphina's plagiarism scandal leaked, and there are no secrets in this industry. It's a huge red flag. A lot of partners are hesitating, which means funds are being withheld. Longstride's production lines are incredibly complex, and every single step requires massive capital. Everyone freezing their payments is a very bad sign."
These contracts were worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Every link in the chain relied on the next.
But since she had agreed to keep Seraphina safe for now, she couldn't just throw her out of the company to appease the clients.
"Then you need to find a way to stabilize your reputation first," Adrian advised. "This is a PR battle."
On top of everything, Seraphina was still entangled in the "mistress scandal," and corporate partners always factored in public perception.
Raelynn understood this perfectly. She was just waiting for the right opportunity and a solid PR angle.
Many industry insiders had been invited today.
A number of children who had largely recovered thanks to the foundation's support were also present.
Raelynn had always loved kids, so she eventually wandered over to interact with them.
One little girl bore a slight resemblance to Lily. She was small and thin. Raelynn immediately pulled out the candy she always kept in her bag.
The little girl shyly thanked her.
Raelynn gave her a gentle smile.
Noticing the girl's braids were messy, she offered expertly, "Would you like me to fix your hair for you?"
After getting a nod, Raelynn began re-braiding the little girl's hair.
She was incredibly skilled with her hands. Back when she wanted to give Lily the prettiest hairstyles, she had watched endless tutorial videos. She had even bought a mannequin head to practice on, terrified she might clumsily pull Lily's hair and hurt her.
When Sebastian walked over, he caught sight of the exact scene.
Raelynn wasn't a rigid person; it just depended on who she was with.
If Lily hadn't come into their lives by accident, she probably never would have brought it up.
But...
"Didn't you say you couldn't have them? The entire Croix family spread rumors that it was difficult for you to conceive. Why are you asking me?" she retorted, making it sound as if he could simply summon a child out of thin air if he wanted one, though she held back from outright snapping at him.
He watched her speak while carefully securing a little sunflower clip into the girl's hair.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, a cryptic smile touching his lips.
But he didn't elaborate further.
Raelynn, however, felt some things needed to be made perfectly clear. She turned to face him. "Besides, I would never let my child grow up in a cold, loveless family."
His dark eyes were sharp and clear, locking onto hers for a long time.
An indeterminate amount of time passed.
He didn't acknowledge her comment about a "loveless family."
Lowering his gaze to the little girl standing between them, he casually reached out and patted her soft hair.
Then, his voice smooth and steady, he said, "Explain to the public that Seraphina is your sister, and there was no homewrecking between us."

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!...