Was it a declaration of war?
Julian was just as uneasy. Ian Hudson was blatantly flaunting his devotion to another man's ex-wife, making sure Julian and the rest of Sebastian's inner circle had front-row seats. It was a calculated display of dominance.
But Julian also knew he couldn't take his frustrations out on Raelynn anymore. In fact, if she ever needed help, he'd probably step in.
"Is Raelynn really that capable, or is Ian just blinded by lust?" Leo muttered, still bitter that Raelynn wouldn't do him a favor with his grandfather.
Julian's relaxed posture vanished. He shot Leo a cold glare. "Raelynn doesn't owe you anything. You need to drop this pathetic vendetta against her."
Leo looked taken aback.
"I told you, she tried to steal Sera's credit for saving Dr. Hayes! She tried to trick my family into owing her a favor. Doesn't that say enough about her character?"
Julian pulled out a cigarette. "She didn't get any corporate favors, and you didn't lose anything. You're just attacking her because you're obsessed with defending Seraphina."
Leo opened his mouth to argue, but the words died in his throat.
Another sleek car pulled up to the entrance.
Sebastian and Seraphina stepped out.
Leo instantly abandoned the argument and rushed over. "Seb, you actually came?"
Ian's provocation was incredibly obvious.
Sebastian's face was a mask of perfect indifference. "I received two invitations. I'm here for the resort's ribbon-cutting ceremony."
Seraphina instantly understood. He was attending for business, not for Raelynn. It was his way of proving that he didn't care who Raelynn aligned herself with, maintaining his absolute emotional detachment.
Leo nodded in understanding, and the group walked into the grand ballroom together.
The room was packed with the city's elite, champagne flutes clinking amid the low hum of networking.
Cordelia smiled. "Excellent."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted to Seraphina, who was practically glued to Sebastian's side. Cordelia kept her warm, polite smile, nodding graciously at Julian and Leo.
But her eyes completely bypassed Seraphina. It was as if the other woman didn't exist.
Seraphina's expression froze. Had Mrs. Hudson seriously just looked right through her?
A sudden commotion at the entrance broke the tension.
Sebastian paused mid-sip, his eyes flicking toward the doors.
Raelynn and Ian walked in together. They were chatting quietly, Ian leaning down slightly to listen to her. Raelynn let out a soft laugh and naturally linked her arm through his.
Leo blurted out, "What the hell is she doing? Is that really appropriate?!"

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!...