"Mhm."
Sebastian simply turned and walked in their direction with long, unhurried strides.
Over by Raelynn, Sierra Yves had just arrived.
Seeing Raelynn, her face lit up with absolute joy. She bounded over and hugged Raelynn's arm, her adoration for her former teacher radiating from her entirely.
"Professor Ortiz, I knew you'd be here!" Sierra clung to her like glue.
She even accidentally bumped Ian slightly out of the way. Ian shot her a look but didn't make a fuss.
Though Raelynn wasn't used to such physical affection, she didn't pull away, simply smiling and nodding.
Just then, Blanche and Seraphina arrived.
Blanche plastered a bright, eager smile on her face. "Chairwoman Hayes, it's so wonderful to see you. Do you remember my Sera?"
Her sudden intrusion into the pleasant conversation visibly annoyed Dr. Hayes.
The older woman cast a cold glance over Blanche and Seraphina. She had personally witnessed Seraphina's disastrous behavior at the academic seminar, so her distaste for the girl had only multiplied.
Lacking in moral character. A homewrecker who ruined a marriage and then tried to frame Raelynn.
In Dr. Hayes's eyes, Seraphina was completely irredeemable.
Ignoring them entirely, she turned to Raelynn. "My dear Raelynn, come with me. Let's find a quiet place to sit and chat."
The blatant dismissal caused Blanche and Seraphina's smiles to freeze instantly.
Julian arrived just in time to see this play out, and a wave of relief washed over him.
His grandmother was a force of nature. Even in her youth, she never catered to anyone's ego. She had even cut ties with her own son—Julian's father—for over twenty years. She certainly wasn't going to give the time of day to a couple of scheming outsiders.
"Julian!" Sierra called out softly, looking at him with a mix of anticipation and timidity.
It was only a brief flash, but Dr. Hayes's face drained of color. Her eyes locked onto the stone, her gaze suddenly turning as sharp as a blade.
Before Blanche could say another word, Dr. Hayes lunged forward and seized Seraphina's wrist. For a frail, elderly woman, her grip was terrifyingly strong. She yanked Seraphina roughly toward her.
"Take it out!"
Dr. Hayes's voice was piercing, her breathing suddenly ragged.
She stared fixedly at the half-exposed jade resting against Seraphina's chest. "Take it out and let me see it."
The sudden, aggressive reaction startled Raelynn. She could see that Dr. Hayes was experiencing massive emotional turbulence. There were even tears pooling in the older woman's eyes. What could have possibly triggered this?
Seraphina looked completely bewildered.
She reached down and pulled the jade amulet completely out from her dress. With an innocent, accommodating tone, she asked, "This? Do you like this piece of jade?"

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!...