Raelynn watched this unfold and couldn't help but study Blanche more closely.
At Blanche's age, was that a bizarre flicker of giddy excitement she saw on her face?
In contrast, Sylvia acted as if she hadn't noticed a thing. Her gentle smile remained as she turned to pour tea for Evelyn, attending to her with the utmost care.
Evelyn sat perfectly straight, ignoring the gesture entirely.
Sylvia didn't look offended, simply continuing her dutiful tasks with quiet patience.
Raelynn finally understood.
Every family had its own hidden messes to deal with.
Quentin looked slightly moved as he turned to Seraphina, his eyes filled with a complex mix of hope. "To be absolutely certain, I hope you won't mind undergoing this test."
Blanche answered on her behalf in a reassuring tone. "We completely understand. We don't mind at all."
Cordelia, having seen enough of this little play, set down her teacup and cut straight to the chase. "So, what are everyone's thoughts? Regarding the engagement between our families."
"Regardless of the results, I believe we should prioritize the wishes of the children involved," Evelyn stated.
Business alliances were one thing.
People were another.
It was inappropriate to conflate the two.
Hearing this.
Seraphina immediately seized the opening. "I don't know what Mr. Hudson is thinking, but speaking for myself, my heart belongs to someone else. There's no room for anyone else, so I hope you can forgive me."
Her preemptive strike, especially the phrase about her heart belonging to someone else, hung in the air.
Several pairs of eyes around the table instantly drifted toward Sebastian, who had been completely removed from the conversation.
He showed no reaction whatsoever.
He just stared down, idly tracing the rim of his teacup.
He didn't speak, nor did he step up to claim the role she had just handed him.
Met with total silence, Seraphina's face flushed with awkwardness. She felt confused and stiff, but the words were already out, and she didn't dare aggressively drop Sebastian's name in front of everyone.
Raelynn threw a sideways glance at the man beside her.
Several faces around the table instantly darkened.
Especially Seraphina and Blanche.
They looked absolutely sick to their stomachs.
Cordelia hadn't used any crude insults, but every word was a calculated, lethal strike.
She had firmly established several facts: Seraphina was a homewrecker, she possessed zero morals, and ultimately, Cordelia was grateful for the affair because it allowed her son to find the best possible partner.
Most importantly, Cordelia made it crystal clear that she thought Seraphina was absolute trash.
There was no need for Seraphina to scramble for a preemptive rejection.
Quentin suddenly looked at Raelynn and Sebastian in sheer disbelief.
He had just flown in from Seaport City and was completely out of the loop regarding the local gossip.
But the woman sitting in front of him, who was very likely his daughter, had destroyed someone else's marriage?
"Mrs. Hudson, are you saying she came between... Mr. Croix and this young woman?"

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!...