Raelynn glanced down at the massive, ravenous koi swarming in the pond.
They were already aggressively thrashing against the sodden parchment, shredding the delicate paper into a pulpy mess. Fishing it out now was an exercise in utter futility.
The terrified maid scrambled over the railing and desperately scooped the soggy lump from the water.
Sylvia rushed forward, her trembling hands gently unfurling the ruined masterpiece.
Even though the paper had a protective sealant, the water had completely decimated it. The black ink had violently bled across the page, and the hungry fish had torn massive, irreparable holes right through the center. Restoring it was entirely impossible.
"What are we going to do? This was the one thing the Chairwoman wanted more than anything in the world..." Sylvia sobbed, her face pale with absolute devastation.
Seraphina looked like she was going to throw up.
She shoved Sylvia aside, desperate to assess the damage herself.
But just then.
"What is going on here?"
Dr. Evelyn Hayes had materialized at the end of the walkway.
She was flanked by a massive entourage of elite guests. Raelynn easily spotted Quentin Yves and Sebastian Croix standing tall in the crowd.
The moment Seraphina locked eyes with the terrifying matriarch, she turned deathly pale.
She opened her mouth to defend herself.
But Dr. Hayes's sharp eyes had already locked onto the shredded remains of the parchment. Her elegant features contorted in sheer horror, and she marched forward.
Sylvia suddenly threw herself in front of Seraphina, frantically trying to play the martyr. "This wasn't Ms. Vance's fault! I just wanted to surprise you, but there was a terrible accident. I'm so sorry it's ruined..."
She was blatantly throwing herself on the sword to protect Seraphina.
Raelynn watched the masterful performance unfold.
Having witnessed the entire altercation, she knew perfectly well that Sylvia's desperate defense was just drawing a massive neon target straight onto Seraphina's back.
Dr. Hayes's hands violently shook as she snatched the ruined scroll. It was utterly destroyed.
A sickening sense of doom washed over Seraphina. The sheer reverence in the old woman's eyes meant this was an unforgivable offense. If she tried to lie her way out of it, the matriarch would just interrogate the maids and uncover the truth anyway, making her look even guiltier.
Rapidly calculating the devastating odds.
She gritted her teeth, her voice trembling. "I am so incredibly sorry. It was an accident. I had absolutely no idea this piece meant so much to you..."
The apology fell on deaf ears. Dr. Hayes was practically vibrating with rage.
Years ago, a corrupt servant had exploited the blind spots in their security, stealing several of her late husband's prized works to sell on the black market to capitalize on his soaring fame.

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Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding
While waiting for the updates, do you have any other books author?...
More chapters pls........
This author is not letting her FL win. haha Such a rage bait! But I keep on reading anyway! Urgh!...