She asked directly.
There was no point in beating around the bush and waiting for Sebastian to guess what she wanted.
At this point, she had to try everything, even if it meant forcing his hand. After all, Sebastian still didn't know the truth about what really happened that night.
As far as he knew, they had slept together.
Under those circumstances, asking for marriage was entirely justified.
The line went completely dead.
Seraphina's heart instantly leaped into her throat.
All the color drained from her face.
Just as the silence became unbearable, Sebastian's voice drifted back over the line. "The situation with the Yves family isn't something to take lightly. You did offend them. Right now, your best move is to lay low and stay out of the spotlight for a while."
He hadn't given her a straight answer.
Seraphina's stomach dropped, but she couldn't deny the logic in his words. She had caused a catastrophic mess today. If she forced a marriage right in the middle of this crisis, it would only fan the flames of the Yves family's wrath.
Retaliation while they were still furious would be merciless, and it could easily drag the Croix family into the crossfire. If everything blew up, the Croix family would never tolerate her presence.
Her only choice was to wait.
Let the Yves family cool down.
Avoid this high-risk window.
Sebastian was looking out for her. He was looking at the bigger picture.
Once she understood his reasoning, the suffocating panic eased, breathing a sliver of life back into her. "You always think of everything, Sebastian," she said, forcing a grateful tone.
"Get some rest," was all he replied.
Then, he ended the call.
Seraphina collapsed onto the sofa, utterly drained.
He hadn't explicitly rejected her, but the lack of commitment left her entirely unsettled.
Blanche, having overheard most of it, immediately stepped in to console her. "He's right, you know. Lay low for a bit. The Yves family might just let it go with time. We can plan our next move then."
"Mr. Croix isn't rejecting you. He's just trying to protect you."
Raelynn would just smile and deflect. "He's busy."
Arthur would nod in confusion, then start pulling premium supplements and expensive teas out of his cabinet. "Makes sense. Sebastian doesn't rely on the Croix family. Building Croix Holdings into an empire all on his own must be exhausting. Still, he's a thoughtful boy. He sends these top-tier supplements all the time. Just look at this..."
Raelynn watched him in silence.
She knew her grandfather's memory was failing him.
Since she rarely had time to visit in person, she ordered the items online and had them delivered. But Arthur constantly assumed they were gifts from Sebastian.
She didn't bother correcting him.
Midway through the week, Raelynn went on a quick business trip.
She spent a few days in Aurelia Bay.
Upon returning to Kingsford, she needed to drop by Keystone Manufacturing to sign the remaining contracts for their second phase of cooperation. As she arrived, her phone buzzed with an iMessage from Dr. Hayes.
[Dr. Evelyn Hayes]: Young Raelynn, when are you free? I'd love to visit your antique shop sometime this week. Would you mind keeping an old woman company?
Raelynn suddenly remembered what Sebastian had said about Edouard Yves's authentic calligraphy.

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!...