Forrest clutched his walking cane, his cloudy but razor-sharp eyes darting to Seraphina's stomach for a fraction of a second.
In that single second.
Sebastian spoke up, addressing his grandfather. "You must be exhausted from the long journey."
He didn't acknowledge Seraphina's display, nor did he even glance in her direction.
Seraphina stiffened slightly.
She had fully expected Sebastian to stand up, wrap an arm around her, and formally introduce her to Forrest, announcing their plans to marry.
But...
She was standing there completely alone.
An inexplicable wave of awkwardness and discomfort washed over her.
And her mention of the baby she was carrying.
It had drawn the piercing stares of everyone at the Croix family table. They looked at her as if evaluating a piece of merchandise on display, making her squirm inwardly.
As if she were only fit to remain standing while they sat in judgment.
Cameron, in particular, kept letting his gaze drift over her. His eyes burned with intense scrutiny and a faint, lingering suspicion.
"Mm," Forrest grunted in response to Sebastian.
Meanwhile.
Tristan, having seen Raelynn get shoved aside by Seraphina, helped her wipe the spilled drink with a tissue before gently pulling her closer to the table.
Raelynn was completely caught off guard, suddenly finding herself dragged into this...
Interrogation of the prospective Croix family bride.
At the table.
Sebastian slowly lifted his gaze and looked right at her.
Raelynn took a step back.
She had zero desire to get involved.
Forrest didn't seem to notice Raelynn.
He glanced at Seraphina, who was still holding her teacup, frozen in place, and asked in a flat tone, "What is your profession? How is your career progressing?"
Seraphina's face stiffened for a fleeting second.
Her work and progress... were an absolute disaster.
Outsmarted by Raelynn, losing the market to NexusMind Technologies, dealing with a massive product failure, getting publicly expelled and reprimanded by Kingsford University, and now having offended the Yves family, who were poised to ruin her at any moment.
There was not a single achievement she could proudly present.
Recovering quickly, she offered a polite smile. "Because of my pregnancy, I need to focus on my health. I don't have the energy to juggle my career right now, so I plan to take some time off to rest."
What kind of theatrical spectacle was this?
Raelynn frowned as well.
Forrest ignored her completely, his piercing gaze locked onto Sebastian. "What is your relationship?"
Sebastian's expression didn't shift in the slightest. Looking entirely detached from the drama, he enunciated every word. "No relationship at all."
His calm, chillingly indifferent voice dropped like a bomb.
Seraphina froze in stunned disbelief.
She thought she must have misheard.
She whipped her head toward him.
Only to see Sebastian's undisturbed face, radiating... absolute, heartless apathy.
Raelynn, who was standing further back, felt a brief wave of shock wash over her at his words.
She stared at Sebastian in total bewilderment.
Not to mention the rest of the Croix family.
Every head snapped up.
Whether satisfied or not, Forrest pressed further. "And the child she's carrying? What are your thoughts on that?"

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!...