Boss, Your Wife Signed the Divorce Agreement Before the Wedding novel Chapter 65

Raelynn calmly closed the cabinet door and turned around without betraying a hint of emotion.

Standing there was Piper, Matilda Croix's head housekeeper.

Piper was one of the few people in the Croix family who showed Raelynn genuine courtesy. She gave a slight bow. "Mrs. Croix, if you aren't busy, Madam would like a word."

Of course, Raelynn wanted to say she was incredibly busy. Busy plotting to rip Seraphina's fake face right off.

But since this involved embarrassing the Croix family, Raelynn decided not to tip her hand just yet.

"Alright."

When she arrived at the main house, Matilda waved her over. "Lynnie, come sit."

Raelynn walked over.

Matilda took her hand and patted it affectionately. "You're such a sweet girl. It means a lot that you'd still come back for the family gathering to keep me company, especially at a time like this."

"It's the right thing to do," Raelynn replied smoothly, knowing how to play the game.

But her mind was still entirely focused on the missing marriage license.

She knew she hadn't remembered incorrectly.

It was definitely supposed to be in that cabinet.

"I saw the news online, too," Matilda sighed heavily.

The polite smile faded from Raelynn's lips as she looked at the older woman.

"I know you're furious right now, Lynnie, but we simply cannot make this public. Sebastian and Cameron are brothers. This is a family scandal, and we keep our dirty laundry indoors. For the sake of the Croix family's reputation, Lynnie, I need you to be the bigger person."

Matilda looked deeply troubled, holding tightly onto Raelynn's hand.

She looked like a woman with her hands tied.

Raelynn felt the warmth in her chest slowly turn to ice.

Without thinking, she knocked over a piping-hot cup of tea on the table, splashing it over her hand.

Her delicate skin instantly flushed a painful, angry red.

"Are you saying you want me to stay completely silent?"

Suddenly, the mystery of the vanishing marriage license made perfect sense.

Matilda had gotten to it first.

If Raelynn didn't have hard proof that she was Mrs. Croix, and she only had her word against theirs, the public would just think she was a delusional stalker.

If she tried to expose her identity, Sebastian wouldn't back her up, the Croix family wouldn't acknowledge her, and it would just be a pointless struggle.

She would only end up looking worse.

Matilda saw Raelynn spill the water and immediately called Piper over to clean it up.

Then, she continued in her most earnest, persuasive tone.

"Seraphina was engaged to Cameron, so at the end of the day, she's practically Sebastian's sister-in-law. No high-society family can tolerate that kind of scandal. It would be devastating for the company, the conglomerate, the stock market... Lynnie, you know how much my husband values family harmony above all else. If this gets back to him, it will end terribly."

Raelynn's spine stiffened.

She pictured the ruthless, unsmiling Chairman Croix Sr.

"And what if I demand an explanation?" she asked, staring unblinkingly at Matilda.

Raelynn couldn't quite wrap her head around Matilda's logic.

She liked her.

But she was absolutely forbidding her from ever remarrying Sebastian?

Calling this a "voluntary compensation" was a joke. It was a gag order, plain and simple.

"Of course, if you two decide not to go through with the divorce, this agreement is entirely void. I still sincerely hope you and Sebastian can make your marriage work. Will you reconsider?" Matilda asked, sounding genuinely regretful.

"I won't reconsider," Raelynn replied, immediately shutting down Matilda's attempt to keep her.

Her marriage was riddled with lies and infidelity. For seven years, she had forced herself to swallow a bitter pill, and she simply couldn't choke it down with her tears anymore.

Matilda's eyes flickered, and she let out a long sigh.

"If you absolutely insist on the divorce, promise me you won't mention your split with Sebastian to any of the other family members before you move on with someone else. And never breathe a word to the outside world about Seraphina and Cameron's past."

Raelynn didn't say a word.

Matilda's move was calculated.

Protect the Croix family's face.

Protect Seraphina's dignity.

Protect the illusion of brotherly love and family harmony.

The only person thrown under the bus was her.

As Matilda was the matriarch of the Croix family, Raelynn could actually understand her priorities.