The words were sharp.
Especially the mention of Lydia.
Quentin's brow furrowed tightly. "Julian, do you always have to speak to your father this way?"
Julian had always been rebellious and untamed. He had absolutely no intention of bowing to the man whose actions had led his mother and sister to such tragic ends.
He would never soften his stance.
Evelyn knew the deep-seated knots between them.
"Enough!"
She commanded, "Whether it's true or not, it's a glimmer of hope. We just need to verify it."
She just needed to figure out a way to approach Raelynn without startling her.
She didn't want to make the girl uncomfortable.
After all, Raelynn still had her grandfather.
Turning to Julian with uncontainable joy, Evelyn asked, "You've known Raelynn for a while now, haven't you? You two have a decent relationship. Why don't you try to gently prepare her for the possibility?"
Julian stiffened instantly.
A wave of deep discomfort washed over him.
"...We aren't that close."
Saying those words felt like a physical blow. His head throbbed.
The memory of every terrible thing he had done to Raelynn hit him like a barrage of poisoned daggers, draining the color from his face.
On top of that.
He suddenly thought of Raelynn and Sebastian.
He had personally witnessed Sebastian ruthlessly betray her, and worse, he had once supported it.
And now...
Julian felt as if his throat had been slashed. He couldn't make a sound.
Evelyn didn't press him on his sudden change in demeanor, because a maid walked in carrying an elegant envelope. "This invitation arrived from the Hudson family. They're hosting a delayed first birthday gala for their child and requested our presence."
At those words.
When wealthy families hosted events, there were too many layers to consider.
You couldn't just burn bridges over personal friction.
Ian understood her stance perfectly.
She was far more magnanimous than he had anticipated.
He gave a slight nod.
Glancing up at the darkening sky.
Raelynn was wearing a cozy knit sweater, her hair pulled back into a messy low ponytail. She looked warm and approachable.
He didn't actually have any other business to attend to.
He had just wanted to see her and get her thoughts.
So...
"Was there anything else?" Raelynn asked, blinking at him.
Ian studied her clear, flawless face for a moment. His gaze was entirely serene when he asked, "Raelynn, aren't you going to invite me up?"

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!...