Evelyn already held a deep prejudice against Sebastian.
She hadn't forgotten how Seraphina Vance had thrown her weight around while attached to his side. Now that she knew Raelynn was her own flesh and blood, thinking about how Raelynn had been treated felt like a knife twisting in her heart.
She felt nothing but agonizing heartache and fury.
As a result.
Evelyn's abrupt mention of the arranged marriage instantly sucked all the air out of the room.
Sebastian lifted his eyes, his gaze heavy and unreadable, but he didn't rush to interrupt.
Raelynn looked at Arthur in panic. She still hadn't officially told him about her divorce from Sebastian.
Even though their estranged, broken marriage was tabloid fodder outside these walls...
She simply hadn't figured out how to break the news to her grandfather.
"You arranged a marriage for the child?" Arthur was having a good day; his mind was sharp and clear. He glared at them. "A massive family like yours still practices these outdated customs? If the child doesn't agree to it, I absolutely refuse to acknowledge it!"
With that.
Arthur waved Sebastian over. "Sebastian, come here."
Sebastian wheeled himself over.
He stopped right beside Raelynn.
Arthur declared, "My Raelynn is already married. This is my grandson-in-law, Sebastian Croix."
He formally introduced Sebastian to their faces.
Julian looked at Arthur's protective stance in sheer bewilderment. It was glaringly obvious that Arthur was extremely... satisfied with Sebastian?
Raelynn was sweating bullets.
She had no idea how this was going to unfold. She was terrified Sebastian would ruthlessly expose their divorce, and equally terrified Evelyn would blow their cover. It was so rare to see her grandfather in such high spirits, and she desperately wanted him to hold onto this peace for as long as possible.
He was ninety years old; she didn't want him to suffer an ounce of stress.
"I'm here to visit Grandpa. Is that really so strange?" Sebastian countered seamlessly.
Julian was choked into silence again.
He felt a surge of ironic fury. Sebastian hadn't even cared about Raelynn, so why was he suddenly playing the devoted grandson to her grandfather?
Yet, frustratingly, he couldn't refute it.
Even Raelynn found Sebastian's justification completely absurd.
But she didn't call him out on it.
Arthur looked at Evelyn. "Chairwoman Hayes, it seems you have some issues with Sebastian?"
Despite his age, he was sharp enough to read the tension in the room.
Evelyn cast a freezing glare at Sebastian, dropping all pretenses of politeness. "No. I just don't know this Mr. Croix very well, and I have my doubts about whether young Raelynn truly found the right man."
"Sebastian is a good kid," Arthur declared firmly. "I believe he is a capable husband who can shield Raelynn from the storms of life. A couple's life belongs to them alone, for better or worse. As elders, we shouldn't use our love as an excuse to overstep. Ultimately, I want Raelynn to have the freedom to decide her own destiny."

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!...