Raelynn was stunned.
Absolute disbelief washed over her face.
She had genuinely believed Ian was here to compete openly, bringing her along so she wouldn't feel deceived or kept in the dark.
She never in a million years expected...
He was withdrawing the bid?
Sebastian's expression remained perfectly still, but his gaze turned freezing cold.
His brow lowered a fraction before he finally spoke. "What game are you playing, Ian?"
Ian met his stare. "I'm saying you underestimated my feelings for Raelynn. You belittled my sincerity, which is why you never saw this coming."
"I'm in love with her, Sebastian. Much more deeply than you could ever comprehend."
Although Ian's voice was low enough for only the three of them to hear, every word struck like a hammer.
It was impossible to ignore.
Sebastian sat half-hidden in the dim lighting, making it impossible to read the true emotions swirling on his face.
Ian's words echoed loudly.
Love. Commitment. Willingly giving it all up.
Ian was declaring his ultimate devotion and resolve to Raelynn right in front of him.
After a long pause, his lips curled into a smirk. "You haven't even officially taken over The Hudson Family yet, Mr. Hudson. Are you so sure you can convince your board to swallow this?"
"That's my problem," Ian replied smoothly. "As long as you understand exactly where I stand with her."
The surrounding hall was buzzing with noise.
Yet their immediate area felt completely stripped of sound.
Raelynn was too dumbfounded to even process a reaction.
She was truly reeling.
She had done her research on this plot of land. It had been the center of a bloodbath years ago.
It was prime real estate, something countless corporations would slaughter each other for.
And Ian, who had the strongest backing to win it, had actually... withdrawn.
Sebastian stopped flicking his lighter, an impenetrable glint flashing in his eyes as he assessed his rival.
She clenched her fists and stood.
She threw one last glance at Sebastian.
It was a look laden with immense complexity.
When she had blamed Sebastian for using her as a pawn, she was first appalled by his ruthlessness. Secondly, she knew his tactics would inevitably make Ian and The Hudson Family view her as a massive liability.
No one wanted to deal with an endless stream of drama.
She had genuinely feared that his family might back out and cut ties to avoid the fallout.
But now...
She wanted to scream at Sebastian that not everyone in the world was as heartless and cruel as he was.
Yet, she also had to face the reality of the situation.
She owed Ian. Big time.
Some debts were nearly impossible to repay, but she had no choice but to accept this one.
"Are you satisfied now, Sebastian?" Raelynn asked, her voice dripping with resentment and biting sarcasm.

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!...