Chloe laughed in pure delight. "Does this mean we're officially family now?"
Lily, being just a child, didn't care about the ring and was busy trying to pour herself some milk.
Raelynn finally turned to Chloe. "How much do you know about your cousin's branch of the family and the Hudson company?"
"Why do you ask?" Chloe tilted her head. "I mean, my cousin is from the main branch, and I'm just a side branch. He's the sole heir, so he has a lot of authority. But there are still the elders in the family, and the corporate side... that's a massive, tangled web."
Raelynn looked thoughtful. "So, for a major project, like a huge plot of land, could he make the call entirely on his own? Like, withdrawing a bid?"
"Huh?" Chloe looked confused.
"Well, not entirely on his own. He has the right to make executive decisions, but it still requires the board's approval. A plot of land? You mean The East District Land Auction?"
"Yes."
"How could they possibly withdraw that bid? It's a massive piece of land. Even if my cousin wanted to let it go, the Hudson clan would never allow it." Chloe pulled out her phone. "Look, the bids are in. The Hudson family is officially on the list of bidders."
Raelynn froze.
She stared at the screen.
The news was already out today.
The Hudson family submitted a bid.
They hadn't withdrawn at all.
But Ian had been so absolute when he told her he had pulled out. His attitude hadn't seemed fake at all. So where did things go wrong?
A sudden, indescribable feeling welled up in Raelynn's chest.
Ian had sworn he had withdrawn the bid, so what was this?
"What's wrong?" Chloe noticed Raelynn's pale expression.
Raelynn said nothing. She had no right to dictate how Ian ran his business, but the sheer shock of being lied to was hard to swallow.
The reality was the exact opposite of what he had promised.
"Let's eat first."
She headed to the bathroom to wash up.
Chloe didn't press the issue.
Seeing her, Sierra grabbed her backpack straps and jogged over, radiating youthful energy. Her chestnut hair was braided to one side, making her face look even more vibrant and adorable.
"Ms. Ortiz!"
Sierra beamed. "Why didn't I see you yesterday?"
Raelynn thought for a moment. "I left early."
"With Mr. Hudson?"
"Yes."
Sierra looked thoughtful, puffing her cheeks slightly. "It seems Mr. Croix was right. We both found out you left early with Mr. Hudson last night."
Raelynn was taken aback for a second.
But she quickly let it go. It wasn't surprising that Sebastian had found out.
Sierra smiled brightly. "Mr. Croix didn't seem to have any intention of ruining things between you and Mr. Hudson. He practically gave his blessing for you to find a good home. We knew you two went on a date, and he didn't say a word." She scratched her head, feigning confusion. "It looks like your marriage really was forced. You suffered for so long, Ms. Ortiz."
Shaking her head, Sierra sighed with genuine happiness for her. "Thank goodness you're finally out of that nightmare!"

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!...