Hearing that,
Zella narrowed her eyes.
Matilda simply laughed. "Listen to you, speaking so recklessly. We wouldn't want Ms. Davenport getting the wrong idea, would we?"
She waved a dismissive hand, playing the forgiving elder. "Ms. Davenport wants to chat with you, so I'll give you two some privacy. Show her around the grounds."
Matilda wasn't worried in the slightest about Raelynn starting a fight or saying something out of line.
She clearly had no intention of interfering.
Zella stood up and looked directly at Raelynn. "I hear the gardens here are stunning. Walk with me?"
At this point,
refusing would just make her look petty.
Raelynn didn't argue.
Zella didn't say much as they walked. She glanced briefly at the estate's luxurious landscaping, clearly unimpressed. She looked exactly like someone who...
...was also dreading this blind date.
Raelynn frowned inwardly.
Suddenly,
Zella turned to her. "I grew up in Hong Kong and went abroad in my teens. I don't know much about these mainland dynasties, but the Croix family has quite the reputation. My family is highly satisfied with this match, even with his previous marriage."
Raelynn looked at her thoughtfully. "What do you want to ask me?"
Zella maintained her haughty posture. "What kind of man is he?"
Raelynn remained silent for a moment.
Asking the ex-wife for a character reference. Matilda truly had no fear that Raelynn would completely trash his reputation and sabotage this golden alliance.
But she genuinely considered the question. "He's brilliant. He solves problems ruthlessly. He's incredibly calculating and strategic, a rare genius who values pure logic above all else. But that means he severely lacks empathy. Don't expect grand romantic gestures or emotional warmth from him."
She refused to be the kind of woman who talked trash behind someone's back.
Raelynn shrugged. "I'm getting married soon. Isn't it best to completely let go of my ex-husband? Besides, if your family is pushing for an alliance, I'm sure you've already run a full background check on him. You probably didn't find anything scandalous. He hasn't exactly had a string of mistresses over the years. No wild parties, no secret lovers, no seedy entertainment. You came up empty, didn't you?"
For all these years, aside from his proximity to Seraphina Vance...
Sebastian's record was spotless.
The elite men in their circle, no matter how devoted they appeared to their wives, usually had a revolving door of side pieces. None of them could survive a thorough private investigation.
But regarding Seraphina...
When Forrest Croix returned, he had publicly ripped off Seraphina's mask.
He had branded her as a desperate gold digger trying to climb the social ladder. Now, the public just assumed Sebastian had been the victim of a calculated smear campaign, rather than someone genuinely entangled with her.
That was the sheer brilliance of the Croix patriarch.
Which meant Zella had found absolutely zero flaws in Sebastian's history. Not even a rumor of a casual fling.
That was why she was trying to dig up dirt from his ex-wife.

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!...