Ian was walking right toward them.
The two men found themselves face-to-face in the narrow hallway.
Ian's usually stoic, handsome face instantly hardened. "What is the meaning of this, Mr. Croix?"
Sebastian stepped past him, his eyes carrying a frosty chill. "No need to be so paranoid, Mr. Hudson. If I wanted to compete with you, I have plenty of ways to do it."
He didn't linger.
He walked away without looking back.
It was as if the explosive argument he just had with Raelynn was nothing but a fleeting illusion.
Ian's eyes darkened with suspicion.
He turned to Raelynn. "Why was he here?"
Raelynn swallowed hard, her throat painfully dry. She couldn't help but remember Sebastian's taunt: *Do you think Ian truly had no idea his family was going to submit a second bid?*
And then, his terrifying warning about securing Lily's custody.
"He went to the wrong floor. He was looking for Ms. Davenport."
Raelynn didn't give Ian the full story.
Ian didn't push it. With only one floor separating them, getting off on the wrong level was possible—but for a man like Sebastian Croix? Highly unlikely.
Still, he wasn't going to call her out on it.
Instead, he said, "This place might not be the best fit after all. Should we look at a different neighborhood?"
He phrased it as a question.
But Raelynn heard his final decision loud and clear. He didn't want to live here anymore.
Because living here meant running into Sebastian and Zella.
Even though she genuinely liked the condo, he would rather uproot their plans than deal with the proximity.
Raelynn understood perfectly, and she wasn't going to argue.
She looked at Ian and nodded. "Whatever you think is best."
As they turned to leave, Ian cast one final, cold look toward the elevator.
...
Sebastian turned to leave. "Yes."
Zella froze.
She fully expected him to shoot back a ruthless, emotionless 'No.'
After all, he seemed completely detached from Raelynn despite years of marriage, acting as if the institution meant nothing to him. She genuinely believed a man of his status was incapable of handing his heart over to anyone.
But his answer...
She stared at his broad back as he walked away.
Recovering her composure, she called out, "The banquet next week is when our families officially announce the engagement. Like it or not, we're going to be together."
Sebastian didn't break his stride.
He headed downstairs.
Pausing for a moment, he tilted his head back, glancing up toward the floor above.
Then, he pulled out his phone and made another call. "We need to meet. It's about Raelynn."

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!...