Sebastian lowered his gaze to meet Raelynn's trembling eyes. He didn't speak. He offered no excuses. He simply turned his attention back to Cordelia.
His gaze swept over the entire crowd.
With so many witnesses present.
His voice was absolute ice. "Mrs. Hudson, when Raelynn nearly fell to her death off that cliff, I was the one who saved her. I carried her to the hospital for treatment, and you stood right there and watched me tend to my injured arm. You knew exactly who saved her, yet you stole the credit. You repeatedly manipulated and bled Raelynn dry for your own use. Is this the esteemed standard of the Hudson matriarch?"
His tone was perfectly level, yet every word landed like a physical blow.
It echoed clearly into everyone's ears.
He made damn sure everyone knew the truth: Raelynn didn't owe the Hudsons a single cent. It was the Hudsons who were greedy and deceptive.
Cordelia had never anticipated Raelynn would bring up the cliff incident while publicly tearing into her, and by sheer terrible luck, Sebastian had heard every word.
She remembered that day perfectly. She had watched a pale, battered Sebastian carry Raelynn into the emergency room.
She had seen right through them back then.
The damage between Sebastian and Raelynn was catastrophic. Their toxic marriage had left them so scarred they refused to be honest with each other. So, she took a gamble.
Businessmen always operated this way, after all.
Bold risks yielded massive rewards.
And it had worked flawlessly.
By removing Sebastian from the narrative, she ensured their relationship remained shattered. He would never claim credit, and Raelynn would never believe he would go to such lengths for her. Why shouldn't she use that blind spot to control the girl?
But now.
Sebastian was publicly severing those strings.
He was absolving Raelynn of the 'ungrateful' label the public had stamped on her.
Leaving Cordelia exposed as the true villain.
Cordelia's face twisted in sheer humiliation.
Today had already been a disaster. The Hudsons had lost the massive East District Land Auction they were absolutely certain they would win.
He had nearly lost his own life pulling her back from the edge.
And he had never said a single word.
Her voice was incredibly soft.
Yet it hit Sebastian's chest like a boulder. His eyes flickered with raw vulnerability. His Adam's apple bobbed as he slowly looked down.
He met Raelynn's gaze. She was smiling, but it wasn't a happy smile.
He didn't even have to guess what she was thinking, or what she was mocking him for.
"You really didn't need to keep it from me. I would have repaid you for saving my life. You had absolutely no reason to worry that I'd catch feelings again and cling to you."
That was the only reason.
The reason Sebastian knew the truth but swallowed it whole.
He refused to tell her he had risked his life to save her because he was terrified she would waver. He was afraid she would delusionally assume he still cared, and that she would foolishly believe they still had a chance.

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!...