His Hidden Family My Ruined Marriage (Liana) novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45 Anya’s Defeat

“Yvonne is returning from maternity leave early.” Elian’s tone brooked no argument.

+5 Pearis

“But she was supposed to be out for six months! Elian, please. For Theo’s sake, let me stay at Locke Group.”

Anya immediately grew frantic, reaching for his hand.

Elian looked down silently at where her fingers gripped his wrist. Feeling his displeasure, she quickly let

Her phone rang. She saw it was her father, and a sense of dread washed over her.

“Dad, I know. I’m coming home right now.” She hung up, forced to leave.

Elian remained leaning against the car, waiting.

Half an hour later, Liana and Lily emerged from the building.

Liana noted he was still in yesterday’s shirt and trousers, now slightly rumpled.

She approached. “Did you find the marriage certificate, Mr. Locke?”

“Anya got the code from Evan. You know Evan’s been to the house before to fetch documents for me when you were at work.”

He ignored her question, offering an explanation for yesterday.

“I know. I just want to vacate the title of ‘Mrs. Locke’ sooner, so the woman you truly care for can take her rightful place by your side.” Her voice was icy.

“I’m unaware of any woman I need to ‘care for’ aside from you.” Elian leaned against the car door, his gaze steady on her.

“Then allow me, for the sake of our two-year marriage, to remind you, Mr. Locke.” Liana stepped closer. “It was you who chose Ms. Forrest without hesitation when we were both in danger. It was you who chose to protect her after she had my window smashed. It’s that same Ms. Forrest who didn’t want to marry you and left you, yet you welcomed her back with a mansion. Oh, and you share a lovely son.”

Elian felt a hot, stinging flush of humiliation.

He’d waited here all night, only to realize some things were indefensible.

A sardonic smile twisted his lips, but his deep eyes quickly locked onto her cold, beautiful face.

1/3

12:01 Thu, Feb 12

Chapter 45 Anya’s Defeat

He straightened, about to step toward her.

“Don’t move, Mr. Locke. A hair on your shoulder.”

Lily, seizing the moment, darted close and deftly plucked a hair from his shirt.

70

+5 Pearls

As Elian shot a questioning, disdainful look at Lily brushing his shoulder, Liana’s heart skipped a beat.

Lily winked at her, as if holding proof of Anya’s infidelity in her hand.

“Let’s go, or we’ll be late.”

Lily, belatedly sensing the lethal chill in Elian’s gaze, had already stashed the hair in her purse and was making a quick retreat.

Seeing Lily leave, Liana turned to follow but found her path blocked by Elian’s tall frame.

“We need to talk.”

The post-rain sunlight was brilliant, casting a warm glow on him.

For a fleeting moment, looking into his steady, deep eyes, Liana felt her heart waver. But she quickly steeled herself.

“I only want to talk about one thing.”

“Go on.” He showed no sign of moving.

“For a man with your power and connections, is finalizing a divorce really that difficult? Or do you just enjoy two-timing?” Her gaze was level, her voice cool.

Elian said nothing, just watched her silently.

Liana gave

him a final, cold smirk, turned, and walked away.

…

That morning, a storm cloud seemed to hang over the CEO’s office at Locke Group.

Evan slunk out, chastened.

Anya, waiting outside, followed him. “What did Elian say?”

“Ms. Forrest, there’s no ‘Elian’ here. Only Mr. Locke. The boss.” Evan, annoyed, turned to remind her.

2/2

12:01 Thu, Feb 12 –

Chapter 45 Anya’s Defeat

“Fine. What did Mr. Locke say?” She corrected herself.

Evan sighed, “If there’s a next time, I’ll resign. I can’t help you anymore.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify