She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 171

At that moment, seeing the sheer rage burning in Herbert Jewell's eyes, Sylvie Sinclair's trembling hands shook violently. Her throat tightened. "Mr... Mr. Jewell..."

"When did Hulda drop off the divorce papers?" Herbert asked in a low, dangerous voice, his grip so tight he looked ready to crush the certificate into dust.

Sylvie wanted to keep up her act, but under his piercing glare, she stuttered out the truth. "It... it was the Friday night the institute canceled their site visit..."

Herbert remembered that night well. Because the institute's exclusive partnership had fallen through, he'd had to scramble for a backup plan. He had been out late drinking and networking with Justin Jameson and an investment banker friend.

Callie Yates had called him that evening, mentioning that Hulda had come home.

So that was the night Hulda had delivered the divorce papers.

But he had been completely oblivious, spending the whole time planning a company retreat with Sylvie for the following day.

Worse still, when he ran into Hulda at the resort dock and she kindly warned him about the dangers of heading out to sea, he had lashed out at her and driven her away.

All this time... by that point, she had already cut all ties with him.

She hadn't been acting out of jealousy or throwing a tantrum. She had genuinely just been trying to warn him.

Suddenly, the divorce certificate in his hand felt unbearably heavy, dragging his arm down and making his chest ache.

"That night, I specifically asked you why Hulda came back. What did you say?" Herbert gripped the papers tightly. "Why didn't you tell me the truth!"

Sylvie stumbled back in fright, her eyes instantly welling with tears. "Mr. Jewell, I'm sorry, I... I saw how stressed you were about the company. You were in such a terrible mood. I was so worried about you, and I didn't want to add to your pain, so I hid the papers... I thought I'd wait until the company stabilized and you were in a better headspace to tell you... I never meant to deceive you... I was just worried..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face. Her small frame shook as she sobbed, gasping for breath.

"Callie, take Sylvie to get bandaged up." With that, he walked out of the study without looking back.

Sylvie pressed her lips tightly together, letting Callie help her up, but her eyes were fixed coldly on the direction Herbert had left.

Callie didn't notice the shift in her demeanor, her attention entirely on Sylvie's arm. "Does it hurt? I'll get the first-aid kit right away."

She helped Sylvie into a chair and muttered, "Honestly, this is all Mrs. Jewell's fault. You had a perfectly good life, and she goes and demands a divorce. What an unnecessary fuss."

With that, she bustled off to fetch the medicine.

Alone in the study, Sylvie lowered her eyes, looking at the scratches on her arm. Slowly, a ruthless glint crept into her gaze.