Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 199

The fluorescent lights in the courthouse corridor were even more blinding than those in a hospital.

Wren arrived exceptionally early.

Mr. Lawson was waiting for her just past the security checkpoint, a dark gray document folder tucked under his arm. The flap wasn't fully secured, revealing the corner of a printed page. Though he had smoothed the edges perfectly, Wren still caught a glimpse of the title line at the very top.

Abnormal Behavioral Record for Leo Langford at School.

She only looked at it for a split second before tearing her gaze away.

Mr. Lawson didn't speak immediately, falling into step beside her. It wasn't until they had navigated a long stretch of the corridor that he offered a low warning. "Today is just a mediation session. It is highly probable that Mr. Langford will refuse to yield."

"I know."

She answered briskly, acting as though the prospect didn't affect her in the slightest.

The response came so fast it was obvious she had rehearsed it a thousand times in her head.

Mr. Lawson gave her a sidelong glance. "If the opposing counsel tries to use the child as leverage, do not lose your temper."

Wren paused right outside the mediation room, her fingers brushing the voice recorder hidden in her bag before she let it go.

"I won't lose my temper," she said coolly. "I just won't let them use my son as a human shield anymore."

Before she even touched the handle, Eleanor Langford's shrill voice pierced through the heavy wood.

"If she doesn't show, fine! And if she does, who does she think she is, putting on airs? Dragging her own family into court—does she have no shame?"

Muffled by the thick door, the sound was distorted but still agonizingly grating.

Mr. Lawson frowned, raising his hand to knock, but the door swung open from the inside.

Lawrence stood on the other side.

He was wearing a sharp, dark suit today, his tie knotted immaculately, though faint, bruising shadows clung to his under-eyes. Seeing Wren, his gaze locked onto her face for a tense second before drifting to Mr. Lawson and the gray folder in his hand.

In that fleeting second, he looked as if he wanted to say something.

But Eleanor shoved past him before he could open his mouth.

"Wren, you actually have the nerve to show your face." Eleanor glared at her. "Your grandmother's health just barely stabilized, and you insist on causing this massive scene? Has the Langford family not endured enough chaos lately because of you?"

Wren completely ignored her, shifting her gaze directly to Ms. Halloway.

Lawrence took the seat directly across from her.

Between them sat a polished wooden table, a stack of legal documents, and the suffocating weight of six years of unacknowledged wounds.

Ms. Halloway flipped open the case file. "Ms. Whitaker has filed for divorce citing an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, a long-term trend of separation, breaches of marital fidelity, interference by family members in the marital life, and a fundamental dispute regarding the custody of a minor child. Mr. Langford, your position is that you contest this divorce. Is that correct?"

Lawrence's fingers gripped the edge of the table.

"I contest."

Wren didn't even look up.

Mr. Lawson scribbled a quick note on his pad.

"And what are your specific grounds for contesting, Mr. Langford?" Ms. Halloway asked.

Lawrence stared fixedly at Wren. "Our child is still young. Leo has been highly unstable lately. A sudden divorce right now would be a catastrophic psychological blow to him."

Wren's eyelashes fluttered almost imperceptibly.

Lawrence pressed on, "Furthermore, Wren is currently drowning in a professional scandal. Her project at Stellaris has been suspended by the Ethics Board, and the internet is swarming with vicious rumors regarding her family background and business dealings. She is currently in no position to raise a child alone."