The Transactional Marriage That Imploded novel Chapter 169

But because Mabel was keeping Cynthia positioned like a human shield in front of her, the snipers didn't dare take the shot.

By the time the civil affairs officials arrived with their equipment, Bianca was right behind them.

Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded, "Grandma, please come down! I'm begging you! Didn't I tell you? I only have a little over a year left before I can divorce him legally anyway! If something happens to you, how am I supposed to go on?"

Mathis stared at Bianca in disbelief. No wonder she hadn't screamed, fought, or filed a lawsuit after moving out of Kingsbridge City.

She had been prepared all along.

Though he didn't know exactly what kind of plan she had set in motion, he realized she was absolutely certain she could leave him.

The thought sent a sharp, agonizing stab through his chest.

Seeing the civil affairs workers, Mabel shook her head. "No. A year is too long. Mathis is too despicable. He and his mistress will just keep tormenting you. Bianca, I won't let them hurt you anymore."

She turned to the officials. "Hurry up and process their papers! The moment they have that divorce certificate in hand, I'll let her go."

"But we don't have our marriage license with us," Mathis interjected.

Mabel wasn't buying it. "The system is entirely digital now. Do your job!"

The two of them handed over their IDs, and the official opened the laptop to begin the process.

As Mabel watched them, Cynthia suddenly panicked and shoved her backward. In the ensuing chaos, Mabel's knife plunged deeply into Cynthia's abdomen.

Cynthia collapsed to the ground, and in that exact split second, a sniper's bullet struck Mabel.

The gunshot echoed across the rooftop as Bianca and Mathis sprinted forward, catching Mabel's blood-soaked body just before she hit the ground.

Jax lunged forward as well, shoving Mathis violently out of the way.

Tears poured from Bianca's eyes. Her voice cracked into a hoarse, primal scream. "Grandma! Don't leave me! Please, I'm begging you, don't leave me!"

Mabel reached up with a trembling hand to wipe away Bianca's tears. "Don't cry, Bunny. I'm going to see your mother now. That woman is probably dead... but I didn't manage to kill Mathis. I'm useless."

With those final words, Mabel breathed her last. Bianca held her grandmother's rapidly cooling body, sobbing until her entire frame shook.

Grandma was gone.

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