Chapter 9

Hannah stopped and turned. Her eyes were cold as she fixed them on Sabrina.

"Your brother and I are already divorced. Do you really want me to stay in the Hale house?"

Sabrina's lips curled. "Don't flatter yourself. I only wanted to remind you that the bag in your hand and the dress on your back belong to the Hale family. Since you're no longer married to Luke, it seems a little improper for you to cling to Hale property, doesn't it?"

Margaret joined in. "That's right, Hannah. Think about it. What is that dress worth? And that bag? The Hales paid for every bit of it. Beggars from the Winters family don't deserve fine things like these!"

Hannah looked down at her clothes. They had indeed been bought with Hale money. After a moment, she decided the mother and daughter had a point. Without another word, she turned and walked back to the master bedroom.

As she turned, she cast one last glance at Sabrina and Margaret, her eyes full of scorn. "Don't worry. I want nothing from the Hale family."

Thankfully, she hadn't thrown away the clothes she wore before marrying in. Getting rid of what didn't belong to her felt like a relief.

Lucas stayed coldly indifferent. Only yesterday he had been perfectly content with her as his wife. Now he felt nothing but disgust. All he wanted was for her to regret everything.

As she reached the bedroom door, he couldn't help himself. "Hannah, do you regret it?"

His voice was cold and mocking. "Let me tell you, it's too late now!"

He slid his arm around Victoria's waist and announced, "I've decided to marry Vicky. And don't you dare come back later on your knees, begging."

Hannah answered without turning. "Then congratulations. A snake and a rat make a perfect pair, don't they? I wish you a long and happy marriage."

She slammed the door so hard it shook.

Lucas wanted to storm after her and strike her. But he was a gentleman, he told himself, and gentlemen did not hit women. He could only grind out through his teeth, "Good... very good..."

Victoria nestled against him, wounded. "Luke, why does Hannah say such terrible things..."

Sabrina stared. "No way. Luke, you're going to marry Miss Ashford?"

Margaret objected at once. "No, I won't allow it. Luke, don't be so hasty..."

Raymond said nothing. In his opinion, any woman was better for his son than Hannah.

"Since I've taken Vicky, I have to take responsibility for her," Lucas said firmly. "My mind is made up. It won't be long before she's carrying my child. Then you and Father can hold your grandchild. Isn't that wonderful?"

Margaret was speechless. She looked at Victoria's flat stomach and said grudgingly, "Couldn't you consider other girls? This one... she doesn't look like a good person at all..."

Publicly belittled by his mother, Victoria felt awful. She swallowed her tears and whispered, "Luke... I told you, this is already more than enough. I shouldn't have asked for more..."

Seeing how pitiful she looked, Lucas's heart softened. "Vicky, I mean what I say. You can trust me."

He turned to his mother. "Mother, take care of Father. I'll decide my own marriage. I don't need you interfering."

"Look how you speak to your mother!" Margaret fumed.

From his wheelchair, Raymond cut in. "Enough. If Luke is happy, why do you care so much? However bad Miss Ashford is, she's still better than that Hannah, isn't she?"

Sabrina added, "Yes, Mother, leave it. This isn't yours to worry about."

Seeing the three of them, father and children, all of one mind, Margaret gave in. "Fine, fine. I won't say another word."

She glared at Victoria once more and turned her face away.

Attorney Crawford, who had been sorting the papers, now stepped forward. "Mr. Hale, the divorce agreement is ready. Please review it, and if everything is in order, sign below. From today, Mr. Peter Winters will be obliged to repay your debt of four hundred and twenty thousand crowns. I will notify the court and have the summons delivered to him. As for Miss Winters, I have investigated thoroughly and found no debts. And because of the prenuptial agreement she signed, she is not entitled to any division of property."

His words were crisp and clear, reporting the outcome with professional ease.

Lucas nodded. He took the agreement, read each term carefully, and signed without hesitation.

Once it was done, Attorney Crawford bade farewell to Raymond and Margaret and left the manor.

In the bedroom, Hannah changed into the white shirt and jeans she had worn before marrying into the Hales.

She carefully hid the black card from Edmund and the contact card from Eleanor in the sole of her shoe.

Her eyes fell on a small, delicate craft knife on the dressing table.

She wiped her phone clean, took off her wedding ring, and set it on the table.

Then she gripped her identity papers and marriage record, drew a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked out.

In the sitting room, the Hales were chatting warmly with Victoria.

Sabrina's voice was sweet and fawning. "Oh, Miss Ashford, I felt a connection the moment I saw you! What shade of lipstick is that? It makes you glow. You look gorgeous..."

Victoria blushed shyly. "Sister Sabrina, you flatter me. It's from a fine Eldermere perfumer. If you like it, I'll bring you one." Her manner was warm and friendly.

The moment she finished, Sabrina's eyes landed on Hannah, stepping out of the bedroom.

She stopped talking at once. Her gaze sharpened with suspicion, as though she feared Hannah might walk away with something that belonged to the Hales.