Chapter 3: Chapter Three: Unusually Jarring

Listening to the man's cold words, Vanessa Galsworthy's heart couldn't help but clench. Lowering her eyes, she responded indifferently, "Does it matter when we choose to do it?"

The Montgomery family would eventually find out about their divorce.

Vanessa Galsworthy opened the divorce agreement and placed it in front of him, speaking earnestly, "I originally planned to leave with nothing, but now I've changed my mind. Give me three hundred thousand, and we'll settle all our debts, from then on, we go our separate ways."

She wanted to leave with pride, but after a night's sleep, she realized Hannah Pope was right. If there were no feelings, why not talk about money? What else could she gain?

Moreover, the burn reconstruction really needed a lot of money. Three hundred thousand was just pocket change for the Montgomery family, but it could save her life.

The mention of three hundred thousand was exceptionally grating.

As Mrs. Montgomery, her monthly allowance alone exceeded three hundred thousand.

It was almost like leaving with nothing, yet still insisting on a divorce.

Edmund Montgomery lowered his head, picked up the divorce agreement, and began flipping through the pages. His face grew increasingly grim, a layer of frost covering his brows.

The atmosphere in the car was tense and oppressive.

Edmund Montgomery's expression became even more unpleasant. He held her head with one hand, his firm muscles pressing against her cheek. She could clearly hear his wildly beating heart. Was he going to...

She tried to break free from his grip and open the car door, but Edmund Montgomery grabbed her wrist.

Losing her balance, she fell into a sturdy embrace.

"What's this? You seem quite adept at playing hard to get!" he said, gripping her wrist, sending a tingling sensation down her neck.

She resisted in shame, but her wide sleeve slipped down her arm...

Revealing the large burn scars on her arm.

The ugly marks, like twisted, winding snakes, climbed over her tender skin, looking particularly jarring.

Edmund Montgomery's gaze suddenly darkened. After a few seconds of silence, he asked, "What happened?"

Vanessa Galsworthy calmly pulled away and put the wide sleeve back on.

Covering the ugly scar.

She had survived a car accident, and the man called her husband knew nothing about it.

Thinking of this, the emotions buried deep within her surged again. She took several deep breaths to suppress them.

She shrugged indifferently, "Just a minor car accident, nothing fatal."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

Vanessa Galsworthy raised her head, giving him a mocking look, "You're a busy person, sir. You forgot, I called you."

She had called many times.

Edmund Montgomery, holding the thin divorce agreement with his other hand, turned to look at her, his expression somewhat gloomy. He seemed to want to say something but swallowed it back.

"Three hundred thousand will be transferred to your account. If it's not enough, we can discuss further."

Was this an agreement?

Vanessa Galsworthy froze in her seat, feeling relieved yet empty.

Edmund Montgomery had already restarted the car, heading towards the old Huo residence.

Vanessa Galsworthy did not struggle anymore.

After all, their marriage was arranged by the old master of the Montgomery family. Such a significant matter as a divorce should at least be communicated to them.

When they returned to the old Huo residence, they hadn't even sat down when Mother-in-law Tabitha Norton approached, her usually elegant and refined face filled with anger, "Vanessa Galsworthy, what's going on! Can't you even keep a child!"

As she spoke, she threw the abortion surgery slip at Vanessa Galsworthy's face.

A child?

Vanessa Galsworthy's body stiffened. Did the Montgomery family know about the child?

Edmund Montgomery picked up the slip from the floor, staring at Vanessa Galsworthy's signature on the abortion form. He stood there in shock, grinding his teeth, "You aborted the child?"

I aborted the child?

Mentioning the child...

Vanessa Galsworthy's barely suppressed emotions surged again, her eyes immediately turning red.

She remained silent, not knowing what to say.

A sense of powerlessness welled up inside her.

This child, with whom she had no bond, was only known to her when she was about to lose it.

Tabitha Norton's eyes flickered, her gaze toward Edmund Montgomery sharp and dissatisfied, "You weren't there when Vanessa Galsworthy was in a car accident and hospitalized, allowing those incompetent doctors to abort my grandchild. How are you being a husband?"

He was there.

But he was with another woman and child.

Vanessa Galsworthy lowered her head, her brows furrowed. Her mother-in-law's anger was only for the sake of the grandchild.

She nearly died in that car accident, and no one cared about her safety.

Edmund Montgomery's brows furrowed tightly, seemingly recalling yesterday's scene, "At that time... you... were in the hospital?"

Yes.

Watching another child call you Dad.

"I'm sorry about the child. I regret it," Vanessa Galsworthy smiled faintly, then said softly, "Thank you for taking care of me these years. I am truly grateful."

Tabitha Norton frowned, sensing something was off, her gaze sweeping over Vanessa Galsworthy.

What did she mean?

Vanessa Galsworthy's expression remained unchanged, "Huanlin and I have signed the divorce agreement. I will move out as soon as possible."

Divorce?

Everyone in the room was stunned.

Edmund Montgomery's cold gaze fixed on Vanessa Galsworthy, anger rising in his heart.

"I'm not dead yet, what nonsense is this!" The usually silent Father-in-law, Jeffrey Montgomery, scolded sternly, his face cold.

Although Jeffrey Montgomery was older and had retired, his authority remained, and his imposing presence was still formidable.

"Even if this child is gone, there will be another. Is it necessary to divorce?" Jeffrey Montgomery paused, then stared coldly at his son, "Who do you plan to marry after the divorce? Those women outside are fine for casual affairs, but what qualifications do they have to enter the Montgomery family? Don't let yourself be bewitched and lose sight of what you're doing."

"Only Vanessa is the recognized daughter-in-law of the Montgomery family."

Although the Galsworthy family's daughter wasn't of high status, she was at least well-behaved.

In Jeffrey Montgomery's eyes, Vanessa Galsworthy was always a compliant and gentle daughter-in-law. The one proposing the divorce must be his philandering son.

After regaining her composure, Tabitha Norton adjusted her emotions, "Your father is right. Besides, your grandfather's kidney was donated by Vanessa. You need to be grateful to her and not give others a reason to gossip."

Vanessa Galsworthy's eyes flickered, her lips tensing, and she instinctively looked at Edmund Montgomery.

She had no intention of using the favor to her advantage.

"The divorce is..."

Edmund Montgomery extended his long arm, pulling Vanessa Galsworthy closer, his expression stern as he interrupted, "Mom, I understand."

Tabitha Norton narrowed her eyes, knowing her son's nature and methods. Some things couldn't be forced.

"Forget it, I can't control you." Tabitha Norton sighed wearily, her eyes reddening, "I only hope that before your father and I die, we can see a grandchild, so we can face your grandfather with dignity."

In the early years, her relationship with Jeffrey Montgomery was not good. Edmund Montgomery was raised by the late Grandfather. When he was eight, he had pneumonia and a high fever for several days and nights. The old man never left his side, and their bond was extraordinary.