clutches of fate

"Carol is back. Let's get divorced!"

The man across the couch exuded a refined temperament. Liam Kane had a handsome face and deep, intense eyes that seemed to catch everything.

Lana Clark nodded expressionlessly.

Liam slid the divorce agreement toward her. She wore exaggerated smokey eye makeup and a wild explosion of hair that resembled alternative fashion.

He remained nonchalant. "Take a look. Sign if you have no objections."

His sensual voice held no warmth. It was no different from the monotonous three years of their marriage.

"Alright." Lana didn't bother reading through it. She picked up the pen and signed the document.

Her marriage to Liam was nothing more than a contractual agreement.

Now that his lover was back, it was time for her to step aside and make way for the true Mrs. Kane.

Lana had spent three years with the Kane family. And now that Carol had returned, Lana would finally have time to continue with her medical studies.

The lawyer put away the signed agreement as Liam got to his feet.

"Grandma's 80th birthday party is today. I'll announce our divorce there."

She nodded. "I'll pack up as soon as possible!"

Liam had wanted to marry his beloved Carol Clark. However, Madam Violet Anderson had disapproved of the match. The elderly woman had taken a liking to Lana instead.

His parents had died young. Violet was the one who had painstakingly raised him. Her word was law to him.

As for Lana, she had only signed the agreement with Liam to repay him for saving her. It stated that once Carol returned to the country, Lana was to relinquish the position of Mrs. Kane to Carol.

…

At Kane Manor, the estate had been bustling all morning since it was the day of Violet's 80th birthday.

Luxury cars lined the front gates. Distinguished guests arrived one after another. Everyone was well-dressed.

The Kanes were at the top of the food chain in Zanteles. They controlled 80% of the key branches of the economy domestically. They were involved in the industrial, agricultural, and construction industries. They also dipped their toes into the military.

Needless to say, they had a lot of influence in Zanteles.

The guests were gathered in Kane Manor's living room. They tried their best to impress Violet, making her laugh heartily.

They knew that Liam was much more amenable when Violet was happy. Only then would they be able to curry favor with him.

Not only was Liam a man of high standing, but he was also rumored to be a demon.

At 18 years of age, he had singlehandedly quelled the Kane family's internal strife. He had gained his fame through bloody means.

Both the authorities and those of the underground world had run-ins with him. He was known to them as "Mr. Seven."

"Mr. Liam is here."

Silence fell over the living room, which had been so lively with laughter mere moments ago.

Liam stood in the doorway against the light. The light cast a faint golden glow on his handsome face. He had a noble and elegant demeanor.

But an air of coldness radiated off of him. It made it clear that he was unapproachable.

"Lee, you're home."

Only Violet dared address him as such. She waved at him. "Where's Lana? I haven't seen her all day."

Just as she spoke, a woman with heavy smokey eye makeup and a big hairdo dressed in a fluorescent green outfit entered.

When everyone saw her, they were shocked.

Only Violet waved at Lana as if nothing was wrong. "Come, Lana. I've been waiting for you all day."

The entire Kane family treated Lana as if she were dirt. Only Violet treasured her and treated her well.

Everyone thought the elderly woman had lost her mind. She had rejected a girl as beautiful and outstanding as Carol.

To think she had Liam marry such a ghastly woman! It was no wonder the man had rarely shown up at Kane Manor in the past three years.

Lana went to Violet's side and said, "I'm here to say goodbye, Grandma. Liam and I are divorced now. I'll be leaving the Kane family today."

Members of the Kane family broke into joyous smiles at her words.

"Thank God. Ms. Ugly is finally leaving."

The one who spoke was Liam's sixth sister, Cherry Kane. She clasped her hands together as a show of piety, as if God had answered her prayers.

Liam's third sister, Garnet Kane, followed her example. "Lee has suffered far too much."

The others were no different. Everyone was mocking Lana.

To them, Liam was far too outstanding to be paired with a good-for-nothing like Lana. If anyone was worthy of standing by his side, it would be the brilliant and beautiful Carol.

Violet's eyes became red after Lana delivered the news. Then, she noticed that Lana was dragging a pitifully small suitcase behind her.

"I thought everything was going fine, Lana. Why are you and Lee getting a divorce? Did he wrong you? Tell me. I'll put him in his place."

Lana smiled bitterly despite the warmth spreading in her heart.

Everyone had spurned and ridiculed her during her time with the Kanes. Only Violet treated her with kindness.

But she and Liam had never gotten along. Violet was going to be disappointed.

"I wish you a happy life, Grandma. Liam and I are over. Take care of yourself."

"Just leave. You're an eyesore. We're still celebrating Grandma's birthday here!" Cherry wanted Lana gone.

"Why are you still here if you're divorced? If I were you, I'd find a hole to crawl into right now."

"Does she think she can get a free meal before she leaves? She has no shame. I've never met anyone as shameless as Lana!"

Amid the verbal abuse, the face painted so exaggeratedly looked up. There was an incomprehensible calm in her eyes as she stared at Liam.

Everyone was openly berating her in front of him. And yet, he remained silent this whole time.

In other words, Liam clearly shared their thoughts deep down as well. Lana was nothing.

Lana had cured Liam's illness in secret and shown him the utmost kindness.

"Goodbye, Liam."

Finally, Lana took her suitcase and disappeared from his sight.

Liam seemed to catch a glimpse of an enchanting smile as she turned around.

His heart raced. He felt as if something important was slipping away from him.

…

Back at Clark Residence, a lively conversation was taking place.

"Mom, Carol will be back this afternoon. Mr. Seven will be picking her up from the airport. I'm thinking of wearing this dress. What do you think? Will it tarnish our family reputation?" asked Jennifer Clark.

Sarah Thompson smiled. "Of course not. You look good in anything, Jen."

Nelson Clark was dressed in a brand-new suit and was showing it off just as Jennifer had done. "What about me, Mom? What do you think?"

Sarah couldn't help but beam with pride at the sight of her children.

"It looks good. You both look amazing."

Standing by the side, Zeke Clark, Sarah's husband, suddenly thought of something. "Will Carol be leaving again?"

Their daughter was exceptionally talented. Despite her young age, she had already been admitted to Newton Academy, a world-renowned university, with a full scholarship.

She was every parent's dream child. Carol was Zeke and Sarah's pride and joy.

Moreover, Carol was Liam's beloved. The Clark family would flourish with a domestic business tycoon like the Kanes by their side.

Sarah couldn't be happier. "Mr. Liam will go to the airport to pick her up himself. What do you think of that?"

Jennifer chimed in smugly, "Mom's right. What kind of man is Mr. Seven? He never settles for less. Would he personally go to the airport if he wasn't confident he'd have her hand?"

"What about Lana?" Nelson was curious.

"Why are you bringing her up on such a joyous day?" Jennifer looked disdainful. Her eyes were filled with disgust.

"She's the joke of this household. Only the senile Madam Violet thinks she's a good fit."

Sarah agreed. "Indeed. She's just someone we took in. We raised her, but she doesn't even show her gratitude. Does she really think she can take Carol's place as Mrs. Kane?"

As far as the Clarks were concerned, Lana and Liam's marriage was a reflection of Lana's greed and lack of gratitude.

"An ungrateful bitch like that should be left for dead in the streets," Zeke concluded.

Lana had just arrived at the door with her suitcase in tow. A self-deprecating smile tugged at her lips when she heard the family's comments.

She had always known she was disposable to the Clarks.

"I'm sorry to disappoint. I'm back and divorced."

The Clarks turned to see her standing in the doorway. Lana's edgy hairstyle made her look fiercer.