All Chapters of You Had This Divorce Coming: Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

The call ended.'Looking forward to working with you.' Lucille turned the phrase over in her mind. She had no existing collaboration with Otto. They shared no projects and no clients. What exactly had he meant?The office door swung open, and Felix walked in wearing the biggest smile she had ever seen. "Lucille! I have incredible news. The studio's other major shareholder, my brother, is coming back to the country today."With you and him both here working together, Zibli River is going to become the top architectural design studio in the industry. No question."Lucille froze as the pieces fell into place.Felix had just said his brother was coming back. Moments earlier, Otto had said he was coming back.She was on her feet before the realization had fully formed. She stared at Felix in disbelief. "I understand now. Otto founded Zibli River Studio. You're his brother. So for the past five years, the person reviewing my design drafts and leaving comments was him. It was your broth

Otto registered Gideon's presence. One glance at the suit, the business luggage, and his posture told him everything he needed to know.When he looked at Gideon, there was no warmth left in his eyes. Nothing remained of their old friendship. Something cold had settled there."I heard your family issued an industry-wide blacklist against Lucille." His words were measured. "Is this how your family treats a daughter-in-law who spent five years in your household and gave birth to your family's child? The Prescotts' standards of conduct are... truly educational."The anger beneath his calm tone was so tightly controlled that it was almost more unsettling because of it.Gideon's expression hardened. "Otto, answer my question first. When did you get this close to Lucille?"Otto's expression settled into what was almost a smile. "Much earlier than you might think. Earlier, in fact, than you."The words landed like a physical blow.Gideon's face went rigid. "That's not possible. You two

An hour earlier, Rayne had heard from the Westbrook family's staff that Otto was returning to the country.She had not heard it from Otto himself. He had told her nothing. He was not returning her calls or reading her messages.The icy distance he had put between them had not eased. Even so, she could not afford to lose him or the Westbrooks' influence behind her. No matter how Otto felt about her now, Rayne had to hold onto that.As such, she had dressed for maximum impact. She had chosen the red gown, the voluminous curls, and the stilettos specifically so he would notice her the moment he walked through the arrivals doors and remember what he had in her.Gideon's tone cut through her confidence, and she could feel it crumble. "Doesn't it look good?""You've tried too hard. This isn't your style." He spoke without a trace of gentleness. He was in the middle of a rage, and he made no effort to soften his words. "You have your own look. Don't change it into something it isn't. Thi

They had been in the middle of something genuinely good.Then a cold, utterly out-of-place voice cut through the room. "A married woman, a group of men, drinking this much late at night. Is this really the appropriate way to conduct yourself?"Lucille didn't look up. She swung the empty bottle toward the voice. "Who's asking? A husband who's about to be divorced has no standing to tell me what to do."Only then did she glance over.Gideon and Rayne stood at the entrance. Both looked pale and drawn, staring into the room with the vacant expression of people who had just watched several revelations collide at once.Gideon caught the bottle. He looked at it for a second before slamming it onto the floor.The sharp crack brought everyone in the room to their feet.The only person who didn't move was Otto. He remained exactly where he was, seated at the center of the sofa, perfectly composed as he rolled an antique pocket watch between his long fingers.Its darkened silver case had

Gideon cut in coldly, "Is that so? I thought you all only had eyes for Otto now. I didn't realize you still considered me a friend."Walter looked visibly uncomfortable. "Come on, don't say that, Gideon. Don't overthink it.""I'm not in a mood to drink. Rayne took a hit like that tonight. If she does something stupid, none of us can afford to have that on our hands."Otto, since you're not going after her, then as her cousin, I have to go check on her. You might not care. That doesn't mean I don't." Gideon delivered it with all the appearance of righteousness and familial obligation.Lucille found it grating. She waved him toward the door. "If you're going, go. Any later and your cousin might throw herself in a river, off a building, something like that and we'll get dragged in anyway."Gwen waved him off with equal impatience, clearly glad to be rid of him. "Go, go. Stop interrupting the drinking. You've got no business left here, Gideon. Go find your cousin."Otto raised his gl