Chapter 6: Chapter 6



Adrian’s expression darkened. “How long do you intend to make a fuss?”

“I’m dead serious,” Joelle replied, standing up resolutely and heading to the study. She returned with a sheet of paper.

Adrian’s gaze fell on the bold title: Divorce Agreement.

In a steady voice, Joelle said, “I’m ready to leave without taking anything. Once I’m gone, you can replace me with anyone you want.”

After Shawn’s accident yesterday, Adrian’s attitude had shattered Joelle’s faith in him completely. She would rather sleep on the streets than continue this charade of begging for his scraps while enduring his cold indifference.

Before dawn, she had painstakingly drafted the agreement, only for Adrian to dismiss it with a flick of his wrist. The paper fluttered down like the remnants of the past three years—delicate and insignificant.

Lighting a cigarette, Adrian asked, “Are you serious right now?”

“Absolutely!”

“Found a new interest already?”

Joelle’s eyes met his unflinchingly. “From now on, my family won’t depend on anyone!”

Adrian, his back turned to the sunlight, exuded a chilling aura as he flicked the ash from his cigarette. “A hundred million a year. How do you and Shawn plan to come up with that? Are you intending to work yourselves to the bone?”

Just as Joelle opened her mouth to respond, Adrian rose abruptly, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over her. He leaned in, hands on the table. “If you want a divorce, I’ll grant it. But first, you’ll need to face Grandma and tell her yourself.”

With that, he stubbed out his cigarette on the divorce agreement, leaving a smoldering mark on the document. “Let me warn you, though. If she doesn’t approve, you’ll remain in the Miller family and forget about leaving!”

As Adrian’s chilling form swept past her, Joelle called out to him. “Adrian, in these three years, have you ever had any feelings for me?” Her voice wavered, hope flickering faintly in her eyes. Adrian’s response was as cold as ice. “Joelle, you’re overthinking this!”

At the Miller Mansion, Irene called Joelle for a private conversation.

Irene’s health had been declining, and apart from brief strolls on good days, she was largely confined to her bed. Propped up against the headboard, she bore the faint scent of medicine. Her skin was dry and rough, but her hands were warm as she held Joelle’s.

From the moment Joelle entered, Irene’s face brightened, her concern evident as she inquired about her life. “How is your brother doing? And your father—don’t lose hope! I’ve been looking into specialists abroad. If the best doctors here haven’t made progress, we should explore other options!”

In the past three years, Irene had been Joelle’s sole source of genuine care, extending her compassion to Joelle’s father and brother as well. If Joelle were to divorce Adrian, Irene would be deeply heartbroken.

“Irene…” Joelle’s voice caught with emotion.

Startled, Irene quickly reached for tissues from the bedside table, handing them to Joelle. “What’s wrong? Has Adrian been unkind to you?”

Joelle shook her head, struggling to compose herself. She gripped Irene’s hand tightly, believing that if she could explain everything calmly, Irene would understand her reasons. Just as she was about to speak, Adrian’s uncle’s wife and daughter, Lyla Miller and Katie Miller, entered the room.

“Grandma, you won’t believe it!” Katie announced with a hint of scandalous delight. “Adrian and Joelle are fighting!”

Joelle greeted Lyla first, offering a respectful nod.

“Joelle, you’re always so well-mannered,” Lyla responded with a faint smile.

But Irene’s attention was fixed on Katie. “What did you say? What’s going on between Adrian and Joelle?”

Katie opened her mouth to reply, but Lyla quickly intervened, pulling her back. “It’s nothing. Katie was just being dramatic. Don’t take her seriously.”

“I’m not being dramatic! Mom…” A stern look from Lyla silenced Katie.

Irene could have been elderly, but she wasn’t naive. If there was truly no issue, they wouldn’t have brought it up. Whatever the nature of their problem, what mattered most to Irene was whether Adrian and Joelle’s marriage was in trouble. “Katie, please continue,” Irene said.

Katie hesitated, glancing around the room before finally focusing on Joelle. “I saw Adrian and Joelle at the hospital yesterday. They were arguing, and it was because Joelle’s brother was hospitalized. It seems his hospitalization is somehow related to the Lloyd family—the ones Adrian has always been so protective of.”

The room fell into a heavy silence. Irene turned her gaze to Joelle, who stood quietly, her expression distant and unreadable, as if that had little effect on her.

Irene realized something. “Very well. You may all leave, but Joelle, please stay.”

As Lyla and Katie exited, carefully closing the door behind them, Irene’s composure faltered. She clutched her chest, coughing lightly.

Joelle rushed to her side, offering water. “Irene, are you alright?”

Irene grasped Joelle’s wrist gently. “I’m fine. My dear, you’ve been through so much.”

“Shawn is better now. Please, don’t worry,” Joelle said, trying to soothe her. “Actually, I came today because there’s something important I need to tell you. I want a divorce from Adrian.”

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