\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 106 Amanda\u2019s Ultimatum\u00a0<\/p>\n
But circumstances had fundamentally changed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda circled Scarlett slowly, then spoke through gritted teeth, \u201cDon\u2019t imagine you can trample over me just because Xavier favors you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett responded with icy composure, \u201cRest assured, I wouldn\u2019t degrade myself by stepping on you. Maintaining balance on a pile of filth seems rather precarious.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Having grown accustomed to Scarlett\u2019s previous meekness, Amanda was momentarily taken aback by this sharp retort.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Amanda refused to be intimidated. She shrugged dismissively and declared, \u201cIf you cannot produce another baby soon, I will ensure Vincent divorces you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her threat dripped with arrogant confidence, as though victory were already assured.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yet Scarlett merely offered Amanda a light, almost amused smile. \u201cIf you truly possess that level of influence, I shall treat you to an elaborate dinner.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After all, she had desired liberation from this marriage for quite some time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Recognizing Scarlett wasn\u2019t bluffing, a flicker of panic crossed Amanda\u2019s features.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But then she recalled how desperately Scarlett had fought to marry Vincent, sacrificing everything for the union. Surely she wouldn\u2019t willingly seek divorce now?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Thus, Amanda puffed herself up and retorted, \u201cDon\u2019t presume I won\u2019t follow through.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett appeared almost eager. \u201cThen please proceed quickly. I await the opportunity to buy you that meal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With that final remark, she entered her vehicle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before Amanda could formulate a response, Scarlett drove away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The formerly compliant Scarlett had transformed into someone entirely thorny and defensive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda couldn\u2019t pinpoint exactly when it began, but she distinctly felt Scarlett slipping beyond her control.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Moreover, Scarlett\u2019s wording strongly suggested she was genuinely contemplating divorce.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, should divorce occur, Vincent must be the one to initiate it. Scarlett didn\u2019t yet hold that privilege.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda pondered this uneasily before ultimately deciding to call Vincent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He answered promptly, and she could hear the distinct sound of keyboard typing in the background.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Vincent\u2019s voice carried a distinct roughness, suggesting poor rest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This assessment proved accurate. The previous night, he had stargazed with Sabrina and Vanessa before accompanying them for late-night barbecue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:15\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 106 Amanda\u2019s Ultimatum\u00a0<\/p>\n
With pressing matters awaiting at the office today, he had arrived exceptionally early.\u00a0<\/p>\n
19 Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda dispensed with pleasantries and went straight to her concern. \u201cVincent, has Scarlett been behaving unusually lately?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s fingers stilled over the keyboard. He hesitated before responding, \u201cWhat exactly are you implying?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Detecting something in his tone, Amanda pressed urgently, \u201cShe hasn\u2019t mentioned divorce, has she?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent replied simply, \u201cNo.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda finally relaxed slightly, then added, \u201cNaturally not. She invested too much effort into marrying you to seek divorce so readily.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent merely said, \u201cCorrect.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still unsatisfied, Amanda continued nagging, \u201cIf you ever wish to end this, ensure you raise the matter first. Don\u2019t allow her to preempt you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s typing ceased again, his voice turning serious. \u201cMother, I have never contemplated divorcing Scarlett. We share a daughter together. Separation would adversely affect Vanessa.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amanda remained adamant. \u201cI don\u2019t care about that. You are a Stewart. Should divorce occur, you must execute it with dignity intact.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent had no desire to argue further. \u201cMother, I have appointments arriving shortly. I must conclude this call to greet them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
*****\u00a0<\/p>\n
That afternoon, while Scarlett was documenting medical records, she received a call from Claire.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cScarlett, let\u2019s dine together tonight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Though occupied, Scarlett asked no questions and agreed readily. Certainly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their close friendship made shared meals commonplace, hence her easy acquiescence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, upon entering the private dining room, she discovered Claire wasn\u2019t alone-Elias was present as\u00a0<\/p>\n
well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The cold appetizers already adorned the table, though one plate clearly showed a missing portion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Obviously, Elias had already begun eating without them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett seated herself without acknowledging Elias, and offered Claire only minimal attention.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Claire poured water for Scarlett and offered her a warm towel for her hands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett remained silent yet didn\u2019t entirely ignore Claire\u2019s gestures.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Elias sat quietly beside Claire, head bowed as he focused on his phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:15 Thu, Jan 8 G.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 106 Amanda\u2019s Ultimatum\u00a0<\/p>\n
When the main dishes arrived, Claire poured wine for Scarlett, Elias, and herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
52\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Claire raised her glass, looked directly at Scarlett, and proclaimed, \u201cScarlett, I didn\u2019t fully explain my purpose this afternoon. Tonight\u2019s gathering is intended as an apology. Regarding the incident that landed you and Elias at the police station-I feel profoundly responsible. But I cannot bear seeing your friendship fracture over this. You are my dearest friend, and he is the person I love most.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett offered no response. She glanced toward Elias, who held his wineglass but seemed mentally absent, clearly not listening to Claire\u2019s words.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing Scarlett\u2019s continued silence, Claire threw her head back and drained her entire glass of wine in one determined swallow.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:15 Thu, Jan 8 Ng\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 106 \u00a0 Chapter 106 Amanda\u2019s Ultimatum\u00a0 But circumstances had fundamentally changed.\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27470"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27470\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}