\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 193 A Hurdle to Freedom\u00a0<\/p>\n
(1)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
She accepted the pen and carefully signed her name on the agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the matter formally settled, Vincent rose to his feet. \u201cTomorrow at nine, I\u2019ll meet you at the courthouse. We\u2019ll submit the divorce paperwork and move forward with the process.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSounds good,\u201d Scarlett replied.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The next day, at nine o\u2019clock sharp, Scarlett arrived at the courthouse to find Vincent already waiting. His car was parked along the curb, engine off, though he hadn\u2019t yet stepped out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Punctuality had never been his strong suit, yet today he\u2019d kept his word. It wasn\u2019t hard to guess that he, too, must have been looking forward to this day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside the car, Vincent was on the phone with Abbott, whose defeated tone came through the speakers. \u201cMr. Stewart, we couldn\u2019t salvage the merger deal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent stared at the oak trees lining the street, his expression darkening. \u201cUnderstood,\u201d he responded flatly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Abbott continued, \u201cThe other party has already partnered with Langley Group. They\u2019ll probably finalize the agreement in the next couple of days.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s jaw tightened, his voice turning icy. \u201cIt\u2019s not the first time Damian has snatched a deal from us. He\u2019s been quiet lately, but it seems his old habits die hard.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Stewart,\u201d Abbott suggested, \u201cmaybe we should bid for the eastwood development. Even though Damian is almost certain to win it, he did steal this merger right from under us\u2014the one we\u2019ve been working on for months. All these years, he\u2019s consistently opposed Stewart Group. We can\u2019t let him have it too easily.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo what you think is best,\u201d Vincent instructed. \u201cEven if we can\u2019t secure it, we need to make sure Damian pays a price.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
If it came down to burning bridges, so be it. If Damian could play dirty, so could he.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For years, Damian had been competing with Stewart Group, both openly and behind the scenes. Whatever the business opportunity, he always managed to get involved. Even when he didn\u2019t ultimately win the contract, he never seemed bothered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Logically, such tactics cost him significantly, yet he never appeared to tire of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before, Vincent had simply assumed Damian wanted to overtake his position in Rivergate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:03 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 193 A Hurdle to Freedom\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0e19\u0e04\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
But now, he sensed there might be more to it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bracelet Damian had bought at such a high price was now adorning Scarlett\u2019s wrist. It was difficult for Vincent not to let his mind wander.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What was it about Scarlett that would drive Damian to oppose him for so long? The thought left him unsettled.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just as he was lost in speculation, a light tap came from outside the car window.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent turned to see Scarlett standing there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He rolled down the window, and her delicate, composed face came into view. Her voice was cool and calm as she said, \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, Vincent found himself captivated by her\u00a0<\/p>\n
gaze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He couldn\u2019t pinpoint exactly when it had started, but there was no longer any warmth in Scarlett\u2019s eyes when she looked at him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yet, it hadn\u2019t always been that way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After getting out of the car, Vincent\u2019s gaze drifted downward, and he noticed the bracelet on Scarlett\u2019s wrist.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Almost without thinking, he asked, whether intentionally or not, \u201cThat bracelet on your wrist\u2026 do\u00a0<\/p>\n
you like it a lot?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
At his question, Scarlett instinctively covered it with her other hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both Vincent and Sabrina had been present when Damian won that bracelet at the charity gala. She wasn\u2019t sure if Vincent remembered it, but to avoid unnecessary complications, she replied casually, \u201cIt\u2019s alright.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent noticed her protective gesture, and his brow furrowed slightly, though he didn\u2019t further.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Today, they were here to file for divorce.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was best to focus on the matter at hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even so, a vague sense of unease lingered within him-a strange feeling he couldn\u2019t quite define.\u00a0<\/p>\n
press\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside the courthouse, at the service counter, Scarlett said to the clerk, \u201cHello, we\u2019re here to file for divorce.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:03 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 193 A Hurdle to Freedom\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0e1e\u0e23\u00a0<\/p>\n
82\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
The clerk glanced at her and Vincent, then replied, \u201cPlease submit your documents.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett turned to Vincent. \u201cWe need our driver\u2019s licenses, the divorce agreement, and our marriage certificates.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent paused. \u201cWeren\u2019t you supposed to bring the marriage certificates?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett frowned. \u201cThey\u2019re at Ravenshade Villa. Didn\u2019t you know that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing the two on the verge of a disagreement, the clerk interjected politely, \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but to file for divorce, you must submit your IDs, the divorce agreement, and your marriage certificates. We can\u2019t process the application if any document is missing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett tried to see if the clerk could make an exception, but the woman shook her head apologetically. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. These are required documents. Please come back tomorrow once you have everything.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Left with no other choice, Scarlett and Vincent had to leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Outside the courthouse, Scarlett felt utterly frustrated, heaving several deep sighs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In contrast, Vincent appeared completely unbothered, as though nothing could disturb his\u00a0<\/p>\n
composure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing his calm demeanor, Scarlett felt a wave of inexplicable irritation. But knowing that arguing would be pointless, she simply said, \u201cI only took an hour off. I need to get back to the clinic. As for the marriage certificates, please look for them carefully when you go back to Ravenshade Villa tonight. We can try again tomorrow once you find them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.1K\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
15:03 Sat, Jan 10\u00a0<\/p>\n
Awakened Housewife Ignore Betrayer\u2019s Begs\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 193 \u00a0 Chapter 193 A Hurdle to Freedom\u00a0 (1)\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 She accepted […]<\/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-27557","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\/27557","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=27557"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27557\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}