Chapter 171
Ever since I posted that photo of the divorce agreement on social media, the entire internet exploded. Everyone was discussing it all shocked dux (WHILE one who signed first.
While browsing his phone during a break, James nearly choked on his coffee when he saw the news. He immediately called Henry.
“Boss? Did you see that post?‘ he asked.
“I’m in a meeting, Henry finally replied coldly.
Though his tone sounded calm, James could sense the underlying fury.
Catherine returned to her bedroom, constantly glancing over her shoulder.
She always had the feeling of being watched. After carefully checking that Richard hadn’t followed her, she pulled out a second phone from her secret drawer and made a call.
“Has the paternity test result come back?” she demanded. “Hurry up and post it online! I’m desperate to get that little bitch Sophia thrown out of the Harding family. What’s taking so long? It’s already this late and you still don’t have the results?”
The man on the other end chuckled softly. “Sweetheart, I got the results hours ago. But they’re… not exactly what we expected. How am I supposed to post that online?
Catherine froze. “What are you talking about? What do you mean ‘not what we expected‘? Explain yourself clearly!”
“The report shows they’re biologically father and son.”
Catherine nearly dropped her phone. “That’s impossible! Henry and Sophia didn’t even know each other in February six years ago! How could they have crossed paths? The results must be wrong!”
She paced back and forth across her bedroom, holding the phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. After nearly five minutes of silence, she finally spoke.
“You’re sure the report isn’t wrong? You didn’t mix it
up with someone else’s?”
“Absolutely not,‘ he assured her. “I’ve double–checked multiple times.”
Only then did Catherine truly accept the reality, though she still couldn’t understand it. “Whatever. Sophia herself admitted the child isn’t Henry’s. Just have someone photoshop the results and post them online. I don’t care how, but I’m going to destroy that bitch!”
She couldn’t accept this outcome. After hanging up, she continued pacing her room like an ant on a hot pan.
Her carefully crafted plan had resulted in this unexpected outcome.
If the Harding family discovered these results… unthinkable!
She had to move quickly, eliminate Sophia and that little bastard before the family learned the truth. Just as she was about to make another call, her bedroom door opened silently.
Richard stood behind her, saying nothing.
Catherine’s fingers tightened around her phone, her mind racing frantically, trying to come up with a solution. When she finally noticed someone standing beside her, she turned–and her face went ghostly pale when she saw Richard.
In that moment, seeing her husband who hadn’t entered her bedroom in months, Catherine felt terror rather than joy.
Richard wore a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Didn’t you ask me to come home?” His voice was unnervingly calm. “What’s wrong? Can’t I enter my own wife’s bedroom?”
He had just been suspecting Catherine was hiding something. After sending all the servants to the first floor, he’d quietly made his way to the bedroom to
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see what she was doing. Seeing her face turn white as a sheet only confirmed his suspicions.
Of course you can! Catherine forced enthusiasm into her voice, trying to appear welcoming.
She approached him with deliberate scheuality.
At forty–something, Catherine was fourteen years younger than Richard, who was nearing sixty. Thanks to meticulous care, her skin remained smRODEN ME supple, making her look like a woman barely in her thirties–alluring and full of feminine charm
At her age, Catherine’s sexual appetite was at its peak, but Richard had always been rather disinterested in physical intimacy.
For a woman with her desires, this was far from enough. When she couldn’t satisfy her hunger at home, she naturally sought fulfillment elsewhere.
‘You played poker all night with Mrs. Wall and Mrs. Brown, Richard said casually. “I wouldn’t dare exhaust you further.” He gestured toward the door. Th should rest. I’ll ask the kitchen staff to prepare some bird’s nest soup for you.”
Seeing his attentiveness, Catherine giggled flirtatiously and snuggled against him. ‘Darling, you’ve been away from home on much lately, I thought your didn’t want me anymore.”
Richard subtly created distance between them. “What nonsense! You helped me raise both my children. I’m eternally grateful–how could i not want you?
After leaving the bedroom, Richard clenched his fist and pulled out his phone.
He sent a brief text message to his investigator: She has two phones.
At Harding Investment, Henry had barely reached his office when he received a call from his grandfather. He’d only managed to say “Hello” before William launched into a furious tirade.
“You ungrateful little shit! Let me make this perfectly clear: if you dare divorce Sophia, I’ll disinherit you completely! You can go beg on the streets with that Scott girl for all I care!”
Henry was already in a foul mood. First, Isabella had manipulated him, then his father had struck him, and now his grandfather was yelling at him. His patience had reached its limit. Still, he tried to maintain some composure when speaking to the elderly man.
“Are you done shouting?” he asked coldly. “I haven’t once mentioned divorce. She’s the one who wants it! Don’t blame everything on me!”
“Listen carefully, you little bastard,” William growled. “If you don’t make things right with Sophia, you can forget about being a Harding for the rest of your life!”
Henry’s temper finally snapped. “Who wants to be your grandson anyway? Make Sophia your granddaughter instead!” He hung up abruptly.
Looking up, Henry noticed James standing in the doorway, his expression hesitant.
“What is it?” Henry demanded, his gaze sharp as blades, voice colder than winter.
Sir, have you seen today’s news? James asked cautiously.
“What news?”
‘It’s today’s headline. Perhaps you should take a look” James handed over a tablet with both hands.
Henry’s eyes scanned the screen, taking in the image of the divorce agreement Sophia had posted, her signature clearly visible.
Only now did he truly understand–Sophia wasn’t just making empty threats; she genuinely wanted a divorce.
“You think you can leave just like that?” he muttered, gripping the tablet tightly. “Why should I make it easy for you?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “Sophia, you used me and now you want to walk away? It won’t be that simple!”
The tablet crashed against the floor, shattering instantly.
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Henry beckoned James closer and handed him his phone. Register an account for his, I want to reply to Rom
James nodded, quickly setting up a profile.
Henry dictated his message: “When are you planning to repay the ten million dollars you owe me? You wont a divated without petites your beh trying to be a deadbeat?”
As James typed, Henry’s lips curved into a cold smile.
Where would Sophia find ten million dollars? She’d have to work diligently for ten lifetimes to save that much
His trap was set.
Without the money, she couldn’t leave.
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