Chapter 4

Lorna huddled in the basement corner when the door creaked open.

Rhett glanced at her bruised face, showing no trace of guilt. "After a day and night of reflection, do you see your mistakes? Will you change?"

Lorna nodded numbly, mustering a weak yes with her last bit of strength.

Her response seemed to satisfy him. "Good. Admitting fault is a start. Ruby's agreed to forgive you."

He opened the basement's iron door.

As Lorna looked at his figure, the last flicker of affection in her heart vanished.

The brutal ninety-nine lashes had shattered her illusions, making her see her true mistake.

Her greatest error was believing she could warm his cold heart, despite knowing he married her only for business gain.

Some people, she realized, could never be warmed.

Rhett no longer held any appeal for her. She needed to cut her losses.

Back at the villa, Lorna found her room filled with Ruby's clothes.

Her own suitcase and belongings had been moved to the guest room.

"Ruby's pregnant," Rhett explained. "She needs a room with good light."

Lorna nodded calmly, as if he'd mentioned something mundane.

Her indifference seemed to unsettle him.

After a pause, he added, "Don't worry. Flynn Enterprises survived because of you. As long as you cooperate, you'll always be Mrs. Flynn."

Lorna packed her clothes without expression.

"Oh, and Lorna, we hired a new maid. She's cooking lunch today. As the lady of the house, try it and see if she's up to standard."

Lorna paused, surprised he still acknowledged her role as the lady of the house.

During lunch, while Rhett stepped out to take a call, Ruby leaned close to Lorna. "I've got great news, Lorna! I'm pregnant with Rhett's child."

Her face radiated smugness. "Rhett promised that after the baby's born, it'll have the same privileges as your son and be named the heir to Flynn Enterprises. Even though your son's the eldest, he'll just have to watch my child inherit the company. And me? I'll take your place as Mrs. Flynn!"

A mocking smile crossed Lorna's face.

Ruby didn't know about the contract Lorna and Rhett signed on their wedding night.

Though Ruby posed no real threat, her provocative smirk sparked a thread of hatred in Lorna's heart.

Lorna sneered. "Keep your shameful schemes quiet. Even if you steal what belongs to Tommy through your illicit affair with Rhett, everyone will scorn you. And you won't take a single thing."

She turned and walked away.

Ruby stood behind her, face contorted with rage.

That night, passionate sounds came from the master bedroom next door.

Rhett and Ruby were loud, as if deliberately making sure Lorna heard.

Lorna listened without emotion, then called her assistant. "Is everything ready for the divorce and my departure?"

"Ms. Sanderson, give me one more business day."

Hanging up, Lorna let out a laugh.

Her laughter turned to tears.

When she loved Rhett, even during his company's near collapse, she did everything to help him, never considering leaving.

Now, with her love gone, staying even a day longer felt repulsive.

She was curious to see how Rhett would hold onto Flynn Enterprises without her.

The next day, her assistant delivered the prepared divorce agreement.

Lorna slipped it among papers from Tommy's kindergarten, handing them to Rhett. "These are from Tommy's school. Sign them."

As he reached to review them, his phone rang.

Seeing the caller's name, his cold demeanor softened.

Whatever was said, Rhett smiled fondly, losing interest in the papers.

He quickly signed the last page and left the villa.

Watching his retreating figure, Lorna gave a bitter smile.

She steadied herself and began packing.

"Ms. Sanderson, the luggage is loaded in the car. We're ready for the airport."

As the assistant started the car, Rhett returned with Ruby.

Seeing the packed bags, he frowned. "Where are you going?"

Lorna replied flatly, "Taking Tommy for a little getaway."

Her coldness puzzled him, but before he could speak, Ruby tugged his arm. "Rhett, I start filming tomorrow morning. Don't you want to spend time with me?"

His doubts melted into desire. He wrapped an arm around Ruby and returned to the bedroom.

On the way to the airport, Lorna called her lawyer. "Per the divorce agreement with Rhett, transfer all Flynn Enterprises assets to my name and freeze his personal accounts."

She then blocked all of Rhett's contact information.

As she held Tommy's hand, boarding the plane, he asked, "Mommy, are we coming back?"

Lorna touched his head gently. "Do you want to come back?"

Tommy shook his head firmly. "No. Daddy's bad. He's always with Ruby and doesn't care about us."

Lorna smiled. "If you don't want to come back, we won't. From now on, he's not your daddy."

The plane soared into the sky.

Meanwhile, Rhett was with Ruby, preparing for her film shoot.

A sudden pang of unease hit him, as if something vital was slipping away.

Ruby noticed his distraction and playfully clung to his neck.

For the first time, Rhett pushed her away. He pulled out his phone, intending to call Lorna.

He realized he forgot to ask when she'd return.

But the call met a cold tone.

Stunned, he realized Lorna had blocked him.

"Is Lorna still upset?" Ruby said. "Maybe you should go to her. I'll be fine."

His earlier unease faded, replaced by irritation. He hung up. "Let her sulk. She's always making a fuss."

He pulled Ruby close, ready to continue.

Then his phone rang. His assistant's voice was urgent. "Mr. Flynn, it's bad. Flynn Enterprises' stock crashed. We've lost billions in market value!"