Chapter 442

chapter442

“Manny, don’t listen to your sister! I’m perfectly fine!” Alessandra quickly intervened, cutting Roselynn off before she could reveal the full extent of the recent household tensions. She wanted to prevent Emmanuel from seeing the evidence of the family’s latest disagreement.

Emmanuel understood his mother’s selfless nature. She always prioritized harmony over her own comfort, and she didn’t want to be the cause of a rift between him and his brother-in-law.

Alessandra even began to speak highly of Jaxton, assuring Emmanuel that any misunderstandings were just typical growing pains in a young marriage. She urged him to persuade Roselynn to reconcile swiftly, citing the old wisdom that a couple should never let the sun go down on their anger.

Emmanuel remained silent, knowing his mother meant well but refusing to let Roselynn suffer in an unhealthy environment. He simply stated that the decision was Roselynn’s to make and that the family should support her choice without pressure.

After he ended the call, Mackenzie approached him. She had a pristine white towel draped over her shoulders and was drying her damp hair. “Jaxton doesn’t seem like the type of man who values family,” she remarked, her tone businesslike but sincere. “Tell your sister that if she decides to start over, she has my support. I can even introduce her to people who actually understand the meaning of respect.”

Emmanuel was touched by the offer. The esteemed CEO of the Terence Group, known for her icy professional exterior, was offering to play matchmaker for his sister. It was a level of kindness that those in the business world would find hard to believe.

As she spoke, Emmanuel noticed her adjusting her silk robe, her presence radiating a natural, quiet elegance. Mackenzie caught his gaze and realized her neckline had shifted slightly in the casual comfort of the home.

“Where are your eyes wandering?” she asked, her voice dropping into a playful but firm warning. She pointed a finger at him, her expression shifting into one of mock sternness.

Emmanuel felt a flush creep up his neck. He quickly turned away, clearing his throat. “I was just... lost in thought. Perhaps you should be more careful with your attire, or people might get the wrong impression of your intentions.”

Mackenzie’s eyes widened. Is he actually accusing me of being distracting? she thought, a surge of disbelief mixed with a hidden sense of amusement. She was the head of a multi-billion dollar corporation; usually, people were too intimidated to look her in the eye, let alone tease her about her "intentions."

Despite her feigned annoyance, she noticed the genuine blush on his face. It was the first time she had seen the composed, professional doctor look so flustered. The thought brought a secret, triumphant smile to her face.

She couldn’t help but think back to the entries in Claudette’s diary. It gave her a quiet sense of pride to know that she could provoke a reaction from him that few others could. If the ‘goddess of Yeringham’ found him detached, what does it say that he’s so unsettled by me?

“Why are you smiling like that?” Emmanuel asked, observing her sudden shift from anger to pride.

Mackenzie let out a soft snort, her expression smoothing out into its usual serious mask. Without a word, she returned to her room. Emmanuel stood there, bewildered. No matter how much time they spent together, her shifting moods remained a mystery he had yet to solve.

A moment later, she emerged again, holding a familiar document between her fingers.

Emmanuel recognized it instantly—the divorce agreement he had signed during their period of separation. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Trying to break the tension, he teased, “Did you bring me back here just to give me a lecture on legal paperwork?”

“Call me ‘Ms. Quillen’ one more time, and I might just find a pen to finalize this,” she said, her eyes searching his. She wanted to see his reaction—to know who was truly more reluctant to let go of their bond.

Emmanuel, realizing she was testing him, quickly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Alright, I understand. No more formalities. There’s no need for threats.”

Mackenzie’s stern expression vanished, replaced by a radiant, knowing smile. “So, you’re afraid of the threat? It seems you’re more fond of this arrangement than you care to admit.”