Chapter 28

"Honestly, it's barely a scrape. Nothing for you to worry about," said Rodger, his tone light.

"That Webster has gone too far! How could he treat you so violently?" Violet cried out, her face full of fake worry.

The moment Webster's name came up, Rodger's mood soured. Twenty percent of the Mitchell Group's stock had slipped into his rival's hands, and the thought made his blood boil.

None of it would have happened if not for that foolish, spiteful Emilia. She was the reason Webster held those shares.

For years, the Mitchell family and the Garza family had been locked in a battle for second place among Oticester's wealthiest families. The Mitchells had finally pulled ahead, forcing the Garzas to settle for third.

Lately, though, Webster's sudden windfall had tilted the balance-he'd even managed to snatch a key project from Mitchell Group. Now, the man strutted around with newfound arrogance.

At the heart of it all was Emilia, whose devotion had curdled into spite. Her betrayal felt like a knife in the back.

Deep down, Rodger knew he had brought some of this on himself. If he hadn't overestimated his strength,he never would have risked so many shares in a bet. Looking back, he regretted ever challenging Emilia in the first place.

Violet had been speaking for several minutes, but no reply came from Rodger. A long silence stretched between them before Violet finally noticed how far away he seemed. Her teeth sank gently into her lower lip,fingers curling in on themselves.

Was Rodger thinking about Emilia? The idea stung. Still, she reminded herself, Emilia had always been invisible to him. Not once in those three years had Rodger given Emilia more than a passing glance. Nothing could ever shake her place in his affections. That certainty settled her nerves. Drawing closer, Violet pressed herself into Rodger's arms, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Rodger,darling!"

Her words snapped him out of his thoughts, the sound of her affection echoing through his chest.

"Did something happen?" he asked, his arms wrapping gently around Violet as warmth filled his eyes.

"Don't you think Emilia will be angry if you come running to me like this?" Violet asked, her tone feigning innocence.

"Angry? She'd be thrilled if I vanished from her life completely. We were supposed to meet at court for the divorce today, but she kept stringing me along. Claimed she was on her way, then shut her phone off,"Rodger said, his voice tightening with irritation.

Hearing that, Violet blinked in surprise. So he'd actually gone to meet Emilia to end the marriage. That was not what she had expected.

Regret gnawed at Violet. If she'd realized they planned to settle the divorce, she never would have faked being sick just to get Rodger by her sideagain.

The fools she'd hired hadn't accomplished anything-no kidnapping, no dirt, not even a single photo for leverage. They'd pocketed her money and vanished without a trace.

"What do we do.now? The court's stilI open. Maybe you could try calling Emilia again?" Violet suggested,forcing her voice to stay calm while panic churned inside her.

All Violet wanted was to snatch the phone from his hand and dial Emilia herself, but she kept up the anxious act instead.

"I'd rather stay here with you. We can deal with it tomorrow," Rodger replied, unhurried.

Rodger seemed content to let time slip by, showing no urgency. Meanwhile, Violet grew increasingly anxious. The longer the divorce was, delayed, the greater the risk something unexpected might happen. She desperately wanted their divorce finalized-only then could she finally feel secure.

With the paperwork unfinished, what if Rodger and Emilia rekindled something from their past? Even if ess pursuit.

Curled up close against Rodger, Violet's mind worked fast. An idea for how to nudge him surfaced just as Rodger's phone buzzed.

He answered, his face turning cold. Whatever he heard made his eyes widen."What did you say? Asclepius is here at this hospital?"

After the confirmation, Rodger's mood shifted in an instant. Ecstatic, he turned around with Violet still in his arms. "Violet, this is it! Asclepius is here. I'll find him and bring him to treat you right away!"