He'd been driven out by the Powell Family; how could he possibly bring a wife home now?

"Alright."

Nicholas Coldwell could only agree; he had nothing more to say.

After hanging up the phone, he couldn't help but look up at the sky and take a deep breath.

Even if it meant begging, he was still alive, and life had to go on. His father's medical expenses...

Turning around, he headed back to the Powell Family.

The Powells wanted him to divorce Diana, didn't they? As long as the Powell Family gave him a sum of money, he would sign the divorce papers immediately. Otherwise, he'd drag Diana down with him, ensuring she could never remarry.

After Nicholas Coldwell left, Mr. and Mrs. Powell heard no further sounds from the Courtyard. Knowing he was gone, they finally opened the Main House door.

Diana was still crying non-stop; nothing could console her.

She might not have been very attractive, but she was their only child and had been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. From a young age, she got whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. When had she ever suffered such humiliation? Such disgrace?

It was only early morning, yet every wealthy young lady she knew had already called. Ostensibly, they offered words of concern and comfort. In reality, they were mocking her, laughing at her. They said this was the consequence of stealing Julia Bluen's boyfriend. They even sarcastically called her a "good person" for enduring the humiliation and disgrace that might otherwise have been Julia's to bear. This infuriated her so much that her stomach ached.

The family's phone had also been ringing off the hook.

It's often said that good news never goes beyond the gate, while bad news spreads a thousand miles.

Moreover, the media had already exposed everything. There was no need for it to spread by word of mouth; everyone in T City must have known by now.

Her feelings for Nicholas Coldwell were genuine. His betrayal felt like a knife hacking at her heart, shattering it into a million pieces.

"Diana, my treasure, stop crying," Mrs. Powell cooed, constantly handing Diana tissues to wipe her tears. "Once you divorce that scoundrel, with our family's standing, we'll surely find someone better. What's so good about him anyway? Aside from being tall and handsome, he has nothing!"

"Mom, I love him *for* his height and good looks..." Diana responded through her tears, nearly making Mrs. Powell vomit blood.

"Diana, there are plenty of men taller and more handsome than him," Dio Powell interjected, trying to persuade his daughter. "As long as he doesn't leave, Glades Horne won't stop targeting Cosmos. Right now, Cosmos is nearly bankrupt due to Glades's attacks. If he leaves, perhaps Glades will cool down and relent. As long as we still have Cosmos and money, Dad will find you any handsome man you want."

Hearing this, Diana cried even harder, her face turning several shades paler.

Her father was just deceiving himself. Nicholas Coldwell wasn't the only one who had made Julia Bluen suffer; she herself had played a part. Even if they drove Nicholas away, Glades Horne wouldn't stop. Eventually, they would lose Cosmos, and Nicholas too.

The more she thought about it, the more heartbroken she became.

She shouldn't have impulsively signed those divorce papers in anger just now. But if she didn't divorce him, Nicholas Coldwell had already hurt her so deeply. What was the point of continuing like this? Perhaps divorce would be a release for her.

"What are you doing back here?" A servant's sharp, questioning voice suddenly rang out from the Courtyard.

"Get out of the way!" Nicholas Coldwell's furious bellow followed.

The three people inside the house immediately fell silent. Diana stopped crying. Mr. and Mrs. Powell exchanged glances. Why has Nicholas come back? Is he going to keep pestering us?

Mrs. Powell stood up and rushed towards the door, intending to bolt it again. This time, however, she wasn't quick enough. Nicholas Coldwell burst in, his expression murderous.

His tall frame exuded a violent aura they had never witnessed before, as if he were there to exact revenge.

Nicholas still clutched the divorce agreement he had picked up.

"Get out! What are you doing back here? Our family doesn't welcome you! Leave!" Mrs. Powell, like a mother hen protecting her chick, hurriedly shielded Diana, blocking Nicholas Coldwell, afraid he had returned because he wouldn't let Diana go.

Diana's swollen, tear-filled eyes narrowed as she looked at Nicholas, her gaze filled with hatred.

Just moments ago, a part of her had been reluctant to let him go. But seeing him now, remembering how he had wronged her, that reluctance transformed into pure hatred.

"Mom." Diana stood up, pulled her mother back to sit on the sofa, then turned to face Nicholas. "What do you want?" she demanded hoarsely.

"What do I want?" Nicholas sneered. "You want to divorce me, but you can't expect me to just walk out of this house empty-handed, can you? After all, I've 'pleasured' you for two months—sixty nights. If you'd hired a gigolo, that would've cost you a pretty penny. I'm just here to collect that fee."

Nicholas Coldwell no longer saw any reason to pretend with Diana Powell. He knew the Powell Family would definitely not shelter him any longer. They were just trying to appease Glades Horne and save Cosmos.

Since that was the case, why bother being polite? He'd get the money first and use it for his father's medical treatment.

"Nicholas Coldwell!" Diana trembled with rage at his words.

She had never imagined the man she had loved could be so utterly shameless. Marriage, the intimacy between a man and a woman, should be consensual. Yet here he was, demanding money from her for it! This man had clearly only been with her for the money!

Her already fractured heart shattered completely. Diana's last vestiges of love for Nicholas vanished.

"Don't even think about it!" Dio Powell roared. He, despite his age, had never witnessed such shamelessness. He squeezed himself between Nicholas and Diana, pointing a trembling finger at Nicholas. "You haven't earned a single cent in this house! You have no right to demand compensation from us! Get out! Get out of here, you damn gigolo!"

Nicholas Coldwell sneered. His former pride and arrogance were gone; he had lost all dignity. Since it was all for money, he wasn't afraid to drop all pretenses. Besides, he had already decided: get the money, finalize the divorce, then hire a woman to take home to his parents. He had no intention of ever returning to T City. Now, he saw everything with stark clarity. In this metropolis, the rich and powerful always ruled. Glades Horne was the supreme Emperor, and he? He was merely a dog licking Horne's boots. No, less than a dog. Glades probably wanted him torn limb from limb, didn't he? That man—so lofty, so outstanding, practically a legend—he truly loved Julia, didn't he? Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths, wouldn't have hounded him so ruthlessly, all for her sake.