CHAPTER 21: CHAPTER 21: TESTING THE BOUNDARIES

Victoria Monroe arrived at the law firm without makeup and wearing large sunglasses on her nose, covering most of her face.

As she entered, she saw a man tapping away at a computer.

Much more polished and energetic than before, Victoria Monroe set down her bag and remarked on his office, "Attorney Quincy, quite busy."

Dylan Quincy finished typing the last byte, pushed his glasses up with his slender fingers, and finally looked at Victoria Monroe.

"Ms. Monroe, long time no see."

Victoria Monroe took off her sunglasses and casually thumbed through the Civil Code lying on the table, appearing quite familiar with Dylan Quincy.

"Let’s cut the small talk, I need you to do me a favor."

"If it’s about the divorce, I’m afraid I can’t help."

"Why?"

Dylan Quincy stood up, grabbed a small jar of coffee beans, and placed them in the coffee machine for brewing. A cup of coffee was quickly made.

He set it on the table, pushed it towards her, gesturing an invitation, then sat back down and said, "It’s simple, your dear husband has pressured all the firms in the city not to take your divorce case."

Victoria Monroe felt the need to reassess Julian Fordham; everything he’s done makes her feel unfamiliar.

She curled a bitter smile and sighed, "Does he think he’s the all-powerful CEO from a novel?"

Dylan Quincy pushed up his glasses, "Five years ago, he was just one insignificant CEO among thousands, but now, have you seen the Forbes rankings?"

Victoria Monroe had been busy preparing for pregnancy recently; where would she find the energy for that?

"I suggest you take a look at what his team has achieved—breaking through patents and shattering the long-standing foreign monopoly. In the chip sector, he represents not just a company but the rise of a nation."

Dylan Quincy tapped the Civil Code on the table, "To put it simply, everyone upstairs has to uphold him; in Kenton, he’s firmly established."

"By the way, what’s your main demand for the divorce?"

Victoria Monroe said straightforwardly, "He cheated, I want three-quarters of his assets."

"If it’s about assets, I suggest waiting a few more years for the divorce; this way, you can maximize benefits. His company’s market value will undergo enormous changes in these years, and his net worth will soar."

Victoria Monroe was speechless, "Dylan, are you joking?"

Dylan Quincy glanced at her indifferently, "If you’re divorcing over that news, I think it’s unnecessary. Although I’m not sure what specifically happened, Julian Fordham would never cheat. The reason he hasn’t clarified must be due to concerns about upcoming important collaborations."

"Sacrificing a marriage over a false rumor—it doesn’t seem worth it to me."

Victoria Monroe stared into his eyes and suddenly asked, "Did you discuss who takes the lead when you’re in bed with Riley Hayes just as methodically?"

Dylan Quincy: "..."

"No wonder she ran; she probably finds you utterly boring."

After stabbing at the man’s heart, Victoria Monroe grabbed her bag and sunglasses, ready to leave.

Dylan Quincy’s voice came, "Victoria, he’s no longer that penniless Julian Fordham. Why are you so eager to dive into the film industry? Now he has the ability to protect you entirely; don’t forget you’ve been seriously injured several times during filming. Isn’t it better to let him take care of you?"

Victoria Monroe sneered coldly, "You drafted his contract with Rachel Hayes, didn’t you?"

"Yes, his actions are undoubtedly wrong, but I know he loves you. Everyone makes mistakes, at least you should give him a chance to rectify them."

"Are all men so arrogant? If I were Riley Hayes, I’d run too."

Dylan Quincy clenched his hands tightly and reminded, "Not just me, no lawyer in Kenton will take your divorce case, nor anyone nationwide will risk offending the Fordham Group, so there’s no need to go elsewhere."

Victoria Monroe paused at the door, and Dylan Quincy braced himself for her insults.

However, she lowered her head, her voice full of melancholy, "I’ve tried the life you mentioned; it felt like dying. Dylan, rather than forgiving, I’d rather let those who did wrong face consequences."

After Victoria Monroe left, he dialed Julian Fordham’s phone.

"Yes, she just left, but you know her temperament; she won’t turn back until she crashes into the wall, even if she bruises herself bloody, she won’t turn back. Old Julian, this is as far as I can help you; targeting Victoria isn’t the right way."

*

Victoria Monroe returned to the car, and as she closed the car door, she leaned on the steering wheel, as if all her strength had been drained away.

Julian Fordham, to actually reach this extent, it’s no wonder he remains unafraid, knowing she’d go to the law firm without any worry.

Victoria Monroe refused to accept defeat, contacting several firms in succession, only for the lines to cut off immediately after she mentioned her name.

This moment made her realize Julian Fordham wouldn’t give her the chance to escape.

A message came through on her phone.

Julian Fordham: [Victoria, give up, I won’t give you a chance to escape from me. You are mine, and can only be mine.]

Attached was a GIF of a rabbit shooting hearts that she used to frequently send him.

Victoria Monroe furiously smashed the phone against the steering wheel.

Julian Fordham, he’s a deliberately calculating bastard!

The phone vibrated; she thought it was another message from Julian Fordham.

Just about to send a voice message in retort, she saw it was a question mark from Rhys Hawthorne.

She opened the chat record, realizing she’d accidentally left her phone on, sending some random letters while her fingers brushed the screen.

Victoria Monroe intended to reply it’s nothing, but the words transformed at her fingertips, "Do you know any reliable divorce lawyers? The kind that specializes in divorce cases?"

Victoria Monroe didn’t put too much thought into it; it was a matter of trying everything at this point.

After all, her circle of friends is not vast, and seeing Rhys Hawthorne being pretty nice from their interactions, she soon received a reply: [I do.]

Victoria Monroe was about to call him; instead, Rhys Hawthorne’s call already came through.

She anxiously spoke, "Rhys Hawthorne, I urgently need a lawyer. My situation is a bit complicated..."

The voice on the other side had a cool, languid weariness, "Let’s meet and discuss it. Where are you? I’ll come to pick you up."

"No need, I’m driving; I’ll come find you instead."

Rhys Hawthorne said, "I’m at home, just come over directly."

Victoria Monroe rushed to his villa, where the man was drinking coffee under the parasol in the yard.

The weather was misty, carrying the desolation and ruthlessness of late autumn.

In the garden, a thick layer of ginkgo leaves covered the path, he wore a loose gray crew-neck knit sweater.

When he picked up the coffee cup, the prayer beads slid from his wrist, over his bony wrist, his Adam’s apple moved as he downed a sip of coffee, his gaze light as he looked at her, "You’re here."

Victoria Monroe hurried over to him in her high heels, "Rhys Hawthorne, that lawyer..."

Her heel caught in a stone crevice, losing her balance, nearly falling.

"Careful."

A hand appeared to steady her, placing her hand on his wrist.

Besides the soft texture of the sweater, there were the raised prayer beads on his hand, caught by her in a clutch.

She felt like a wicked temptress luring the sacred; his items should be holy, and even touching them felt like blasphemy.

She quickly retracted her hand, "Sorry."

"Your heel got stuck."

"It’s alright, I..."

Without waiting for her to finish, the man squatted down, unexpectedly holding her slim ankle.

His disposition was chilly, but his palm was burning hot, the calluses brushing unconsciously across her soft skin, tickling slightly.

Smoothly, he pulled out the high heel stuck in the crevice, standing up to advise, "If you’re pregnant, avoid wearing high heels."

"Okay."

He walked ahead, his retreating figure cool and distant.

The autumn wind lifted a fallen leaf, as if nothing had transpired.

Victoria Monroe awkwardly followed behind him, the man showed no inclination to test boundaries, maintaining gentlemanly restraint.

Yet the skin just touched by his fingertip still felt as if a fire had ignited, the scorching heat spreading from her ankle to her entire body...