Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 515 As he left, he ripped off the troublescloak that had caused him so much grief and tossed it onto the floor with clear disdain, only then striding away alongside the butler.

Mila, by now, had finally calmed down.

She realized, too, that there was no way they'd actually find the man-and honestly, thank goodness for that. If Jade had discovered that the face behind the mask belonged to Lysander... well, that would have set off a real disaster. The whole manor would have erupted.

With a quiet sigh, she crouched down to pick up the discarded cloak. Just then, she heard a faint rustle- something had slipped from the hood and fallen to the floor.

Her gaze dropped.

Two broken wooden sticks lay on the ground.

Wooden sticks? Puzzled, she reached for them, but another hand beat her to it. Forrest picked up the snapped sticks, and as he straightened, he leaned in close, murmuring softly in her ear, "Mimi, let's call it for tonight. We're not going to find him." Mila froze, then caught on instantly.

She spun around to stop Jade, who was on the phone, calling for more staff to continue the search. "Jade, let's leave it for now. It's already late, and if we keep this up, the guests are going to get upset." "That's not enough." Jade's voice was icy. "Someone dares cause trouble in my manor-they're testing me. Let it go now, and it'll only happen again. I can't just let this slide." "Jade." Mila moved to sit beside her, gently taking Jade's hand. "But it's really late. We can't just keep everyone here forever. These are all our guests-we can look into things quietly, one by one, after they leave. For now, let's just let everyone go home." At that moment, the butler returned from seeing Harvey out. He leaned in and whispered something to Jade.

Mila didn't catch it.

But just like that, Jade-who'd been adamant just moments ago finally nodded. "Fine, we'll do it your way. Dismiss the guests, and we'll investigate slowly." She stood and walked toward the door, pausing as a thought struck her. She glanced at Forrest. "Don't bother going to the hospital tonight about your hand. I'll have the doctor chere, to the manor, to check it out." "Thank you, Jade," Forrest replied politely.

"Your hand?" Mila's heart skipped a beat as she reached for his hand, worry etched on her face. She'd never quite gotten over it-Forrest had once shattered the bones in his hand for her.

In the corridor outside the lounge, Jade strode toward her study, her tone grim as she spoke to the butler. "The ball's over. Tell the staff to send the guests home, apologize and smooth things over, and do it yourself. Once everyone's gone, lock down the manor and upgrade security." "Yes, ma'am," the butler answered.

He hesitated, then asked, "Ma'am, does this mean you're finally going to meet with Lysander's grandfather?" That was what they'd just discussed in the lounge... Lysander's grandfather had reached out again, this teven with a video call.

"Mhm." Standing outside the study door, Jade let out a cold laugh. "Isn't it funny? All this chaos just happened here, and almost immediately, he comes knocking?" "And that thug at the ball harassing Mila, assaulting Harvey-whom I specifically invited-and messing up my plans... Not to mention he knew exactly how Mila would be dressed was a tonight. There's no way thed coincidence. This was premeditated." "That old fox always has such perfect timing." She shoved open the study door. "Let's see what he has to say for himself. I'd bet good money the Montgomery family is behind this mess. They never quit, do they?" The door slammed shut behind her.

In a guest bedroom, the doctor arrived quickly to examine Forrest's hand, re-bandaging it with practiced care. Only when the doctor confirmed, once again, that there was no nerve damage did Mita let out the breath she'd been holding.

"I'm fine," Forrest assured her.

"How could you be fine?" Mila cut him off, picking up the two broken sticks still lying on the table, her expression troubled. "He was targeting you, too." Those snapped sticks were a warning.

Just like the kiss on the back of her hand.

Both were warnings.

Forrest stayed silent. After a moment, his uninjured hand gently covered Mila's trembling fingers, still clutching the sticks. "Are you scared? Thinking about giving up?" That was his greatest fear.

He worried Mila might be intimidated by Lysander's threats-afraid for Forrest's safety, and choose to leave him for good.

That would be the real defeat.

His hand tightened slightly, tension evident, but then Mila's cool, steady steady palm covered his, anchoring him. Her NO voice was quiet but resolute. "I'm not afraid. I don't want to run anymore, and I won't." She was determined to step out from under the shadow that man had cast over her life.

She'd made her choice, finally dared to take this step. How could she let m herself retreat now, just because someone tried to frighten her? That would mean she'd never move forward at all-and that wasn't the life she wanted. Still...

"This will cause trouble for you. Are you sure..." Her voice faltered as she looked at Forrest, but before shen could finish finish, he pulled her close, his F arm firm around her waist, his head resting at her shoulder. She could feet his warm breath against her skin, and he whispered with absolute certainty, "If you don't back down, neither will I." As if that still wasn't enough, he added quickly, "Mimi, you promised, remember?" Mila froze.

Then, unable to suppress a smile, she nodded-hard. Realizing he might not see it, she spoke up, her reply emphatic.

"Yes!" We promised.