Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 506 "What happened?" The ballroom was still buzzing with music and laughter when Jade heard the news. She rushed straight to the manor's first-floor lounge, only to find Mila curled up on the couch, her face deathly pale. Jade's expression darkened instantly as she shot a glare at Forrest, who was crouched beside Mila.

"Mrs. Sutherland, here's what happened..." Forrest, who had already pieced together most of the story, spoke first. But he chose his words carefully, deliberately leaving sthings unsaid. After all, he wasn't sure how much of a shock the old lady's heart could take right now, and it was probably best not to mention that Lysander was alive-not yet.

"...That's the gist of it. There was a man in a black cloak at the ball. I can't say if he knew Mila, but he was unbelievably rude-just grabbed her and forced her to dance. After that, well, she's been like this." "That's it?" Jade's eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Of course, such behavior was outrageous—and Jade was furious-but knowing Mila, there was no way a pushy stranger would leave her this shaken. Something wasn't adding up. Mila looked downright terrified, not just upset.

Forrest pressed on. "Mrs. Sutherland, could I take a look at the manor's security footage and the guest list? I want to find this man." "Of course we need to find him!" Jade snapped. Even if Forrest's version felt incomplete, this was enough to enrage her. Someone had dared target her Mila, and right in her own home, no less! The nerve! She spun toward the butler. "Stop the party. Seal off the manor no one leaves. Get the staff to check every guest, one by one. I want that man in the black cloak and the grotesque mask found. If anyone complains, tell them I demanded it. Say he insultedat my own event. If they're not involved, I'll see to it that they're compensated afterward." "Yes, ma'am," the butler replied crisply.

"Wait." Jade stopped him at the door, frowning in thought. "I'll handle this myself." She'd personally sent invitations for this ball. The guest list included half the city's elite and most of the titled families in the country. If tempers flared, things could spiral fast-a minor incident could easily turn into a scandal if mishandled. She needed to be there, to keep things under control.

But she hesitated, glancing back at Mila. Her gaze shifted to Forrest, who immediately caught her meaning. "Don't worry, Jade. I'll stay with her." Jade gave him a curt nod. As she stepped out of the lounge and closed the door, she said quietly to the butler, "Send a maid in to keep watch, and have a couple of the manor's security stand guard." The ball had never been about the party itself—it was meant as a test for Forrest. The music and the flowers were just dressing. But now, with this mess, perhaps the test would prove even more revealing.

Inside the lounge, Mila was still huddled on the couch, her mind in chaos. There was no longer any doubt the man in the ghastly white mask streaked with red had been Lysander. Before tonight, she could almost convince herself otherwise, hide behind denial since she hadn't seen him with her own eyes, hadn't touched him.

But now now that fragile veil had been ripped away.

It was him. He was alive. Really, truly alive.

Her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst from her chest. Panic, confusion, and a jumble of other emotions crashed over her like a tidal wave. Why had he chere? What could possibly be the point? He'd already achieved everything he wanted. He'd used her to convince the world -and Cossio-that he was dead. His plan was working perfectly, and soon he'd have everything he was after. So why risk coming back to her? She hadn't exposed his faked death. She hadn't breathed a word to Cossio. Why clooking for her? She'd tried so hard not to dwell on his betrayal, tried to build a quiet life for herself, to mind her own business and keep her own little world safe. Couldn't he just leave her alone and disappear, as if they'd never crossed paths again? What right did he have to cback? What did he want from her now? Was this skind of warning? But warning her about what? Her gaze fell to the faint mark his lips had left on her hand. She shuddered Memories of his arrogance, his twisted possessiveness, and the wayhe

always forced his will on her surged back suddenly. An absurd, almost laughable thought crept in. Was this his way of saying that even if he was done with her, she still wasn't allowed to move on? That in his mind, she still belonged to him? Pet

How dare he! The thought ignited a white-hot fury inside her, burning away her fear. Her enough sank into her lower liphard enough to draw blood though she barely felt the pain. All she could feel was the overwhelming hatred rising in her chest-hatred that nearly choked her. That bastard! "Mimi?"

Forrest, who'd been gently rubbing her back and watching the manor's security feeds on his laptop, glanced over Noticing the blood on her lip, he immediately pulled her into his arms, his voice gentle. "Mimi, let go. I'm here." The warmth of his hand on her back, the soothing murmur in her ear, gradually brought Mila back from the edge. She relaxed, burying her face in his chest, silent but a little steadier.

Forrest took the first aid kit from the maid and tenderly dabbed ointment on her torn lip, his voice a mix of worry and frustration. "Mimi, whatever happens, don't hurt yourself. I'll face it with you every step of the way."