Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 572 Conrad still ended up bringing Felicity inside.

As soon as they appeared, a ripple of unease spread through the guests. Many had cjust to see if the recent rumors were true-after all, the two families supposedly locked in an ugly feud had both shown up in full force.

If things really had fallen apart between them, why would the Montgomerys cto this celebration at all? People couldn't stop speculating: What on earth was going on between these two families? Scattered across the lawn, guests waited for the engagement party to begin, each lost in their own thoughts. Swho were on friendly terms with Conrad tried to get a straight answer from him, but he brushed them off with a few perfunctory lines.

Clearly, he wasn't interested in talking.

"Didn't expect to find you with so much free time, Mr. Ayers." After sidestepping a handful of nosy questions, Conrad led Felicity over to greet Townsend.

He could dismiss most people easily, but the old gentleman was different-he couldn't be ignored. A greeting was the least he could offer.

Mr. Ayers and the Montgomerys were old acquaintances, so he didn't snub him. With a wry smile, he answered, "Just here to see an old friend's protégé. But you? Did you cjust to stir the pot?" After all, neither of the soon-to-be newlyweds had any love lost with the Montgomery family. Showing up here was just asking to be unwelcome.

Conrad could only shake his head inwardly.

He was definitely going to give Lysander a piece of his mind once this was over. What a disaster of an idea-he'd made a complete fool of himself today! He never should have listened to him.

Outwardly, though, Conrad kept his smile. "An old friend's protégé? Who could possibly have the pull to bring you out here?" Townsend glanced at Forrest, who was on stage addressing the crowd with Mila at his side, and chuckled. "Tyrell, that old scoundrel. Lazing about and makinghaul these old bones out here..." Conrad was taken aback.

Forrest was Tyrell's student? If Tyrell asked, of course anyone would come-but this was just an engagement party for the younger generation. There was no real need for heavy hitters to show up, unless Mr. Ayers had another reason...

A thought struck Conrad, and he asked, "Has Mr. Ayers settled on that aerospace automation project direction recently?" Unlike the other guests, his question was casual and direct.

The Montgomery family were never just simple businessmen. They hadn't focused heavily on smart tech research, but they certainly dabbled and kept a close eye on strategic developments-especially those not yet public.

They were conservative in action, but valued information deeply.

Townsend didn't seem surprised.

He gave Conrad a sidelong glance. "Why, are you interested?" "I don't know the first thing about that field," Conrad replied with a self-deprecating laugh. “Besides, I'm practically retired. But if you're looking for investors, I can't offer technical expertise-but I can certainly write a check for whatever you need." He had high hopes for the project. The higher-ups were watching it closely, after all.

Townsend let out a dry chuckle.

He had no doubt about the Montgomerys' financial clout. "If I let you invest, and the project succeeds, will it still be mine? Or will it end up stamped with 'Montgomery' all over it?" The Montgomerys were a cunning bunch. Could they really be trusted? "That's not fair," Conrad protested lightly. "We're all working for the sorganization here." Townsend just snorted.

After a moment, though, his tone shifted, and he sighed. "Speaking of which, that kid of yours had real talent. Shyou never let him pursue research at the institute... Wasted potential." Now gone before his time.

f.n Conrad knew exactly who Townsend meant-his disappointing son. He managed a rueful smile. "What could I do? I only had the one kid. If he went off into academia, who'd fun the family business? Someone has to carry the weight." Even if now, there was no one left to do the carrying.

"Always chasing after money," Townsend grumbled.

Conrad just smiled and said nothing.

Both men knew the truth: the family business was only part of the reason Lysander was never allowed to pursue an academic career. In reality, the Montgomerys couldn't afford another family member drifting into politics.

If this research project went far enough, sooner or later it would touch on sensitive ground.

Given the Montgomerys' resources and influence, sthings simply

couldn't be kept under control. Lysander would inevitably be drawn into the family's sphere and, as the research deepened, he'd be dragged into decisions at the highest level-straight into the political center. That alone would be risky enough.

But with the older generation's military background and sprawling m interests, the family was already e.

under close scrutiny from those in power. Another Montgomery stepping into politics would just be asking for trouble. Put simply, dabbling in research was one thing; taking it too far was another. And knowing Lysander's obsessive, all-or-nothing nature, it was safer to keep him away from it altogether.

Besides, if they couldn't do research themselves, they could always invest.

There was no harm in making money, after all.

Conrad didn't take it too seriously.

Lysander, unfortunately, didn't see things the sway. Before, Conrad could use Mila as an excuse to keep him in check, but lately, he'd becharder to restrain -secretly throwing himself back into research.

A troubleskid, never one to stay put.

While Conrad mulled this over, his gaze drifted to the soon-to-be newlyweds.making their speechesz on stage Suddenly, a commotion erupted among the guests: several people, forgetting all decorum, were huddled over their phones, whispering urgently. Conrad's eyes snapped back to the stage.

Neither Forrest nor Mila looked surprised. A heavy sense of foreboding settled in Conrad's chest.

Something was wrong.

He quickly pulled out his own phone.

A barrage of news alerts and trending topics lit up the screen. The most glaring headline read: "Breaking: Montgomery Holdings Director Mila Announces Resignation from the Board!"