Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 574 Guests mingled and wandered across the lawn.

Although social media was in a frenzy-stories trending, rumors flying-the engagement party itself remained calm, at least on the surface. As Mila and Forrest made their rounds, raising glasses with guests, all they heard were warm congratulations and cheerful wishes.

Everyone here knew how to play the game.

No one would choose this moment to stir up trouble.

Still, plenty of curious eyes followed Mila and Forrest as they toasted with Conrad. The three of them chatted and laughed so easily, you'd almost believe they were on the best of terms-if not for those headlines everyone had just seen.

When Conrad arrived with his wife to congratulate his former daughter-in-law, swondered if all the talk about a family feud had been exaggerated.

But now, no one doubted anymore.

With members of the Montgomery family present, Mila had gone public, using the media to announce her withdrawal from Montgomery Holdings. She hadn't even fully stepped down yet. It was a clear, decisive break. And yet Conrad's appearance at the party left everyone puzzled.

After all, many in attendance had been speculating-thanks to the persistent rumors-that the Montgomery family just couldn't stomach Mila holding the reins. How could an outsider end up with so much power over the family's legacy? Sure, it was Lysander's will that had left her in charge, but the man was gone, and wills —even the most ironclad-rarely outlast the living's ambitions. Who in their right mind would let an outsider control so much wealth and influence? What if she decided to remarry, taking the assets and power out of the family? That was the fear most people had when Lysander's will was first made public.

Shad ctonight just to see the Montgomerys' misfortune.

No one expected that the once-hidden Mrs. Montgomery-unknown to the outside world for seven years-wouldn't run off with the money. Instead, she stood on that stage, bearing the weight of the moment, and held Montgomery Holdings together through its most turbulent days.

She hadn't betrayed them.

Those who'd been waiting for a scandal were left disappointed.

But things had changed. In barely a year, just as Mila was building her own team and deepening her ties within Montgomery Holdings, everything had quietly, and suddenly, fallen apart.

Now, no one in the elite circle was surprised.

This felt more like reality.

Everyone figured the Montgomery family had finally had enough, and were finding ways to edge Mila out- splitting her power, removing her from the company's core. It was nothing new; it had nothing to do with her competence. In the end, even the closest alliances could fracture over money and influence.

But as guests watched Conrad, smiling and chatting amiably with Mila, a strange realization crept in-maybe it wasn't the Montgomery family pushing Mila out. Maybe it was Mila who was determined to leave the Montgomerys behind.

She'd made it final.

Things had gone too far for Conrad not to know what Mila intended. He had to realize he was walking into a potentially humiliating scene, yet he still showed up to offer his congratulations.

Clearly, it was Mila who had let go first.

Was she crazy? That was the thought running through everyone's mind.

Montgomery Holdings was a powerhouse. Even just keeping the shares and assets she'd inherited from the will would never compare to the benefits of staying tied to the company-especially as a senior executive.

And yet she was just walking away? Who in their right mind would turn their back on that kind of wealth and power? But then, there were whispers that Mila had a close relationship with Jade, the influential figure overseas. Maybe Mila was never short on resources or ability. She'd always been formidable in her own right.

Besides, the guests' eyes drifted to Forrest, standing quietly and smiling at Mila's side. They understood: Mila's taste in men was extraordinary.

Every man she chose was one in a million.

Even if Forrest couldn't match the Montgomerys' prestige, he was accomplished, capable, and with la future full of promise. The renowned Mr. Ayers from the aerospace field had cto support him tonight-hardly someone with a weak background. For a moment, more than one family considered whether their own

unmarried daughters could learn thing or two from President Sutherland: how to choose, and win over, such outstanding men. But then cthe second thought-Mila herself was no easy person to deal with. Most guests had crossed paths with her in business before; she was formidable, not to be underestimated. Maybe she was a bit kinder, a bit more principled than Lysander, but she was still a force to be reckoned with. She looked gentle enough, but beneath that soft exterior was a woman of remarkable ability and steel resolve.

Not just anyone could live such a rich, tic life as hers.

Their daughters, they realized, might not be able to pull it off.

And so those thoughts faded.

Still, everyone who ctonight walked away with a clear understanding: whether Mila and the Montgomery family reconciled or went their separate ways, she was not someone they could afford to cross.

Whatever little schemes they'd brought with them were quietly set aside.

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Most of the guests were seasoned players in this world; whatever calculations spun behind their smiles, is their faces showed only warmth. As Mila and Forrest passed with their glasses, the air was filled with nothing but heartfelt congratulations.