Wedding Bells and Prison Cells

My heart gradually turned cold. I hissed, "Without me going out to negotiate and entertain clients, where would your company's deals come from, and why do you think I can't have children? It was because I ruined my health while helping you build your business, and because your precious sister scared me into a miscarriage!"

I almost shouted the words.

For the first time, impatience and disdain finally appeared on Ryan's face. "Well, whose fault is it that you don't have the charm to make Timothy care? If you'd just softened up a little and asked, he might have slipped a few resources your way. Then you wouldn't be struggling like this."

So that was it. From the very beginning, the only thing he wanted from marrying me was access to my brother, Timothy Sullivan's, resources.

Timothy was a business prodigy who took control of the massive Sullivan family empire at a young age. Back then, he did not think much of Ryan, a broke nobody.

I was blind and insisted on marrying him anyway.

Timothy could not change my mind, so he proposed testing Ryan for three years.

During those three years, Ryan claimed he did not want help. Yet, behind my back, he repeatedly hinted that I should ask Timothy for resources.

I always believed he was just proud. Finally, I understood that he was nothing but a complete hypocrite, a man who wanted to climb through connections and live off my family.

I took a deep breath and pushed down all my emotions as I called out, "Edward."

The elderly butler, Edward Rogers, who stood by, immediately stepped forward. "Ms. Sullivan, what can I do for you?"

"Throw this whole family out. This is the Sullivan residence, and we don't welcome trash."

Edward's expression turned serious as he waved to the security guards behind him. "Escort them out!"

Ryan's face turned ashen as he shoved away the approaching guards. "Victoria, how dare you?!"

He glared at me as if he wanted to tear me apart.

I met his gaze coldly. "This is my family's territory, not a place for the Lawson family's playground. The dinner is canceled. Our family doesn't welcome outsiders either."

My words hit him like a slap across the face. He probably never imagined that I, who always obeyed him, would be this firm.

Zelda's eyes darted around before she suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud. Clutching the baby, she crawled toward me on her knees, tears streaming down her face.

"Victoria, this is all my fault! Don't blame Ryan. It's all on me! I'm just too dependent on Ryan. I never thought you'd misunderstand. Victoria, don't say things in anger. You and Ryan just got married!"

As she spoke, she knocked her forehead repeatedly against the floor until it quickly turned red.

There it was again, playing the poor, innocent damsel.

Ryan immediately felt sorry for her and rushed forward to help her up, pulling her into his arms. "Zelda, you did nothing wrong! Get up!"

He turned to glare at me, disgust practically pouring from his eyes. "Victoria, just look at what kind of person you've become! Zelda got on her knees for you. What more do you want? No one can stand your spoiled, willful attitude. Apologize to Zelda right now, or this marriage is over, and we're getting divorced!"

He was still so arrogant, as if he were certain I would never dare to divorce him.

I only found it laughable.

"Fine, let's divorce then. We can go right now. The courthouse hasn't closed yet."

Ryan froze completely, reaching out to grab me as if wanting to say something to calm me down.

At that moment, the baby that Zelda was holding suddenly started crying.

I instinctively looked over and found that the teacup on the table beside me somehow tipped over, and the tea spilled right onto the child in Zelda's arms.