Eliana stared at the torn marriage contract lying scattered on the ground. She hadn't said a word since Robert ripped the papers, but her silence spoke louder than any argument.
"You made your choice, Robert," she said, finally almost disappointed. "But I hope you understand what this means. Evelyn and her son won't stop attacking you."
Robert met her gaze. "I don't need your contract to defend myself. I'll fight my own battles. Get out!"
Eliana's lips curled into a faint smile. "We'll see, Robert. You're nothing without me, whether you like it or not."
She walked out of the hospital and entered into her car. The Maybach disappeared into the street, leaving Robert standing alone in the hallway.
Jenna was safe for now, but the war was just beginning. Evelyn, the Browns, and now Vincent Carter all thought he was nothing. They were wrong.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Gregory. Robert answered quickly.
"Young Master," Gregory's voice was steady but urgent. "I've received news. The Browns are hosting a party tomorrow night at their estate. It's a big event as business tycoons, politicians will be there. They're celebrating Roseline's engagement to Preston Vaughn."
Robert's grip tightened on the phone. "Engagement? She just divorced me."
"Yes," Gregory said. "It seems they've been planning this for weeks. The Browns are using it to secure a deal with Vaughn's corporation. They're calling it the event of the year."
Robert realized Roseline had thrown him out like trash, and now she was parading with a new man, flaunting her family's wealth and power. The Browns thought they could erase him from their lives. They were about to learn how wrong they were.
"Gregory," Robert said. "Get me an invitation to that party. I want to walk through their doors and see their faces when they realize who I am."
Gregory paused for a moment, then replied, "It's very difficult, Young Master. But I'll arrange it. You'll have everything you need."
"Good," Robert said. "It's time they see the real Robert Cruise."
He hung up and looked at the city skyline, the lights glittering like a battlefield. Tomorrow, he will step into the lion's den. The Browns would face the man they tried to break.
That night when Roseline returned to the Brown villa. Her mother, Tracy Brown, was lounging in her silk robe with a glass of red wine in hand.
"Where have you been?" Tracy asked. "And why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
Roseline dropped her purse on the couch and slumped down. "Mom, I saw Robert today."
Tracy scoffed angrily. "What? You mean that good-for-nothing ex-husband of yours? Did he come back to beg for your pity?"
Roseline shook her head slowly. "He was at The Crescent Ivy having lunch with Eliana Rowe."
The wine glass slipped from Tracy's fingers and shattered on the floor.
"What did you just say?"
"I'm telling you, Mom," Roseline said, still dazed. "He was dressed like a billionaire. They looked very intimate. She even held his hand. You should've seen the look in her eyes."
Tracy's face turned pale. "That's impossible Eliana Rowe is the ice queen of North Coast. She wouldn't look twice at someone like Robert. You're sure it wasn't a prank? Or a lookalike?"
Roseline stood up. "I know what I saw."
Tracy's lips trembled. "Why would she be with him of all people?"
A silence fell over the room as both women realized something terrifying. They had made a terrible mistake.
Roseline turned slowly, eyes narrowing. "What if Robert was never really poor? What if he had a background we didn't know about?"
Tracy scoffed again. "Don't be ridiculous."
But deep down, a sliver of doubt pierced her heart.