Chapter 147

Returning to the Jones family estate, Sharon found the place in disarray. Danica was barking orders at the staff as they hustled to tidy up the mess.

"What's gone on here?" Sharon's tone cut through the commotion, her authority unmistakable.

With a dramatic sigh, Danica laid the blame directly."It was Hannah. She lost her mind, flipped a table,and hurt Brinley's hands. Now Brinley's at the hospital."

A hard line appeared on Sharon's face. Her response was resolute. "That doesn't sound like Hannah.She never lashes out unless she's pushed to the brink.Clearly, something drove her too far this time."

Avoiding a confrontation, Danica mumbled, "You always take her side. Whatever you say."

"What was that?" Sharon asked, narrowing her eyes. Quick to redirect the conversation, Danica raised her voice. "I just meant the court date for Vincent and Hannah's divorce case is tomorrow."

Surprise flickered across Sharon's features. "It's happening that soon?"

Danica seized the moment to air her gievances. "It's ridiculous.She could have handled this quietly, but no-she insisted on dragging things to court. Anyone can see she's just after a bigger payout. She's shameless."

Sharon gave her a sharp look. "Since you've got time to gossip, go pull weeds in the garden."

By the next morning, Sharon refused to set foot in the courthouse to witness the divorce case.

Danica, on the other hand, seized the opportunity to dress to the nines, collected Brinley from the hospital, and made her way to court with Brinley in tow.

Vincent showed up not long after, his attorney trailing at his side.

As soon as Vincent walked into the courtroom, his eyes swept the room-Danica and Brinley were there,but Hannah was nowhere in sight.

A few minutes before the hearing was set to start,Raymond and Margaret Scott made their entrance,taking their seats quietly.

Vincent couldn't help but glance at the doorway again and again, searching for any sign of Hannah.

But even as the judge took the bench and called the courtroom to order, Hannah's seat remained empty.Across the aisle, only her attorney sat ready on the plaintiff's side.

A deep frown settled on Vincent's face. Hannah had filed the petition herself-so why wasn't she here now?

When the judge requested opening statements,Hannah's attorney rose smoothly and addressed the court, "Your Honor, my client has authorized me toact on her behalf for these proceedings. She's provided a written statement for the record: 'Your Honor, I respectfully petition this court for a dissolution of marriage. Our five-year marriage has reached an irreparable breakdown, with no chance for reconciliation.What remains between us is only shared misery. I believe that ending this marriage serves the best interest of both parties, and I request a divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences."

A tightness gripped Vincent's chest, the ache so sharp that he could barely breathe.

At the same time, Hannah's entire attention was fixed on Nova Tech's proposal.

Felix eventually asked why she hadn't shown up at court. She didn't hesitate. "I trust my attorney to handle it."

A shaft of sunlight caught Hannah's face just as Felix glanced over, lending her an almost ethereal glow. An unfamiliar flutter stirred in his chest.

Snapping her fingers, Hannah pulled him out of his daze. "Hey, quit spacing out. Come see if this plan holds up."

Felix nodded, stepping forward."Sure."

Something about this focused, driven Hannah drew Felix in-the version who poured herself into her work, always charging ahead. It almost felt as if she'd never left the company behind for marriage.

While he leaned over her shoulder to scan the proposal, he blurted out, "Any second thoughts about the divorce?"

Without a pause, Hannah answered, "No regrets there. Honestly, the one thing I do wish I could undo is leaving Nova Tech for my married life. That move cost the company years of progress."

Felix let out a soft laugh, teasing, "If you'd stuck around,we might've gone public by now."

A confident smirk curved on Hannah's lips. "Absolutely," she replied, not a hint of bitterness from hèr failed marriage.

Back in the courtroom, Hannah's attorney presented an array of documents-undeniable evidence of Vincent's infidelity, clearly backing the plea for divorce.

On the other side of the aisle, Raymond and Margaret sat rigid, fists clenched tight. All the doubts and suspicions they'd buried now rose to the surface, proof that their daughter had borne more than anyone realized.

Not a word escaped Vincent as the proceedings dragged on. He stared at the empty chair where Hannah should have been. Her words-delivered by her attorney-haunted him: "What remains between us is only shared misery." How much resentment had Hannah bottled up over the years?

A sharp crack of the gavel snapped the room to attention. With formal gravity, the judge delivered the verdict."By the authority of the divorce act, the following judgment is rendered: First, Hannah Scott's petition for divorce is hereby granted. Second, marital property will be divided equitably under the law. This judgment takes effect immediately. Court is adjourned."

Chairs scraped, voices hushed, and people began to file out. Hannah's attorney wasted no time packing up and disappearing.

Moving as if in a trance, Vincent left the courtroom,his steps heavy, his figure weighed down by a strange loneliness.

Glancing at him, Brinley leaned toward Danica,keeping her voice low. "It's over, Mrs. Jones. You can finally relax."

Danica's mouth twisted in displeasure. "She made off with ten houses and half of Vincent's assets.That's hardly fair."

With a muttered agreement, Brinley made her way quickly toward the exit, hoping to reach Vincent before he disappeared. She fell in step beside him,wordlessly keeping pace as the courthouse faded behind them.

Knowing how raw divorce could leave a person,Brinley chose silence over comfort, understanding this wasn't the mnoment to press him with questions or advice.

Soft reassurances fell from Brinley's lips, but Vincent barely offered more than a stiff nod and distant silence in response.

Elsewhere in the courthouse, Danica's bitter remarks had not gone unnoticed. Raymond and Margaret lingered nearby, overhearing every last word. Just as Danica made for the exit, Margaret blocked her path.

Fixing Danica with a cold stare, Margaret's voice rang out. "Eight years of my daughter's life were spent with your son. She earned every damn cent, and the court's ruling was nothing but just."

Danica bristled, indignation flaring. "Just? You must be joking! Your daughter lived in the lap of luxury,playing housewife while Vincent carried the whole family on his back. She didn't even give him a child.And now she walks away with half of his assets? It's absurd."

A curl of contempt twisted Danica's mouth."You two only showed up to see how big her payout would be.The greed in your eyes was disgusting."

Margaret shot right back, voice cold and unflinching,"Funny, considering your son's infidelity. That's what's truly disgusting."

Without warning, Margaret surged forward, seizing a fistful of Danica's hair and yanking her backward.

Danica shrieked and retaliated instantly, clutching Margaret's hair and pulling just as viciously.

Shouts filled the hallway as Margaret's nails raked across Danica's face, and in seconds, the corridor was thrown into utter chaos.