Deana listened to Zayne’s usations with an air of indifference rather than anger. She replied, “Zayne, if you were truly self-aware, you would recognize that you’re currently in a moral quagmire. If you feel the need to forcibly grasp the moral high ground now, it’s quite disheartening.”


    Continuing, Deana added, “Love isn’t something to be argued over; it should be upheld through actions. I’ve just filed for divorce, and you might think that I don’t care about love, but your children from another rtionship are now in their twenties. You’ve hidden this from me for so many years. Throughout those years, did you ever consider what our marriage truly meant?”


    Upon hearing her words, Zayne felt a wave of despair wash over him.


    “Yes, now to use Deana ofcking affection is like pping myself in the face. After all, I am the one who has been in the wrong for over 20 years.”


    At a loss for words, Zayne found himself unable to respond to Deana. She sighed softly and said, “Let’s not dwell on this. I’m calling to expedite the divorce because I n to settle in Aurous Hill in the future. Even if I don’t end up staying there, I will at least be living in Aurous Hill. The sooner we finalize the divorce, the better it will be for you, preventing others from gossiping.”<fn4ee8> This content belongs to Find_Novel(.</fn4ee8><h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Though Deana didn’t spell it out directly, Zayne understood the underlying message.


    What Deana was implying was her intention to remain in Aurous Hill, and if the prominent families from Eastcliff caught wind of this, it would be easy for them to specte that she stayed for Bruce.


    If Deana and Zayne were still married, her settling in Aurous Hill for Bruce could tarnish Zayne’s reputation. However, if they divorced, Zayne could maintain some dignity. Though he felt a surge of anger, he couldn’t bring himself to argue. Deep down, he realized that Deana had made up her mind about the divorce.


    With that realization came an intensified hatred for Bruce.


    “Bruce, that bastard, continues to haunt me!”


    “He’s been dead for years, yet he still has such a strong influence on Deana.”


    “In Deana’s eyes, this man who died over 20 years ago holds more importance than I do!”


    On the other end of the line, Deana noticed Zayne’s silence and continued, “After all, it’s best for a couple to part ways amicably.”


    Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Zayne finally exhaled deeply and said, “You mentioned that we’ve been a couple for so long. I need to think this through.”


    Deana replied, “Reach out whenever you’vee to a decision. All departments in Eastcliff are interconnected. We don’t both need to be present for the divorce. We can send awyer to handle everything once we coordinate.”


    Zayne responded, “Alright. I’ll consider it and contact you soon.”


    “Great, let’s leave it at that for now,” Deana said.


    Later that afternoon, Charlie had lunch at home and prepared to take a medicinal pill he had refined. He had promised Aurora that he would visit her house to provide some guidance, so he cleared his afternoon schedule.


    As he got ready to carry the medicine, he asked his father-inw Jacob, “Dad, do you have any ns for this afternoon?”


    Jacob smiled and replied, “I’m heading to the Calligraphy and Painting Association this afternoon. In the evening, I have a dinner meeting with the executives from Sotheby’s Auction House.”