When Cora married Byron, he considered it an ordinary arranged marriage, but for her, it was marrying for love.


    He didn’t know how much effort she put in to be with him.


    Unlike the Westwood family, the Reed family had many daughters and weak familial bonds. She was the unfavored daughter, born to the early–deceased original wife of the unfavored second son.


    From an unnoticed, pitiful girl, Cora transformed into the wife of the Turner family heir, defeating her many sisters and numerous well–known young women from Andphis City.


    But unlike Teri, that fool who only pursued love, Cora clearly understood that love was illusory and elusive.


    She liked Byron, but she was also content with this respectful but distant rtionship.


    Regardless, she married the man she admired, earned the title of Mrs. Turner, and


    would be the sole Mrs. Turner in the future.


    She used to strive for perfection in everything to secure a future in the Reed family<i>. </i>Later, she was cautious and socially adept, aiming to be an impable matriarch once Byron officially inherited the Turner family.


    If Minerva had not appeared, everything would have proceeded ording to n.


    When Byron proposed to divorce her, she thought he was crazy,


    The person who had always been upright and self–controlled actually lost his mind over a woman.


    She could ept him having affairs. Even if it pained her deeply, she could still smile and clean up his messes.


    Even if he developed real feelings, she could tolerate it as long as it did not threaten her position.


    Chapter 199 <fne68d> Checktest chapters at findnovel</fne68d>


    :


    But he refused. He said he loved Minerva and wanted to marry her.


    20


    55 vouchers


    The person who was usually meticulous, reserved, and solely driven by profit suddenly came alive, like a clumsy, inexperienced youngster, impulsive enough to disregard his reputation for the person he liked.


    She could tell he was serious.


    Byron, the designated head of the Turner family, always got what he wanted. The only reason he negotiated with her was because she was not at fault in this marriage.


    She did not have the power to refuse.


    Cora sat idle in the study all night. In the morning, she finally asked him if they had to divorce.


    Byron said yes.


    Cora then agreed but requested that the divorce not be publicized for now, to give her time to prepare, and demanded arge division of assets.


    Her attitude reassured Byron, and he gave her time.


    The day before Byron died, Cora had just received her prenatal examination report from the hospital, confirming a healthy baby boy.


    She did not tell Byron about this.


    The men of the Turner family were obsessive and irrational. Who knows if he would force her <i>to </i>have an abortion for the sake of his so–called true love?


    After all, a child would make it difficult to sever tiespletely. If he wanted, Minerva could bear his childrenter.


    Cora did not take risks.


    His itinerary was intentionally leaked to Minerva by Cora.


    It was ironic that he thought he had found love, unaware that the person had the mes of revenge burning in her eyes.


    Perhaps love blinded the intelligent.


    :


    Cora was the first in the Turner family to suspect Minerva.


    She also noticed his distraction and hesitation even before he did.


    ??))


    20


    <b>55 </b>vouchers


    From the first time she noticed Byron’s feelings, even though there were no clear signs yet, she decisively pierced the condom, determining she needed a child.


    The Reed family was full of predators; even if she divorced with arge sum of money, she might not be able to keep it.


    The Turner family held a superior status, and the prestige of being Mrs. Turner was far beyond what a divorced woman from the Reed family could achieve.


    She would not give up this hard–earned position.


    Moreover, once she had a child and gave birth to the Turner family’s grandson, the Reed family, driven by their greed and pragmatism, would fully support her and her child, bing their strongest backers.


    Staying married offered her more benefits than divorcing.


    There was no choice; Byron was better off dead than alive.


    Ironically, Byron’s guard against her might have been even less than his guard against Minerva.


    How could one’s love for someone not be perceived? Even if she tried to restrain herself, her affection would still spill out from her expressions.


    Byron surely understood as well.


    But he overestimated a woman’s love;pared to tangible benefits, he seemed utterly insignificant.


    She loved him, but she loved power and wealth more.


    She was unwilling to return to the Reed family and retrace her difficult climb to


    the top.


    Byron might never understand, even in death, that the wife who adjusted his tie,


    20


    55 vouchers


    prepared his breakfast, and gently urged him toe home early would be the one to send him to his death.


    She and Minerva were not friends, but they formed a brief alliance.


    Things that followed went as smoothly as expected.


    Minerva threw the Turner family into chaos, and Avery was also confused. He was not only involved in Byron’s death but also threatened suicide to take Minerva


    into seclusion.


    Edgar was greatly devastated by the sudden loss of two sons.


    After Byron’s death, she chose to stay with the Turner family as a widow, and Quinn, whom she had raised well, gradually gained Edgar’s attention.


    Quinn resembled his father and her, intelligent and outstanding, with clear goals, and was highly valued by Edgar.


    If not for Alexei suddenly emerging, he would have be a qualified heir like his father, Byron.


    How could she be content?


    Just as she thought she could smoothly ascend to the position of Mrs. Turner, when she was just one step away, Byron betrayed her; and when she thought her son could take over from his father and control the Turner family, Alexei


    interfered.


    It would have been fine if there had never been a chance to reach the peak, but each time it was just <i>so </i>close, turning frustration into obsession.


    She didn’t regret her decisions.


    Born with an inherent drive, she naturally strived for excellence in everything.


    Life was just a game.


    The only pity was Quinn. But he was her son, and she understood his ambition.


    He also did not want to be second, so he would rather risk his marriage with Arianna.


    15:49 <b>Sat</b><b>, </b>Sep 6


    Cora stood amidst the destion,ughing heartily.


    20


    55 vouchers


    Byron didn’t know that his slight shift of feeling changed the fate of so many people with that tiny ripple.


    *****


    Edgar, in educating his descendants, preferred to cultivate their aggressive spirit, showing little tenderness.


    But among his grandchildren, only Quinn and Alexei truly received his guidance and on whom he expended effort.


    As expected, the two of them grew into his most satisfactory sessors. Such outstanding children are rare even across Andphis City.


    After Edgar was somewhat reluctantly, yet somewhat willingly, settled Alexei as the heir, he had thought of leaving most of his inheritance to Quinn aspensation.


    But he didn’t expect that the two brothers would turn against each other before he even died.


    However, it was clearly a tough night.


    Before one piece of bad news could be processed, another cmity followed.


    Not long after Alexei finished talking with Edgar, who was weeping with weariness, Natasha approached them with a phone and aplex expression.


    “The Turner Mansion caught fire,” she said.


    AD


    Comment