Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 423

Astrid’s POV

I stretched my legs across the fancy bed, watching the news with a frown.

Ryan sat beside me peeling an orange, his fingers working methodically as he watched my reactions.

‘Rich people are so weird,” I said, shaking my head. “Someone in their family just died, but all they care about is who gets to run the business next.”

Ryan laughed and handed me an orange slice. “That’s life. When I die after we’re married, you might end up doing the same thing.”

He winked, but his eyes stayed cold. Our Hartford family money isn’t Parker Group level, but it’s nothing to sneeze at.”

I stopped mid-chew. “Wait – you’re a Quinn. Why are you saying ‘our Hartford family’?”

“Because I’m a bastard,” Ryan said matter-of-factly. “I took my mom’s last name.”

He leaned back against the headboard. “My father’s a Hartford. Big name in New York. Pretty handsome when he was younger too – that’s what caught my

mom’s eye.”

His voice hardened. “Three months into the pregnancy, when she wanted to get married, she found out he already had a wife and an eight-year-old son.”

“She left the country pissed off, with me in her belly. That’s why I’m a Quinn.”

I studied his face, trying to connect this story to the fragments floating in my memory. “So if your mom left to cut ties with your dad, why are you – *

“Why am I back in New York claiming Hartford money?” Ryan finished, his smile not reaching his eyes. “I might be illegitimate, but I’ve got Hartford blood.

I’m still his son.”

His expression darkened. “My mom got tricked by him and had to raise me alone in a foreign country where we struggled. Meanwhile, the Hartfords lived it up in New York…”

Ryan’s voice shook with anger. “Why should they get everything? I came back to make them pay! I’m taking everything that should have been mine from my father’s precious other son!”

mom chose to leave,” I pointed out carefully. “However hard your life

why go after the whole Hartford family? Your half-brother… he

eyes turned dangerous. I definitely

the half-peeled orange into my

rest,” he ordered, walking to the door. “You’re still

slammed behind him, leaving me alone with

on the bed finishing Ryan’s abandoned orange while the news continued covering

at the city center chapel will still happen despite Blake

close friends are expected

for

7/2

Chapter 423

broadcast scrolled through paired names for the procession. I sat up straight when I spotted mine – paired with Henry Hartford, not

Henry Hartford felt familiar, tugging at something buried in my mind,

a stern man in an expensive

finally eased, I got out of bed. I needed answers, and Ryan was

The mansion was quiet except for occasional staff footsteps. Turning a corner, I ran into a maid carrying fresh

Quinn?” I asked, rubbing my

immediately stepped back, almost bowing. “Mr. Quinn is in his study,

Ryan’s name, fear flashing across her face. I couldn’t

thanks and headed toward the

hand to knock but stopped when I heard Ryan talking. He had someone

Hartford really showing up tomorrow?” Ryan asked skeptically. “His best friend’s dead, his girlfriend’s missing

else would he get justice for his friend? Never thought someone

sister’s kid? So dedicated you’d think the girl

Ryan continued. “If Henry Hartford was friends with an idiot like Blake Parker all these years, he can’t be too bright

coming tomorrow, right

man’s voice – Vincent – replied. “Blake would’ve been my brother-in-law,

Ryan said, “You were at the press conference today,

fan those

control the whole

each other. You take