Divorce Time

After making up his mind, Jovian no longer hesitated. He instructed the driver to make a U-turn and head straight to the meeting place.

The meeting location was in a restaurant not far from the castle. It was only a ten-minute drive from where they had turned back.

When Jovian and Boston walked inside, they found the place nearly empty. There were no guests in sight, just a few receptionists. It looked like the restaurant had been cleared out just for them.

“Sir, please follow me. Sir Prescott is waiting for you upstairs,” the restaurant owner personally greeted them and led them to a private room on the second floor.

Warrick, Huxley, and Percival were leisurely drinking tea inside the room. The three chatted and laughed, but their conversation stopped the moment Jovian and Boston entered. All three turned their attention to Jovian.

They were quite curious about him. He had been privately invited by Austin and even stayed for dinner at the castle. It was a privilege none of them had ever received. However, upon seeing Jovian in person, the three were somewhat disappointed.

Jovian was of average height and had an unremarkable appearance-nothing about him stood out at first glance. But there was something about the way he carried himself. Back straight, shoulders squared -he looked like a man who didn’t bow to pressure.

“You’re here. Sit down,” Warrick said dryly as he gave Jovian a once-over.

He didn’t stand or offer a greeting. Instead, he remained seated with an air of complete indifference. It felt less like a dinner invitation and more like a superior addressing a subordinate. He gave off an air of cool detachment.

Huxley and Percival wore similar expressions, like Jovian wasn’t worth acknowledging. It seemed like they were purposely trying to show who was in charge.

Boston noticed the power play and frowned slightly, but he didn’t dare voice his frustration. Instead, he forced a smile and tried to ease the tension in the room.

“Sir Prescott, this is the third son of the Ballard family, Jovian Ballard. As soon as he heard you wanted to meet for a midnight snack, he rushed over without hesitation,” Boston said, trying to smooth things over.

He subtly hinted that Jovian had come to honor their invitation, so it would only be polite for them to return the favor with a little courtesy.

“Okay. This doesn’t concern you anymore. You can leave now.” Warrick waved him off like he was nothing more than an annoyance.

A low-ranking assistant general with no power or influence had no place in their conversation.

“Sir Prescott, this…” Boston glanced around and looked uneasy.

It was one thing to talk in public, but being shut out behind closed doors was another matter entirely. Without him accompanying Jovian, there was no telling if the latter could handle the three “old foxes”.

If anything went wrong, Boston would have to answer for it-not just to the Ballard family, but also to Austin.

“What’s wrong? My orders don’t count anymore? Do I need to repeat myself?” Warrick shot him a cold, impatient look.

“Since when did a mere assistant general get so arrogant that he think he can defy Mr. Prescott’s orders? Do you have a death wish?” Percival suddenly chimed in.

“Boston, you can wait outside. I’ll talk to these gentlemen. With their status, I’m sure they won’t make things difficult for me,” Jovian said with a smile.

“Okay. I’ll

had already agreed that they would immediately notify Austin for

door to the private room closed, the atmosphere became more tense. But

demeanor maChapter 1

nine at night when Charlene Ross landed at Goldland

As soon as she turned on her phone, it lit up with a barrage of birthday wishes. All were from colleagues and friends.

faded slightly.

villa, it was

Latonia, was stunned upon seeing her. “Mrs. Ross, what… what brings

are Thorne and Minnie?”

come home yet, and Miss Minnie

cozy in pajamas, totally wrapped up in whatever she was doing at her little

“Minnie?”

Then, she quickly turned back to what she was doing.

hug, only to be pushed away gently. “Mommy, I’m busy

Charlene last saw Jasmine, and no amount of hugs seemed enough. She

focused, Charlene didn’t want to dampen her spirits. “Are you making a seashell

perked up. “It’s for Ms. Hawkins‘ birthday next week. Dad and I picked these shells and

continued before she could speak, “Dad also

Hawkins. Tomorrow-”

chest and couldn’t hold back. “Minnie…

up briefly before making her necklace again, “Mom,

for a long moment. Seeing Jasmine not

Henderson, I called Mr. Henderson earlier. He said he’s tied

“I understand.”

remembering Jasmine’s words, Charlene dialed Thorne’s

took a while before he answered, his voice distant. “I’m still busy. Let’s talk

It was Vesta Hawkins‘

the phone tightened.

“It’s nothing.”

word in, Thorne had hung up.

months since they last saw each other. Charlene had made the trip to Goldland, but he couldn’t manage to come

marriage had always been cold, distant, and impatient like that, and she had grown

was and if he could come home. But perhaps

some thought. With the time difference between Goldland and back home, it