My Ex-Wife Is A Big Shot In Disguise by Lindsay Lewis

Chapter 8

Chapter 1 Divorce

“Let’s get a divorce.” They had been married for three years, and this was the second thing Leo Palmer said to her.

The first time he spoke to her was on their wedding night.

She had twirled in front of him in a white wedding gown while holding up the wide flared skirt. With a broad smile on her face, she had asked him if she looked good.

She certainly had not expected his reply.

“The wedding is over. I will have someone send you abroad,” Leo had said.

After that, she was sent overseas alone for three years.

She never expected to receive such a sentence right after returning to the country.

A divorce on their wedding anniversary.

“Must we get divorced?” she asked. Madison Hale didn’t look up. Her long hair covered her face, hiding all emotions in her eyes and face.

Only her slightly trembling voice could be heard, which carried a hint of tears. “Can we discuss it?” she added.

Leo stared at her with his dark eyes for a long time. When he spoke, his cool voice was devoid of any extra emotions. “You know, if it weren’t for my grandfather being critically ill, I wouldn’t have married you in the first place.”

Three years ago, Leo’s grandfather, Edgar Palmer, fell seriously ill. His dying wish was to see Leo get married and start a family.

The marriage did not belong to Madison originally. Madison was a girl whom the Hale family had mistakenly brought back. At eighteen, Madison had been informed that the real heiress, Sally Hale, had returned to the family. And she, Madison, had been the one who had occupied Sally’s rightful place.

Everything Madison had enjoyed should have belonged to Sally. The love of the parents, the indulgence from an elder brother, and even the marriage that had been arranged with Leo since birth.

But Edgar said the foundation of marriage is love. Madison and Leo grew up together. Even if her identity was false, it was still a fact that they had grown up together. Thus, Edgar insisted that Leo marry her. The marriage arrangement remained true since the Hale family still recognized her as one of their family.

That was how she and Leo got married.

But Sally was diagnosed with a two-way emotional disorder and couldn’t stand hearing any mention of Madison. She could not bear seeing Madison even more. After learning about the marriage, Sally attempted suicide and insisted on Leo accompanying her, or she would kick up a fuss.

To prevent Sally’s condition from worsening, Leo sent Madison abroad on the second day of their marriage and left her there without contacting her at all. It was only now that she returned.

Leo handed her a contract. “I’ve already had the lawyer draft the divorce papers. Take a look at them. If you have no objections, just sign them.”

Madison took the papers from him with her head down. “Can you give me some time to think about it?” she asked.

Leo looked at her. Her thick bangs covered her eyes. Living alone in a foreign country seemed to have made her personality more reclusive.

“If there’s anything unsatisfactory regarding assets, feel free to mention it. This villa will be transferred to your name. I’ll give you a week,” he added.

After saying that, he left the master bedroom.

As his fingers grasped the doorknob, he glanced back at the room. The woman’s slender shoulders trembled slightly as she held onto the divorce papers. She did not move at all.

Leo’s expression darkened as he closed the door.

The room fell completely silent.

After a moment, a burst of cheers erupted.

“Good riddance! I’m finally divorced!” Madison exclaimed.

She looked at the divorce agreement in her hand and was finally unable to hold back her laughter. Her shoulders shook even more, apparently.

In the three years since she was sent abroad, she received no messages of concern from the Hale family and not a word of comfort from her husband-in-name.

Even when she was stalked and almost died out there, she still couldn’t get through to Leo’s phone.

Any love she had for Leo was long gone and buried.

After signing the papers happily, she rolled around on the bed. Her bangs fell from her face with her long hair. There was no trace of grievance on her beautiful face.

Just as she was about to finish tidying up her luggage, the phone rang.

Madison answered the call with a sweet voice. “Hello, Joe.”

The voice on the other end got straight to the point. “Madison, the group of people who tried to kidnap you at the airport when you returned to the country has been caught. It was related to that stalking case from three years ago. Unfortunately, the clues all point to your adoptive parents and also… your husband-in-name.” Chapter 2 Birthday

Madison remained silent for a moment.

After a while, she spoke casually. “Well, thankfully, nothing happened to me, and I’m lucky to have found you all. Since they raised me, I will let it go.”

She would consider it a repayment to them for years of raising her.

“Madison…”

It seemed like the person on the other end still wanted to say something, but there was a sudden knock on the door.

Madison ignored the person outside the door and continued talking on the phone. “Joe, I know what you want to say. But I don’t want to stir up trouble now. I just want nothing to do with them in the future!”

Not to mention that nothing came out of the kidnapping incident, even if there were clues, the Hale family and Leo could easily deny being involved in it. Without substantial evidence, it would be more trouble than it was worth.

Moreover, considering the character of the Hale family, if they knew Madison’s biological parents belonged to the Daves family, they would likely use raising her for twenty years as a reason to demand stuff from the Daves family continuously.

Thus, Madison just wanted to divorce as soon as possible and to sever ties with the Hale family completely. Even if her identity were known to the Hale family in the future, it wouldn’t cause trouble for her brothers.

The knocking on the door became urgent.

Madison decided not to speak further on the matter. “Alright, Joe. I have something on. Let’s talk later.”

She hung up the call.

She didn’t open the door immediately. When the knocking became even more impatient, she slowly combed through her unsightly bangs and walked over lazily.

When the door opened, the man who was standing outside still had his hand raised. His face showed obvious impatience.

Madison raised her eyes and spoke in a gentle voice, “Is there anything else?”

It was only four words, but it conveyed a sense of distance.

Leo unconsciously furrowed his eyebrows. He dropped his hand and spoke indifferently, “Tomorrow is Sally’s birthday. There’s a party at the Hale family. Make time. I’ll come back in the afternoon to bring you there.”

Madison blinked.

‘Sally,’ she thought, scoffing silently. ‘He called her so affectionately.’

She smiled. “Alright. Is there anything else?”

Leo looked at her. Her black hair hid her beautiful face, and he could not detect any emotions from her. It seemed as though she calmly accepted the decision.

A strange sense of frustration welled up in him. As he was about to turn around, he said, “There’s nothing else. Rest early.”

“Hold on,” Madison called him.

She entered the room and quickly returned. She was holding onto the divorce papers he had given her just minutes ago and handing them to him.

“I’ve already signed them. You can take care of the procedures when you have time. As for the papers, you can send them to me after that. My address is on the last page,” Madison told him.

Leo had been absent on the day that they registered their marriage. With his capability, it should be an even more straightforward task now that they were getting a divorce.

Leo looked at the documents she was holding out to him. He shifted his gaze to her overly calm face and saw no sadness or grief.

His Adam’s apple darted. His voice became hoarse. “Didn’t we agree to wait a few days?”

“Whether we wait or not, the result is the same, right?” she asked.

Madison’s hand grew tired from holding up the papers, so she directly thrust them to Leo. “Besides, tomorrow is Sally’s birthday. She would be happy if she knew about this,” she added.

Leo was caught off guard and slowly took the papers.

Lowering his head, he asked, “What about you?”

“What?” she questioned. His voice was soft, so Madison couldn’t hear him clearly.

“Nothing,” he said.

He put away the documents, regained his composure, and looked at Madison’s face. He said, “Rest early.”

Madison took a step back. “You too,” she replied.

the words fell, the door slammed shut in front of the

tightly closed door, his

glanced at the

the Hale family the

between her and Leo, trying to be subtle as she

stated, “Ramona, Leo gave me a

by the Hale family’s parents for addressing them Dad and Mum. If it weren’t for the alliance with the Palmer family and the reputation of both families, Madison might have been kicked out of the family

if she hadn’t been kicked out then,

that Madison had already signed the divorce agreement, Ramona’s tone, which had been cautiously polite, changed instantly. Ramona became arrogant and contemptuous and spoke as though she was generous, doing Madison a favor. “It’s Sally’s birthday today.

concealing the coldness in

Ramona should have hung up as

sarcastically and with a hint of warning, “Edgar was confused in the past and made a mistake by insisting you and Leo be together. But now, aren’t we back on the right track? Madison, don’t be upset over this. Your status is low, and you aren’t compatible with the Palmer family. If it weren’t for your fortunate adoption by our family for a few years, you probably wouldn’t have had the chance to step into the threshold of

Madison was just a baby. If it weren’t for the earthquake and being mistakenly carried off by a nurse at

understand,” Madison responded calmly as she

of hers in the villa. She entered this place with a single suitcase and would leave

coldly and hung up the

a car horn suddenly

directly called Madison. Two succinct and indifferent

Chapter 3 The Front Passenger’s Seat

dragged her

wasn’t until Leo’s second call that she came out of the

over, his slightly frowned brows eased somewhat. He turned and adjusted the gift box on

got in, she explained, “Sorry for

hands on the steering wheel tightened. “Are you going to the party

a bewildered noise. She lowered her head to look at her outfit. She asked, “Is there something wrong with this? It shouldn’t matter for

gift box on the front passenger seat

labeled with Sprince, a luxury fashion label. Even the packaging was elaborate. Madison immediately recognized it as the latest dress released by

hesitation, she put the gift box back. “It’s a gift for Sally. If I wear it,

wheel. At her words, his movement paused. “We haven’t announced the divorce yet. Do you intend to disgrace the Palmer family

“But…” Madison began.

the brand, and I forgot it

Madison had no choice but to take the gift box and go back to

blue gradient dress complemented the tone of her skin. The skirt shimmered under the light as she walked. She looked like she had stepped

loose waist, which clearly indicated that the dress was not her size, she would

quickly went downstairs. When she opened the rear car door, she suddenly found that the door was

voice came from inside the

“Isn’t that a

passenger seat was reserved for one’s girlfriend. If there was no girlfriend, it was for someone with a close relationship

at her. “So, treating me as a

what I meant,” she

scratched her head. She decided to make it clear to Leo what she

her explanation, Leo stared at her in silence for two seconds. “Sally is not you. She won’t mind such trivial

it. “Then I won’t go. I

to leave. The car honked at her, followed by the man’s indifferent voice. “Get

tugged at the rear door. It

into the car while holding her dress. Since the

and drove,

use some pins to fix it when we reach. Don’t worry. I won’t

she could finish speaking, the

wearing a seatbelt in the back seat, and her head bumped directly into the front seat. Her

me, he shouldn’t resort to this!’ Madison thought. ‘If something happens, he would also

silently pulled on the seatbelt and fastened it. She glanced at the scenery outside the

killing her to make way for Sally would be more convenient. Now that Madison had signed the

as soon as possible to

Has our divorce been

Chapter 4 Adopted Daughter

to be

by saying I am in a hurry?’ Madison thought. ‘It’s not like I am about to get into another

“It should be you who’s

and the car speed gradually stabilized. “I’m

silent. She

signed the divorce papers. Tonight, she would settle things with the Hale family. After that, she

hour later, the car stopped outside the

Hale and Palmer families cooperated in business. The Hale family’s status in high society gradually became more prominent. Many people fawned over and flattered them. By this moment, the luxury cars of

car. A gust of night wind almost made her shiver. When she looked up, Leo, who was dressed in a suit, was already walking toward the lawn where the party was set up at the villa. Madison had no choice but to follow quickly, holding up the skirt

guests present cast their eyes in their direction because

beautiful woman playing the piano. Gifts piled up high next to the five-layer cake. Under the lights and everyone’s

from a romantic film

who was following Leo, slowed down

she could disappear into the crowd, Leo suddenly

put on pause at the most

at Madison, who was standing in front of

to Madison at

is she? She looks familiar, but I feel like I’ve never

after being abandoned by her biological parents. She’s the one the Hale family kindly raised as Sally’s real sister. But in the

the one sent abroad by Mr. Palmer on the day of the wedding? How dare she show her face back here? If I were her, I would have jumped off a building already.

after another. The looks they cast at Madison were filled

voices were not loud, but Madison, who was close, heard them clear

hear those unpleasant things said about her and did

already stood up when Leo spoke. She walked gracefully toward Madison. “Madison, when did you return to the country?

country without informing her adoptive parents. How impolite and uncultivated!’ In everyone’s minds,

had a call with Ramona this morning. Maybe she was afraid you wouldn’t

came back, Madison changed her address to her adoptive parents. Instead of calling them Mom and Dad as she used to, she now referred to them by their

have a companion and won’t get nagged by

took

prepared a gift for me. Thank

Madison froze entirely.

Chapter 5 The Ill-Fitting Gown

as Madison couldn’t bear it anymore and was about to push away Sally, Sally suddenly had a slight change in expression. She furrowed her brows

dress a bit

circle, attending an evening party meant competing with one

were displays meant to

which brand and which set of jewelry belonged to which designer. If someone wore an

dresses were obviously categorized as embarrassing and

around them started

a fitting dress. How could she

wear. Look at her hairstyle. It’s so old-fashioned. No wonder Mr. Palmer doesn’t like her! I wonder when Mr. Palmer will divorce

to Leo. “Leo, why did

already anticipated such a scene. She watched

Madison’s measurements. I thought both of you had similar figures, so I had the designer tailor it according to your size. I didn’t

The gossiping abruptly stopped.

almost couldn’t maintain her

already feel the mocking gazes from the people around

dress. Sally had set her eyes on it when Sprince’s spring-summer collection was released. It had not been available

the

gave the dress to Madison but also spoke up to defend that

to maintain her composure and complained

gaze and looked at Madison. He gave a nod

arm affectionately. “By the way, Madison, I had several dresses sent

originally intended

the dress was ill-fitting, wearing it a bit loose was quite comfortable. However, as the words of rejection

stay in before. Choose whichever you like. There are still guests here, so I won’t

“See you

her bent down and helped lift the skirt of her

unchanged as he

looked

Sally’s delicate face only revealed a hint

him. “It’s hard to console a girl

turned to leave decisively without a second

silky fabric slipped away from his palm. Lifting his gaze, he only saw her slender back steadily

went straight to the furthest room

floor with a balcony. Later, when the real daughter of the Hale family returned, Madison naturally gave up that

complained about the difficulties of her life as an abandoned commoner every

roof was tormenting. When she was alone in the small room, it

in thought, Madison

came on, the door behind her suddenly slammed shut with a bang. She could hear the sound

around, but her arm was

Chapter 6 The Apology

party held on the villa lawn was lively. Due to Madison’s ill-fitting dress, many socialites who were

many socialized together, some were eager to have Sally

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