Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 496

International Airport.

While Leonard was on a call, not far from him, a car rolled slowly along the circular drive. The window slid down, revealing Johnnie's profile at the wheel.

He glanced at Leonard, who stood by his car on the lower lane, back turned, headset clipped over his ear as he spoke quietly into the phone. Johnnie's own voice was hushed when he spoke, "Father, Mila's left the country. She took Forrest with her. They're headed to Eldermere."

A low chuckle slipped out.

Mila had messaged him earlier that day, saying she was calling off that matchmaking arrangement she'd mentioned before. He hadn't pressed for details then, but now everything clicked into place.

Interesting.

Cossio's measured tone reached him through the Bluetooth earpiece. "You know Eldermere well. Arrange for someone you trust to keep an eye on things. See if the Montgomery family stirs. If anything's amiss, this time we'll know."

"Understood."

Johnnie knew exactly what was worrying his father.

He'd never met Lysander himself, but stories about the man were legendary in the Cossio family.

It was said that while still a university student, Lysander, accompanied only by Leonard, had brazenly infiltrated the Cossio family's ancestral estate and clashed violently with Johnnie's father. No one knew the precise details, but the incredible part was that despite being gravely injured, Lysander managed to escape.

Months later, he came back.

That time, the Cossio family was in the throes of civil war. A rogue faction had risen up, decrying Cossio's ruthless, authoritarian methods. Lysander, operating in the shadows, backed them with money, weapons, and heavy artillery.

The fallout from that brutal uprising was catastrophic. Johnnie's father, Cossio, was declared dangerously unstable and forcibly committed to a psychiatric hospital, locked away under the pretense of severe mental illness.

maternal relatives orchestrated a daring rescue, smuggling him out of the asylum. He returned to the family's stronghold and, in a sweeping purge, eradicated

more than a year after the man's alleged death, he refused to act

case Lysander had left one last

whispered within the family, he could piece together

this time, an opportunity had

hidden scheme-if Lysander's death a year ago had

return home, with company, would surely

And if nothing happened-

with a smile, tapping his fingers-red thread still wound around his wrist-against the steering wheel, clearly in a good

the airport's loop and

the weight of someone's gaze. He slowly turned

He ended his call.

were cold,

England.

day in the air, they finally landed at Eldermere

"Mila, over here!"

greeted by Miranda Wayne, who waved brightly—at least until she caught sight of Forrest at Mila's side. Her hand faltered mid-air, surprise sweeping across her

"What's he doing here?"

Miranda tugged Mila aside,

later. But you-" Mila

a pointed look, keeping her own voice low. "What's going on with you and Roland Lockwood? ran into

anything, did you?" Miranda's

She barely knew Roland-her loyalty was to Miranda,

the whole situation was

for England, things had been complicated between Miranda and Roland. Miranda had wanted to help Mila, sure, but she'd also been running away from problems back home. Then, half a year ago, Miranda's parents

stayed behind to care for her