Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 502

Just as Lysander's plans were finally coming together overseas, a storm was brewing back home-in his grandfather's study, the old man's voice rang out, aging but still thunderous with anger.

"You little scoundrel!"

"Can't even clean up your own messes, can you? Day after day you make things worse, and now, when you've really run out of options, you want your grandfather to step in and save your skin with whatever dignity he's got left?"

"Honestly, I can't believe you have the nerve!"

Butler Marshall, standing watch by the desk, quickly reached out to steady the old man when he saw he was nearly breathless with rage. Finally, his breathing eased, but whatever was said on the other end of the line made the old man erupt again.

"Utter nonsense!"

"How many times do I have to tell you? Marriage is about trust and honesty! Have you been ignoring me all these years, or did you just toss my words to the dogs?"

"You made this mess, you fix it yourself! Don't expect me to clean up after you. Stop coming up with these harebrained schemes, and get your affairs in order— then go and apologize properly in person. Isn't that a better solution than sending this old man out to face the music for you?"

"Oh, so you finally realize she wants nothing to do with you? Good grief, I always thought my brilliant grandson from the Montgomery family-clever enough to even fake his own death-actually believed he was God's gift wherever he went."

The old man's words dripped with sarcasm. "Ungrateful brat. Get lost."

Before he'd even finished, he hung up, slamming his phone down on the desk so hard it rattled, clearly still seething.

Marshall hurried to offer a cup of tea.

Only after the old man had sipped it and calmed somewhat did Marshall risk a question. "Sir, are you truly not going to intervene this time?"

"Intervene? And how, exactly?"

Despite his words, after a few more sips of tea, the old man's tone softened, betraying his concern. "Can I really just do nothing? He's always been so stubborn, crashing headlong into every wall... Do you think I could let him ruin himself completely?"

He sighed deeply.

first place. Tell me, Marshall, has anything good ever come from a union

his head

them know I'll be coming by. I want to meet with

Eldermere.

Family,

masquerade ball?" Mila had just returned from a morning at Splendid's headquarters when

"Yes, miss."

smiled. "Her Ladyship says the roses are blooming beautifully this year, so she's decided to host a ball

be a rose garden party, then?" Mila blurted

masks add a bit of intrigue." The butler's

loved a bit of drama. Still, she hesitated. "Am I expected

"Of course."

butler smiled again. "Several young men will be there guests of Her Ladyship. It'll be a

Mila's smile faltered.

A matchmaking event? Seriously?

drifted-almost involuntarily to the sofa beneath the stained glass, where

followed her eyes, then turned to Forrest with a polite invitation. "Mr. Whitmore, will you

"I'd love to."

with a reassuring warmth before turning to the butler. "I'm afraid I don't

appreciate

"Of course, sir."

bow, the butler

the stained glass window and perched beside Forrest on the sofa, her nerves showing. "Did my great-aunt

she could see there

had brought a man home and yet her great-aunt was still. arranging introductions with other suitors-was she dissatisfied? Mila's heart pounded, remembering how

at all." Forrest closed his book, his voice gentle. "But

you. She loves you