Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 574

Guests mingled and wandered across the lawn.

Although social media was in a frenzy-stories trending, rumors flying-the engagement party itself remained calm, at least on the surface. As Mila and Forrest made their rounds, raising glasses with guests, all they heard were warm congratulations and cheerful wishes.

Everyone here knew how to play the game.

No one would choose this moment to stir up trouble.

Still, plenty of curious eyes followed Mila and Forrest as they toasted with Conrad. The three of them chatted and laughed so easily, you'd almost believe they were on the best of terms-if not for those headlines everyone had just seen.

When Conrad arrived with his wife to congratulate his former daughter-in-law, some wondered if all the talk about a family feud had been exaggerated.

But now, no one doubted anymore.

With members of the Montgomery family present, Mila had gone public, using the media to announce her withdrawal from Montgomery Holdings. She hadn't even fully stepped down yet. It was a clear, decisive break.

And yet Conrad's appearance at the party left everyone puzzled.

After all, many in attendance had been speculating-thanks to the persistent rumors—that the Montgomery family just couldn't stomach Mila holding the reins. How could an outsider end up with so much power over the family's legacy? Sure, it was Lysander's will that had left her in charge, but the man was gone, and wills —even the most ironclad-rarely outlast the living's ambitions. Who in their right mind would let an outsider control so much wealth and influence? What if she decided to remarry, taking the assets and power out of the family? That was the fear most people had when Lysander's will was first made public.

Some had come tonight just to see the Montgomerys' misfortune.

one expected that the once-hidden Mrs. Montgomery-unknown to the outside world for seven years-wouldn't run off with the money. Instead, she stood on that stage, bearing the weight of the moment, and held Montgomery Holdings together through its most turbulent

She hadn't betrayed them.

waiting for a

just as Mila was building her own team and deepening her ties within Montgomery Holdings, everything had quietly, and suddenly, fallen

in the elite circle

more

from the company's core. It was nothing new; it had nothing to do with her competence.

Conrad, smiling and chatting amiably with Mila, a strange realization crept in-maybe it wasn't the Montgomery family pushing

She'd made it final.

too far for Conrad not to know what Mila intended. He had to realize he was walking into a potentially humiliating

was Mila who had let go

Was she crazy?

thought running through

she'd inherited from the will would never compare to the benefits of staying tied

yet she was

turn their

close relationship with Jade, the influential figure overseas. Maybe Mila was never short on resources or ability.

quietly and smiling at Mila's