After Divorce
Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Meet again

“What kind of treatment does she expect?! What does she need?!” Michelle raged through angry tears. If not for Sylvia, her daughter wouldn’t be so wronged now yet Cyril completely disregarded Bonnie, eyes filled only with Sylvia. He never cared for her so deeply before the divorce so why the sudden sentimentality?

Disappointed, Cyril realized he never considered how Sylvia might have suffered among them. If their roles were reversed, he surely couldn’t have endured it yet Sylvia persisted for years, comporting herself virtuously throughout their marriage.

“She is confined here for self–reflection this month. If I hear of any outside antics, neither of you get a penny of allowance for the next three months.” Cyril declared coldly before leaving, the oppressive atmosphere now giving him a pounding headache. His family was utterly dysfunctional lately.

Left screaming after Cyril hysterically, neither Michelle nor Bonnie could sway his implacable departure. Clearly he had been too lax, especially with Bonnie’s boundless extravagance funded by his money.

Cyril wondered if letting Bonnie study abroad had truly been the right decision. She was completely unrecognizable now, thoroughly bewitched by foreign pleasures.

Reaching the office, Cyril buried himself in work, only reminded later by his assistant about an evening banquet requiring attendance that night. Glancing through the attendee list, Cyril was surprised to spot the Ivanov family included.

“The Ivanovs are participating too? I heard their youngest daughter who recently returned is the true Ivanov successor. Her elder brother Bruce merely executes he she just joined their company officially.” his assistant supplied helpfully.

will. Rumors say

“I see. Then tonight is likely meant to ease her entry into socializing functions.” Cyril murmured. It seemed insignificant so he put it out of mind, focused only on clearing today’s work after forgetting about this banquet earlier.

At the party later, blatant ambition and greed colored the atmosphere as people networked vigorously for connections and potential opportunities.

Strolling around with Bruce, their visual compatibility drew admiring glances. Though unsure if Bruce was truly the Ivanov heir, his status attracted swarms hoping to lobby him. But Bruce only made perfunctory small talk until noticing Cyril’s arrival.

Finally intrigued, Bruce remained stationary, certain Cyril would come greet him to lobby for partnerships between their empire and firms. Naturally, Cyril soon approached and

Chapter 17 Meet again

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exchanged pleasantries with others first before facing Bruce, understanding the necessity of building rapport with this profoundly influential figure.

Facing Cyril courteously, Bruce retained an aloofly impassive expression, neither nodding nor shaking his head coldly. His odd attitude confused everyone.

Though Cyril was considered nouveau elite among them after rising meteorically from scratch over the years, the gap between new money and old aristocrats like Bruce remained vastly distant, not just in class but pedigree. Such innate arrogance from Bruce was

unavoidable.

Apparently when Cyril first entered their circle years ago, Bruce made his disdain obvious, subtly obstructing him at times though nothing proven definitively. But Bruce’s current attitude hinted at lingering biases.

“I hope your sister is adjusting well to working at your company?” Cyril finally asked politely.

Long accustomed to the arrogant pretensions of such people, Cyril simply ignored Bruce’s chilliness though irritation lingered.

Beside Bruce, Juliet bristled instantly at the mention of Sylvia. “She’s doing wonderfully. now after everything abroad. Living quite prosperously in fact. But I suspect she won’t take kindly to being discussed so casually by you like this.”

Surprised by her sharp words, everyone glanced between Juliet and Bruce uncertainly when he made no attempts to restrain her audacity. How could any comments about his unknown sister possibly anger her? Even Cyril was confused by her peculiar reaction.

“I heard you got married some years ago.” Bruce suddenly mentioned, stunning everyone. Cyril’s marital status was kept private with many matchmaking families considering him quite a catch for their daughters. Learning of his existing marriage now came as ant unpleasant shock.

“Though rumors say you divorced recently. Any truth to that?” Bruce continued blandly. Frowning slightly, Cyril wondered how Bruce caught wind of such personal information. Aside from themselves, practically no one had known when he and Sylvia registered their marriage initially. For it to now reach Bruce’s ears likely didn’t bode well.