Chapter 4

　　Lillian stood there stiffly for a long time before walking out in a daze. 　　The snow had stopped, but the wind was still howling. 　　When she walked home against the cold wind for nearly half an hour, Jeffrey had fallen asleep. 　　Moonlight scattered across his face, sharp and cold. 　　Lillian stood motionless by the bed, staring. Only then did she realize how much Jeffrey had changed over ten years. The boy in the school uniform had vanished completely. 　　Without warning, an icy void ripped open in her chest, the howling wind of it leaving her shivering uncontrollably. "Jeffrey..." His name trembled from her lips and then died in her throat. 　　If it were ten years ago, she would have pulled Jeffrey up and asked him if he still loved her. 　　But now she couldn't... 　　She was afraid that the answer to this question was negative. 　　She didn't sleep all night and went to the studio early the next day. 　　"Lillian, the Larsen Group..." As soon as Lillian entered the room, Stela was startled by her pale complexion. "Lillian, why do you look so unwell?" 　　Lillian shook her head. The messy emotional baggage was too tangled to explain, and she had no intention of letting anyone see her stumble over it. 　　She just asked, "What happened to the Larsen Group?" 　　Stela snapped back to reality and said, "The general manager of the Larsen Group is here to see you. He is currently in the meeting room." 　　General Manager? 　　Wasn't that Luke Larsen, the half-brother of Jeffrey? 　　Lillian walked into the reception room full of doubts and saw Luke leisurely looking at the trophy wall in the studio. 　　He was handsome, with Jeffrey's eyes, but carried a reckless charm in his features that seemed to attract all the wrong kinds of attention. 　　Lillian said directly, "What do you want with me, Mr. Larsen? The cooperation between the Larsen Group and Glory Studio has already ended." 　　She married Jeffrey three years ago, and only met Luke a few times. 　　Luke raised an eyebrow and said, "I came today only representing myself. 　　"Ms. Brook, I think you don't know this bidding is to compete for the Stone Group's new project. Both Jeffrey and I are responsible for separate project teams..." 　　Speaking of this, he looked straight at Lillian and said, "So, you should know how crucial the design drawings for this bidding are." 　　Lillian was taken aback. The Stone Group—a heavyweight in real estate—had landed an industry-shaking deal. Now Jeffrey and Luke's power war would rise or fall on this single move. 　　She fell silent for a moment and asked, "Since it's so important, why do you come to me?" 　　"I've seen your design draft. It's excellent and also aligns with the Stone Group's concept." 　　Luke deliberately paused, with a playful smile. "And I heard that there is something unclear between Jeffrey and Mr. Stone's daughter. How can this play be without a key role like you?" 　　He said it so casually like her whole relationship with Jeffrey was just some soap opera for his amusement. 　　Lillian's eyebrows twisted, indicating her refusal. 　　But Luke reached out his hand and shook it in front of her. "One million dollars." 　　All Lillian's anger stuck in her throat. She stared at his outstretched hand, the dismissal burning her tongue, but she finally said, "Deal." 　　Nobody said no to money. And deep down, she didn't want to give Jeffrey and Ashley the satisfaction either. 　　The news of the collaboration between Glory Studio and Luke spread astonishingly fast. 　　As soon as Lillian returned home, she saw Jeffrey sitting on the sofa with a gloomy expression, his eyes filled with coldness as he looked at her. 　　"When did you meet Luke?" 　　Lillian calmly closed the door, saying, "He came to see me this morning." 　　Jeffrey said firmly, "Terminate the cooperation." 　　Lillian asked, "Why?" 　　Jeffrey suddenly stood up, with a hint of anger in his cold eyes. "Don't you know how many girls he has outside?" 　　Lillian was stunned by his words and it took her a while to understand its meaning. 　　Just like a sharp knife piercing through her heart, she almost asked back, "Do you think he's as shameless as you?" 　　She didn't understand why Jeffrey, after being secret in love with Ashley for two years, could so confidently suspect her. 　　"You..." 　　Jeffrey's face changed instantly. 　　Lillian, however, burst into laughter. 　　"Milkshakes, starlight bracelets, stickers... How many more secrets do you and Ashley have that I don't know about? Do you think I love you so much that I dare not even fuss about your infidelity? Or do you think I have become so foolish that I can't even notice your obvious 'showing off'?" 　　As Jeffrey watched the twisted and desolate smile on Lillian's face, his heart skipped a beat, and he was about to grab her wrist. 　　"Be calm." 　　Lillian pushed him away. 　　Some people could pretend not to know the truth and keep up appearances, but Lillian could no longer play the fool. 　　"Do you remember what you promised me when we got married?" 　　Lillian asked, but she didn't need him to answer. "You promised me that if you no longer love me, you would still tell me honestly. 　　"It's just a divorce. Do you think I wouldn't agree?" 　　The word "divorce" made Jeffrey panic, and he forcefully held Lillian, embracing her in his arms. "I was wrong. Please don't be angry..." 　　Lillian's eyelashes trembled, and scalding tears suddenly streamed down. 　　*** 　　In the night, Jeffrey tightly embraced Lillian and said, "I'll break up with her." 　　His embrace was warm, a warmth that Lillian had never felt in the past few years. 　　But she only felt a coldness in her heart, wearily closing her eyes and not wanting to say anything. 　　In the following days, Jeffrey seemed to have truly broken up with Ashley. He no longer worked overtime frequently like before. He would return home early. 　　And on the seventh day, Ashley came to Glory Studio. 　　Her eyes were bloodshot, and the first words that came out of her mouth were, "Please, I beg you, give Jeffrey to me."