Chapter 5

Antoine had reached retirement age but had continued to benefit from the spotlight thanks to Sebastian's growing reputation. "I owe Mr. Sullivan an apology," Roxanne murmured, turning her gaze to the window. Back then, Lawrence had placed so much hope in her, investing in her future more than anyone else—even more than he had in his own granddaughter, Vivian's. And how had she repaid him? By leaving him to endure such a disgraceful end to his career. All because of her impulsive decisions and her blind devotion to love. Lawrence's reputation had been crushed under the weight of her choices. Tears rolled down her cheeks, unstoppable. "Hey, don't blame yourself," Vivian said, trying to comfort her. "My grandpa and Mr. Devine have been rivals their whole lives. They've butted heads on everything. It's just how they are. Besides, this happened a long time ago. Don't dwell on it, okay?" Roxanne's sudden tears caught Vivian off guard, and she scrambled to lighten the mood. "Honestly, you think you upset him? You've got nothing on me! He wanted to mold me into his successor, but I got into finance instead. He didn't eat for three days from sheer frustration." Vivian had been groomed by Lawrence since childhood, but the truth was, she just wasn't cut out for it. Even though she had been pushed into law school, she had secretly pursued finance after graduation and built a career in that field. For her, passion and talent mattered more than expectations, and no amount of pressure could change her mind. "How's Mr. Sullivan doing these days?" Roxanne asked softly, her voice hoarse. "He's fine. Since he's retired now, he spends his days tending to flowers and birds. Pretty peaceful life, honestly. There's a group of retirees downstairs who do square dancing. I suggested he join them, but he just rolled his eyes and said I was crazy. Stubborn as ever." Vivian hesitated, then added, "I'm going to see him tomorrow. Want to come along?" Roxanne hesitated, her guilt overwhelming her. How could she face the man she had let down so deeply, costing him his senior academic title? "Maybe after I've established myself again," she said, staring at her hands. She needed to rebuild her career first to prove she was worthy of the care and effort he had invested in her. Vivian didn't press further. "Take your time," she said gently. Her gaze fell on Roxanne's hands, and her lips tightened. "Your hands used to be so beautiful." Vivian had always envied Roxanne's hands—delicate, slender fingers, soft, and fair. Roxanne's features weren't just striking; her hands had once been her defining elegance. But those hands had changed. Years of cleaning their home to Sebastian's impossibly high standards, of personally managing every detail, had taken their toll. The soft skin had roughened, and the fingers had lost their finesse. She had even learned massage techniques to ease his stress after long workdays, wearing her hands down further in the process. "Unbelievable," Vivian scoffed. "He had someone like you—a master's graduate in law—taking care of him, and he still cheated? What a complete scumbag. He doesn't deserve to walk in traffic without getting hit." Roxanne chuckled faintly, her bitterness softened by Vivian's attempt at humor. "Oh, by the way," Vivian said, pulling a business card from her bag as the car idled at a red light. "Here." "What's this?" Roxanne asked, curious. "A law firm I'm introducing you to." Roxanne took the card, holding it up to the light. A pristine white card with a single name stood out. "Jenson Lambert?" "Mm," Vivian answered smugly. Roxanne's calm composure faltered. Even though she had spent years as a housewife, this name was legendary in the legal world. Jenson wasn't just famous—he was a mystery. No one knew his background, but his reputation as a lawyer was unparalleled. He was dubbed the "Grim Reaper of Law", and his courtroom tactics, often branded as warped logic, could terrify even the toughest judges. His cases were notorious for their shocking twists, winning seemingly unwinnable battles with jaw-dropping reversals. By all accounts, Vivian shouldn't have been able to connect with someone like him since she was in a different field. Vivian caught the look on her face and smirked. "Don't underestimate me. Sure, I didn't stick with the law, but I am from a family with a background in the field. Grandpa's a former professor, and Dad's a judge. Those connections run deep, you know." Roxanne held the card tighter, her fingers trembling. "You guessed it, didn't you?" Vivian sighed. As much as sge hated lying, she couldn't keep the truth hidden anymore. "Fine. Grandpa found this for you after I told him about your divorce. He wants you to succeed before you visit him. Otherwise, don't bother." Roxanne's heart clenched. There was no way she could have landed such an opportunity on her own, not as a lawyer with no practical experience after years of being out of the game. "Thank you," Roxanne said quietly. "That's it? Just me?" Vivian teased. Roxanne smiled faintly. "I'll thank Mr. Sullivan properly after I've earned back his respect." Her gaze turned resolute. "I'll hold you to that," Vivian said with a grin. Their conversation paused as they reached the police station. "Want me to come in with you?" Vivian asked. "No need. I just need to sign some paperwork and pick up my car. You go ahead." Roxanne unbuckled her seatbelt. "Alright," Vivian agreed. Waving goodbye, Roxanne headed into the station, retrieved her car, and left. Her next stop was a renovation company. She had chosen the smaller apartment during the divorce settlement, but it still carried memories of her life with Sebastian. She was determined to erase every trace of them. She knew that she couldn't keep staying at the hotel. She had the company sell off their old furniture, dump unused items, and even get rid of many things she had once cherished. Starting fresh was her only option. After finalizing the renovation plans, signing the contract, and paying the deposit, she handed over the keys. Her next stop was the bank. Her divorce settlement included 40 million in cash and 20 million in funds. She left the fund untouched, put 20 million into a high-interest term deposit, and kept the remaining 20 million for investment. Vivian, being in finance, could help her manage the money while also boosting her own performance. It was a win-win. By the time everything was settled, it was late. Roxanne returned to the hotel, exhausted. The next morning, she woke early, sitting on the edge of the bed. She stared at Jenson's card, hesitating for several minutes before finally dialing the number. After a few rings, a deep male voice answered. "Hello."