Chapter 5 The Divorce Papers

Moana's words left Ronald silent for a long moment.

"Betrayal..." Moana repeated softly. "I might be able to forgive someone for not loving me. I could even accept that this marriage was nothing more than an arrangement. But I can never forgive someone who betrays me openly while trampling on my dignity."

Ronald gave a slow nod.

"What are you going to do?"

Moana gently set her teacup down on the table.

"First, I'm going to end this marriage."

"And then?"

"After that..." She lifted her gaze. "...I'm going to take my life back."

A faint smile crossed Ronald's face.

"What about the company?"

Moana fell silent for a moment.

"My father built that company with his entire life. My mother always said that a company isn't just a place to make a profit—it's where thousands of families place their hopes for the future."

Her voice remained gentle, yet every word carried unwavering determination.

"I won't allow someone who has betrayed trust to control my father's legacy any longer."

Ronald let out a sigh of relief.

He had waited years to hear those words.

"I've already prepared everything."

Moana frowned slightly.

"What do you mean, Uncle?"

"Every ownership document, your father's will, and the paperwork regarding the company's name change has been kept safe. Starting tomorrow morning, everything will begin returning to its rightful owner."

Moana said nothing.

That night would be the last night she ever cried over a man.

Beginning tomorrow...

All that would remain was an heiress reclaiming what was rightfully hers.

Meanwhile, laughter echoed throughout the Whitmore mansion.

Christina strolled leisurely through the living room with a glass of red wine in her hand. She admired every corner of the house as though it already belonged to her.

"So luxurious."

She picked up a velvet box that had been left on the table.

Inside lay a dazzling diamond necklace that sparkled beneath the lights.

"Moana's?" she asked with a smile.

Tristan, who was sitting on the sofa, barely glanced at it.

"If you like it, take it."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Christina immediately fastened the necklace around her neck.

"How do I look?"

Tristan gave a brief nod.

"It suits you perfectly."

She laughed in satisfaction before opening several drawers Moana hadn't had the chance to empty.

Designer dresses.

Limited-edition handbags.

Several jewelry boxes.

Everything was still neatly arranged.

Christina couldn't understand how a woman she believed to be nothing more than a poor orphan could own so many expensive belongings.

But the thought quickly disappeared.

"Maybe they were all gifts from Uncle Ronald."

Tristan shrugged.

"That's possible."

Christina admired her reflection in the mirror as her fingers caressed the diamond necklace around her neck.

"Soon, all of this will belong to me."

Tristan walked up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Not just all of this."

He kissed her temple.

"You'll become Mrs. Whitmore as well."

Christina's smile widened.

"I've waited years for that day."

"Then wait just a little longer."

She turned to face him.

"You're not going to change your mind?"

"No."

"You're not going to chase after Moana?"

Tristan chuckled quietly.

"Chase a woman who doesn't even have a place to go home to?"

Christina laughed along with him.

That evening, they enjoyed an elegant dinner, expensive wine, and dreams of a future they believed was only one step away.

Neither of them realized that it might be the last night they would ever enjoy such luxury.

The following morning, gray clouds still blanketed the London sky.

But the atmosphere inside Whitmore Holdings was unlike any ordinary day.

Several black cars had already arrived before seven o'clock.

The senior directors had come in early after receiving an urgent notice from Ronald Whitmore.

On the top floor, the main boardroom had filled with lawyers, a notary, and the company's legal advisors.

Stacks of neatly organized documents covered the conference table.

Ronald stood quietly beside the window.

The day he had waited for over a decade had finally arrived.

One of the company's attorneys approached him.

"All the documents have been verified."

"What about the will?"

"It's ready."

"Good."

Moments later, another report arrived.

"The President Director's office has also been prepared."

Ronald gave a slow nod.

"Now all that's left is to wait for the right person to arrive."

9:30 a.m.

The elevator doors slid open.

Tristan stepped out with Christina, walking as confidently as he always did.

But after only a few steps, he frowned.

Several employees were carrying paintings out of his office.

Another worker was removing the nameplate that had read Chief Executive Officer.

"What are you doing?"

No one answered.

Tristan quickened his pace.

The moment he entered his office, he found two administrative staff carefully packing his personal belongings into several boxes.

"Stop!"

His voice thundered through the room.

"I never ordered anyone to clear out my office!"

Every employee froze.

Christina hurried inside, her face filled with confusion.

"What's going on?"

Before anyone could answer, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Ronald entered first.

Several company lawyers followed behind him.

And walking at Ronald's right side...

...was Moana.

She wore an elegant ivory-white tailored suit paired with black high heels. Her long hair was neatly pinned into a sophisticated bun, while her light makeup made her features appear far sharper than they ever had before.

The gentle smile that had once graced her face was gone.

The hopeful look in her eyes had vanished.

All that remained was the composed serenity of a woman who had finished mourning.

Tristan froze.

For a brief moment, he almost failed to recognize the woman who had once been his wife.

Moana stopped a few steps in front of him.

Without saying a word, she took a brown document envelope from her handbag.

She placed it on Tristan's desk.

"Divorce papers."

Her voice was remarkably calm.

"Sign them."

Tristan opened the envelope and glanced at the contents.

A slow smile spread across his lips.

"So you've finally come to your senses."

Without reading another page, he picked up the pen on his desk.

His signature flowed confidently across the final page.

He slid the folder back toward Moana.

"Done."

His gaze remained cold.

"You're going to regret leaving me."

Christina wrapped her arm around his and let out a mocking laugh.

"An orphan like you really does know how to dream."

Moana looked at the two of them for several silent seconds.

Then, slowly, a faint smile appeared on her lips.

A smile neither Tristan nor Christina could understand.

Neither of them realized...

...that the divorce papers Tristan had just signed were not merely bringing a marriage to an end.

They also marked the beginning of the greatest loss of his life.

Ronald took one step forward.

His gaze swept across the room before settling squarely on Tristan.

"Good."

His authoritative voice echoed through the office—the same commanding voice that had always earned the board's deepest respect.

"Now that your personal affairs are settled..."

Ronald nodded toward one of the attorneys, who immediately opened a thick folder filled with legal documents.

"...it's time we settled the company's affairs."

The room fell into complete silence.