Chapter 4 The Reason for Breaking the Appointment

Hearing those words, Jocelyn felt momentarily stunned.

Even though she'd already decided on divorce, her heart still couldn't help but ache.

Taking a deep breath, she lowered her eyes, her voice as calm as a stagnant pond. "Fine. I'll help you."

This would be the last time.

Raymond raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly surprised she'd agreed so readily.

But he was certain this was just another manipulative tactic—someone who'd schemed so hard to marry him couldn't possibly agree to divorce for real.

Jocelyn turned to leave the room, but she'd barely taken a step when an arm wrapped around her waist. The next second, Raymond pulled her into his embrace.

Her body went rigid, instinctively struggling. "What are you doing?!"

"Don't move." Raymond gripped her chin with slight force, making her turn her head. His voice was low. "If we're putting on a show, we do it right."

Watching his breath draw closer, Jocelyn struggled harder, anger seeping into her voice. "Raymond, show some respect!"

"Respect?"

Raymond let out a soft laugh, dripping with sarcasm.

"Jocelyn, drop the act. Isn't this what you've always wanted? If it weren't for dealing with those reporters, you think I'd want to touch you?"

The words drained all color from Jocelyn's face.

Even though she'd decided to let go, it didn't mean her heart wouldn't hurt!

Feeling warm breath spill onto her neck, her voice trembled slightly despite herself. "What... what are you trying to do..."

Raymond didn't answer. Two seconds later, he pressed his mouth hard against the delicate skin of her neck.

"Raymond..."

"Don't move." Raymond's voice was ice-cold, devoid of any emotion. "With this evidence, those reporters will believe us."

Jocelyn stood frozen in place, eyes reddening, biting her lower lip hard, fists clenched tight.

A moment later, Raymond finally released her.

Looking at the "evidence" he'd left on her neck, a flash of satisfaction crossed his eyes.

Jocelyn stumbled back a few steps against the wall, her face ashen.

For Nora's sake, he was capable of anything!

But Raymond paid her no mind. He turned around and, right in front of her, untied his bathrobe.

Catching sight of his muscular body, Jocelyn's pupils contracted. She quickly turned her back to him.

Raymond wasn't just blessed with a handsome face—his physique was exceptional too.

What a shame that after five years of marriage, she'd never won his heart.

Moments later, Raymond finished dressing. He strode over, his warm hand naturally sliding around her waist.

Jocelyn instinctively tried to pull away, but he gripped her harder. She had no choice but to give in.

The instant the elevator doors opened, camera flashes nearly blinded them.

"Mr. Murphy's here!"

Reporters swarmed immediately.

"Mr. Murphy, did you come to the hotel with Nora today?"

Raymond's expression remained unchanged. He simply curved his lips in a faint smile, pulling the head-down Jocelyn closer into his embrace.

Only then did everyone notice—Raymond wasn't holding Nora, but his legitimate wife, Mrs. Murphy.

"Mrs. Murphy?"

"So the woman Mr. Murphy came to the hotel with was Mrs. Murphy?"

Raymond looked down at Jocelyn, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Jocelyn is my wife. If I don't come to a hotel with her, who else would I come with?"

He even thoughtfully tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, the gesture intimate.

Jocelyn looked up at him, bitterness flooding her heart, but she still forced a smile.

"But someone photographed Mr. Murphy arriving at the hotel with Ms. Watson."

Raymond raised an eyebrow without answering, instead lowering his gaze to Jocelyn.

The warning in his eyes was obvious—he wanted her to answer.

Not a trace of affection. In his eyes, she was nothing but a doormat.

Taking a deep breath, Jocelyn maintained her fake smile as she turned to the reporters.

"Raymond and Ms. Watson are just friends," her voice was calm. "And our marriage... has always been solid. I don't want to see any more false reports or malicious rumors. Otherwise, we'll have no choice but to pursue legal action."

When Jocelyn tilted her head up slightly, everyone caught sight of the suggestive red mark on her neck.

Camera flashes went wild again.

Jocelyn's heart ached, but she still cooperatively took Raymond's arm.

Not until they were seated in the car and the door closed did the world finally fall silent.

Exhaling a long breath, Jocelyn deliberately shifted to the seat beside her, intentionally creating distance between herself and Raymond.

Raymond glanced at her but said nothing.

"Have you signed the divorce papers?" Finally, it was Jocelyn who broke the silence.

But Raymond still didn't respond, instead picking up his phone and focusing on it.

Jocelyn glanced over and saw Nora's profile picture, along with the message he'd just sent: [Don't worry, this won't affect you at all. I'll protect you.]

Jocelyn couldn't help but laugh.

Hearing the sound, Raymond finally looked up at her, only to see her turn her head toward the car window, eyes cold and detached.

"I'd appreciate it if Mr. Murphy could show up on time at City Hall tomorrow to sign the divorce papers."

What she got in return was Raymond's cold laugh. "What, getting addicted to playing the victim? Jocelyn, quit while you're ahead."

Jocelyn frowned and turned to look at him. "You're the one who said it—as long as I helped you handle this crisis, you'd divorce me!"

The car fell silent for a moment.

"Jocelyn, overacting makes it boring."

A wave of desolation washed over Jocelyn's heart. Even now, he still didn't believe her—didn't believe she truly wanted to divorce him, truly wanted to set him free.

She lowered her head without speaking.

What was there left to say? No matter what she said, he wouldn't believe her anyway.

Watching her like this, Raymond felt inexplicably irritated.

Just then, a voice message popped up in Raymond's chat. His finger slid across the screen, and the audio played in the quiet car: "Raymond, I want to see you."

The next second, Jocelyn heard Raymond's icy voice. "Fine! Tomorrow at nine, City Hall!"

With that, he told his assistant to pull over.

"Get out."

Looking at the desolate stretch of road—nowhere near any shops or homes—Jocelyn stared at him in disbelief.

"Don't you love acting? Get out and keep performing."

Clenching her fists, Jocelyn's eyes stung with tears, but she finally grabbed her handbag and got out of the car.

The door had barely shut before the car sped away at breakneck speed.

Five years of marriage. In public, he played the role of devoted husband. In private, this was how he treated his wife—abandoning her on the side of the road, rushing off to see another woman.

Whatever. Tomorrow, this would all be over anyway.

But the next day, Jocelyn waited outside City Hall all day long. Raymond never showed up.

She dialed his number, only to discover he'd blocked her.

She called Lena, who hemmed and hawed as if hiding something, only saying Raymond was busy.

Jocelyn returned home exhausted and opened her phone to find Raymond trending again.

#Murphy Corporation CEO Gifts Watson Heiress Million-Dollar Birthday Present

So that was why Raymond stood her up—because of Nora.

And she'd actually held onto half a shred of hope, thinking maybe Raymond missed their appointment because he didn't want to divorce her after all.