Chapter 6 Six Years Later

What had vanished were Jocelyn's own belongings.

All the haute couture and jewelry he'd commissioned for her over the years remained untouched. Only the things she'd brought with her five years ago when she married into the family were gone.

And the divorce papers he'd left on the table—those had disappeared too.

Eyes narrowing coldly, he summoned Mary.

"Where did Mrs. Murphy go?"

Mary clasped her hands in front of her, head bowed respectfully. "Mr. Murphy, I... I don't know. Mrs. Murphy only said she was leaving."

"She said she was leaving and you just let her go? Can't even keep track of your mistress—pack your things and leave tomorrow!"

After dismissing Mary, Raymond loosened his tie and sat irritably on the sofa, dialing his assistant Jason's number.

"Find out where Jocelyn went!"

He'd see just how long this little performance of hers would last!

Three days later, Murphy Corporation's top-floor executive office.

"Mr. Murphy, I found her." Jason looked uneasily at Raymond behind his desk.

Raymond didn't stop working, didn't even look up.

"Mrs. Murphy went to Solstice. Here are her departure records and flight information."

Raymond paused, glancing at the documents Jason placed on his desk, still saying nothing.

What was that woman doing in Solstice?

Jason carefully observed Raymond's expression. Seeing his continued silence, he ventured cautiously, "Mr. Murphy, should I... book you a flight to Solstice?"

Raymond set down his pen and leaned back in his chair, eyes unfathomable.

He recalled what Nora had said.

Three days—Jocelyn was probably just waiting for him to cave and beg her to come back.

But what right did she have to make him beg?

With a cold sneer, he returned to his work.

"If she wants to leave, let her. Don't bother with it."

Jocelyn was just playing hard to get. If he actually went groveling after her, it would only encourage her manipulations.

Without Grandpa William as her protector, what could a lone woman accomplish anyway?

She'd probably come crawling back within days.

However, just as Jason was about to leave, Raymond spoke again. "Keep tracking her. Find out where she is in Solstice."

Jason raised an eyebrow, unable to fathom what was going on in his boss's head.

As Jason turned to leave, a knock sounded at the office door. Mr. Jenkins entered.

"Mr. Murphy, there's a document requiring your signature."

He placed an envelope on the desk.

Raymond glanced at it, frowning slightly. "What is it?"

"As per Ms. Ross's instructions, the divorce certificate has been expedited. This is your copy." Mr. Jenkins's voice was matter-of-fact. "Additionally, Ms. Ross asked me to return the stock transfer agreement and the bank card with five million dollars. She's relinquishing all inheritance rights and choosing to leave with nothing."

The words hit Raymond like a thunderclap.

He stared at the envelope, eyes narrowed and cold. "What did you say?"

Mr. Jenkins adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses. "The divorce proceedings are complete. Legally speaking, your marriage to Ms. Ross has been dissolved."

Raymond's brow furrowed as he tore open the envelope. Inside were indeed a divorce certificate, the transfer agreement, and the bank card Grandpa had given Jocelyn!

"I've verified it—the card contains exactly five million, untouched by Ms. Ross."

Raymond's expression turned thunderous.

The divorce certificate. Five million, not a penny touched...

He'd thought she was playing hard to get. Turned out she'd actually left.

What the hell was that woman thinking!

He slammed his fist on the desk in fury, making Jason's heart skip a beat.

In all his years working for Raymond, Jason had never seen him this enraged.

For five years, she'd clung to his side shamelessly, using every trick to win Grandpa's favor—all to enjoy the Murphy family's wealth and status, hadn't she?

And now she was just... walking away from it all?

The inexplicable loss of control made Raymond increasingly agitated.

"Mr. Murphy," Jason ventured carefully, "should I... continue the investigation?"

Raymond's eyes looked like they were filled with ice shards, his voice frigid. "No need! She's irrelevant now. Why bother?"

He'd never been satisfied with this marriage to Jocelyn anyway. Her voluntary exit was exactly what he wanted, wasn't it?

Still, her behavior did surprise him.

He'd expected that with Grandpa gone, she'd cling even more desperately to the Murphy family.

Never imagined she'd choose to leave with nothing and divorce him.

Who knew whether this was genuine pride or another manipulation.

He wanted to see how much that pride was worth.

A lone woman with no stock, no money, traveling to Solstice by herself—how long could she last?

He looked forward to the day Jocelyn came crying back, begging him to remarry her!

Six years later, Empire City.

The third annual Semiconductor Innovation Awards ceremony was being held at the Grand Royale Hotel.

This was the most prestigious award in the domestic electronics field. Tonight's attendees included not only industry professionals but also academic luminaries and business titans.

Raymond stood below the stage in an impeccably tailored black suit, his features more chiseled and austere than six years ago. Numerous business executives circled around him, seeking connections.

Over the past six years, Murphy Corporation had reached new heights under his leadership, recently expanding into semiconductors.

His name had become one to be reckoned with in the business world.

Nora stood beside him in a champagne-colored haute couture gown, her makeup flawless.

For years, she'd attended various events as Raymond's companion, yet still hadn't managed to make their relationship official.

She glanced at Raymond, her gaze tender.

"Raymond, I heard there's a team back from Solstice tonight that won the Best Innovation Award."

Raymond merely hummed noncommittally, expression impassive.

Nora had noticed Raymond's personality had grown increasingly cold and impenetrable over these six years, but she'd grown used to it.

At least she was still the only one by his side.

The ceremony reached its final segment.

The host took the stage, voice booming through the microphone: "And now, we present this year's most prestigious award—the Semiconductor Innovation Award. The winning team is Rainbow Team from Solstice. They've achieved a breakthrough in novel semiconductor materials. Their research could potentially reduce chip power consumption by forty percent..."

Applause erupted throughout the venue.

This was groundbreaking research.

Raymond listened with mild disinterest.

"Now, let's welcome the team representative to accept the award..."

Under the spotlight, a graceful silhouette glided onto the stage.

A wine-red evening gown accentuated her slender waist and the elegant line of her shoulders and neck.

The woman tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her defined collarbones and luminous pale skin.

The stage lights bathed her in what seemed like a soft, ethereal glow.

With just one glance, Raymond froze in place, staring at that figure on stage, completely transfixed.

Without conscious thought, he suddenly stood and began moving toward her...