C6 'is She Really Going to Divorce Me?'

"Sis, you care about me so much; it's only right that I learn to lighten your load," Viola said with a soft smile, tightening her grip on Lydia's arm and whispering conspiratorially, "Why put off for tomorrow what you can do today? I'll run interference later so you can slip the medicine into Reece's milk."

"Now?" Lydia feigned anxiety. "I'm a bit... scared."

"Don't worry, sis. I've got your back," Viola reassured her as she nudged Lydia down the stairs.

Lydia couldn't help but let out a cold, inward chuckle.

Ha.

Help her?

That's what Viola claimed in her past life.

But what was the truth?

Viola had spun a tale to Reece, claiming she was coerced into her actions, conveniently absolving herself of all blame.

In a rage, Reece redirected a project meant for the Ellis family to a rival, leaving Lydia to bear the brunt of her family's scorn.

Meanwhile, Viola climbed over Lydia's broken spirit, securing the Ellis family's approval.

Lost in thought, Lydia found herself seated at the dining table before she knew it.

Viola, eager to break the ice, kept the conversation going.

But aside from Lydia's occasional, half-hearted responses, Reece was largely disengaged, eating his breakfast with a detached grace.

Suddenly, he set down his utensils and rose from his seat, signaling the end of his meal.

Lydia remained impassive, continuing to eat without looking up, showing no sign of action.

But then, a sharp kick landed on her left leg beneath the table, contorting her features in pain.

"Sis, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hit your injured leg," Viola said, her eyes brimming with feigned remorse. Lydia gave her a cool look, not missing the fleeting schadenfreude in someone's gaze.

"It's nothing," she said calmly, resuming her meal without a flinch.

"Come on, why are you still eating? You need to catch him!"

With a measured glance at Reece, Lydia acted as if something had just occurred to her.

She called out to him, "Hold on a second, Reece. I need to discuss something with you."

Lydia was steadfastly sticking to her plan, and Viola's lips twitched with a barely noticeable gleam of satisfaction.

Lydia, the fool, couldn't resist a good lure – she'd bitten the bait without much effort.

Tsk!

This was shaping up to be quite the spectacle.

"Speak." The man turned his head, his face devoid of emotion, and tossed the command at Lydia with impatience.

Lydia took her time, finishing her meal with a solemn look. "Once I've recovered, I'm planning to get ready and go back to school."

Reece remained still, his gaze reflecting a complex mix of emotions.

Lydia had mentioned discussing it with him, but her tone was far from consultative; it was more of an announcement.

Since his return home, her every move had been out of character.

Initially, he had dismissed her talk of divorce as a mere tactic, but now, as he looked at the utterly changed Lydia, he found her inscrutable.

Could it be that...

She had truly come to a realization and decided she no longer cared for him?

Sadly for her, this epiphany had come too late.

He had no intention of forgiving her, much less letting her off the hook.

As for Lydia's plans to return to school, he saw no issue with it.

After all, it meant she'd be too busy to cling to him all day.

Why would he object?

Reece grunted in acknowledgment and strode out.

Meanwhile, Viola, eager for drama, furrowed her brows at the news of Lydia's academic ambitions. Her expression betrayed a hint of complexity.

Wasn't this 'cripple' utterly infatuated with Reece? Why the sudden urge to resume her studies?

Could it be that...

Lydia had caught wind of the rumors regarding the Ellis family's shares?

This thought made Viola's heart lurch, her grip tightening beneath the table.

She didn't overlook the fleeting unease and dark intent in the other woman's eyes.

With great effort, Lydia dragged her disabled left leg, carrying her utensils into the kitchen.

Seizing a moment when Viola was distracted, she disdainfully discarded the white pill from her pocket into the trash.

In this lifetime, she had moved on from Reece.

And in this lifetime, she was determined to make those who had wronged her face their due consequences.

Yet, with her current power and the cunning of others, a direct confrontation might not work in her favor; it could even tip off her adversaries. So, she would proceed with caution... patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity.

"Sis, what's the deal? Weren't you supposed to keep Reece here? Why did you... let him leave?" A voice tinged with complaint suddenly rose from behind her.

Lydia pressed her lips together, feigning a demure facade. "He had business at his company today. It didn't seem right to force him to stay. I'm planning to implement your plan tonight."

"Oh." Viola didn't question Lydia's explanation. After a brief pause, she asked with a cautious smile, "But I'm really curious, how could you, big sister, just leave your husband and head back to school? It's so unlike you."

Lydia faced the person before her, her smile concealing her revulsion.

You're just a green tea b*tch, that's your real concern, isn't it?

She saw through the act but chose not to call it out.

With feigned shyness, Lydia explained, "I didn't want to smother Reece and risk annoying him, so I suggested going back to school to give him some space."

Viola's anxiety eased at Lydia's words, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief.

So that was the reason!

She had thought as much; that cripple couldn't possibly be interested in the Ellis family's shares and succession.

Her foolish sister was only fixated on men.

She had been worried for nothing.

Though that was her internal monologue, Viola outwardly played the part of the concerned sibling. "You're so devoted to Brother Reece, but don't forget about your studies... When you have time, you really should focus on your professional knowledge."

Viola kept up her act, urging Lydia to resume her education and perfecting her good sister persona before finally letting the matter rest.

Lydia listened without a flicker of emotion, occasionally murmuring a response, but in truth, she hadn't absorbed a single word.

Yet, her return to school was no mere talk.

She was earnest.

Only by empowering herself could she truly protect herself and her parents.

Once Viola had left, Lydia retreated to her room.

Still recovering from a recent illness, she felt a lingering weakness.

Above all, she needed solitude to sift through her past life's memories, to sidestep potential pitfalls.

And then, to strategize her next move.

Lying in bed, Lydia drifted off into a deep slumber.

She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep when she vaguely heard footsteps entering the room.

Assuming it was Ora coming to tidy up, she dismissed the interruption and rolled over to continue her rest.

But in an instant, she felt the mattress dip beside her, followed by the warmth of another body lying down next to her.

Startled awake, Lydia's sleepiness vanished as she snapped her eyes open to the close-up view of a man's face.

Re...Reece?

Had he really just taken it upon himself to lie down beside her?

It was utterly preposterous!

In a panic, Lydia tried to scramble up, only to be yanked back by the man.

"Don't move!" he commanded, his large hand firmly pinning her beneath him.

Her cheeks flushed with the heat of his breath as she writhed in a frantic attempt to free herself.

With a voice tinged with outrage, she exclaimed, "Reece, what are you doing!!!"