The next day.
They agreed to meet at nine o'clock, but Rhian was waiting outside the Marriage Registrar office half an hour earlier.
Not just early, but she also put on a radiant makeup, wore her favorite bright red long dress, and even tied up her usually loose hair, revealing a swan-like long and white neck.
From a distance, she looked like a goddess, graceful, aloof, and had an ethereal charm.
However, it seemed like she caught a cold the night before, she was a bit feverish and feeling unwell.
At nine o'clock sharp, a silver Bugatti Veyron pulled into the outdoor parking lot in front of the marriage Registrar office.
Jake, with his stern face, stepped out of the car.
Seeing Rhian, who had been waiting for a long time at the door, he was first slightly astounded, which was quickly replaced by a baffling displeasure.
"You sure are enthusiastic!"
Without a hint of expression on his face, Jake bypassed Rhian and with long strides headed towards the divorce registrar office.
That guy...is such a weirdo!
Rhian stared at the tall, cold figure of the man, thinking to herself, as he rushed off in such a hurry, as if he was rushing to reincarnate, isn't he the enthusiastic one?
The Divorce process was done very quickly.
Signing, pressing fingerprints, and stamping, it took less than ten minutes altogether.
"According to the new rules, there is now a one-month cooling-off period for divorce.
Within thirty days from today's registration, any of you who change your mind can bring the necessary documents to unilaterally cancel the divorce."
After the clerk finished speaking, he handed each a copy of the divorce application.
Every day they're processing divorce paperwork.
There are those who cry, those who quarrel, and even those who directly fight.
But encountering such a composed duo like these two was a first.
Moreover, the man is tall and handsome, the woman is slim and beautiful. How could such a well-matched pair end up divorcing?
Rhian received the document with ease, skimming over the numerous clauses, finding it profoundly ironic.
"Why is there a cooling-off period for divorce but none for marriage?
If marriage had a cooling-off period..."
Jake's face darkened significantly, a cold sneer on his lips.
"What, if there was a cooling-off period for marriage, you wouldn't have married me?"
"That's not it!"
Rhian raised an eyebrow.
"I did make a neat four billion from you, didn't I?
Four billion... Most people never even earn as much in their entire life.
I'd say I've won, in any case." Jake's expression darkened further, his annoyance evident as he tugged at his tie.
She had always been the epitome of modesty, without a hint of personality.
But now, on the brink of divorce, she seemed suddenly insouciant and sharp-witted. Just as the couple was about to go their separate ways, a soft and delicate voice echoed from behind them.
"Jake, have the procedures been completed?"
Rhian turned back, and it's Lilian! Only, Lilian at this moment was dressed in a loose white dress, her face a picture of a mournful reproach - the very image of a modern-day Maga delicate as a flower that would spread at the slightest wind.
There was no trace of her previous arrogant and domineering attitude.
Moreover, it was only today that Rhian noticed something she had missed before
It was Lilian's belly a bit...rounded?
"Didn't I tell you to wait for me in the car?
Why did you come out?"
"It's cold inside, and the child in your womb is very important to the Cabrera's family.
You can't catch a cold."
Jake's voice filled with aloofness.
Watching the interaction between them, Rhian felt an indescribable sense of jealousy, a deep sense of discomfort in her heart.
"Doesn't Mr. Jake Cabrera owes me an explanation?"
Jake turned to look at Rhian, his handsome face calm, unreadable, "You don't need to know."
"Listen to that, so righteous and confident!"
Rhian found everything extremely hilarious.
She had always thought that Jake was the kind of person who stood high above the clouds, cherishing his own feathers and disdaining to mess around with relationships.
And yet...
he quietly brought out a bombshell.
Not only did he bring the other woman into the home, he even had a child.
Rhian suddenly sobered up, the last remnants of sadness in her heart also dissipated like smoke.
"So, this is, considered infidelity within the marriage?"
Before Jake could open his mouth, Lilian impatiently stepped in between, her eyes holding back tears,
"Miss Valdez, it's all my fault. If you want to hit or scold someone, take it out on me..."
Was this woman performing Scheming? That is a dramatic face change.
She's very good at playing the pure lotus.
"Is that so?"
Rhian immediately raised her arm high in preparation for a slap.
Lilian let out a small 'ah', and nervously hid behind Jake.
"Aren't you the one who asked for a hit or a scold, why are you hiding?"
Rhian simply pushed back her loose hair and said, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, "Don't be so dramatic, I'm a civilized person,
I cannot play the part where the wrong wife physically confronts the mistress."
"If you are truly in love, not only will I not attack you, I will even wish you well!"
"What...what?"
This unexpected word from Rhian left Lilian utterly baffled.
Her pre-prepared "tragedy act" seemed apropos of nothing now.
It seemed the rumors were indeed true.
Jake and Rhian were just a contract couple, devoid of actual affection.
Otherwise, which wife could face a mistress with such breezy nonchalance?
Immediately after, Rhian continued,
"However, since this is a case of infidelity within marriage, I believe there is a need to renegotiate the property division stipulated in our divorce agreement."
Upon hearing Rhian mention disputes over property, Lilian, too anxious to keep up her innocent act, replied angrily,
"Jake has already given you four billion and a top-quality duplex in the Long Beach area! He has been generous enough.
Not to mention, the Cabrera's family has suffered considerable losses cleaning up after the Valdez family these past years.
One should not be too greedy..."
Rhian nearly broke into laughter at Lilian's anxious retort, and fired back,
"Oh? Here I am, the lawful wife, yet to concede my place, and you, the mistress, are already acting as the madam of the house, terrified that your lover's money will be taken away.
Who's the greedy one here?"
As if slapped in the face, Lilian turned red and white, stammering, "I, I didn't mean that..."
Jake, however, remained unfazed, his gaze deep and oppressive as they bore into Rhian, demanding coolly
"Continue." Meeting Lilian's stifling stare, Rhian stated her demands plainly.
"I don't want four billion, or any duplex.
You own a law firm named Cabrera's Law firm, Transfer its ownership to me."
"Cabrera's Law Firm?" Jake's brow furrowed slightly in an attempt to recall.
The Cabrera's Family, ranked among the eight leading families in Steeze, had countless businesses under their name.
A trifling law firm naturally didn't leave a significant impression on him.
However, he remembered that there seemed to be a law firm specifically handling the judiciary affairs of the Cabrera's family.
It was akin to a retirement institution housing a bunch of worthless loafers who merely bide their time, living off its resources.
It's utterly valueless.
This woman, ignoring the availability of four hundred billion in cash and unexpectedly asking for a profitless item, what on earth was she thinking?
Subconsciously, his gaze at Rhian became more probing.
After a few days of not seeing her, she seemed to have changed...
quite differently! "My request is just this one.
After amending the divorce agreement, I will give it to you to sign...
It's getting late now, let's call it a day!"
"Additionally, I wish you and Lilian to have the child soon."
Rhian lifted her chin, her face glowing with delight as if she had just closed a 'big deal.'
The epitome of nonchalant self-indulgence.
Regrettably, her nonchalant demeanor only lasted a second before disaster struck.
Feeling dizzy and heavy-headed, she saw darkness engulf her vision as she turned around, and she fell to the ground with a heavy thud...