Chapter 35

Sebastian stormed into the hospital room, his frustration obvious from the way he flung open the door."Rodger, tell me you've already divorced Emilia."

Rodger was carefully wringing out a towel, tenderly wiping Violet's hands. The warmth faded from his face at the mention of Emilia's name. His features hardened, irritation settling in his eyes.

"I'l take care of it after Violet gets out tomorrow. Emilia and I will be done for good," he replied, his tone ice-cold.

"Don't waste any more time. That woman's reputationis filthy enough-don't let her drag the Mitchell name down with her," Sebastian scoffed, clearly impatient.

Rodger's frown deepened, but he stayed silent. Violet, catching the accusation, jumped in.

"Filthy? Are people really spreading those rumors again? This is getting ridiculous-why do they always have to drag Emilia's name through the mud?" Violet sad, sounding genuinely outraged, though her eyes glinted with calculation.

"You think this is just talk? There's evidence everywhere,"Sebastian said, thrusting his phone in their faces."She hasn't even finalized the divorce, and she's already cozying up to every rich man she sees. She's got no shame at all!"

Sebastian shoved his phone at Rodger, but before Violet could grab it, Rodger snatched it away,his grip tense.

On the screen, a photo splashed across a gossip site showed Emilia eating breakfast at a bustling little diner -with two men.

Rodger's jaw tightened the instant he recognized how wealthy the man sitting across Emilia was. Though the man's face was turned away, the expensive Patek Philippe on his wrist was impossible to miss. The suit alone screamed money-discreet but unmistakable, a fortune in subtle tailoring. The idea that Emilia might already be entertaining another man, and doing so openly before their divorce was even official, sent fury burning through Rodger's veins.

Violet leaned closer, her eyes narrowing as she examined the man's silhouette.

Even from behind, he radiated wealth-every detail, from the polished shoes to the custom cut of his coat,marked him as a man used to getting what he wanted.

The unfairness of it made her chest tighten. How could Emilia, of all people, catch the eye of someone like that? It didn't seem real.

Hadn't Emilia lost everything after Rodger left her? Wasn't she supposed to be miserable, desperate to get him back? How could she move on so quickly, turning to someone else with such ease? It was infuriating-this wasn't how things were supposed to play out.

Rodger's sense of betrayal flared white-hot. Without another word, he flung the phone onto the bed and stalked toward the door, completely forgetting about the towel or Violet's half-washed hands.

"Rodger..." Violet called after him, her voice trembling.

"Rodger! Where are you going?" Sebastian blurted, wvatching as Rodger came to an abrupt stop and took a steadying breath.

He'd let his temper nearly carry him out the door. Visions of Emilia's supposed betrayal had blinded him to everything else.

"I'm going to settle this once and fora∥,′′said Rodger, his jaw set. "She won't be allowed to embarrass the Mitchell family any longer."

Those words washed a hint of relief over Violet, her shoulders loosening just a little.

"Don't waste any more time, Rodger. The sooner you cut ties with her, the sooner Violet can take her place where she belongs," Sebastian insisted, eager to see Emilia gone for good.

Sebastian's lip curled in contempt at the thought of Emilia. To him, she was nothing but trouble-vain,manipulative,and always tangled up with men. If it hadn't been for the way she charmed his grandfather, she'd have never made it through the Mitchell doors.

As Rodger left, the room fell quiet, and Violet suddenly dissolved into tears, her sobs quiet but aching.

Witnessing Violet's sudden tears, Sebastian pressed her for answers until she finally revealed what had happened the day before.

His face twisted in outrage. "Unbelievable! Emilia really is heartless. She knew you needed Asclepius for your illness, and she still got in Rodger's way-on purpose! Thanks to her, Rodger missed the only chance to bring that doctor here for you. I always suspected she was up to no good, but I never thought she could stoop this low! I'm going to find her and make her answer for this!"