Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

When Lysander knocked and entered Jade's private suite, the heavy satin drapes were already pulled down over the large windows, creating an enclosed space illuminated by a stark, bright overhead light.

Near the door, four or five burly men in suits stood, their presence casting a tense and ominous atmosphere.

Despite sensing the tension in the room, Lysander maintained a calm, easy smile. He walked steadily into the suite and greeted Jade, who was seated across from him.

"Aunt Jade, it's been a while. How have you been?"

Jade reclined in her wooden chair, her response sharp and unyielding. "Spare me the pleasantries, Chairman Montgomery. I was doing just fine until you walked in."

Lysander chuckled good-naturedly and found a seat for himself. He knew Jade had never thought highly of him; their encounters were always fraught with barbed words. Moreover, he realized that if he didn't take a seat now, he'd be forced to stand throughout the conversation.

After settling down, he turned to Mila, who sat beside Jade, and greeted her with a warm smile. "Mrs. Sutherland."

Mila turned her head away, choosing to ignore him.

Seeing his lack of awareness, Jade's eyes flashed with anger, and she slammed her hand on the table. "Chairman Montgomery, let's get straight to business. I want the 'Moonblush Roses' back."

The 'Moonblush Roses' was the name of the couture wedding gown Giselle wore that evening.

Lysander smiled wryly. "Aunt Jade, that's rather unreasonable. I paid for that dress, and it's my choice who gets to wear it."

"Ha," Jade let out a cold laugh.

"Don't play dumb with me!"

"A Splendid couture, designed and crafted under my guidance, is more than just a dress."

"Do you think money is all it takes?"

"Don't fool yourself into thinking you can use my name or Splendid's reputation to elevate her. It's not happening!"

"Giselle and the Harvey family, they don't deserve it!"

Jade's voice resonated firmly within the suite, leaving no room for Lysander to save face.

She had every right to be this assertive.

Jade's designs were sought after; unless she permitted it, only royalty, top-tier Splendid VIPs, and the crème de la crème of high society had the privilege to wear them. Wearing one of her creations was a testament to one's status and influence

it could make stars rise.

For someone like Giselle to try and leverage her influence? Laughable.

...

Lysander's expression darkened slightly.

"Mrs. Sutherland, if you make things difficult for me, I will have no choice but to be blunt."

"As you pointed out, Giselle may not meet the requirements, but with my backing and the Montgomery family's support, what can't she wear? Where is she lacking?"

"You want to retract a sold dress? Wouldn't that mean breaking your promise?"

Mila, who had been silent until now, clenched her fingers on the armrest, casting a worried glance at her aunt. Her concern was for Jade's health, fearing that her emotions might get the better of her. Fortunately, Jade seemed calm, which eased Mila's anxiety slightly.

Jade's voice was cold and steady. "Breaking promises? Lysander, do you need me to remind you what you said when you commissioned the dress?"

When Lysander approached Splendid for a custom wedding gown and requested Jade's involvement in its design, she had no desire to meet him. However, she did instruct the staff to ask: was this dress for a wedding with Mila?

The response had been affirmative.

Yet, he had turned around and given the 'Moonblush Roses' to someone else, his mistress no less, and now had the audacity to accuse her of breaking promises?noveldrama