Chapter 5

Lawrence stood still. "Grandpa, I'm an adult now!"

James held a revered position in the Parker family, and no one dared to defy him.

When he disciplined the younger generation, he never held back. Lawrence and the others had all been punished by him.

James couldn't help but give him another whack. "You know you're an adult, yet you did something so disgraceful yesterday. Is that how a mature man behaves? Emily is your wife. You didn't even give her flowers on her birthday, but you bought fireworks for another woman's birthday. What does that mean? No wonder Emily wants a divorce! I don't care; I only recognize Emily as my granddaughter-in-law. If you lose her, don't bother coming back to the Parker family. I don't have a grandson who can't get his act together!"

"I know Emily. If she's asking for a divorce now, it's probably just a moment of anger. But if you don't hurry and win her back, she might really leave, and then you'll regret it!"

Lawrence stood straight, seemingly unfazed by the hit to his leg.

His eyes held a cold glint. "If she leaves, she leaves. Do you think I can't find another wife?"

"I'm worried you won't find one as good as Emily!"

James added, "No, you definitely won't find one as good as Emily!"

Lawrence said nothing, his expression cold and indifferent.

Seeing this, James was exasperated. "I don't understand. When Emily came with the engagement token, you agreed to marry her. Didn't you like her and protect her when you were kids? When she was sent to the countryside, you kept saying you wanted to find her. What changed?"

Lawrence let out a cold laugh. "People change."

James was so angry he almost spat blood, his cane thumping loudly.

"Regardless, you're married to Emily and should be responsible for her. If you keep this up, I'll strip you of your inheritance! The Parker family company will never be handed to someone who breaks promises!"

Hearing this, Lawrence's face darkened.

He looked at James calmly for a long moment before smirking. "You can announce the new heir now. Let's see if they can handle it."

With that, he turned and walked out without looking back.

Behind him, James was furious, throwing his cane at the door, which slammed shut with a loud bang.

That ungrateful brat! He'll regret this someday!

Leaving the study, Lawrence received a call from his home.

"Mr. Parker, we just received a document. It looks like... a court summons."

"A summons?" Lawrence narrowed his eyes. "What kind of summons?"

The servant's voice was hesitant. "It's a divorce summons from Mrs. Parker."

Lawrence's expression turned icy.

He hung up and quickly headed out.

A servant handed him his coat, and Sophia hurried after him.

"Dinner's almost ready. Where are you going?"

He missed James's birthday party yesterday, and now he was leaving again. What would the family think? What would the extended family think?

Did he still want to be the Parker family heir?

Lawrence didn't look back. "I have something urgent to handle."

Behind him, Sophia stomped her foot in frustration.

Lawrence drove home and saw the summons with the name of the opposing lawyer. His eyes narrowed dangerously.

Jerry Nelson, a renowned top lawyer with an undefeated record, working for Apex Global Enterprises.

He was known for handling only commercial cases, never touching divorce.

Why did he make an exception for Emily?

Were they already acquainted, or was he one of the people Emily mentioned who could replace him?

The servant, sensing Lawrence's mood, quickly left after handing him the summons.

Lawrence stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his tall figure exuding a chilling aura.

After a long while, Lawrence let out a cold laugh.

He took out his phone and called Emily.

But her number and WhatsApp were blocked.

Lawrence's cold laughter continued, his grip on the phone so tight his knuckles turned white.

Fine, very fine!

Emily, you're serious about this!

He took a deep breath and called Jerry.

On the other end, Jerry looked at the caller ID and then at the man sitting across from him, half-hidden in the shadows.

"Lawrence is calling."

Daniel reached out. "Give me the phone."

Jerry handed it over, and as soon as Daniel answered, Lawrence's icy voice came through.

"Where's Emily? Divorce? Fine! Let her tell me herself!"

"Emily doesn't want to see you. Mr. Parker, it's best if you sign the divorce papers. Dragging this to court won't be good for either of you."

Lawrence laughed. No one in Emerald City dared to challenge him!

"You better advise her to think this through, or else..."

Daniel's voice turned cold. "Lawrence, don't think Emily is without support."

"Try threatening me and see what happens!"

The phone call ended abruptly, and Lawrence's face darkened instantly.

He knew it.

Emily was in such a rush to divorce him and had the audacity to disappear right under his nose. Turns out, she had already found herself a new protector.

They weren't even divorced yet, and she dared to openly leave with another man. Did she think he was dead?

Thinking about how Emily left last night dressed like that and hadn't returned, a fire of anger ignited in Lawrence's chest, growing stronger by the second.

He glanced back at their house, grabbed his coat, and strode out.

He was going to find out exactly what Emily was up to behind his back.

Divorce?

Not if he had anything to say about it.

Just as he got into his car, his phone rang. It was his friend, Raymond Carter.

Lawrence answered, his voice icy, "What is it?"

Raymond hesitated, unable to contain his curiosity. "So, I heard you rented out a hotel last night for Olivia's birthday, and Emily caught you red-handed. She was so mad she even pulled out the divorce papers. Is that true?"

Lawrence frowned sharply. "You called just to ask that?"

Sensing he was about to be hung up on, Raymond quickly got to the point. "Don't you want to know where Emily is?"

"You know?" Lawrence's eyes narrowed.

"Not just me, everyone in our circle knows."

Raymond's tone was smug. "Last night, a young, beautiful, wealthy woman was online looking for a high-quality man. Her requirements were that he had to be taller, more handsome, and younger than you. Basically, better than you in every way..."

"Think about it, who else but Emily would dare to do something like that?"

Lawrence's temple throbbed. "She really said that?"

"Absolutely. She offered a hundred million dollars. Who else in Emerald City has that kind of guts? I heard she found a guy who met her criteria and took him to the Starlight Grand Hotel. By now, they're probably..."

Before Raymond could finish, Lawrence hung up, his face dark. He floored the gas pedal and sped towards the hotel.

Meanwhile, at the top floor of the hotel.

Emily was suddenly embraced from behind, pressed against the large floor-to-ceiling window.

The man had just come out of the shower, water droplets still clinging to his well-defined body, eventually soaking into the towel around his waist.

Emily turned around, momentarily blinded by the man's impressive physique. Her delicate hands caressed his strong arms.

She couldn't help but marvel.

This body, this face, compared to Lawrence's cold demeanor, was so much easier to obtain.

Thinking about the three years she spent in the Parker family, Emily felt she had been shortchanged.

That man never even looked at her, and she still tried to get close to him.

Without Lawrence, she could find any man she wanted.

Why should she put up with his nonsense?

"Baby, do you like my body?" The man took Emily's hand and guided it over his chest, his deep voice seductive.

From his chest to his abs, moving downward.

Emily's hand felt like it was on fire. She slowly lifted her hand and hooked it under the man's chin. "Of course I do. As long as you help me, I'll give you anything you want."

"Really? Then let's..."

The man leaned in to kiss her.

Suddenly, with a loud crash, the door was kicked open!