Chapter 4

On her first night back at the apartment, Lynn finally let down all her guard. There was no anxiety from waiting, no torment from worrying about gains and losses. Although the wound on her forehead still throbbed with pain and the dull ache in her chest hadn't faded, compared to being in that cold villa, she could at least close her eyes and rest peacefully.

The next day, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains. She opened her eyes and stared at the unfamiliar ceiling, feeling disoriented for a moment.

She reached for her phone. The screen was completely blank—no missed calls, no unread messages.

Gavin hadn't looked for her. Neither had Ethan.

It was as if she had disappeared from that house, and no one cared at all.

That's fine.

Lynn pulled at the corner of her mouth and threw off the covers to get up.

After washing up, she made herself a bowl of noodles. Just as she set it on the table, her phone chimed with a new email notification.

It was from Professor Perez. The email contained an encrypted zip file, with a note that read: Lynn, here are some preliminary research materials for the project. Familiarize yourself with them first, and feel free to ask me any questions.

Lynn's eyes lit up.

That bowl of noodles ended up going cold. She didn't touch a single bite.

Over the next few days, Lynn completely immersed herself in those research documents. She forgot about time and everything else.

During this period, no one from the Green family contacted her.

It was as if Lynn had been completely forgotten by that world.

A week later, she sent the documents back to Professor Perez. She decided to go out for a walk and also handle the divorce agreement.

She had scheduled a meeting with Attorney Nelson at a coffee shop, just wanting to finalize everything quickly so it wouldn't delay her upcoming trip to Shadow City.

"Ms. Taylor." Attorney Nelson handed her the documents. "The agreement is written according to your requirements. Regarding property division, are you really sure you want to leave with nothing? According to marriage law, you're completely entitled to half of the marital assets. That's not a small amount."

"No need." Lynn shook her head, her tone calm. "I only want what's mine."

Her marriage to Gavin had been something she forced in the first place. She didn't want to end it fighting over money and making things ugly.

"Alright." Attorney Nelson nodded and didn't press further. "This agreement takes effect immediately once Mr. Green signs it. If he refuses to sign, then we'll have to go through litigation."

"I understand. Thank you, Attorney Nelson."

"You're welcome."

Leaving the coffee shop, Lynn felt a weight lift from her heart.

She wandered aimlessly through the mall, wanting to buy herself some new clothes and completely leave the past behind.

Just as she walked into a women's clothing store, a familiar figure caught her eye.

In the rest area not far away, Sophie was pulling and tugging with a man, her face showing clear irritation.

"What do you want? I already told you we're done!" Sophie kept her voice low, but the annoyance in her tone was unmistakable.

The man wore designer streetwear and looked considerably younger than Gavin. He gripped Sophie's wrist and wouldn't let go, his face showing a hint of cockiness. "Done? Sophie, what do you take me for? When you needed me, you called me baby. Now that you've latched onto someone rich and powerful, you want to dump me?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Sophie's expression changed, and she nervously looked around.

That's when she locked eyes with Lynn.

Sophie's expression froze instantly. She yanked her hand away from the man and quickly walked toward Lynn.

"Lynn?" Sophie's face rapidly shifted to a pitiful expression. "What are you doing here? Gavin's been looking everywhere for you. He's going crazy with worry."

Lynn watched her acting skills, which rivaled a quick-change artist, and found it somewhat amusing.

"Really?" she said flatly. "How come I didn't know?"

Sophie was taken aback, then noticed the lawyer's document folder in Lynn's hand. Her eyes flashed, and her tone took on a condescending, mocking quality. "Lynn, I know you're upset, but you shouldn't have run away from home. Gavin is so busy with work. Can't you be more understanding and stop causing him trouble?"

She spoke with the air of the lady of the house, as if Lynn were some thoughtless child.

"Causing trouble?" Lynn laughed. She took a step forward and looked directly into Sophie's eyes. "You seem to have forgotten—I'm Gavin's wife. It's not your place to lecture me about being understanding."

Sophie's face went pale.

"You... what nonsense are you spouting!"

"Whether it's nonsense or not, you know in your heart." Lynn's gaze moved past her to the man in the distance, and she said meaningfully, "But you certainly have a lot going on—getting close to Gavin on one hand while still tangled up with someone else on the other. Must be exhausting."

"You!" Sophie trembled with anger. She hadn't expected Lynn, who had always been so gentle and easy to bully, to suddenly become so sharp-tongued.

"I suggest you take care of your own business first." Lynn said coldly. "Don't end up empty-handed on both sides. That would be truly pathetic."

"Lynn, who do you think you are! How dare you talk to me like this!" Sophie was completely enraged. Her fake mask could no longer hold, and she raised her hand to slap Lynn across the face.

But her wrist was caught mid-air.

"Whoa, what's going on here? Trying to hit someone in broad daylight?"

A clear, slightly teasing female voice rang out.

Lynn turned around to see her good friend Joy Johnson, who had appeared behind her at some point.

Joy wore a sharp business suit, eyebrow raised, easily gripping Sophie's wrist.

"Joy? Let go of me!" Sophie saw Joy, and a trace of wariness flashed in her eyes.

"Let you go? Sure." Joy smiled, but suddenly applied pressure with her hand.

"Ah!" Sophie screamed in pain, her face turning deathly pale.

Only then did Joy release her hand, tossing it aside like garbage, and pulled out a tissue to wipe her hands.

She looked Sophie up and down and clicked her tongue twice. "Well, if it isn't the famous Sophie? What's this—being a homewrecker has given you a superiority complex? You dare touch my friend? Who gave you the nerve?"

Joy was a famous top lawyer in Suncrest City, known for her sharp tongue and ruthless methods. Sophie was no match for her.

"I... I didn't!" Sophie clutched her wrist, both angry and afraid, her eyes reddening.

The man who had been pulling at her earlier had already slipped away when he saw things going south.

"Didn't?" Joy sneered. "Want me to expose all the shady things between you and Gavin over the years, and analyze for you whether this counts as destroying someone's marriage?"

Sophie's face completely lost all color. Her lips trembled, unable to say a word.

She knew Joy meant what she said. She could only glare hatefully at Lynn before turning and running off in embarrassment.

"Tch, boring." Joy curled her lip disdainfully, then turned to grab Lynn's hand, her face full of concern. "Lynn, are you okay? She didn't bully you, did she? And you—why didn't you tell me you were going through all this? If I hadn't happened to pass by today, were you just planning to let people walk all over you?"

Seeing Joy stand up for her like this, the tension Lynn had been holding for days suddenly released.