With that, Xavier got into the car, throwing down a cold, "Take a cab home yourself."

The car sped away into the distance.

Summer was left standing alone on the dimly lit street. The streetlamp cast a long, lonely, and desolate shadow behind her.

She understood exactly what Xavier meant.

Having no one backing her meant she had no powerful connections. In front of him, she was nothing but an ant he could crush at will.

Having a crowd relying on her referred to her adoptive parents, her best friend, and Leo.

He was warning her.

If she dared to make a scene, he wouldn't spare the people she cared about—her parents, her friend, her son.

The heart of a businessman was truly ruthless and unfeeling.

Summer took a cab back to South Bay Manor, picked out a different car, and drove away. By the time she returned home, Leo was already asleep.

Tessa rushed over, her face full of concern. "Are you okay?"

She grabbed Summer, checking her all over for injuries.

Summer smiled and gently stopped her. "I was just a little dizzy at first, but I'm fine now. Not a single scratch. The safety features on his car are top-notch." This story is hosted at novelce​o.com.

Tessa frowned. Hearing about the dizziness, she immediately poured her a glass of sweet tea. "Don't ever do something so dangerous again."

"I know, I won't," Summer replied with an obedient smile. She tossed the divorce agreement onto the table, took the tea, and downed it in a few gulps.

Curiosity piqued, Tessa picked up the document and began to read.

When she finished, she exploded. She slapped the papers onto the table with a loud smack and cursed, "That scumbag! He's only giving you this pathetic amount? He's keeping Leo's custody and gagging you about the marriage? That absolute jerk should rot in hell!"

"I'm so furious! How can such a disgusting man exist?! Ugh! It makes me sick!" Tessa clenched her fists, throwing a flurry of punches into the empty air.

Summer finished her drink and comforted her. "Don't worry. Once Sebastian gathers the evidence of his infidelity, we'll see if he can still be this arrogant."

By then, she would have the leverage to negotiate.

Driven by impulsive anger, Tessa immediately grabbed her phone to call Sebastian.

"It's been days and not a peep! Some hotshot lawyer he is. This is taking way too long."

Summer stopped her. "It's too late, don't call him now. He wouldn't dare brush off my case with you keeping him in check. We just need to be patient."

Tessa scoffed. "Fine, I'll interrogate him tomorrow. I need to put some pressure on him so he takes this seriously." Visit novelceo dot com for the full chapter.

After Summer took a shower, Tessa helped apply some ointment to her bruises and asked about her new job. Summer then mentioned how Leo had called Jude his dad.

Hearing that instantly lifted Tessa's mood. "That's my godson! So iconic. I love him to death."

First thing the next morning, Tessa called Sebastian.

He assured her they were close. There had been a major breakthrough in the US, and they would have concrete evidence of Xavier's infidelity within a few days at most.

Furthermore, they had already traced Xavier's assets. While they didn't have a hundred percent of the picture, they had securely tracked down at least ninety percent.

The moment the evidence was in hand, he would file the divorce lawsuit with the court.

Hearing this finally put Tessa at ease.

Summer felt a wave of relief as well, sensing a glimmer of hope for her future.

She drove Leo to kindergarten and then headed to work.

In the underground parking lot, she bumped into Jude.