Chapter 3 Left

• "Leave me."
• Flint's voice was cool as he dismissed Rhys and Sebastian.
• Once they left, his expression grew even darker. Leaning back against the leather chair, his eyes gradually became colder and more calculating.
• He couldn't believe Lucille had agreed to the divorce. Just yesterday, she was adamant about staying married. There was no way she could have changed her mind so quickly.
• With a mocking sneer, Flint ignored the divorce agreement Rhys had brought back. He pressed a hand to his chest, trying to ease the strange irritation that had been gnawing at him all day. He grabbed the document on his desk and tried to focus, but for some reason, the usually efficient Flint couldn't absorb a single word.
• *
• "Ma'am, are you heading out?"
• One of the household staff spotted Lucille coming down the stairs with a suitcase and asked.
• Everyone at Ashworth Residence knew about the strained relationship between Lucille and Flint. Even the extended family at the Ashworth estate knew that Flint had only married Lucille because Old Master Ashworth had forced him into it.
• Now that the old master was gone, Flint wasted no time filing for divorce. Who could be happy in such a situation?
• Especially a woman who loved Flint so much that she was willing to die for him.
• Bethany Williams, one of the maids, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Lucille as she recalled how the lawyer had visited yesterday. He hadn't even bothered to keep things private, discussing the divorce right in front of the staff. Rumors had always swirled that Lucille was just a stand-in for Flint's real love. Seeing it unfold now, it seemed those whispers were true.
• "I'm not just heading out—I'm moving out," Lucille replied with a soft smile. "Thank you for taking care of me this past year."
• Lucille had never been a demanding mistress, except when it came to anything involving Flint.
• "Are you going through with the divorce?" Bethany asked hesitantly.
• Lucille nodded with a calm smile, hiding the brief sting in her heart, and continued toward the door.
• After taking a few steps, she paused, turned back to Bethany, and said, "Oh, by the way, have someone pull up the begonia flowers in the garden."
• "What? But Madam, you planted those yourself…"
• "Pull them all up. Flint doesn't like them."
• Since the divorce was final, Lucille wanted to leave without a trace, making sure nothing remained that Flint would find annoying.
• With that, she turned and walked away without a hint of reluctance.
• *
• When Flint returned home, he was met with the sight of a bulldozer ripping out the begonia flowers in the garden. His face instantly darkened.
• "What's going on here?!"
• "Mr. Ashworth, you're back," Bethany said quickly, seeing his displeasure. "Madam ordered it. She said—"
• "What did she say?"
• "She said you don't like these flowers," Bethany answered cautiously, sneaking a glance at Flint's expression. Seeing him relax slightly, she added, "Madam has already left."
• Left?
• Hearing the word "left" sent a strange ripple of anxiety through Flint's heart, the same unease that had plagued him all day at the office.
• But he didn't show it. He simply gave a low grunt in acknowledgment and walked inside.
• Before stepping through the door, he added, "Tell them to stop. Put everything back the way it was."
• "Yes, sir."
• Bethany was at a loss. Anyone with eyes could see that Flint never liked Lucille. Now that they were divorcing, why would he want to keep the flowers she planted?