Chapter 8
As soon as Mary said that, another thunderclap split the sky.
The bright ceiling lights dimmed in an instant.
“What was that?” Someone gasped. “My computer’s fried!”
Another person added, “Mine as well!”
Mary offered an apologetic smile. “As you can see, our entire network just went down. If you still want a divorce, please come back another day.”
Realizing it was pointless to stay, Lucius shot Valerie a look. “Let’s go.”
Not only did the divorce fall through, but their marriage certificates had gone up in flames as well. Lucius and Valerie walked out of the courthouse one after the other.
“Is there any other way to get divorced sooner?” she asked.
He couldn’t put a finger on what he was feeling at that moment. “Let me check with my lawyer.
“1
Valerie nodded. “Thanks.”
Just then, Kean pulled up. “Mr. White, is everything settled? Where are you headed, Ms. Collins? Do you need a ride?”
Valerie took a look at the SUV. “No, thanks. I get carsick easily.”
Keane was lost in thought as he watched Valerie walk away. “It feels like Ms. Collins really has
it in for this car.”
Noticing the shift in Lucius’ expression, Keane hurriedly asked what had happened.
Lucius recounted the two lightning strikes. Keane clicked his tongue in amazement. “That doesn’t sound like a coincidence. It feels more like it was planned.”
Lucius shot him a questioning look.
Keane explained, “Mr. Melvin befriended many remarkable people when he was alive. He wouldn’t owe Ms. Collins’ foster father a favor for no reason, especially one that involved using your marriage as a bargaining chip.”
“Look into it!” Lucius ordered.
Lucius’ private residence was located in a prime area inside the second ring, a luxury enclave
known as Azure Bay. Keane arrived at the study at 8:00 pm to give his report, although his findings were meager.
“Apart from Ms. Colins’ publicly known ties with the Woodwards, there’s little to go on. Even our private investigator came up with nothing.
“It’s worth noting that the Woodward family owes much of its current status in Windmere to the recipes Ms. Collins’ mother created back in the day. So, it isn’t unreasonable for Ms. Collins to demand half of the Woodward family’s fortune.”
Dressed in pure white, Lucius had a blue-blooded serpent coiled around his wrist. “What about her foster father?”
Keane forced himself not to look at the serpent, which was flicking its tongue at him. The blue -blooded serpent was Lucius’ favorite pet, and it was vicious enough that he felt it might bite him at any moment.
Keane composed himself and continued, “Ms. Collins’ foster father is from the north. He had some personal ties to Lilith, and he never married or had children. We couldn’t find anything beyond that.”
“Is that all you’ve found?”
Keane looked a little guilty. “That’s all we’ve managed to find so far. By the way, Mr. White, several doctors from the private hospital Jay was in were arrested last night for organ trafficking.”
Lucius arched his brow, signaling him to go on.
Keane continued, “The whistleblower’s evidence was solid. Not only were the doctors arrested, but the hospital itself is also facing closure.”
Lucius fell into deep thought, wondering if Valerie was behind it.
