Shattered Bonds, Rising Flames

"Hey, isn't that Lavinia over there?"

"Yeah, it's her. Can't believe she dares to show up at Mr. Casimir's funeral, not afraid of getting beaten by the Sterling family."

"Huh, she's not afraid, of course. She's Mrs. Percival now. Who would dare lay a finger on her?"

"Mrs. Percival? Look at the woman standing next to Mr. Percival now. It's Isolde, okay!"

"Now things get interesting. Lavinia killed Mr. Percival's beloved one, Rosalind. If it weren't for the pressure exerted by Mr. Casimir at the cost of his life, Mr. Percival would never have married her. Now that Mr. Casimir is gone, and Mr. Percival has no constraints, killing her is as simple as squashing an ant!"

At the solemn funeral, all the guests watched Lavinia Thornton, anticipating her tragic fate, their eyes filled with gossip.

Lavinia held a bouquet of lilies, calmly walking up to Casimir's casket. She looked at Casimir inside, her eyes revealing sadness and sorrow.

"Mr. Casimir, thank you for your care. I will always remember it. Rest in peace."

She bowed, more devout than anyone, and after placing the lilies on the table, she turned to walk toward Percival Biltmore, who stood at the forefront.

The onlookers excitedly whispered.

She went there!

She actually went there!

Percival's deep gaze fell coldly on Lavinia's face. He furrowed his brows, carefully examining her. "We haven't seen each other for a few months. Why have you gained so much weight?"

Lavinia, wearing a bulky knee-length down jacket that wrapped her tightly, looked especially bloated. She wore no makeup, and her delicately small face was pleasant to look at.

Lavinia smiled slightly, revealing cute dimples at the corners of her mouth. She looked at him with no emotion. "It's been a few months, and you've slimmed down a bit. Tired from taking care of Mr. Casimir, huh?"

Percival forcefully pursed his thin lips. He knew she was blaming him for not telling her about Casimir's illness.

His brows furrowed even deeper. "Not your concern."

Lavinia smiled coldly, her gaze shifting to Isolde Sterling standing beside Percival.

When Isolde saw Lavinia looking at her, her soft hand immediately gripped Percival's arm, and she provocatively raised an eyebrow at Lavinia.

Lavinia self-mockingly curled her lips. She lowered her head, opened her bag, and took out a folder before handing over two sets of documents.

Percival lowered his gaze to the documents in her hands and asked in a deep voice, "What's this?"

Lavinia smiled gracefully. "Divorce papers!"

Percival's heart shook. He hadn't expected Lavinia to dare to propose a divorce!

Lavinia had killed Rosalind, and though the police couldn't find evidence to charge her, the entire Sterling family wanted to avenge Rosalind by killing her. In this past year, the Thornton family had fallen because of the relentless retaliation from the Sterling family and several other families. Now, what confidence did Lavinia have to ask for a divorce?

Without the title of Percival's wife, she wouldn't last a minute in Emerald Haven!

Seeing his dark expression, Lavinia's smile deepened. "Percival, I know you would love to kill me more than anyone else. Marrying me was just Mr. Casimir's order. Now that Mr. Casimir is gone, I'm giving you back your freedom and the opportunity to avenge Rosalind."

"Lavinia!"

Percival gritted his teeth. A raging fury flickered in his deep eyes. "Go home. It's Grandpa's funeral. We can talk about divorce after the funeral!"

"Huh?"

Lavinia blinked, looking at the infuriated Percival in amazement. The next moment, however, she sneered and laughed. "By all accounts, Mr. Casimir is gone, shouldn't you be eager to divorce me now? What's this? Can't bear to part with me? Could it be you've fallen in love with me?"

"Lavinia!"

Percival coldly shouted, reaching out to snatch the divorce agreement from Lavinia's hands.

He pulled out a pen, didn't even glance at the divorce papers, and angrily signed his name at the end.

A loud smack echoed as he forcefully threw the divorce papers onto Lavinia's face. Percival's deep, indifferent voice followed. "Get lost!"

Lavinia raised her hand, catching the falling divorce papers. She lowered her head, checked the signature at the end with satisfaction, and then placed the divorce papers back into the folder, tucking it into her bag.

Raising her head again, facing Percival's furious gaze, she tilted her head, smiling brightly. "Thanks."

With that, without any hesitation, Lavinia lifted her foot and walked away, under the watchful eyes of the onlookers.

Percival watched her retreating figure, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

Divorce?

Huh...

Percival was eager to see how long Lavinia could hold up in Emerald Haven after divorcing him.

When she couldn't bear it anymore and came back to him, Percival would make her realize that divorcing him was the biggest regret of her life!

After this brief episode, the funeral proceeded smoothly.

The burial completed within a day.

Late at night, Percival sat on the sofa at the Biltmores' Villa. He pressed his nose bridge with force. At this moment, his assistant, Liam Davis, approached and placed a document in front of him on the coffee table.

"This is from Mrs. Biltmore... oh, no, Ms. Thornton. She had someone deliver it."

Percival glanced at it. The words "Divorce Decree" stabbed his eyes, and in irritation, he closed his eyes, not saying a word.

After waiting for a while and seeing no sign of him issuing any orders, Liam turned and left.

As soon as he left, Percival opened his deep eyes, staring unwaveringly at the Divorce Decree on the table. His brow furrowed so tightly that it could crush a fly.

Lavinia was too anxious. She had rushed to file for divorce right after he signed. Did she want to distance herself from him like that? Didn't she think about how many people were waiting for that opportunity to torment her?

Thinking of this, Percival grabbed his phone and dialed a number.

"Ethan, go find Lavinia. Keep a close eye on her. Don't let the Sterling family or anyone with ill intentions touch her. Her fate is in my hands!"

After hanging up, Percival stood up, confidently entering the bathroom.

At seven in the morning, Percival was awakened by the ringing phone. He picked up his phone, saw the caller ID, slid the answer button, and placed the phone to his ear.

In the receiver, Ethan Harris spoke cautiously, "Mr. Percival, I searched all night but couldn't find Lavinia. I checked all the places she could go and even reviewed all the road surveillance in Emerald Haven. After she left the funeral, she vanished into thin air. No trace of Lavinia!"

"Vanished?"

Percival erupted in anger. "She's a living person, and you're telling me she disappeared without a trace? What else can you even do?"

Ethan was scared into silence, not daring to say a word.

A minute later, Percival forcefully exhaled. He spoke sternly, "Continue searching! Dig up every inch of Emerald Haven if you have to, but find her for me! Ethan, if anything happens to her during this time, I'll make you accompany her to the grave!"