Chapter 27 A Shocking Turn
Chapter 27 A Shocking Turn
Lenora and Melody turned to look, only to realize Anneliese hadn’t come alone.
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Standing beside her was a sharply dressed young man in a gray suit, his hair neatly styled, thin gold–rimmed glasses perched on his nose. He held a leather briefcase in one hand, exuding the polished air of a corporate attorney.
Melody’s brows knit together. “What’s the meaning of this? Why’d you bring a lawyer?”
Lenora let out a cold laugh. “Seriously, Anneliese? Drop the act. Even though you live off my brother’s money. So what–he’s the one paying for your fancy lawyer, too, right? Don’t act like you’re the only one with legal counsel, like me and my mom don’t have our own. What a joke.”
She tugged at Melody’s sleeve. “Mom, call Zach. Get Clauderias Tech’s legal team over here now. Let’s see who’s really scared.”
Melody patted her daughter’s hand, trying to calm her down. “Relax. She probably brought the lawyer to draft some kind of formal apology or written guarantee. Maybe even offer financial compensation. You know how she loves putting on a show for your brother.”
Lenora considered this and perked up, her interest clearly piqued.
“Well, let’s get started, then. I hope she makes a public apology—with her lawyer as a witness.”
Anneliese gave a slight nod, clearly amused.
“Have Joanna and the nurse step out. I can’t begin otherwise.”
Melody didn’t argue this time. With a sharp glance from her, Joanna and the nurse quickly exited the room.
But instead of what they were expecting, Anneliese took a stack of papers from her lawyer, walked over to the bedside, and handed them to Melody.
What she said next dropped like a bomb,
“I’m divorcing your son. Zacharias and I have both signed the divorce agreement. Now, I need you, as his immediate family, to accompany me to City Hall and file the paperwork.”
Melody’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She quickly flipped to the last page of the divorce papers–and sure enough, there were Anneliese’s and Zacharias‘ signatures.
She understood the language in the agreement just fine. And Anneliese’s words were crystal
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Chapter 27 A Shocking Turn
clear. But somehow, it didn’t make any sense.
Anneliese wanted a divorce?
She actually wanted a divorce? That couldn’t be right.
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And Zacharias? Just yesterday, when Melody had brought up the idea of divorcing Anneliese, he was furious and completely against it. How could he have changed his mind overnight and even signed the papers?
“Mom, let me see!”
Lenora snatched the agreement and studied it closely, her eyes practically popping out of her head.
“Oh, my God. Mom, this really is Zach’s signature. No doubt about it. He finally came to his senses! He’s done with Anneliese–that scheming, two–faced woman with a reputation in ruins! This is the best news ever!”
Lenora broke into an excited laugh. With Anneliese out of the picture, she could finally bring Selina in as her new sister–in–law.
But Melody wasn’t so quick to celebrate. She’d seen more in life than Lenora and didn’t take things at face value.
Taking the papers back, she narrowed her eyes at Anneliese.
“So… you’re not here to apologize?”
“Clearly not.”
“Then, what is this, Anneliese? If the divorce is already signed, you could’ve just taken Zach and filed it yourselves. Why come here? You expecting me to talk him into it? You….”
Anneliese cut her off before she could spin any more wild theories.
“Yes, the signature is real. But Zacharias didn’t know what he was signing. He doesn’t actually agree to the divorce. That’s why I need you, as his mother, to act as his representative and file the paperwork with me at City Hall.”
Under Oceaton’s law, if one party was unavailable or unwilling to submit a divorce filing in person, a direct relative or legal representative could do it on their behalf.
However, after the mandatory cooling–off period, both parties must appear in person to receive the final divorce certificate.
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Chapter 27 A Shocking Turn
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That was exactly why Anneliese had come to see Melody today–she needed her cooperation to bypass Zacharias, at least for now.
Melody felt like her brain was being twisted in knots. But one thing was clear: Zacharias didn’t want the divorce. Anneliese did.
How was that even possible?
The agreement in her hands was clear as day. And just yesterday, Zacharias had been adamantly opposed to the idea.
As his mother, Melody knew her son well–he truly didn’t want to end things.
But Anneliese? She didn’t look like she was playing games either. She was serious.
When Melody realized that, her expression soured. Everything she’d just said now felt like a slap in her own face, ringing in her ears.
Then, she noticed the financial terms–the 500 million in cash Anneliese was entitled to in the settlement. Her jaw clenched.
“You want to walk away with half a billion? Are you out of your mind? And you got him to sign this without even knowing? Anneliese, this is fraud. No–this is robbery. I’m calling the police.”
