“Fine.”

Vincent spoke in a low, heavy voice. He tossed the marital dissolution agreement onto the sofa and rubbed his tired temples.

Natalie’s eyes lit up with deeper triumph. She hurried to help him sit down and handed him a glass of water.

Night fell completely. Vincent lay in bed, unable to sleep. His mind was filled with thoughts of Claire.

He realized Natalie was the biggest obstacle standing between him and Claire.

If Natalie hadn’t stirred up trouble between them, their lives would never have fallen apart like this.

He made up his mind to talk to Natalie the next day. He would tell her to take Leo and leave, and never show her face around them again.

Vincent got out of bed and headed for the guest room to confront her.

He paused outside the door when he heard quiet voices coming from inside.

It was Natalie and Leo.

“Mom, Dad was so mean today. Does he not love us anymore?” Leo sounded hurt and upset.

Natalie let out a cold laugh, her tone sharp and malicious.

“Don’t worry. He’s just blinded by Claire. I told you to splash that hot clam chowder on her at the restaurant last time. She was burned badly, and Dad called her cruel. Isn’t she foolish?”

“I also planned your disappearance to make Dad hate Claire and drive her away. Once she’s gone for good, everything belonging to the Vitelli family will be ours.”

Leo nodded, only half understanding her words.

“You’re the best, Mom. I’ll be the young master of the Vitelli family then.”

“Of course you will.” Natalie said smugly. “Once I secure my place as Mrs. Vitelli, no one will ever dare hurt us again.”

Vincent stood frozen outside the door. Veins bulged on his forehead, and fury shot through his entire body, turning his blood icy cold.

He had never imagined how cruel Natalie truly was.

He finally learned the truth about the clam chowder incident. Claire had been burned, wronged, accused and pushed to the ground all because of Natalie’s schemes.

How much more pain had she endured alone?

Vincent clenched his fists so hard his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing fresh blood. He felt no pain at all.

He did not push open the door. He turned and walked away silently, his gaze turned cold and deadly.

“Start an investigation.”

Vincent called his advisor, his voice colder than ice.

“Dig up every single detail about Natalie’s past and present. I want all the evidence.”

Vincent stayed up the entire night. He sat alone on the living room sofa, his eyes bloodshot, his face pale and haggard. A menacing aura surrounded him.

Dawn broke at last. The advisor rushed in carrying a thick stack of documents, looking extremely flustered.

“Sir… I’ve found everything.”

Vincent lifted his gaze, his stare sharp and frigid.

“Read it.”

The advisor took a shaky breath and began to speak. One shocking revelation followed another.

“The Narcotics Trafficking Felony charge against Henry was originally your idea to force Claire into remarrying you. But we’ve discovered the main witness is Natalie’s close friend. Natalie paid her to plant fabricated evidence, aiming to destroy the Reed family entirely.”

“Natalie was also behind the drugging incident at the party three years ago. She set you up on purpose, then pretended to rescue you to win your sympathy.”

“The clam chowder incident, Leo’s disappearance, and the spiritual cleansing ritual at the memorial cemetery were all carefully plotted by Natalie. She wanted to turn you against Claire.”

“Worst of all, during the kidnapping three years ago, Natalie provoked the kidnappers on purpose. She hoped they would kill Lily, so her own son could inherit the entire Vitelli fortune.”

The advisor’s voice dropped to a near whisper for the final line.

“Leo’s biological father is not you, sir.”

A deafening crash seemed to echo through the room.