Beyond the Divorce

Lauren's reaction was lightning-fast, pressing her ear against my phone.

I was at a loss for words.

Liora's voice rang out from the phone, seemingly carefree. She continued in a cryptic tone, "Surprised, huh? Well, it's not every day I call someone like you."

"Indeed! Considering I don't have much rapport with you, Ms. Liora, your call must have ulterior motives. So, spill it. What's the game plan?" I scoffed, dripping with sarcasm. "Haha... How about we meet?" She suggested, taking me off guard once again. This was truly bewildering. What kind of scheme was she cooking up?

"Meet? There's got to be a reason for that," I casually remarked, and Lauren gave me a thumbs up.

"Some things are better to be discussed face-to-face," Liora confidently asserted.

"I don't think it's necessary to talk with you. Is your bag of tricks running dry? It can't be, right?" I responded disdainfully.

"Chloe, what about Ardora? Don't you have anything to say?"

"I'm not interested." I declared firmly, wondering what game Liora and Melvern were playing. Why did they keep bringing up Ardora?

"Don't act so indifferent. After all this time, it's about time we had a face-to-face chat. Who knows, I may have something you want." Liora's tone remained ambiguous.

But if you want to meet, get to the point. Don't beat around the bush." I was genuinely curious about her intentions, and asked, "So, spill. Where

said, "Since you love going to the Vanderberg Palace so much, let's meet

she

up, looking at me. "What is she

to discover what's in her bag of tricks. I got

Lauren said. "I

since I visited the Vanderberg Palace and saw Bella.

"Hey, why the rush? The key figure usually makes a late entrance, you know? Don't go too early. It may make her

a while since you saw Bella? We can go

want to see Bella, it doesn't have to be today. Let her wait. If she takes

"What if she's up to

likely. We need

against her and Felix Lauren said excitedly. "I wanted to call you when

last night, but

spent the night "