The cost

As Mia exited the civil affairs office, she shredded her marriage certificate into tiny hits, tossing the remuants into a nearby trash can with the same finalay she felt about her five–year marriage. The wind caught a few stray pieces, scattering them down the street. Matthew watched her quietly, the chill in his eyes entitagli in freeze over hell itself

“Farewell” Mia said with a mocking smile, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she flagged down a fast and vanished into the city

Oper her tai diappeared from view, Matthew’s grip tightened around his own copy of the certificate, the paper crumpling in his hands as anger: bosed inside him

“Perfect,’ he thought hitterly. “Let’s see what Mix can possibly accomplish without me‘ Mubbing his temples, he muttered. “Take me to the hospital.”

On their way, John began uplating Mathew on recent company matters, but Mathew mined him out, dosing his eyes and furrowing his brows in

frustration

Suddenly, Matthew’s eyes snapped open as he asked, “How’s the investigation”

John hesitated, knowing exactly what Mathew was referring to. Despite their best efforts, any information about Mia remained elusive–the was like smoke, impossible to grasp.

“Sir, her identny checks out, but I haven’t been able to track down her address or any family details,” John whispered,

“No family details?” Mathor’s gor sharpened, his mind flashing to the wooden stamp in his study drawer, which was not something from an ordinary household.

“Yes, sir. Very little is known about Mrs. Blackwood, so…. John trailed off, unsure of how to proceed.

“Don’t bother investigating further, and remember, she’s not my wife anymore, Matthew cut in coldly. “We’re over, and anything about her is no longer of any concern to the Blackwood family”

“Understood,” Jolin replied and then quickly added, “Also, Mr. Buckwood, there’s news from the company. The acquisition of the Eldoria Group might be put on hold. Yesterday afternoon, they announced a new chairperson who now holds an additional live percent of the shares.”

A new chairperson Matthew’s brows knitted together in

“Yes, this person has just returned from studying abroad” jolin explained, “Seems like a formidable character–stepped in and immediately took control of the board effortlessly”

Matthew’s skepticism deepened. He paused, pressing his lips into a tight line “Is there a photo of this person

John shook his head. “No, this new chairperson is really mysterious. There’s nothing online–no name, no image The Eldoria Group is keeping everything under wraps

How mysterious Matthew thought, his expression darkening as suspicion cuaded his mind. He fell in deep contemplation as he pondered, “The Reed family? Miat But when she married ine, she barely had a dime to her name. Could she really be connected to them? Or has she been playing me for a fool all along?

His thoughts whirled, and suddenly, he ordered “I want every scrap of information on the Reed family on my desk within three days”

The Reed family at John stammered, startled by the unexpected order.

“Cut the crap. Just get it done.” Matthew interrupted indifferently. If there was even a shred of truth to this, he was determined to unenver it. After all, not everyone’s ex–wife shared the same last name with a wealthy family’s Lein Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Jolm quickly nodded in agreement. Then, he hesitated before finishing his report. “Also, sir, the hospital called. The blood reserves are running low, and Ms. Blackwood has two more surgeries scheduled that could be critical” With Mi gane, Elizabeth’s surgeries were now in jeopardy.

Isn’t there anyone else who can fill in Matthew asked, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

“Currently, there’s none,” John replied.

“Got it just get me to the hospital first, Matthew sighed, sinking into the back seat. Exhaustion tugged at him, but he couldn’t afford to let it show Not now, not with everything at stake,

3

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