Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Cornell responded with a frosty chuckle, “What do you think?”
Alexis was shocked. He belatedly realized the depth of Cornell’s cunning. Before, he would scoff at the praise of Cornell’s talents, assuming Cornell could merely run the company well.
Yet, the remarkable ways of Cornell turning the table stunned Alexis, making him realize he never truly knew Cornell.
Cornell, with his competence and foresight, consistently managed to turn the table and achieve his goals, regardless of the situation.
Alexis reluctantly admitted that Cornell was far more outstanding than him.
Even having been taken in to the Clement family for years, Alexis still felt no sense of belonging. No matter how well he blended in or how much he adapted, he always felt like an outsider, his manners and mindset when going with the name “Darin” ingrained in him. That was why he had desperately tried to take over the Clement Group for his own son, Henley.
Alexis crafted a convincing lie, never telling Henley that he wasn’t a true Clement, all to give Henley a sense of identity and pride in belonging. But now, it seemed pointless.
“Cornell, you really are unruly and ungrateful!” Alexis snapped.
Cornell’s response was frosty. “You should be thinking about the punishment that awaits you for all the harm you’ve caused, the lives you’ve destroyed. Alexis, your days are numbered. And your son, whom you’ve defended so fiercely? I’ll ensure he never succeeds.”
Alexis’ lips turned pale, and he shook as he accused, “You! You’re so cruel!”
“Is it cruel to retaliate when you wantonly trample on others’ lives?”
Cornell raised an eyebrow. “You should realize I’m just setting things right. It’s nothing compared to what you’ve done.”
“Why…” Alexis was livid. “Don’t you know you’re soon to meet your end? Why go this far? I raised you, yet you’d prefer the Clement Group fall into another’s hands rather than mine?”
Alexis believed he had unearthed a shocking revelation.
Cap?tulo 928:
However, Cornell remained calm, showing no surprise, as if he had long known his own fate. “Hector is back. The empire won’t fall into the wrong hands,” he declared.
Hector was the most suitable choice to run the Clement Group. Even a non-blood son, Hector had been raised with great care. This showed how much he valued Casey. Naturally, he would do his utmost to take care of Audrey since Audrey was Casey’s daughter.
Cornell only made his decision after thorough consideration. He knew the Clement Group wouldn’t decline under Hector’s leadership. Plus, he had already given a significant amount of shares to Audrey and Janey.
If Audrey ever wanted to take over management herself, she could certainly do so. And if not, Hector would ensure they received their fair share of the profits.
Alexis was utterly astonished. It appeared that Cornell had arranged everything. Even Hector, who was initially hesitant, had been swayed by him.
Hector was indeed more skilled than Alexis. Hector simply wasn’t interested in committing to the company before. However, under his leadership, the Clement Group was likely to do well.
This reduced the likelihood of Henley taking over the Clement Group. At this thought, a wave of anger surged through Alexis.
Meanwhile, Katie had been watching anxiously the whole time, casting worried glances at Alexis, trying to figure out what was being discussed. She feared that after betraying Cornell, if Alexis fell from power, she might be Cornell’s next target.
But Alexis was too wrapped up in his own frustrations to pay Katie any attention. He didn’t consider his own predicament too serious, convinced his connections and wealth could fix everything. He even pondered how he would clear his name once he was free.
Alexis wasn’t scared in the slightest, confident that Henley was already working on a solution to his problems. Unbeknownst to him, Henley’s focus on the situation was not what Alexis expected.
Henley was racking his mind, figuring how to take advantage of Alexis’ predicament to his favor.
Alexis issued a chilling parting threat to Cornell, “Let’s see who dies first!”
Then, he was led away by two police officers.
As Alexis departed, tranquility returned to the scene.
Cornell stepped back onto the stage and addressed the gathering, “I apologize, everyone, this incident has disrupted the joyous atmosphere. Please go along with the staff and make your way to the hotel’s banquet hall for the wedding feast.”
It was clear to everyone that the wedding couldn’t go on after such a disturbance. After all, getting married simply involved obtaining a marriage certificate. Holding a wedding ceremony was optional.
Following the commotion, Cornell’s authority seemed even more solid and unchallenged.
The guests were not keen to stay after witnessing such a spectacle.
Staff swiftly moved to clear the venue.
The place fell silent, leaving only Katie on the stage, puzzled. She wondered why all the guests had hurried out. After all, they hadn’t exchanged rings or completed the ceremony, and Cornell hadn’t even put on the groom’s boutonni?re.
Katie hesitated to ask for clarification when she noticed Hector approaching Cornell. Her discomfort and anxious thoughts persisted.
She strained to listen to their conversation but the distance deterred her from making out any words.
Hector approached Cornell and inquired, “What are you planning next?”
“Hector, don’t worry about tonight’s banquet. Just mingle with the guests and guide them safely to the other building via the emergency exit.”
Cap?tulo 929:
Hector seemed hesitant to leave. “My assistant can manage that. I’ll stay here and support you in whatever you plan to do.”
Cornell gave Hector a reassuring smile, his features lighting up.
“Hector, remember our deal. You need to be outside backing me up.”
After a brief pause, Hector expressed his concern, “Cornell, I’m really worried about you.”
This was one of Hector’s rare displays of genuine care. Since Cornell was the only grandchild of the
Clement family, Hector deeply wished for Cornell to become stronger and impervious to vulnerabilities. A man in Cornell’s position had to remain stoic, his emotions as solid as stone.
That was why Hector had stepped in when Cornell and Audrey clashed, urging Cornell to back down.
However, later, Hector realized he might have repeated his father’s mistake. Somehow, he had conformed to those societal standards, embracing outdated beliefs.
After this awakening, Hector understood Cornell’s feelings, much like his own experiences in the past. Loving someone, the heart was no longer under one’s control.
So, upon returning, Hector didn’t hesitate to express his care. In his view, Cornell and Bryce were no different. With their father gone, they had become the central focus of his life. He felt it was his duty to look after every member of the Clement family.
Hector’s brow creased as he asked, “Cornell, are you keeping something from me?”
Cornell noticed the sincere worry in Hector’s expression. They shared blood and bonds, this care deeply rooted in the consciousness of every Clement family member. He gave a small smile. “No, Hector, you’re overthinking. I just need to talk things over with Katie in a quiet place.”
“Okay.” Hector nodded.
As Hector started to walk away, he paused to add, “Just remember, the whole Clement family supports you. Do what you need to but take care of yourself.”
“I understand, Hector.”
Watching Hector’s retreating back, the venue had been completely cleared out. Even the event coordinator and security had left.
Katie’s anxiety rose. “Cornell, everyone’s left. What about our wedding now?”
Cornell’s expression remained calm. He did not respond to Katie’s question.
Katie forced herself to calm down and comforted herself that everything would be okay. She had seen all sorts of situations, after all. Anyway, they had already announced their wedding, and the whole world knew about it. What could Cornell possibly do to her now?
Katie said with a strained smile, “Cornell, do you think what happened just now is a bad omen? Is that why you want to change the venue for the banquet? Should I change into another dress for the wedding toast?”
“No need,” Cornell replied expressionlessly.
Katie’s smile froze. But she quickly regained her composure, laughed nervously, and attempted to appease him. “Cornell, there were too many people earlier, so I didn’t get a chance to explain. The invitation… They forced me to do so.”
Katie covered her teary eyes with her hands but secretly observed Cornell’s reaction.
Deep inside her, she couldn’t help cursing Henley. It turned out Henley wasn’t a legitimate son. He even had no connection with the Clement family. How dare he tell her he was Alexis’ only child, the rightful heir of the Clement Group! And she was too foolish to believe his account that Cornell was adopted.
It was only now that Katie realized that neither Henley nor Alexis resembled the members of the Clement family. The members of the Clement family were all dignified and upright people. On the other hand, Henley and Alexis had dubious and slippery demeanors. She scolded herself for being blind. But she also felt lucky that she didn’t go too far.
Cap?tulo 930:
“Cornell…” When Cornell didn’t respond, Katie said softly, “It was Henley who approached me and forced me to give him an invitation. He threatened that if I refused, he would reveal that you weren’t a Clement. I feared it would tarnish your reputation, so I had no choice. I gave him the invitation.”
It was an excuse full of loopholes. But under such circumstances, it was the best Katie could come up with. Anyway, it didn’t matter whether Cornell believed her. His life was still in her hands, given the toxin within his body. So, with her excuses, she was essentially offering him a way out.
Seeing his stern face, she added quickly, “But I really didn’t know he had bad intentions. If I had known they would cause trouble, I would never have agreed to give them invitations.”
Caught in the act, her dramatics surged uncontrollably. After deliberately putting on an aggrieved look, she pleaded, “Cornell, you must believe me. I am your wife, so I will stand by you for better or worse.”
“Wife? We are not husband and wife,” Cornell said after being silent for a while.
And what he said was the last thing Katie wanted to hear. His icy tone and expression were devastatingly heartless and indifferent.
Katie’s expression changed. She retorted, “But… Everyone in Ardlens knows we are married.”
“Katie.” Cornell’s expression was solemn when he uttered her name.
“That’s because I want them to know.”
“Why?” Katie asked in confusion. Why would he want everyone to know they were married but insist they were not husband and wife?