Since Seraphina had chosen Julian Vance, he would announce before every single board member: he and she were divorced, and she had already transferred her shares over to Janice.

This way, every single tie between them would be severed into an absolute conclusion!

Ethan's heart trembled violently, a sharp sting washing over his eyes. Gritting his teeth, he forced down the reluctance and unwillingness inside his chest, pulling out his phone to dial a specific number.

"Hello, Ethan."

Hearing Janice's voice, Ethan's expression grew even more severe. "Don't you want the shares of Vance Enterprises? I'm giving them to you."

Chapter 31: An Act of Spite

Five minutes had passed since the call was disconnected, yet Janice still hadn't fully processed the reality.

Her eyes were wide, her hand tightly clutching her phone. What on earth had Ethan just said? Not only was he going to announce before the board that Seraphina had transferred the shares to him, but he was actually going to marry her?!

This news was a far more shocking surprise than winning a thirty-million-dollar lottery.

Janice was wild with joy, completely at a loss for a moment, yet beneath her ecstasy, a trace of confusion inevitably surfaced. Previously, whether she brought it up directly or dropped hints, Ethan had steadfastly refused; why this sudden change of heart...?

But she didn't care to think further, wishing these three days would warp into a single day, or better yet, the very next minute.

On the other side of town, Seraphina had just arrived downstairs at her apartment building when she saw Julian stepping out of his car.

Julian spotted her from a dozen meters away, but before his smile could even reach his eyes, her swollen, red-rimmed eyes drove a sharp pang of pain straight through his heart.

"What happened?" He walked over, and as he drew closer, he saw tears still shimmering in her eyes.

Julian's heart wrenched once more, yet a trace of bitterness flitted across his thoughts.

The only bastard capable of making Seraphina cry to this extent was Ethan Vance.

Seraphina didn't want to explicitly hide her emotions either, merely shaking her head helplessly; she was truly left thoroughly exhausted in body and soul by Ethan.

Seeing that she was unwilling to reveal the details, Julian didn't press her, merely saying, "Don't concern yourself with anything else. Just focus on waiting for your surgery in peace."

Seraphina looked at him, wiping away her tears and nodding.

Two days later.

Seraphina let out a sigh of relief after setting the washed dishes neatly aside. These past two days had been perfectly peaceful; Leo hadn't visited, nor had Ethan.

Her eyes dimmed slightly, thinking that perhaps he finally understood, and from now on, they were truly finished.

At that thought, a dull ache still flared in her chest.

Knock, knock, knock.

Hearing the sound, Seraphina went to open the door, revealing Julian, who was already fully dressed to go out.

"Are you ready?" Julian asked with a smile.

Seraphina nodded, turning to grab her keys and scarf; today, she was heading to the hospital for an examination.

Today offered a rare stretch of sunshine, the warm yet gentle light bringing a rare sense of ease to Seraphina.

Since the hospital wasn't far, the two decided to walk. The streets still harbored the scent of firecrackers, and the small red lanterns on the trees and streetlights looked like sweet hawthorns basking in the sunlight.

Julian turned to look at Seraphina. Her profile was tranquil and gentle, perfectly matching the voice she used to have.

In a trance, his memory drifted back to the very first time he had seen Seraphina at the Vance estate, back when she had been invited as a guest by Old Mr. Vance.

She had been wearing her school uniform, her soft dark hair woven into a side fishtail braid draped across her chest, her clear face adorned with a beautiful smile.

That single exclamation of "Brother Julian" seemed to act like a snare, completely capturing his heart and leaving him stranded in affection for seven or eight years.

Julian clenched his fists slightly, a sudden urge rising within him to lay bare all the feelings he had hidden for so many years.

Before he could speak further, a car suddenly came to a screeching halt beside them.

The window rolled down, revealing Ethan's face, looking as though it were carved from ice, staring down at them coldly.

Seraphina's eyes locked, and she instinctively recoiled a step.

Julian's brows knit tightly. He had never been on good terms with Ethan, and he felt a sudden flash of anger at being interrupted.

"Is there something you need?" He actively stepped in front of Seraphina, shielding her behind his frame.

Seraphina froze slightly, her gaze locking onto Ethan. What on earth did he want to do now?

Ethan let out a bitter, mocking laugh. "Tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, Vance Enterprises is holding a temporary board meeting. The two of you share some shred of a connection with the Vance family after all, so letting you witness it is a matter of basic consideration."

Chapter 31: An Act of Spite

Five minutes had passed since the call was disconnected, yet Janice still hadn't fully processed the reality.

Her eyes were wide, her hand tightly clutching her phone. What on earth had Ethan just said? Not only was he going to announce before the board that Seraphina had transferred the shares to him, but he was actually going to marry her?!

This news was a far more shocking surprise than winning a thirty-million-dollar lottery.

Janice was wild with joy, completely at a loss for a moment, yet beneath her ecstasy, a trace of confusion inevitably surfaced. Previously, whether she brought it up directly or dropped hints, Ethan had steadfastly refused; why this sudden change of heart...?

But she didn't care to think further, wishing these three days would warp into a single day, or better yet, the very next minute.

On the other side of town, Seraphina had just arrived downstairs at her apartment building when she saw Julian stepping out of his car.

Julian spotted her from a dozen meters away, but before his smile could even reach his eyes, her swollen, red-rimmed eyes drove a sharp pang of pain straight through his heart.

"What happened?" He walked over, and as he drew closer, he saw tears still shimmering in her eyes.

Julian's heart wrenched once more, yet a trace of bitterness flitted across his thoughts.

The only bastard capable of making Seraphina cry to this extent was Ethan Vance.

Seraphina didn't want to explicitly hide her emotions either, merely shaking her head helplessly; she was truly left thoroughly exhausted in body and soul by Ethan.

Seeing that she was unwilling to reveal the details, Julian didn't press her, merely saying, "Don't concern yourself with anything else. Just focus on waiting for your surgery in peace."

Seraphina looked at him, wiping away her tears and nodding.

Two days later.

Seraphina let out a sigh of relief after setting the washed dishes neatly aside. These past two days had been perfectly peaceful; Leo hadn't visited, nor had Ethan.

Her eyes dimmed slightly, thinking that perhaps he finally understood, and from now on, they were truly finished.

At that thought, a dull ache still flared in her chest.

Knock, knock, knock.

Hearing the sound, Seraphina went to open the door, revealing Julian, who was already fully dressed to go out.

"Are you ready?" Julian asked with a smile.

Seraphina nodded, turning to grab her keys and scarf; today, she was heading to the hospital for an examination.

Today offered a rare stretch of sunshine, the warm yet gentle light bringing a rare sense of ease to Seraphina.

Since the hospital wasn't far, the two decided to walk. The streets still harbored the scent of firecrackers, and the small red lanterns on the trees and streetlights looked like sweet hawthorns basking in the sunlight.

Julian turned to look at Seraphina. Her profile was tranquil and gentle, perfectly matching the voice she used to have.

In a trance, his memory drifted back to the very first time he had seen Seraphina at the Vance estate, back when she had been invited as a guest by Old Mr. Vance.

She had been wearing her school uniform, her soft dark hair woven into a side fishtail braid draped across her chest, her clear face adorned with a beautiful smile.

That single exclamation of "Brother Julian" seemed to act like a snare, completely capturing his heart and leaving him stranded in affection for seven or eight years.

Julian clenched his fists slightly, a sudden urge rising within him to lay bare all the feelings he had hidden for so many years.

Before he could speak further, a car suddenly came to a screeching halt beside them.

The window rolled down, revealing Ethan's face, looking as though it were carved from ice, staring down at them coldly.