Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband? novel Chapter 518

Rose Manor, study.

Jade lounged behind her desk, letting the video call invitation chime on her computer several times before she finally, lazily, nodded for the butler standing nearby to accept it.

The window popped open, revealing the lined, weathered face of Lysander’s grandfather.

“Old man.”

Jade never bothered with pleasantries when it came to the Montgomery family. Her first words were sharp, intentionally making things difficult. “You’ve really got quite the airs, haven’t you? You call it an invitation, but you won’t even show up in person—just sending a video call to brush me off?”

Lysander’s grandfather chuckled, his patience seemingly endless. “Now, now, please forgive me. My situation is a bit complicated, you see. If I could, I’d haul these old bones over there in person, rust and all, just to pay my respects. But while I can’t be there, at least the gifts should have arrived by now—think of them as a peace offering.”

They had, in fact, arrived.

Every time the Montgomerys extended an invitation, it came with a parade of extravagant gifts: rare antiques, fine wines, gourmet delicacies. Money was never an object for them.

“You think the Sutherlands are lacking in the little trinkets your Montgomery family sends?” Jade sneered. “I had them tossed out the moment they arrived. Don’t try to win me over with this nonsense.”

“Yes, yes, just a few trinkets, nothing more.” Lysander’s grandfather knew perfectly well their side was at fault, and with a favor to ask, he had already resolved to let Jade vent as much as she pleased. Nothing she said would ruffle him.

Jade, however, wasn’t swayed in the least.

After another jab or two, she took a sip of her tea, the porcelain cup poised at her lips, exhaling as the warmth steadied her mood. Her tone turned casual. “So, what is it you actually want?”

“Just to pay a visit to the family,” Lysander’s grandfather replied politely.

“Well, you’ve paid your visit now. Goodbye. And stop calling us family—those ties were severed long ago. I won’t have it.” Jade cut him off before he could say another word, signaling the butler to end the call.

“Lady Jade,” Lysander’s grandfather protested, still smiling, “Adrian misses Mila. The poor boy’s been crying for his mother all day.”

The words were light, but the meaning was clear.

As long as Adrian existed, the Montgomerys and the Sutherlands would never be fully disentangled. Mila’s responsibility to her child was also the only real link binding the two families now—the only third generation heir they shared.

No one would ever let go of that, so long as it wasn’t a matter of principle.

Especially since, for all Adrian’s stubbornness, he had matured a lot over the past year. The boy’s intelligence had not gone unnoticed by any of the elders. He was a gem yet to be polished.

Jade fell silent.

She understood perfectly well what Lysander’s grandfather was implying, but understanding didn’t make it any easier to stomach.

Adrian…

She knew that, whatever the child had done in the past, it could be explained away—he was young, confused, easily led astray. With the right guidance, he could be set straight. But somehow, even knowing that, she just couldn’t let go of her resentment. And the fact that the boy really was so outstanding only made it more complicated.