Chapter 30

Spencer cast a horrified look at Melanie and then at the lawyer. Dam* t! Of course he was not worried abotu the divorce situation because they had met the requirements to the tee, but he would have rather preferred Melanie to keep things to herself until the papers for the handover of the assets were signed.
After a moment of alarm, he turned back to the lawyer with a reassuring smile, “There are a few… misunderstandings. But that’s normal in any marriage, isn’t it? Things have been a little rocky, sure, but that doesn’t mean we should dwell on it. In fact, we are just about to celebrate our third anniversary tonight.”
He shot Melanie a meaningful look, as if urging her to go along with the story. “So, let’s just finalize everything quickly, shall we? That way, we can get on with our evening and put all this behind us.”
The lawyer, who had been watching the exchange with quiet scrutiny, steepled his fingers and regarded them both carefully. “Is that true, Miss Melanie?” he asked, “You are celebrating your third anniversary tonight?”
Melanie tilted her head slightly, her smile never faltering, but there was something almost amused in the way she regarded Spencer. “Our anniversary?” she mouthed at him. Then, after a moment, she let out a light chuckle and turned to the lawyer. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding, indeed, Mr. Truman.”
Spencer’s jaw clenched. “Melanie—”
She ignored him. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, her gaze sweeping across the room before settling back on the lawyer. “You see, Mr. Truman, Spencer and I were never truly married.”
The words dropped into the room like a stone in still water.
The elder Sir Collins straightened in his chair, his expression dark as he banged his cane against the floor. “What nonsense is this?”
Spencer, looking visibly shaken now, let out a nervous laugh. “She’s joking,” he said quickly. “Melanie, stop this.”
But Melanie merely crossed one leg over the other and folded her hands neatly in her lap. “Am I?” she mused aloud.
Spencer stood up then, unable to keep his composure any more. He strode over to Melanie and caught her arm, in a tight grip.” Melanie. This is enough. You think this is a game? You have no idea what you’re doing right now.”
He expected her to back off and heed his threat, but instead she caught his hand and slowly pulled his fingers off her. “Let go, Spencer.”
The lawyer also stared at the two people and was about to intervene when Melanie turned to him,” Mr. Truman, you asked for my presence today. What exactly do you need from me?”
The lawyer hesitated, glancing between Spencer—who looked ready to explode—and Melanie, whose calm demeanor had unsettled the entire room. Clearing his throat, he finally spoke.
“It’s about LuxeArt,” he said slowly. “The business was set to be handed over to you today.”
Melanie raised an eyebrow then? “Really? It is not to be given to Spencer?”
The lawyer frowned and shook his head,” No. LuxeArt was gifted to Lady Collins by your grandmother. Lady Collins wanted you to have it, regardless of anything else.”
“LuxeArt is to be given to me? But I thought that was part of my divorce settlement.”
“Divorce?” Attorney Truman repeated slowly, his sharp gaze shifting toward Spencer, scrutinizing him.
Spencer met the lawyer’s stare, and raised his chin defiantly. “The only thing you’ll be getting from the divorce is separation, Melanie,” he said, “When I said I would let you have LuxeArt, I meant that I wouldn’t contest it or demand that it be divided. That’s it.”
He exhaled in irritation then, “According to the prenuptial agreement you have no legal claim to anything that belongs to me. But I, on the other hand, have every right to claim fifty percent of everything you own.”
It didn’t take long for Attorney Truman—who had dealt with all kinds of high-stakes negotiations and human deceptions—to understand what was truly unfolding before him.
He leaned back slightly, lacing his fingers together as he regarded Spencer with a knowing look. “Mr. Spencer Collins,” he began, his voice even yet probing, “are you saying that you and Miss Melanie are moving forward with a divorce?”
Spencer’s expression remained rigid and a muscle ticked in his jaw before he finally gave a curt nod. “Yes,” he admitted, the single word cutting through the room like a blade.
It seemed that Lady Collins, despite her careful efforts to ensure Miss Melanie’s well-being, had ultimately failed in achieving her true goal. Had she been blind to Spencer Collins’ true intentions? Could it be that he had only married Melanie for the sake of securing his inheritance? But he could not have known that. He’d been dating Miss Melanie even before the old lady passed away.
So, Spencer could not have known… unless… he glanced at Sir Collins but looking at the old man who was staring at his own grandson angrily, he rejected the idea that the elderly man would have betrayed his wife’s confidence.
Attorney Truman let out a slow breath, shaking his head. He had warned the old lady against including such rigid terms in her will, had advised her—repeatedly—that it would be wiser to either remove the stipulations altogether or, at the very least, inform Miss Melanie about the conditions she was unknowingly agreeing to. But Lady Collins had been steadfast in her decision, stubbornly choosing secrecy over transparency. And now… this was the result.
The only person to lose out the most in this position was Miss Melanie. Such a shame. He glanced at the woman again. She did look as if she had already accepted her fate.
As silence stretched across the room, Spencer turned toward the lawyer with a hardened expression. “Don’t try to pull anything, Uncle Truman,” he warned, his voice edged with impatience. “The will was clear—crystal clear. It stipulated that Melanie and I had to remain married for three years. And as of today, those three years are officially complete. That means I inherit the entire estate. There was no mention of separation after three years, so I am free to divorce Melanie and be done with her!”
His gaze flickered between the lawyer and then to Adam and Melanie before his lips curled into a smirk. “These two,” he gestured dismissively, his tone laced with finality, “can take their consolation prizes and be done with it. That was the deal from the start, and I intend to see it through.”
And yet, despite everything, Attorney Truman was not prepared to let the matter rest so easily.
“Mr. Spencer, the original purpose of these stipulations was to ensure that Miss Melanie would be properly cared for. Lady Collins wanted to guarantee her security, not leave her vulnerable to manipulation. And so, if your marriage was nothing more than a calculated move to claim your inheritance…it is unquestionably too unethical…”
But Spencer, simply shrugged before sending a gloating smile at the man,” Unethical? Hmm.. perhaps… But still legal, isn’t it?”
There was no remorse in his voice—only the cold certainty of a man who knew the game he was playing. He felt Melanie staring at him then and he simply shrigged, “Sorry, Mel. I could not let this estate slip from my hands. And to be fair, grandma should have simply made a will. Why involve you in something like this? Now, be a doll and let’s get on with the formalities.”
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