Divorce Failed! My Wife's Secret Identities Shock the World novel Chapter 1128

"You might not fully understand my family's dynamic," Claudia explained smoothly. "When my parents arranged this marriage, they didn't realize my younger brother would turn out to be a completely useless heir."

She took a sip of her coffee. "Oh, you didn't know about him? He's seven years younger than me, groomed from birth to take over the Beaumont empire.

"Unfortunately, while God gave him a platinum pedigree, He forgot to give him a brain. The kid has made more catastrophic, idiotic mistakes than he's had hot meals.

"Thankfully, my parents aren't entirely blind. They haven't pushed me out of the inner circle just because I'm a woman.

"With everything exploding at the Grover estate lately, my parents realize it's a sinking ship. If we stay tethered to them, they'll drag the Beaumont family down too.

"They gave me their blessing to divorce. The only condition is that my next husband has to join our family, and any children I have will take the Beaumont name."

Maeve couldn't help but admire Claudia's absolute pragmatism. She was a breath of fresh air compared to the love-struck fools who usually populated high society.

Studying Claudia's features closely, Maeve noticed something shifting in her aura.

It made sense now why a woman destined for immense wealth had endured such a humiliating marriage—her romantic fate was fraught with tragedy.

Catching Maeve's intense scrutiny, Claudia frowned slightly. "Is something wrong?"

"What's today's date on the lunar calendar?" Maeve asked abruptly.

Confused but cooperative, Claudia checked her digital calendar. "April 1st."

Maeve smiled. She had almost forgotten her monthly task for her esoteric sect.

"Do you believe in fate?"

Claudia paused. "Yes and no. Why?"

Maeve held up five fingers. "For a hundred bucks, I'll read your fortune."

Claudia let out a surprised laugh. "You're a psychic now?"

"Just tell me if you want it or not," Maeve challenged.

A hundred dollars was barely the cost of Claudia's afternoon tea. Besides, she genuinely wanted to build a friendship with Maeve. She pulled a crisp bill from her desk drawer and slid it across the table.

"Let's just say he's been deep undercover, risking his life doing highly dangerous anti-drug work," Maeve said softly.

Tears finally broke free, cascading down Claudia's meticulously made-up face.

He wasn't dead. He was alive. It was the greatest gift the universe could have possibly given her.

The man who had carved himself into her soul had left her three years ago with only two words: *"Wait for me."*

She had waited.

But the last time she heard anything about him, his contacts had solemnly told her he was gone.

From the day they met to the day he vanished, Claudia hadn't even known what he truly did for a living. All she had to hold onto was the blinding, beautiful smile he gave her every time he looked at her.

If her heart hadn't been utterly shattered by his supposed death, she never would have numbly agreed to the arranged marriage with Barton.

But it wasn't over. Her One That Got Away was still out there.