Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 496 International Airport.

While Leonard was on a call, not far from him, a car rolled slowly along the circular drive. The window slid down, revealing Johnnie's profile at the wheel.

He glanced at Leonard, who stood by his car on the lower lane, back turned, headset clipped over his ear as he spoke quietly into the phone. Johnnie's own voice was hushed when he spoke, "Father, Mila's left the country. She took Forrest with her. They're headed to Eldermere." A low chuckle slipped out.

Mila had messaged him earlier that day, saying she was calling off that matchmaking arrangement she'd mentioned before. He hadn't pressed for details then, but now everything clicked into place.

Interesting.

Cossio's measured tone reached him through the Bluetooth earpiece. "You know Eldermere well. Arrange for someone you trust to keep an eye on things. See if the Montgomery family stirs. If anything's amiss, this twe'll know." "Understood." Johnnie knew exactly what was worrying his father.

He'd never met Lysander himself, but stories about the man were legendary in the Cosfamily.

It was said that while still a university student, Lysander, accompanied only by Leonard, had brazenly infiltrated the Cosfamily's ancestral estate and clashed violently with Johnnie's father. No one knew the precise details, but the incredible part was that despite being gravely injured, Lysander managed to escape.

Months later, he cback.

That time, the Cosfamily was in the throes of civil war. A rogue faction had risen up, decrying Cossio's ruthless, authoritarian methods. Lysander, operating in the shadows, backed them with money, weapons, and heavy artillery.

The fallout from that brutal uprising was catastrophic. Johnnie's father, Cossio, was declared dangerously unstable and forcibly committed to a psychiatric hospital, locked away under the pretense of severe mental illness.

Two years ago, Cossio's maternal relatives orchestrated a daring rescue, smuggling him out of the asylum. He returned to the family's stronghold and, in a sweeping purge, eradicated those who'd conspired with Lysander. Only then did he truly regain control of the family.

That was why Cosstill dreaded Lysander-even more than a year after the man's alleged death, he refused to act rashly.

Just in case Lysander had left one last trick up his sleeve.

Johnnie could understand his father's caution. Even from the stories whispered within the family, he could piece together a portrait: cunning, ruthless, unpredictable.

But this time, an opportunity had presented itself.

If there truly was a hidden scheme-if Lysander's death a year ago had left any loose threads-Mila's return home, with company, would surely force them into the open.

And if nothing happened- "Father, you'll be here soon enough," Johnnie said with a smile, tapping his fingers-red thread still wound around his wrist-against the steering wheel, clearly in a good mood.

The car rolled out of the airport's loop and into the city.

As he drove away, Leonard seemed to sense the weight of someone's gaze. He slowly turned to look up at the circular drive above him, catching only the bustle of passing cars.

He ended his call.

His eyes were cold, expression set.

England.

After nearly a full day in the air, they finally landed at Eldermere Airport the following afternoon. "Mila, over here!" As Mila and Forrest exited the VIP arrivals lounge, they were greeted by Miranda Wayne, who waved brightly—at least until she caught sight of Forrest at Mila's side. Her hand faltered mid-air, surprise sweeping across her face. "What's he doing here?" While Forrest was stowing the luggage in the trunk, Miranda tugged Mila aside, lowering her voice. "When did he get involved?" "I'll explain later. But you-" Mila shot her friend a pointed look, keeping her own voice low. "What's going on with you and Roland Lockwood? ran into him a few times at the gala while I was home. He kept asking about you. What's the story there?" "You didn't tell him anything, did you?" Miranda's eyes flickered with worry.

"Of course not," Mila replied. She barely knew Roland-her loyalty was to Miranda, no question.

Still, the whole situation was bizarre.

Thinking back, even when they'd first left for England, things had been complicated between Miranda and Roland. Miranda had wanted to help Mila, sure, but she'd also been running away from problems back home. Then, half a year ago, Miranda's parents had summoned her back to England, using her father's illness as an excuse.

Mila had stayed behind to care for her great-aunt, who had just recovered from surgery.

Barely a month later, Miranda returned to England, and that's when Mila heard the bombshell: her staunchly marriage-averse best

friend had gotten married-quickly, quietly, and to none other than Roland Lockwood. Mila had honestly thought it was skind of prank.

Hadn't Miranda sworn to avoid anything to do with the Lockwood family? And she hadn't even mentioned the wedding! Mila had joked that it was payback for her own secret marriage, but in truth, she was stunned.

Later, Miranda filled her in.

Turns out, that month back hhad been wild. The youngest Lockwood son, Ryan, had suddenly son, Ryan, apnounced his intention to marry Giselle Harvey-the Harvey family's golden child. He even set a date and booked a lavish venue. Roland was dead set against it.

To make things even more absurd, Giselle and her family publicly refused the match, saying they saw Ryan as nothing more than a kid brother.

Mila had no idea how heartbroken Ryan was, but she knew one thing: the glitzy wedding went ahead, only with a twist the bride and groom swapped at the last minute. Miranda and Roland took their place at the altar. That was when the Waynes and the Lockwoods formally announced their alliance.

For weeks, the Lockwood brothers' was the talk of high society-everyone speculated, gossiped, dissected every detail. Strangely, the Lockwoods didn't even bother to clear up the rumors.

If that were all, Mila might have just been shocked and moved on. After all, it was Miranda's choice.