Chapter 3 Julian, Let's Get a Divorce

As soon as the auction wrapped up, Cecilia was ready to bounce. Julian's show was next, and there was no reason for her, the pretend Mrs. Russell, to stick around.

"Mrs. Russell, heading out?" a media guy with a camera called out.

Cecilia waved him off. "Yep, you guys enjoy."

Julian, chatting with a client, noticed Cecilia making her exit and quickly shot a message to his secretary, Owen Thompson.

Moments later, Owen was in front of Cecilia, looking flustered. "Mr. Russell would like you to rejoin him, Mrs. Russell," Owen stammered. "The press will be taking photos soon."

"Tell him I'm busy," Cecilia replied, ice-cold.

Owen looked lost, not sure what to do next.

"Cecilia, don't bid on stuff you don't know about, like wine," Julian's voice cut in from behind, clearly annoyed. "What's got you all riled up now?"

Owen sighed in relief seeing Julian.

Tamsin, standing next to Julian, added, "Cecilia, I get you're in a mood, but now's not the time to be sulking."

Cecilia couldn't help but laugh. In a bad mood? She was actually feeling great! She was about to say something when Kian strolled over and cut her off, "A hundred million bucks is nothing to Ms. Medici. How could that ruin her mood?"

At this event, Kian was mainly interested in Julian, Cecilia, and Tamsin. Seeing Julian heading for the exit with Tamsin, he dragged Alaric along to follow.

"Fine wine and a beautiful woman – that's the life," Alaric drawled, hands in his pockets, gaze fixed on Cecilia. "A hundred million is just a drop in the bucket."

Tamsin realized her gaffe. Everyone here was a big shot, and Cecilia was the Medici family heir. A hundred million was chump change to her! Tamsin was the only one who didn't fit in with these high rollers.

Kian suddenly smacked his forehead and grinned at Tamsin, "They say Mr. Russell just got married, so you must be Mrs. Russell, right?"

"No, I'm not," Tamsin stammered, her face turning red.

Cecilia crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the drama, but she couldn't stay out of it completely.

Julian glanced at Cecilia, pulled her close, and intertwined their fingers. "You got it wrong. Cecilia is my wife."

Though Julian was talking to Kian, his eyes were locked on Alaric, full of hostility.

From the moment Alaric and Cecilia came off the balcony together, Julian had a beef with Alaric. Whether he loved Cecilia or not was beside the point; he couldn't stand someone eyeing his wife.

Kian looked at their linked hands, then at Alaric, trying to smooth things over. "My bad, I thought she was Mrs. Russell because she was always with Mr. Russell."

Kian continued, "If she's not Mrs. Russell, then she's Mr. Russell's wine consultant? She was pretty impressive at the auction."

Cecilia chuckled, while Tamsin's face went pale, looking helplessly at Julian.

Julian said, "Owen, take Tamsin to the lounge."

"Yes, Mr. Russell."

Cecilia tugged at her hand, trying to free it from Julian's grip, but he held firm.

Julian shot Kian a cold look. "I need to talk to Cecilia. Excuse us."

Kian shrugged. "No problem, you two have a good chat."

Julian pulled Cecilia to a quiet corner and, after making sure no one was around, spoke. "Is this fun for you?"

Cecilia didn't answer. "Let go of my hand."

Julian frowned. Back in the day, just being near him would make Cecilia happy for days. Now, she didn't even want to hold his hand?

"Remember your place," he said coldly, letting go of her hand. "In public, you're still my wife. Don't go flirting with other guys and making a fool of yourself."

"Julian, you've got some nerve. You brought Tamsin here and then have the audacity to talk about my dignity?" Cecilia sneered.

"I thought you wouldn't want to come," Julian mumbled, sounding weak and unconvincing.

He didn't care about Cecilia's feelings; he just wanted her to get that he didn't love her and to stop bothering him.

"Whatever. You don't like me, and I don't want people gossiping behind my back. Let's get a divorce," Cecilia said, ice-cold.

Julian was stunned. "What are you talking about? Are you nuts?"

Their marriage was a business deal, tied to interests. How could they just get a divorce?

Cecilia knew what he was thinking. With the Medici family backing her, Julian couldn't easily mess with her.

But once the Medici family fell, she'd be a useless pawn, discarded anytime.

In her past life, she had died alone, and Julian hadn't even cared. But this time, she wouldn't make the same mistake.

Cecilia spoke clearly and calmly, "Julian, let's get a divorce."

Julian, of course, disagreed.

Cecilia was done. Ignoring Julian and the upcoming media interview, she turned and walked away without looking back.

The next day.

News of Cecilia winning the Macallan 1926 at the auction for a record-breaking hundred million dollars was all over the place, along with sweet photos of Julian and Tamsin. The comments were buzzing.

Cecilia scrolled through the articles briefly, then lost interest.

She was about to withdraw some money but found that a big chunk of her funds had been frozen.

She remembered how she had gone crazy to marry Julian, having a huge fight with her dad, Victor Medici, and her mom, Ursa Powell.

Even though she eventually married Julian, her parents were still pissed.

Cecilia felt pretty frustrated, and suddenly a face popped into her mind. "Alaric!"

In their specific circle, finding someone was a piece of cake.

Without hesitation, Cecilia immediately contacted Alaric, inviting him out for a drink.

In a high-end bar, smooth jazz filled the air, mixing with the aroma of alcohol.

"These are the Obsidian and Golden Fantasy cocktails Ms. Medici ordered for you. Enjoy," the bartender said, placing the drinks in front of Alaric and Kian.

Cecilia wasn't fazed by Kian's presence. She just smiled politely at them and got straight to the point. "Mr. Percy, lend me a hundred million dollars."

Kian choked and coughed. "What? Ms. Medici?"

The sole heir to the Medici family's billions, Cecilia, was asking them for money?

Cecilia took a sip of her drink and smiled slyly, "A hundred million dollars is nothing to you, right?"

Kian was shocked and speechless at her audacity. Alaric took a sip of his drink, "It tastes good." Then he looked at Cecilia. "Give me a reason."

Cecilia smiled, "As far as I know, Mr. Percy's businesses have always operated abroad, but in the past three years, they've gradually moved to Skyview City." She paused, gently swirling her glass, then continued, "Mr. Percy, do you want to legitimize those black-market businesses?"

Kian paused for a moment and glanced at Alaric.

Cecilia had really caught on to them. But how did she know so much?