Hildegarde couldn't understand it. How could a man who spent his days puttering around the kitchen, hovering over his daughter, and orbiting her life possibly have such keen financial instincts?
How had he quietly become the Pruitt Group's second-largest shareholder, right after her, without anyone noticing?
She had forgotten that before their marriage, the man standing before her had been hailed by countless people as a prodigy—someone who could "perceive the seed before it sprouted and see the future before it arrived."
"Daddy's bullying Mommy! Daddy's a bad guy!"
Hilary came running in like a gust of wind, bracing herself with her small hands as she charged forward.
She rammed her head hard against Wilfred's thigh.
Her little cheeks puffed out like a balloon.
"Daddy, can't you be more considerate? Mommy works so hard, and you don't do anything at all. Now you want to take Mommy's money? That's wrong!"
"Daddy is a bad guy. I don't want you as my daddy anymore!"
"Get out of my house!"
His eldest daughter's childish voice struck Wilfred like a hammer blow to the chest.
Every breath burned.
But he said nothing. He gently moved Hilary aside and reached out to touch the head of this daughter he had once adored beyond measure.
"Daddy isn't bullying Mommy. Daddy just wants to take what belongs to him."
"Wilfred, sure, you own fifteen percent of Pruitt Group shares. But investing behind Hildegarde's back? As spouses, hiding personal assets—that's on you!"
Patrick stepped up behind Hildegarde, one arm wrapping brazenly around her waist.
Hildegarde's brows drew together slightly, but she didn't push him away.
"Besides, even if those shares are in your name, you bought them after the wedding. That makes them marital property. You can't just walk off with them. Right, Hildegarde?"
Hildegarde remained silent, but her raised chin and arched eyebrows made it clear she agreed.
"Wilfred, with that many shares, that much money—do you really think you can handle it?"
Wilfred's gaze swept across the three people before him.
Looking at them now, they seemed more like a real family than he ever had.
How harmonious.
"Hildegarde..."
For the first time, he called her by her full name.
"Those fifteen percent are mine. Whether I can handle them or not isn't your concern."
"And I want those shares only to secure Penelope's future."
That was the truth. Wilfred had never intended to spend this money.
The fifteen percent was for Penelope.
A daughter deserved to be raised in comfort.
He refused to let anyone say that after coming to live with him, Penelope had gone from an heiress to a fallen phoenix.
Hildegarde's face turned to ice, her eyes filled with contempt. "How noble that sounds. You think I believe you? You invested in my company's stock behind my back. If I dig deep enough, I could easily argue that you stole insider information and manipulated Pruitt Group's stock price."
"You won't walk away with a single cent of that fifteen percent."
"Yeah! Not a single cent!" Hilary crossed her arms, her little lips jutting out in a pout.
After saying this, Hildegarde lifted her chin again, brows raised, wearing that signature look of cold control. "Wilfred, stop throwing tantrums."
"I don't want to—and I don't have time to—indulge your theatrics."
"If you're upset, take some time off. Use my supplementary card, go on vacation for a few days. Come back when you've calmed down."
Hildegarde felt she had given Wilfred more than enough of a way out.
If he had any sense, he would take the lifeline.
"Hildegarde, I'm sorry. I don't love you anymore."
Wilfred shook his head slowly.
He had loved this woman for five years. He had given up everything for her.
Revolving around her, around the children, around this family.
And what had it gotten him?
The moment her first love returned from abroad, she had cast him aside like a worn-out shoe.
He was done.
"Hildegarde, let's get divorced."
"You—"
Her breathing grew ragged. Her porcelain skin flushed red.
"Wilfred, do you actually think I can't live without you? That my life depends on you?"
"If you insist on going down this road, then fine—I'll grant your wish!"
"Just don't come crying to me later!"
Scratch, scratch, scratch...
Snatching up a pen, Hildegarde furiously scrawled her signature across the divorce agreement.
Crack!
She hurled the ballpoint pen at Wilfred's feet. It shattered on impact.
"Wilfred, I hope you don't regret this."
"I'd love to see how you survive without me."
Patrick watched the signed divorce papers, barely concealing his glee, though his voice dripped with mock sympathy. "Ah, Wilfred, I hate to say it, but you really are being unreasonable."
"Someone like you—marrying Hildegarde in this lifetime? That was karma from a past life."
"If it were me, getting to be with Hildegarde? I'd be laughing in my sleep."
Wilfred looked up at Patrick.
"Then you got your wish. I hope you two are happy together."
He had no interest in wasting words on a man like Patrick.
Crouching down, he took Hilary's small hand. "Hilary, Daddy's leaving now. If someday you miss me, tell Penelope. Daddy will come see you."
"Save your crocodile tears!"
Hildegarde scooped up Hilary, her face hard. "Hilary is my daughter. Don't pretend to be the good guy here. Without you, I'll make sure she's happier than ever."
"She'll never think of you!"
"And Penelope—if you miss Mommy, you can come home anytime."
"That's right, I won't miss Daddy. I have Patrick-Daddy, and that's enough." Hilary pouted in agreement.
"Daddy..."
Just then, Penelope's voice rang out. Her small face was already streaked with tears. "Daddy, let's go. I don't want to watch them bully you anymore!"
"Mommy!"
In that moment, the little face was filled with determination. "Mommy, Daddy will take good care of me. Mommy, you have stomach problems. Without Daddy here, remember to take your medicine when it hurts..."
"You always sleep in and need Daddy to squeeze toothpaste for you. After Daddy's gone, you'll have to learn to do it yourself."
"And Daddy says you shouldn't eat cold food. So eat less of it from now on."
When she finished, Penelope took Wilfred's hand. "Daddy, let's go."
"Okay."
Penelope's maturity was heartbreaking. Wilfred nodded slightly, lifted her into his arms, and held her small body tight.
Walking out through the Pruitt family's front gate, he paused at the threshold. Without looking back, he said, "Next week. Family Court."
"Don't miss this appointment."
