Even at that point, Carlisle thought Katrina's divorce request was just a tantrum to drive Shirley out of the picture.

Katrina couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. She picked up the divorce agreement from the table and handed it to him.

"I've already had the divorce agreement drafted. If everything looks fine, just sign it. I'm done being Mrs. Zachman," she said.

Carlisle snatched the papers out of her hand, flipping through them quickly. When he saw her signature already neatly penned at the bottom, a surge of rage erupted inside him.

In one swift motion, he tore the papers into shreds and tossed them into the trash. His eyes burned with fury, though deep down, the anger barely masked his growing panic.

"You've certainly prepared well this time that you even brought props," he spat, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "But do you really think I'm going to fall for this?

"You've been living too comfortably, haven't you? Is that why you're so determined to stir up trouble? I've given you more than enough respect, so what more do you want? Do you think humiliating me in public will make you feel better?"

His voice grew colder, sharper. "Don't forget. Hayworth Corporation still needs funding from Zachman Group. If you dare use divorce to threaten me again, I'll pull the funding immediately and blacklist Hayworth Corporation from the market!"

The mention of going after Hayworth Corporation made Katrina's composure falter for just a moment. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, her nails digging into her palms.

"Carlisle," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her chest. "I'm not joking. I've had enough of this life. I've endured it for years-watching you flirt with that woman under our own roof. I can't take it anymore.

Her voice grew firmer, a mix of hurt and anger bubbling to the surface. "Do you have any idea how people out there have mocked me all these years? Even the household staff don't respect me because of you. Your indulgence of her has emboldened everyone else to follow suit.

"And you call this a good life? What if I brought another man home and flaunted him in front of you? How would you feel, then? Would you like me to tell you to be gracious about it?"

"Don't you dare!" Carlisle roared, his face darkening as fury consumed him.

Katrina let out a soft, hollow laugh, her eyes filled with scorn. "Look at you-you can't even handle the

thought of it. So what gives you the right to demand my patience and understanding?"

Her words struck a nerve, and for the first time, Carlisle's anger wavered. His tone softened slightly, though the frustration in his voice remained.noveldrama

"Fine. Maybe I didn't consider your feelings enough," he said as if offering a compromise. "But go ask anyone men with power and

influence like me-how many or net

them don't have someone else on

the side? Even if it's just casual, it's a reality. But you... I've only ever had you. Isn't that enough?

"And as for Shirley, I've explained this over and over. It's not what you think. I just feel sorry for her and Ivy. Why can't you believe me?"

Carlisle ran a hand through his hair,

his frustration palpable. He hadn't expected things to escalate this far For four years, they had managed to coexist peacefully, more or less Why was everything falling apart now?

Though he wouldn't admit it to himself, the truth was that he had allowed this situation to spiral out of control. He'd underestimated Katrina.

Katrina studied his face and could see the thoughts swirling in his mind. His arrogance, his assumptions, and his self-righteousness-they were written all over him.

"It doesn't matter anymore," she said coldly. "You don't need to explain anything. We're getting divorced. After that, you can do whatever you want with Shirley or anyone else. I won't care."

Carlisle stepped forward and

gripped her shoulders, his eyes flashing with desperation. "You're acting like this because of Clara and Wren, right? You're upset about them

You wanted Clara to marry into this family, but I've told you before-they're not right for each other."

He continued with a voice mixed with frustration and defensiveness, "And besides, Wren chose Ivy on his own. I didn't force him. You can't expect me to make him marry someone he doesn't even like."

Katrina stared at him, her gaze steady and piercing. She didn't bother to correct him, though she could have. Instead, she brushed his hands off her shoulders, her voice flat.

"This has nothing to do with Clara or Wren. I'm divorcing you because I don't want you anymore. Do you understand that?"

Carlisle took a step back, stunned. For a moment, he looked lost, as if the reality of her words had finally sunk in.

Her eyes, once filled with love and longing for him, were now cold and indifferent. It hit him like a blow to the chest.

For the first time, Carlisle realized that Katrina wasn't bluffing about the divorce.