The Billionaire Who Stole My Heart

Leila shot up from her seat, her eyes flashing with hurt and disbelief. “Yuri, are you trying to dump me?”

“We’re only together in name, Leila. How can I dump what we never truly had?” Yuri’s face was a mask of stone.

Leila’s heart was pounding in her chest, but she refused to show it. Marrying into the Lynette family had catapulted her own family to new heights of social standing, and she had enjoyed the perks of being Mrs. Lynette, basking in the limelight.

Now, divorce? How could she possibly face the world then? “I’m not signing any papers.”

Yuri’s brow furrowed, ready to argue, but Knox put an end to the brewing storm. “Enough,” he said firmly, unable to sit idle. “We should be celebrating the return of the child, not talking about divorce.”

At his age, such squabbles were beneath him, and he knew the Lynette family’s reputation was at stake.

Yuri knew Knox would never consent to a divorce, a shadow of frustration passing fleetingly across his face. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Pretending not to notice Yuri’s mood, Knox cleared his throat and beckoned to Brittany. “Child, come here, let me have a look at you.”

Brittany had witnessed quite a drama unfold. She approached the elder and respectfully addressed him as ‘Mr. Lynette.’

Knox felt a tinge of disappointment. She had just returned; it was unrealistic to expect her to slip seamlessly into her new identity.

After a few pleasantries to break the ice, dinner commenced.

Yuri pulled Brittany to sit beside him, and throughout the meal, his attention never wavered from her.

Brittany, who loved her food spicy, was faced with the Lynette family’s preference for milder flavors.

Yuri, noticing this, instructed the kitchen to whip up some of Brittany’s favorite dishes. If there had been fewer eyes upon them, he might have fed her himself.

Feeling the wave of care from Yuri, Brittany’s demeanor softened considerably.

“Mr. Lynette, thank you,” she said, genuine gratitude in her voice.

Yuri couldn’t hide the satisfaction he felt.

Leila watched the tender scene unfold, her meal turning to ash in her mouth, yet she dared not show her discontent.

Alistair, sizing up Brittany, began to make plans. “Brother, your daughter’s a real beauty. Got herself a boyfriend yet?”

“Yeah, Yuri, Craneville’s got plenty of decent lags. If she’s still unattached, maybe it’s time to start planning for a wedding,” another relative chimed in.

Brittany was about to reveal her marital status but was cut off.

“My daughter’s future is none of your concern,” Yuri interjected, his voice laced with a subtle warning.

Knox, picking up on the undertone, sighed, knowing better than to continue the conversation.

Alistair, chided in front of everyone, went pale. “Brother, I was just asking. It’s not like I’m arranging a blind date for her.”

“Then spare your words for your work reports. What have you been presenting, anyway?” Yuri’s sneer was cold and sharp. “If you can’t deliver, get out of the company and stop wasting resources that could be put to better use!”

Humiliated, Alistair could only mumble an acknowledgment. He had lived in Yuri’s shadow for years and was all too accustomed to it.

Holden, grateful to Brittany for her previous actions, poured her a cup of coffee. “Ms. Dustin, I’m a few years older than you; if you don’t mind, you can call me ‘brother’.”

Brittany offered a polite smile. “Thank you, Mr. Lynette.”

Always one to keep to herself and not fully at ease with the Lynette family, she wasn’t about to open up completely.

Holden returned her smile with a silent one of his own.

Dinner over, Knox left early, followed by Alistair and his family.

Brittany, wanting to spend time with Daniel, excused herself to her room.

Once she had gone, Leila could no longer contain herself. “Yuri, is this talk of divorce because someone’s been whispering in your ear?”

“I’ve wanted to divorce for years,” Yuri replied, his displeasure at her insinuation clear. “I’ve been trapped in this marriage against my will. Name your price, Leila. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”

With those words, Yuri strode away, leaving Lella, Holden, and Saskia in stunned silence.

Leila’s composure shattered, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed.

Quickly, Saskia moved to comfort her mother. Mom, please don’t cry. Dad’s just