Chapter 52
Chapter 52
Chapter 52 Remarriage Is Out of the
“Hint?”
Shirley was confused.
She thought, I gave Howard the black pearl, purely because I hoped it could bless him. I wanted him to
be healthy and safe. What was I hinting at? I had no idea.
“In some places, people send others pearls when others are having a baby as a gift.”
Howard’s expression became even more serious. He sternly asked Braden, who was kneeling on the
ground, “You brat! Tell me, is it true what’s being said out there? Did you really make another woman
pregnant behind Shirley’s back?”
Hearing Howard’s words, Braden didn’t feel the need to hide it from him anymore. Although he was
kneeling on the ground, his back was straight, and he said in a cold and firm voice, “Now that you
already know, I don’t have much to say. The baby is indeed the blood of the Stewart family, and the
baby needs a decent identity as well as a qualified father
“You!”
Howard covered his chest and almost couldn’t breathe. He slammed his walking stick down on
Braden’s back. “You are so stupid!
“The baby wants status and dignity? What about Shirley? Have you thought about Shirley? She is your
legal wife. For so many years, she has dedicated herself to you, me, and everyone in the Stewart
family. She has done her best!
“You are the closest one to her now. Yet you don’t care for her or love her Quite the contrary, you hurt
her by doing such despicable things!”
The more Howard spoke, the angrier he became. He said, “I don’t care. Take that shameless woman to
the hospital right now and get rid of that damn bastard!
“Only you and Shirley’s kids are qualified to become a part of the Stewart family. I, Howard Stewart, will
not recognize others‘ babies whatsoever!”
Braden lowered his head and said coldly, “Sorry, Howard, but that’s not going to happen.”
Braden’s words completely angered Howard.
“Good! Great! Brat, you have guts, right? You dare to disobey me because of some lousy woman.
Alright then. Don’t blame me for teaching you a lesson by family rules.”
After Howard finished speaking, he opened the bookshelf and took out a long whip. In the next second,
he swung it towards Braden.
“It used to be by my side in countless battles, and I have never used it again in so many years. I’ll end
your life with it today, or I will be too ashamed to face Jason after I die!”
Howard was born as a soldier Therefore, he wielded each whip with great force, bringing piercing
pain.
The severe pain was spreading from Braden’s back.
However, he pursed his lips and didn’t make a sound. He didn’t even frown.
He thought, if Howard’s anger can be relieved in such a way, then I am all for it.
Shirley stood aside and didn’t want to interfere in the first place.
After all, Braden was a man who was almost six foot three tall, so being whipped a few times shouldn’t
be a big deal for him. He wouldn’t die.
However, to her surprise, Howard whipped Braden ruthlessly.
After a few whips, Braden’s shirt was torn open, and blood oozed out.
Yet even so, Braden did not beg for mercy at all. He protected Amelie and their baby by risking his
life.
His deep affection for Amelie only made Shirley more of a pathetic, redundant ex–wife.
Outside the study room, Aspen Hampden, the housekeeper, was so anxious that she was sweating.
She mustered up her courage to persuade Howard, “Mr Stewart, please stop it. You might kill him
otherwise!
“Mr. Charles is already gone. If something happens to Mr. Braden, the Stewart family will be
doomed!”
Howard was not soft–hearted. He even exerted more strength while whipping. “So what? I want no
heartlessness to exist in our family’s genes. The Stewart family might as well be gone!”
After a while, he asked Braden, “What’s your answer now? Are you aware of your mistake now? Are
you going to take that woman to get rid of that bastard of yours?”
Braden answered in silence.
He was in too much pain. Therefore, his face was pale, and his forehead was full of cold sweat.
Howard was so furious that he was about to whip Braden again. Seeing that, Shirley stood in front of
Braden while facing the whip. “Howard, please stop it. He did nothing wrong. I don’t blame him.”
“Shirley, what are you doing? Get out of the way!”
Howard withdrew the whip quickly, but it was too late. His whip landed on Shirley’s arm, leaving a
bloody stain, and it hurt severely.
Seeing that, Braden grabbed her wounded arm and examined it. The startling blood mark made him
frown deeply, and he said coldly, “Who gave you the permission to meddle?”
Howard was about to say that Braden still had some conscience left when he saw a piece of paper fall
from Shirley’s coat pocket.
The chaotic scene suddenly froze.
Everyone present stared at the piece of paper without blinking.
Shirley thought, damn!
She quickly crouched down, wanting to hide the paper
Yet it was too late. The words “divorce certificate” were clearly printed on the paper
Although there was no sound, she felt that she was hearing the sound coming from a high–pitched
loudspeaker, announcing that Braden and she had divorced.
“You. You two…”
Howard clutched his chest, looking painful.
“Howard!”
Braden and Shirley ran over to support Howard at the same time.
Howard fiercely shook off Braden’s hand and said coldly, “Don’t call me that. That’s too much for me.
You’ve grown up and become a big man now, and I am nothing to you. How dare you Shirley behind
my back? Your mind is set to piss me off, right?
“Alright then. I might as well fulfill your wish today…”
divorce
Suddenly, Howard opened the drawer and took out a loaded pistol. He said sadly, “Jason gave it to me.
He saved my life back then. And now, I’m too ashamed to live. I might as well go and confess to
him!”
In the next second, he aimed the gun at his head and was about to pull the trigger.
“Howard, don’t!”
Shirley and Aspen were so frightened that their faces turned pale, and they didn’t dare to move at
all.
Braden, on the other hand, was much calmer He said expressionlessly, “Grandpa, stop messing
around. I made a mistake, and you may punish me however you want, but don’t joke with your life It
works for Grandma. Yet it only makes you very childish.”
When Braden was young, he lived with his grandparents and was close to them. Therefore, no one
knew better about their personalities and tricks than Braden did. He knew what Howard was planning
on without thinking
“Joke with my life?”
Howard said seriously with a stern face word by word, “You have three days. First, get rid of that
bastard Second, marry Shirley again.
“If you fail to do either of these three days later, you will know whether I am joking or not!”
Howard was indeed not joking
Soldiers valued promises the most, not to mention it was a promise he made to Jason, who was like a
brother to him
Four years ago, Howard promised Jason that the Stewart family would be responsible for Shirley, and
Braden would take care of Shirley for his entire life
Yet now, Howard broke his promise and made Shirley suffer so much. He found it right to use his death
as his apology
“I don’t agree!”
Before Braden opened his mouth, Shirley said in a clear voice, “I asked for the divorce, so remarriage
is out of the question.”
“Silly girl. Why are you still taking his side after everything he has done?”
Howard was distressed. “I know you better than anyone else. You love him so much. How could it be
you who asked for it? I’m sure it is him who has been bewitched by that nasty woman and forced you.
to divorce. Don’t be afraid. I got your back!”
“Howard, I hate to tell you this, but… Though Braden and I were legally married, we didn’t love each
other. We divorced to pursue our happiness.”
Shirley clenched her fingers in silence, trying to look rational and calm. Then she continued, “Both of us
have our own crush now. Forcing us to be together against our wills will only harm us. Howard, please”
“What ”
Howard did not expect that Shirley was the one who proposed the divorce.
In Howard’s memories, Shirley loved Braden utterly Howard couldn’t believe that she behaved like Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
an entirely different person so quickly It simply didn’t make sense.
Yet Shirley had already made it very clear, and Howard couldn’t say anything more
“Fine Forget it. The brat has been cold and indifferent since he was a kid, and he knows nothing but
work. And now he even dares to cheat on you! I don’t think he can make you happy. You might as well
leave him
“But no matter what happens, you will always be my granddaughter–in–law. Come and visit me if you
have time, and tell me if you need any help!”
Howard held Shirley’s hand, looking kind. Then when he looked at Braden, he immediately pulled a
long face. “You, kneel in the Reflection Room for three days and nights and reflect on your mistakes!”
“Yes, Grandpa I admit my mistakes.”
Braden lowered his head and was willing to be punished.
Yet for some reason, he was suddenly in a bad mood.