Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 202: Chapter 202

It was as if someone had pressed a mute button—air thickened, tension frozen, silence so heavy it was suffocating.
Both Aria and Owen turned to look at Fryderyk, an unspoken question lingering in their eyes.
The quieter it got, the more ominous it felt.
Fryderyk cleared his throat and covered his mouth with a fist, struggling for composure.
"They probably already know who I am. I shouldn't show up. Owen's identity is under the radar, less likely to be compromised," he reasoned, the logic flawless. "If you two pretended to be a couple, they'd never buy it.
"But a secret affair? That's believable, especially since you live across the hall. Besides, it'll be more convincing if Owen acts like the one being kept." He just couldn't picture Aria in a real relationship; the 'lover' smokescreen seemed perfect.
Aria, however, found it unnecessary. "You're overthinking this. As long as you block their escape routes, it'll be fine."
Fryderyk's face turned serious. "I'm a police officer. The safety of the people is my first priority."
No matter how skilled she was, it was still his job to protect her.
Owen turned to Aria and said, "I'm going with you. We'll play it by ear."
There was no room for negotiation—Fryderyk wasn't backing down.
Aria thought it over and gave in. "Fine."
The next day, at the hospital, Daniel held the paternity results in trembling hands, eyes shining with excitement. "Orlando, you really are my grandson. You're just a few months younger than Liam, so you'll be the second in line. I'll have you and your mother move back into the Cole family home."
Orlando glanced at the papers, his face unreadable. "Daniel, I'm twenty-seven, not a child. I don't need the Cole family's protection. I only came back to Huthailia for the test because I wanted to know who my biological father was.
"Now that he's gone, that's enough. I'll take my mother to Masmubia. We won't be coming back to the Cole family."
He was utterly detached, not even a flicker of interest for the Cole Group in his eyes.
Daniel had done his homework—Orlando really was as accomplished as Azalea claimed.
The kid had always been brilliant, earning his own tuition and living expenses, building a company from scratch.
Small as it was, he'd already carved out a place for himself in the market with sheer talent and business acumen.
With time, he could rival the Cole Group.
If Orlando were a stranger, Daniel would keep his guard up.
But this was his flesh and blood, and right now, the Cole Group desperately needed a savior.
"Orlando, you carry the Cole bloodline. I can't let you fend for yourself out there. If you come back, you'll have a seat at the table—same as Liam. I'll let you compete for the inheritance. Whatever Liam gets, you'll get, too."
But Orlando just said, "I have my own company."
Daniel's expression tightened. "That little company of yours can't compare to the Cole Group." He sighed, switching tactics.
"You may not care about yourself, but what about your mother? What if she can't adapt to living abroad? You're really planning to spend your whole life in Masmubia?"
Orlando's cold resolve flickered.
Daniel seized the opening. "No need to decide now. Just think about it."
As he turned, a fleeting glint of mockery flashed through Orlando's eyes.