Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 232: Chapter 232

Russell flicked his lighter, a blue flame dancing as smoke curled upward, veiling his expression.
"Get me a high-res version," he said quietly.
"On it." Orlando sent off a message, and in a few minutes, got a reply: [The sketch is destroyed. He's giving up the search.]
Orlando handed the phone over. Russell scrolled through the messages, then tossed it back. "Keep looking."
"Russell, if you really want to get to her, it's not hard. She adopted a girl at Larkridge High. Snatch the girl and Aria will come running. Kill them both and it's over."
Russell's hand stilled on the lighter, his gaze icy as it swept across the table. "That's too easy a death for her. Keep digging—every detail. And don't let up on the Solemnity Guild."
He'd always known the Guild wanted to use him to take out Aria, probably because she had their secrets.
But Russell didn't trust them—not completely.
Orlando nodded and stood. "Alright. That old man's got me running the Cole Group now, so I won't be coming by the club as much."
Daniel was paranoid—he'd ordered not one but three paternity tests.
Once by stealth in the manor, and once by having Orlando's finger pricked for blood.
Only after two separate confirmations did he allow Orlando into the company.
Now, Russell was planning to break away from the old organization and build his own empire in Huthailia.
Swallowing the Cole Group was the quickest way, and he'd have to grit his teeth and do it.
As Orlando left, Russell's phone lit up with an international call.
He stepped to the window, answering as a woman's gentle voice filled his ear, "Russell, are you settled in Huthailia yet?"
"Yeah," he replied.
"I miss you so much, but Father won't let me visit."
"There's nothing for you here. You'd only get hurt."
"But I'm miserable without you."
"You'll get used to it," Russell's tone was soft, but his lips curled in a cold, thin line.
Back at the art competition, the judging reached its climax.
The host stood on stage, reading out the names of those who'd made the finals.
Each was called up in turn—including Collin and Katrina.
To ensure fairness, the committee swapped out judges at each stage and kept every painting anonymous; only after the finals could artists reveal their identities.
The big screen displayed all twenty finalist works. At the judges' table, Johan pointed at one. "Who's number ten?"
They called out the names in order, and Collin found himself standing at the center spot.
He stepped forward. "Good afternoon, judges. I'm Collin Gibson. Number ten is my work."
Johan recognized Collin's painting and called on him deliberately. "Collin, do you have a master yet?"
Collin shook his head. "No, Johan."
Johan smiled, "Ever considered apprenticing with me?"
He'd made his intentions clear before—Collin knew Johan wanted to take him as a student.
Before Mono arrived, Johan would've been his first choice, but once Collin heard Mono was a judge, he changed his mind.
To be Mono's apprentice was worth more than anything.
Hannah had told him to speak up at the finals. If he asked, Mono would surely take him.
Collin turned to Johan and bowed respectfully, "I'm honored by your invitation and grateful you recognize my talent. But ever since I was a child, I've admired Mono's work."
He looked straight at Mono and bowed again, his voice steady, "Mono, I want to fight for this opportunity. I wish to become your apprentice."
Aria had just sat down in the audience as she caught those words, one eyebrow arching in amusement.
'Looks like someone's fallen for Mono, too,' she thought.