Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 51: Chapter 51

No one in the room was fooled by Tavion's dramatic injury; it was clear his leg wasn't actually broken.
Of course, that's why Aria had been so quick to agree earlier.
Nathan realized this only too late, his face flushing red with embarrassment.
Micah released his grip, his voice calm but firm. "Mr. Nathan, just watch. Please don't interrupt Ms. Saxon."
Nathan wanted to argue, but words failed him. He stood there in silence, forced to watch as a spectator.
Tavion glared at the scene, his anger bubbling over. "Why should I have my leg amputated?"
Maelis, still basking in the excitement of the ten-million-dollar offer, didn't share her son's outrage. Her tone was much gentler, "Isn't amputation a bit too extreme?"
Aria's gaze sharpened as she met Maelis's eyes, a cool smile curling at the corners of her lips. "Didn't you say the injury was severe?" Her voice carried the faintest edge of a challenge.
Maelis faltered, her words stuck in her throat.
Thorne, ever the businessman and accustomed to these situations, stepped in with an air of authority. "Ms. Saxon, let's both take a step back. We'll settle for six million instead."
His eyes glinted with subtle calculation. "You know as well as I do that your family's business is closely intertwined with powerful circles. The last thing you want is any kind of scandal or negative press. It could damage everything you've worked for."
Gone was the loud, aggressive tone from earlier. Thorne now spoke with a calm, measured voice, but there was an unmistakable threat lurking beneath his words.
He was a man who knew exactly when to shift his tactics.
He thought, 'This little girl is no ordinary person. I'm sure she has secured a place for herself in her family's business.'
No one wanted to get associated with any negative points. As long as there was even the slightest potential risk, it was easy to lose support.
Thorne, convinced he had struck the right note, let his chest puff out slightly. He was proud of his calculated approach, certain it would work in his favor.
The room fell into a tense silence.
Meanwhile, Valerie, who had been sipping water, swallowed slowly, still processing the shift from a simple dispute to a full-blown negotiation.
She exchanged a look with the dean, who remained utterly unbothered, seated in his office chair as though the world around him was nothing but a distant noise.
It was clear that things weren't going to be resolved quickly. Valerie sighed, stepping back.
As long as there was no physical confrontation, she figured they might as well let the adults talk it out.
She glanced at Nathan; they had already missed a class, and no one knew when this would all end.
Just then, the bell rang.
Everyone knew about Nathan being called in, so the students made a beeline for the guidance office.
In the Maple Class, someone in the front row, near the wall, called out, "Lily, Nathan got into a fight for your sake. Aren't you going to check on him?"
Lily Cromwell paused, put down her pen, and muttered quietly, "I'm going."
One of the boys sounded displeased, "If you're going, why are you taking so long?"
Lily's deskmate stood up, visibly irritated. "We said we're going. No need to be rude."
A girl behind them shot back, "Don't mess with Lily. Lily, let's go."
The boy scoffed. "You all only care because she's the top student in our grade."
Before anyone could say more, he ran off.
The deskmate said angrily, "Osric often runs his mouth. Just ignore him."
"Okay," Lily replied.
The group of girls walked out, only to find the hallway packed with students. The crowd only dispersed after a few teachers came out and scolded them.
Lily was the cause of the commotion, but the teachers didn't stop her or anyone from Maple Class.
Several of Nathan's friends pressed their ears against the door, including Osric Blaine.
"Mr. Vellier, should we contact some reporters to make this a bigger deal?" Aria replied calmly.
Thorne's expression stiffened. He hadn't expected Aria to be so composed.