The Unwanted Wife is A Genius Doctor

Chapter 5 The Other Man

"Tell me, who is that other man? You couldn't even wait until the wedding to cheat, huh?"

Lavinia almost laughed out loud at Lucas's shamelessness. "Me? Cheat?"

"Fine, yeah, I cheated! So what? Why, is it only okay for you to keep mistresses? If you can't take it, then divorce me already!"

Lavinia knew Lucas only wanted her to play the obedient wife, ignoring his affairs while he happily flaunted their so-called perfect family. Now that she was breaking free from his control, he wasn't happy.

She had been foolish, hoping her genuine love could win over his cold heart.

Lucas's face darkened as he slammed the car door shut.

"Fine! Divorce it is! I'll give you two weeks to think it over. Let's see how long it takes before you come crawling back to beg me!"

In the following days, Lavinia rented a luxurious apartment near the Lynelle Research Institute.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay here a bit longer?" Rachel's voice over the phone was full of reluctance.

Lavinia smiled as she gently declined her friend's offer. "I've already settled most of the things in my new place. I'm moving in today."

She had plenty of savings, more than enough to live comfortably after leaving Lucas.

"Living alone, you need to take care of yourself!"

Hearing Rachel's concern, Lavinia's smile deepened. "I know, don't worry."

After a few more minutes of chatting, they hung up.

Before officially moving in, Lavinia needed to return to Sterling Manor one last time. She had left behind some old files and notes in the study that she needed to retrieve.

Standing outside the grand villa, she hesitated, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest.

Back then, Lucas had claimed he disliked nerds, so she had foolishly given up her chance to pursue a Ph.D. and joined Jes Corp instead.

Now, Lucas was personally pulling strings for Charlotte, helping her balance her modeling career with her studies.

Lavinia, returning to finalize their divorce, had nothing left. Meanwhile, Charlotte, with Lucas's help, had gotten into Lynelle as a graduate student and become one of the university's rising stars.

The irony stung.

*****

Lavinia waited at the door for a long time before someone finally answered. She hadn't expected it to be Margaret Wilson.

Margaret's disdain was written all over her face. "I heard you and Lucas had a fight? I was thinking of stepping in to mediate, but look at you, crawling back already."

Lavinia's expression remained indifferent. "Please step aside. I'm here to pick up some things I left behind. I won't be coming back after today."

Margaret stiffened, blocking the doorway.

"Do you know how many women would beg me for the chance to be Mrs. Sterling? And here you are, acting like this the moment you see me! This attitude of yours—who's been letting you get away with it?"

Margaret had always looked down on Lavinia. Over the years, she hadn't even been invited to a single Sterling family banquet.

"I'm already in the process of divorcing Lucas. Whoever you want as your future daughter-in-law has nothing to do with me."

With that, Lavinia headed straight for the study upstairs.

When Lucas returned, Margaret was sitting in the living room with her arms crossed.

The moment she saw him, she started complaining about Lavinia.

Hearing Lavinia had come back, Lucas waved it off dismissively. "As long as she's home, don't bother with her. She's always been like that."

Since Lavinia was willing to yield, he figured he could graciously forgive her this time.

Margaret fumed. "I told you long ago that Charlotte is smart and obedient. Why on earth did you marry Lavinia? Just look at Charlotte! She's a top student at Lynelle now! Even Jes Corp's advertisers are lining up because of her!"

Lucas rubbed his temples in frustration. "Mom, you know the situation back then."

Margaret lowered her voice. "By the way, Lucas, is it true James didn't approve of Charlotte joining the new research project? Should I ask your dad to talk to him?"

"Go ahead."

Lucas lit a cigarette, his irritation evident. For years, he'd lived in James's shadow.

Ever since Catherine Sterling's death, James and his father had kept their distance from the rest of the Sterling family.

It had taken Lucas so much effort to establish his own footing in the family and build his company. Now, even trying to get Charlotte a golden opportunity meant dealing with James's interference.

When Lavinia came down from the study, Margaret was already gone.

Lucas, lounging on the couch, flicked ash from his cigarette. "Couldn't stay away for long, huh? Back already?"

Then, as if nothing had happened, he ordered, "Since you're here, go iron my suit. I've got a weekend event to attend."

Lavinia ignored his demand and asked instead, "Where's the marked folder I kept in my bookshelf?"

He looked annoyed as he blew out a puff of smoke. "What folder?"

Then, as if recalling something, he suddenly stubbed out his cigarette.

"I told you to iron my suit. Why are you changing the subject?"

Lavinia caught the hesitation in his voice.

"You know how important those files are to me. Did you take them without asking?"

She already knew the answer but still couldn't help asking, "Did you give them to Charlotte?"

Lucas said nothing.

And his silence was the best answer.

Seeing her turn to leave in disappointment, Lucas couldn't hold back and smashed an expensive ashtray on the floor in frustration.

"Charlotte has more talent than you ever did. So what if I let her use your notes as reference? You're not even at Lynelle anymore. What's the point of keeping them?"