The Divorced Heiress Is Getting Married Again Novel – For the official record, I need you to say it one more time. Mrs. Amelie Ashford, do you agree to this divorce? Benjamin Andersen, a court judge and a trusted friend of the family for many years, lifted his eyes from the divorce papers and gripped the pen, ready to hand it over. He took a moment to look at the woman sitting next to him—truthfully, she didn’t look like she came to get divorced. If anything, she looked like she came to rub someone’s face in it, perhaps even to take her revenge. Her face was fresh with subtle touches of makeup, her long, loose hair cascading in lustrous waves down her back. She was dressed in a knee-length deep green silk dress and wore no jewelry or accessories except for a pair of pearl earrings. A simple yet somehow strikingly inappropriate look that contrasted sharply with the plain, dark colors worn by others present in the room. She looked glorious and dignified, just as always, exuding a distinct regal authority.
Even the judge had to admit that one would have to be an utter moron to divorce a woman of such unbelievable presence. Amelie’s eyes were fixed on the wall behind the judge. All she had to do was say yes—she was ready for it anyway—yet something deep inside was preventing her from saying it. It was ridiculously absurd. Richard Clark shifted uncomfortably in his seat and released an irritated, though suppressed, groan. Samantha Blackwood, Richard’s mistress, placed her manicured hand on the desk and started nervously tapping her fingernails. Each time they touched the polished wood, it sounded like gunshots. The combination of their joined impatience jolted Amelie back to her senses. Moving her eyes back to the judge, she took another moment to savor the silence and finally answered, “”Yes. I agree to this divorce.”” A flicker of a hidden smile graced Samantha’s lips while Richard sighed in relief. They both were already aware of Amelie’s firm decision, but now it was finally official. Richard was the first to put his signature on the document, then it was Amelie’s turn. She placed the documents in front of her and looked at her ex-husband-to-be’s name written in black ink by his hand.
She was already used to it; managing the company together had made her look over thousands of documents signed by Richard. Yet she had never once considered that there would be a time when she would see his signature on divorce papers. ‘Here go the years I wasted on this marriage… ending with just one stroke of my pen. I guess it was smart of me not to take his last name after all.’ Amelie released a subtle exhale of regret and finally moved her hand over the page. It was done. She signed it. Now, she was divorced. The judge put his seal on each page to make it final and was about to put the documents in his briefcase when Amelie moved her hand over the desk, almost as if she wanted to grab the papers, and asked, “”Could you not hide your seal just yet?”” The conference room grew silent once again. Mr. Andersen, Richard, and Samantha fixed their widened eyes on Miss Ashford, their bewilderment was almost palpable.
At last, Richard leaned over the desk and narrowed his eyes. “”What is that supposed to mean? What do you need his seal for?”” With a light smile on her pinkish lips, Amelie pulled a few documents out of her purse and placed them on the desk in front of the judge. Without even looking at her now ex-husband, she explained, “”I need his seal to stamp my marriage certificate.”” “”What?!”” Richard jumped from his seat, his face turning red. “”Amelie, what are you talking about?!”” Miss Ashford knitted her brows as she watched her ex-husband’s reaction. Why did he even care? His mistress was right next to him, yet he acted as if she were betraying him. With a long sigh, she opened a small front pocket of her purse, took out a rose gold diamond engagement ring, and put it on her ring finger. Her voice steady and cold, she finally replied, “”I am getting married, Richard. My new husband is about to make an entrance.””
The Ashford family and the Clark family had been closely connected for quite some time. Ever since they merged their companies to form JFC Group, one of the biggest investment conglomerates in the country, the two families became united in more than just a business sense. Alexander Ashford, Amelie’s father, and Christopher Clark, Richard’s father, agreed that their children would marry and jointly manage the future of JFC Group. They believed that their kids becoming a real family would strengthen the bond within the company as well. As a result, as soon as Amelie turned fifteen, Richard’s mother, a woman of high social standing and impeccable education, took her under her wing and raised her to be the perfect upper-class wife. Amelie didn’t mind it. When her own mother died when Amelie was barely five years old, Laura Clark had always acted as a mother figure to her. Everything she did, everything she learned, was for the sake of her future husband and the part of the company she was about to take over. She was molded for one role only, and since it was the fate of every woman in her circle, Amelie did not find anything wrong with it.
She was quite content living the life that had been prepared for her and did not mind spending the rest of her life in an arranged marriage with Richard, her friend and companion for many years. Yes, she was relatively happy. Until Richard decided to ruin it all. 2: The Woman With A Cast On Her Leg “”This year’s benefit is going to be much grander than the last one. With the foreign companies joining us, we even had to extend it to three days instead of two, as we usually do.”” Emily Crane, one of Amelie’s friends and the wife of David Crane, the president of DN Electronics, set her cup of coffee on the glass coffee table and leaned back on the comfortable sofa. Amelie Ashford, Emily Crane, Lauren Weil, and Elizabeth Gilmore were all daughters of wealthy and prestigious families, connected through the intricate social web created by their parents. They had been good friends since elementary school and remained on very good terms even after their arranged marriages, which kept them busy with their own duties and responsibilities. Nevertheless, they all pledged to meet at least once a week for a “”tea party,”” usually held at Emily’s house, and help each other with any issue or request as long as it was within their capacity or simply gossip and exchange information. Although it sounded more like a cold-hearted and calculative agreement, it was, in fact, a manifestation of a real friendship that had lasted for decades.
Their current weekly tea party had just begun, but it was already filled with never-ending talks about the upcoming annual benefit. It was a very important event that was organized by their joint efforts and aimed to raise funds for numerous good causes, from supporting orphanages and hospitals to providing financial support for talented children or sponsoring less fortunate individuals. Amelie watched as her friends engaged in a lively discussion about this year’s division of funds when she noticed Anna Hayden, her personal assistant, waving at her from the hallway. “”Excuse me, I need to see my assistant for a moment.”” Amelie smiled at the ladies, rose to her feet, and left the room. She greeted Anna with her usual kind smile and asked, “”I’ve seen all of your messages already. Is something the matter?”” Anna Hayden, a woman in her late twenties with a sleek bun tied behind her neck and dressed in a modest black pantsuit, fidgeted with her phone for a few moments before finally clearing her throat. “”Mrs. Ashford, Mr. Clark brought someone to the mansion this morning.”” Amelie raised her eyebrows but remained composed. Her husband was on a business trip in J city and was supposed to return today.
Did he come back with an important business associate? “”He brought someone? Who did he bring?”” “”A woman…”” Amelie’s face grew a little darker. “”Do I have to pull it out of you word by word, Anna? Come on, continue. It’s alright.”” Miss Hayden was visibly uncomfortable, and that alone made Amelie realize what she was hinting at. Her assistant finally continued, “”A young woman wearing a cast on her left leg. He refused to explain anything and escorted her straight to the guest room. It looked like she had been in some kind of accident.”” Mrs. Ashford stood silent for a while, her eyes fixed on the painting on the opposite wall. Then, she finally turned back to her assistant and asked, “”What did she look like?”” “”Well… she looked young, maybe twenty-five, no older, with straight dark brown hair, big brown eyes, and fair skin. She was approximately your height and weight. Mr. Clark was quite friendly with her, and it seemed like they knew each other from before. They appeared… comfortable with one another.”” Amelie immediately tried to think of all the women surrounding her husband whom she knew personally, but none seemed close enough to him to warrant bringing one to their home for any reason. “”Alright. Thank you, Anna. You may go on with your usual work.”” Miss Hayden offered her boss a light nod and left the house.
Amelie, discarding the uneasy thoughts forming in her head, returned to her friends in the living room. “”Did something happen?”” Elizabeth was the first to inquire, but all three friends stared at her with curious and slightly worried gazes. Amelie smiled and picked up her now cold cup of tea, shaking her head slightly. “”No, just some household news. Nothing to worry about.”” Although it seemed like she had dispelled the initial feeling of discomfort with her reassuring response, Amelie’s mind refused to return to the normal conversation. Her thoughts frantically raced over her assistant’s words. ‘A woman in her twenties with a cast on her leg? Since he brought her to our house, it means they are very close. Why else would he do something so imposing?’ Her friends, who had been casting occasional glances in her direction throughout their conversation, finally fell silent. Lauren Weil carefully placed her hand on the woman’s knee and said, “”You are miles away, Lily. Are you sure it wasn’t something important?”” Mrs. Ashford hesitated, caught off guard by her friend’s spot-on question. She contemplated whether to address the matter or simply brush it off, but decided that her friends’ opinions might be more helpful than her own speculations.
With a light sigh, she began, “”If you suspect your husband of something… how would you confront him?”” The living room remained silent for a few moments. All three women raised their eyebrows, then it seemed like their thoughts immediately synced. Emily spoke first, “”Are you suspecting him of having an affair? All men are the same! Nothing new about them!”” Lauren joined in as well, “”What can you do? We are all in arranged marriages, so having mistresses is not uncommon. My husband visits hostess clubs almost every week! It’s disgusting, but there’s nothing I can do to stop it. Neither of us is in love anyway.”” Their words made Amelie even more uneasy than she had been. Elizabeth frowned at the two of them and clicked her tongue, then turned back to her best friend and asked, “”What is it, Lily? Are you really suspecting him of cheating?”” That question invited morbid silence to the room once again. 3: Dinner Amelie bit her lip. “”I’m not sure, but…”” Emily’s face brightened a little. “”Richard is way too reserved for that… Aren’t you supposed to have dinner with your husband tonight? Ask him then. Just ask him. No beating around the bush, no sugarcoating, no police too.
We are all adults now. Just ask him if he’s having an affair.”” Amelie looked at her best friend, seeking reassurance, and Elizabeth responded with a nod and a smile. Mrs. Ashford cleared her fists on top of her knees. ‘Well… maybe I’m just being paranoid.’ The mansion Amelie shared with her husband used to belong to Richard’s parents. They died soon after their son’s marriage, leaving the couple alone in the house. Amelie had spent many years there already, she ensured that even after her in-laws’ deaths, everything remained the same, even though she had wanted to add her own touches to their shared home. Amelie Ashford and Richard Clark led the life expected of a married couple of their standing: they had their own parts of the spacious house strictly assigned to them, slept in separate bedrooms, and shared regular, scheduled meals as if they were part of their work routine. Amelie and Richard had dinner together three times a week, more if there was something important to discuss or if they were hosting guests. Tonight was one of their regularly scheduled dinners.
Amelie took out a compact from her purse and looked into the small mirror. She still hadn’t visited their house since her personal assistant delivered the news, and now she was heading to the Italian restaurant chosen by Richard to share a meal with him. “”Anna said they looked friendly, as if they knew each other from before… Well, it’s not really frowned upon to have mistresses as long as there are no crazy rumors or unwanted pregnancies involved. Although men usually refrain from bringing them directly to their homes. The fact that he indeed brought her to our house… God, I’m getting a headache already.”” Amelie leaned back in the car seat and closed her eyes, hoping to dispel some of the unpleasant thoughts that had been haunting her since her meeting with her friends. Instead, however, Richard’s late mother’s voice rang sharply in her mind, “”Men will always be men. That’s what you get for being tied to someone who will never love you, Lily,”” Laura’s beautiful face smiled at her in her memories, “”If Richard brings in a mistress, don’t just suffer silently by his side.
You’re not made of stone. Get yourself a lover too. Even a fleeting, mindless fling is still better than getting depressed because your husband fell in love with someone else.”” Amelie looked out of the car window, the smeared blur of the streetlights bringing her a subtle sense of calm. She had never entertained the thought of taking a lover. She was content with the life she had. Richard was her friend; he treated her with kindness and respect, and she felt fulfilled with the charity work she was doing… What else could she possibly want? “”Mrs. Clark was the epitome of the perfect wife, and she, too, never had an affair… Was it because Mr. Clark remained faithful to her as well? Ugh… I’m getting lost again. I should just clarify it with Richard.”” The Italian restaurant chosen by Richard for their scheduled meal was quiet, with dimmed lights and dark tones filling the space with a serene and somewhat romantic atmosphere. Richard liked this restaurant because the chef was one of his friends, and he always had a nice table prepared for them, no matter how last-minute their reservation might be. Amelie speared a bunch of salad leaves with her fork and watched as her husband smeared butter over a slice of garlic bread. A dozen thoughts must have rushed through her head, and for a moment, she even thought she had forgotten what she wanted to talk about.
Thankfully, the waiter placed a bottle of red wine on their table, bringing Mrs. Ashford back to her senses. “”I heard we have a guest staying at our place.”” Richard furrowed his eyebrows and, without even looking back at his wife, asked in a cold tone, “”Anna? I thought she was your personal assistant, not a spy.”” Amelie traced the ridges of her wine glass with her finger, her eyes also refusing to meet her husband’s gaze. “”We live under the same roof. Our mansion is big but it is not a royal palace. I would have found out eventually. I would appreciate it if you shared something as significant as that with me beforehand.”” At last, Richard set aside his silverware and fixed his sharp, narrow eyes on Amelie’s expressionless face. For a moment, she thought he was trying to gauge her reaction, but as her face remained calm, his voice grew even colder as he replied, “”This hardly concerns you, Amelie. She’s a good friend I reunited with during my business trip. That’s all you need to know.”” Amelie felt something sharp lodged in her throat. This was the first time Richard had been so cold with her, and it bothered her a lot. It was as if he had become a whole different person after that business trip.
She didn’t like it. Nevertheless, something deep inside made her want to sting him too. With the cold surface of the wine glass against her lips, she allowed herself a light smile and asked, “”How long is she going to stay with us? Do I need to have someone arrange the guest room to her liking?”” “”That’s enough.”” His sharp tone cut through her like a knife, causing her entire body to wince. In the past, Richard had only allowed himself to speak so harshly with other men, but now, it was his wife who was on the receiving end of his annoyance. “”I will take care of it. You do what you always do, Amelie. This discussion ends now.”” This was a warning. She really had to stop. 4: Serendipitous Occasion Once dinner was over, Amelie didn’t feel like going home at all. The thought of staying under the same roof with Richard, who had been incredibly rude to her throughout the entire evening, made her feel dizzy and sick. She decided to spend the night away from home and went to the Emerald Hotel, the five-star establishment she inherited from her family and managed as her own part of the JFC Group.
Amelie loved the Emerald Hotel with all her heart, mostly because it was the only thing left to her by her late mother. It belonged solely to her, and she cherished it the most, ensuring it remained as elegant and luxurious as her mother had left it. No one, not even Richard, was allowed to interfere with it. The moment she entered through the tall glass doors, held open by the handsome doorman, Amelie felt the tension leaving her body. For the first time today, she felt comfortable and calm. Although she rarely stayed there as a guest, one of the penthouses was always reserved exclusively for her. This privilege allowed her to skip the check-in and go straight to the elevator. However, as she walked past the receptionist’s desk, a peculiar scene caught her attention, prompting her to approach the desk nonetheless. “”Sir, I’ve already told you, this hotel does not accommodate pets. Besides, you made a reservation without mentioning your pet, so there was no way we could have known.”” The tall, slender girl behind the receptionist’s desk offered the guest an apologetic look.
Amelie shifted her eyes to the man who was having issues checking in. He was tall and slim with a strong build, which he couldn’t hide even under the baggy shape of his black tracksuit. He looked like a celebrity desperately trying to conceal his identity—his face was hidden behind a black face mask and designer sunglasses. The only thing Amelie could discern was his messy black hair, which shone like raven feathers under the dimmed, warm lights of the lobby’s chandelier. Pressed against his chest was a little orange corgi puppy, comfortably snoozing despite the slight commotion caused by its owner. “”But I specifically stated that I was going to stay with a dog, and your manager told me it was alright. Where am I supposed to go now? It’s too late to find a new hotel!”” Although he seemed quite upset and even nervous, his deep voice remained calm and respectful. “”Sir, I don’t think it’s possible that someone from our management team said that. Perhaps if you give me their name, I could call them and ask––”” “”I don’t think this is necessary, Miss Yang.”” Upon hearing the hotel owner’s voice, the receptionist girl immediately offered Amelie a bow accompanied by another guilty expression now directed her way.
The guest, too, fixed his deep brown eyes on the woman but remained silent, waiting for her to continue. “”Please proceed with checking in as usual and inform every single member of the management team and staff that I myself allowed this man to stay with his puppy.”” Mrs. Ashford then turned to face the guest and smiled, “”Welcome to Emerald Hotel. I hope you will enjoy your stay here.”” The man was clearly caught off guard as the only thing he could blurt out was almost incomprehensible “”Thank you!”” followed by a very fast nod that finally disrupted the puppy’s sleep. Amelie responded with a polite but reserved nod and walked away, her mind already drifting away from the mysterious man with a corgi puppy in his arms. The second she closed the door to the penthouse behind her back, her phone vibrated with the incoming call from her best friend. “”Lizzy[1], your timing couldn’t be better.”” The woman on the other line responded with a chuckle and asked, “”So? How did it go with Richard?”” Amelie couldn’t help but sigh and Elizabeth realized everything right away. “”He refused to talk about it. It was the first time during the years of our marriage that he was actually rude to me. Defensive and rude. I guess… This is my answer.”” Elizabeth released an angry groan but quickly collected herself, “”I’m sorry, Lily. Of all the arranged marriages we have witnessed, I have always hoped yours will remain untainted… It puts our lives in perspective now. What a shame.”” Amelie took a seat beside the tall window and pulled her knees closer to her chin as she listened to her friend.
Even when Richard reacted so harshly to her subtle confrontation, her mind still somehow refused to believe that her suspicions were true. But now that she heard Lizzy’s words, she suddenly felt small and utterly confused. “”Lizzy…”” she started quietly, her voice half-muffled as her lips were hidden behind her knees, “”Do you think Richard would be upset if I took a lover too? Do you think he would be jealous?”” The woman on the other line sighed, “”Lily, I…”” “”Never mind. Well, it’s already late and I am kind of tired so I think I will go to sleep now.”” “”Alright. Sleep well.”” Amelie threw her phone onto the bed and turned her face sideways, her eyes focused on looking through the thick glass of the window. Despite the lateness of the hour, it seemed like the city refused to go to sleep, and so did her frantic mind. Her head was still filled with hundreds of questions that she couldn’t find an answer to. “”I am pathetic. My husband brought home another woman but I am the one who is running away and hiding. It is my house too. It is legally mine. So how come I have to be the one to leave with my tail between my legs?”” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her nails dug into her skin as she hugged her shoulders. “”I have to go back. I will go back tomorrow and see everything for myself. No matter who she is, I can’t allow her to push me out.””
“”You really are a troublemaker, huh? I had to go through so much trouble bringing you here and yet here you are, sleeping, not a care in the world. I guess it’s nice to be a dog. I hope I will be reborn as one of those too!”” The man removed the sunglasses and his black mask and looked at the sleeping puppy. He then released a long exhale, slid his hands over his soft black hair, and walked up to the tall window of his penthouse suite. Then, he looked down at the bright city lights below him and smiled, “”Amelie Ashford… I did not expect to meet you this soon. What a serendipitous occasion!”” 5: Unpleasant Encounter In the car on her way back home, Amelie opened the gossip feed that had been created years ago by the wealthy ladies of her social circle. She liked to think of it as the “”digital tea party,”” only with more guests, some even uninvited. Scrolling through the gossip that had accumulated overnight was part of her usual morning routine; she needed to stay on top of things to excel in her position. Today was no different. As she scrolled through the messages, she finally saw what she had been dreading since she woke up—the news about Richard Clark having a new “”friend”” had already spread. ‘I should have expected this… Even if my friends didn’t leak the news, there are eyes and ears everywhere. I’m actually surprised it is still confined to this closed feed and not being discussed openly by the media.’ Amelie felt immediate annoyance. Even though most people had largely stopped caring about the affairs of the rich, it was the wives of other wealthy men who still liked to give each other headaches over these issues. It would have been foolish to assume she would be left alone this time. Her car finally stopped at the main entrance to the mansion.
Mrs. Ashford stepped out and threw a quick glance at the large house in front of her—it was the first time in years that the never-changing building looked astonishingly different. The driver opened the door for her, and the moment Amelie walked inside, she noticed a woman she had never seen before. The stranger had a white cast on her left leg and was leaning on white plastic crutches as she started walking in Amelie’s direction. “”Hi!”” the unfamiliar woman exclaimed cheerfully with a smile. Amelie froze on the spot. The woman’s greeting left her flabbergasted. She took a moment to scrutinize the stranger’s appearance. She looked exactly as her assistant described it to her the day before: she had straight dark brown hair that barely went past her shoulders; her skin was fair but still had an olive undertone about it; thanks to her young age, her features were delicate and fresh while her big brown eyes were sparkling with curiosity. She was slightly taller than Amelie but their build was about the same. She wore simple baggy off-brand jean shorts and a plain black t-shirt. It was obvious that she was not coming from the same background as Richard. ‘Well, she does look cute,’ Amelie admitted quietly, “”there is an air of innocence about her. I guess a lot of men are drawn to such women because they prompt them to feel protective of them.”” Finally, her eyes fixed on the white cast on the woman’s leg, ‘I wonder what happened…’ As she caught herself genuinely wondering about this woman’s circumstances, Amelie quickly rid herself of these useless thoughts. ‘Now that I’ve seen her, I don’t see why we should continue interacting.’
Amelie offered the woman a light nod and started walking towards the stairs when she heard her voice again, “”Wait a second, Lily!”” Mrs. Ashford froze once again, a slight shiver running through her entire body. Even though she was clearly more than six years older than the woman, and found it extremely inappropriate, Amelie could have overlooked the informal address. But to call her “”Lily””? Only those very close to her were allowed to use that nickname. The fact that this woman even knew it made her really angry. Taming her rising irritation, Amelie finally turned around and raised her brow. “”Excuse me?”” Her cold tone clearly scared the new woman. She averted her eyes for a moment and fidgeted with a lock of her hair. Then, as if nothing had happened, she smiled again and said, “”Oh, I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself first. My name is Samantha Blackwood. I am a friend of your husband back from university. You can call me Sam though, that’s what everyone calls me anyway.”” “”Well… Nice to meet you.”” For some reason, Amelie couldn’t bring herself to say the woman’s name. She observed her appearance once again. ‘A friend from university? Although we were in different departments, I know that Richard was surrounded by friends when we were students, but she looks too young to be one of them.’ Amelie nodded at her again and turned around. ‘That should be enough. If Richard has even an ounce of decency left in him, he won’t make me run into her again unless absolutely necessary.’
Mrs. Ashford attempted to walk away, but the woman refused to end the conversation just yet. “”Wait a minute!”” She grabbed Amelie by the arm, and the latter instantly pulled it away as if burned by boiling water. Her reaction made the woman recoil, her face turning somewhat scared. Amelie arched her eyebrows again. She found the woman’s behavior not only strange but also fake. It felt as if she was acting. “”Is there anything else?”” Amelie looked the woman straight in the eyes, demanding a response. Samantha answered timidly, “”Well, I wanted to say thank you for letting me stay here. I am very grateful.”” “”I did not let you stay here. My husband did. Express your gratitude to him. I’m sure you’ll find a way.”” Amelie didn’t mean to sound so bitter, but she couldn’t help it. The woman seemed to have ignored that bitterness completely. “”Yes, well… but it is still nice to get acquainted. We will be seeing each other often, after all.”” Mrs. Ashford gripped the handles of her handbag tightly, her irritation reaching its peak. ‘See each other often?’ Samantha continued cheerfully, “”Anyway, can I call you Lily when I see you? You can call me Sam. Everybody does.”” Amelie closed her eyes in an attempt to compose herself. She hated the mere idea of her husband’s mistress calling her Lily. She hated the idea of her addressing her at all. Finally, she released a subtle exhale and replied, “”You will call me Mrs. Ashford, and I will call you Miss Blackwood. That should do it.”” Unwilling to prolong this unpleasant encounter any longer, Amelie tried to walk away again when Samantha called out, Richard!