The Wife You Buried Is Back from Hell novel Chapter 196

Danielle's refusal couldn't have been clearer.

The contract only stipulated that she couldn't disclose her previous marriage or divorce; there was nothing about her having to return to the house and play along with their charade.

Alexander's expression remained unreadable. He said nothing, just calmly slipped his car keys back into his pocket.

"Alex, could you have Miss Crawford drive me home? I have something urgent to take care of," Millie cut in, emerging from inside.

Now that Alexander and Danielle were officially divorced, Millie made a point of calling her "Miss Crawford" instead of "sister-in-law," as she once politely had.

Danielle gave Alexander a cool, indifferent glance, then let out a soft, derisive laugh.

Millie, acting as if nothing were amiss, breezed over with her request. Danielle suspected they'd already discussed this inside and decided to treat her as their chauffeur.

"Miss Crawford, would you mind?" Millie asked, wearing a practiced smile.

But beneath the polite surface, her eyes flashed with open contempt.

Danielle's gaze was icy as she fixed Millie with a thin, mocking smile. "If you're that eager to meet your maker, I'll gladly give you a ride."

The smile on Millie's face froze. Before she could retort, a red sedan pulled up to the curb.

The window rolled down, revealing Gian's face. "Dani, hop in."

He'd just driven out from the underground garage and spotted the little scene unfolding. It was obvious, even from a distance, that they were giving Danielle a hard time.

Danielle didn't hesitate. She was only too happy to get away from this circus. Without a word, she yanked open the car door and slid into the passenger seat.

Liam stepped outside just in time to see Danielle getting into Gian's car. Through the window, he caught a glimpse of the man seated in the back.

Mr. Hawthorne!

No wonder she'd signed the divorce papers without a flicker of regret. She'd already lined up her next move.

At the time, Liam had found it strange—how Danielle had seemed so unbothered, so quick to end it all. Now, everything became crystal clear.

She'd found a new, more powerful branch to climb.

Millie paused for a moment, then shrugged with a dismissive smile. "Mr. Hawthorne is old enough to be Miss Crawford's father. Someone like him would never take her under his wing."

Danielle was only a college graduate; if it hadn't been for Gian, she wouldn't even have the chance to meet someone of Mr. Hawthorne's stature.

Alexander had introduced her to Mr. Hawthorne a few times before. She'd tried to become his student, but it had never worked out—her own achievements just weren't enough to interest a man like him.

And Danielle? She'd have even less of a chance.

"Her father figure, huh?" Liam snorted. "Doesn't matter. Even if you put her in front of Mr. Hawthorne, it's a waste. You can hand her the best resources in the world, and she still wouldn't know what to do with them."