After bathing, Seraphelle retired to slumber for the entire morning.
When she arose for lunch, Faolan had already departed, leaving behind a swarm of maids and Lily.
Lily appeared quite frail, her demeanour resembling one beset by illness.
While Seraphelle indulged in her meal, Lily proactively approached the dining table, serving rice and soup.
Seraphelle averted her gaze, engrossed in her meal.
After enduring a prolonged silence, Lily could no longer contain herself and spoke up.
"Madam, what truly transpired yesterday? I was genuinely worried for you."
"Worried for me? Hmph!" Seraphelle retorted coldly, "You are all sirens; spare me your theatrics. I plan to leave shortly—this house, and the Young Commander, I'll leave to you."
The words jolted Lily, who momentarily froze. Had everything she desired truly fallen into her lap so easily?
Regaining her composure, Lily's voice quavered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Madam, what do you mean? I have never harboured intentions to undermine your relationship with the Young Commander. I would relinquish my standing if only I could remain by your and his side."
The food before them, though exquisite and enticing, suddenly became unpalatable to Seraphelle in light of this performance.
Setting down her utensils, Seraphelle turned to face Lily.
"There's no one else around; are you not weary of this act? What is it that you truly desire? Your ambitions are written all over your face, visible only to that fool Faolan."
"Madam, you may scold me as you wish, even strike me, but please, do not take it out on the Young Commander!"
Lily, seemingly deaf to Seraphelle's words, grasped her hand to strike it against her face.
Seraphelle was taken aback for a moment, but understanding dawned upon her—the repugnant ploy and Faolan would likely appear any second now.
Indeed, as the sound of military boots neared, Lily escalated her assault on her visage while gripping Seraphelle's hand.
Just before Faolan entered, Seraphelle yanked her hand away with force, leaned back, and tumbled to the floor along with her chair.
This spectacle was witnessed in its entirety by the entering Faolan.
"Miss Lily, I have already stated that I will soon be divorcing the Young Commander. Why must you persistently press me? Do you relish the thought of witnessing my demise in front of you?"
"I..." Lily stammered, clearly flustered by the unfolding scene.
"What is going on here?" Faolan's entrance revealed Seraphelle in a dishevelled heap on the floor.
"Young Commander, it was not my intention, I..." Lily proffered an innocent expression, her tears cascading anew.
Faolan quickly wrapped an arm around her shoulders, soothing her gently.
"It's alright, are you feeling any better? I heard you had a fever over the phone, so I rushed back."
"I am simply dizzy," Lily replied, leaning as though to collapse onto the ground.
Faolan promptly scooped her up in his arms.
"I shall take you to rest."
Though it was Seraphelle who had fallen, the cad did not extend a word of concern her way; he merely swept Lily away.
Seraphelle, clutching an arm that throbbed from the fall, pushed herself upright.
She glanced at the rogue, who, by coincidence, was also gazing at her.
Their eyes met, Seraphelle's filled with derision while Faolan glared fiercely at her.
Yet, as Faolan carried Lily towards their chamber, he experienced an inexplicable void within himself.
The former Seraphelle had never regarded him in such a manner; whether he was being cruel or was entangled with another woman in her sight, her looks had always conveyed pain entwined with love.
Even in the absence of affection, her expressions conveyed sorrow and disappointment, not the biting ridicule laced with ice as it was now.
Yet, for all his ruminations, Faolan harboured no pity for Seraphelle; he yearned for divorce and wished to banish her from his sight forever.
And thus his desires manifested.
That afternoon, Seraphelle donned a charming little dress she had purchased long ago but never worn, and with Cherry, she descended the stairs.
Apart from her valuable dowry, she took nothing of her clothing.
Lightly laden, she placed a handwritten divorce agreement upon the desk of the Young Commander.
"Young Commander, I am taking my people and my belongings with me.
Having been married for two years, I no longer wish to squander my youth. From this day forth, may we each find peace in our separate lives. I also wish you and Miss Lily a lifetime of happiness; I will have my lawyer contact you regarding the divorce."
Having uttered these words, Seraphelle adorned her head with a cloche hat and flashed Faolan a playful smile before turning to leave.
Faolan gazed at this unfamiliar version of her, his hand tightening involuntarily upon the tabletop.
How could she appear so exquisite? The same face, the same demeanor, and yet her every gesture radiated allure.
What had that damned woman experienced last night?
And why did he suddenly feel an acute sense of abandonment, as if the one who had loved him dearly no longer did?
The more he pondered, the angrier he grew, and he brutally tore the divorce agreement into shreds.
Meanwhile, outside the Young Commander's residence, Seraphelle raised her eyes to the sun sinking in the western sky.
"Cherry, it seems we may soon find ourselves without a home."
"Miss, I'm so thrilled you've finally come to this realization."
Cherry had witnessed the trials Seraphelle had endured over the years; once married off from the North, she was here without a single relative. The solitary kin she possessed subjected her to relentless humiliation. Now, it seemed her mistress had finally reached enlightenment.
"Indeed, how could one persist in offering warmth to a cold heart? Let's call for a carriage; we must find a place to stay."
"Yes, yes."
With tear-streaked cheeks, Cherry dashed off to hail a cab.
In half an hour, Seraphelle and Cherry had checked into the most opulent hotel in the French Concession.
Fortunately, given Seraphelle's affluent background and generous dowry, booking a suite for several months posed no issue.
However, Seraphelle couldn't remain idle; she intended to pursue Lupercus.
As night fell, Seraphelle left the hotel unaccompanied by Cherry.
It was widely acknowledged that the most extravagant den of iniquity in Golden Beach was the Broadway Nightclub by the riverside.
And it was there that the proprietor, Lupercus, resided.
To encounter him, Seraphelle had no choice but to visit this establishment, especially as she possessed her unique talents; she needed a stage to showcase her artistry.
Hailing a rickshaw, Seraphelle arrived at Broadway. She gazed at the opulent entrance, then at the enormous poster of Lily plastered on the wall, and a thought began to form in her mind.
Wearing a subtle smile, Seraphelle approached the apparent manager, a middle-aged man greeting patrons at the door.
"Good day, sir; may I inquire if you are still hiring?"