From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Another Warning

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Jade was stunned for a moment, then began struggling desperately in Hudson’s arms. “No! You can’t lock me up!”

Hudson held her down. His fingers traced a line from her cheek to her chin, tilting her face up, while his other hand slowly wiped her tears.

“If you’re scared, then be good. Don’t do things that upset me, and don’t say things I don’t want to hear.”

Jade had no doubt he was serious. She trembled with fear. “You’re not being fair, Hudson. This isn’t fair.”

Hudson didn’t reply. He got up, stood at the foot of the bed, straightened the wrinkles in his shirt, and instantly regained his usual cool, detached composure.

He looked down at her, still lying on the bed. “Jade, my patience has its limits. You’d better behave.”

Another warning. Jade slowly sat up, clutching a pillow tightly to her chest for comfort.

Watching Hudson’s retreating back, she couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, “Hudson, you’re such a j*rk.”

Downstairs, Amara immediately approached Hudson as he descended. “Hudson, is Ms. Merchant alright? Is she still upset?”

“She’s fine,” Hudson said.

Amara glanced toward the upstairs. “Then why isn’t she coming down to eat?”

“She’s not feeling well.” His tone was flat as he walked to the dining table and sat down. “Rosa, bring some food up for Jade later.”

“Right away, Mr. Walter,” Rosa replied promptly,

Sensing Hudson’s low mood, Amara wisely avoided annoying him further. She quietly took a seat beside him and began peeling shrimp for him and Cortney.

Cortney was well-behaved, eating by herself without a fuss.

The scene before him gave Hudson a moment’s pause.

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Chapter 10 Another Warning

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Amara used to be so outgoing. Motherhood seemed to have made her quieter, more reserved.

Meanwhile, Jade, who had always been so obedient, was becoming increasingly uncontrollable, defiant, and a headache.

The next day, after Hudson had left for work, Jade came downstairs with her packed suitcase.

She’d thought it over last night. Even if Hudson refused to divorce, she couldn’t just sit around and wait.

If she moved out, refused to see him, and wore down his patience, he’d eventually get fed up and sign the papers.

The sound of her suitcase wheels rolling across the living room floor was crisp. Jade’s back was straight, her steps determined, without a hint of hesitation.

Amara and Cortney, coming out of their room, saw it all.

“Mommy,” Cortney asked, puzzled, “where is Ms. Merchant going with her suitcase? Should we tell Mr. Walter?”

Amara placed a hand on Cortney’s shoulder, a gentle smile on her face. “Of course not. We not only don’t tell him, but pretend we saw nothing. Understand?”

“Why?” Cortney looked confused.

“You wouldn’t understand,” Amara said, stroking her daughter’s hair. “Just trust me. I’d never steer you wrong. You don’t want to leave Mr. Walter, who’s so good to you, do you?”

Cortney shook her head vigorously. “I like Mr. Walter the most. I want to stay with him forever.”

“Good girl.” Amara gave her hair another pat and took her hand. “Mr. Walter agreed the other day to let me get you a room here. Let’s go find a designer and pick out materials, okay?”

Cortney nodded eagerly. “Yeah! Mr. Walter is the best!”

Amara left in the private car Hudson had arranged for them. Through the window, she saw Jade still trudging along the path, struggling with her suitcase. A faint, cold smile touched the corner of Amara’s mouth.

It’s best if Jade leaves on her own. Saves me the trouble of getting rid of her.

After all, if Jade doesn’t go, how will there be room for Cortney and me in this house? How can we rightfully rely on Hudson?

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Chapter 10 Another Warning

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The sound of a car made Jade look up. A luxurious van sped past, just on the other side of a shrub hedge.

Ever since Amara moved in, all of Hudson’s old rules seemed to have vanished.

He not only allowed others into his private space but also hired a dedicated driver and a housekeeper to attend to them.

In many ways, Amara acted more like the lady of the house, with more airs and graces, than Jade, the actual Mrs. Walter.

As the car disappeared into the distance, Jade swallowed the bitter taste in her throat and looked away, her eyes dim.

She reached the main gate, but two large bodyguards stepped forward to block her. “Mrs. Walter, Mr. Walter’s orders. You are not to leave for now.”

Remembering Hudson’s words from yesterday, Jade felt this was absurd. She hadn’t expected

freedom?” him to move so fast. “What right does he have to restrict my

She clenched the suitcase handle, her face set, and tried to push forward. “Get out of my way! I’m leaving!”

The two bodyguards stood firm.

Frustrated, Jade tossed her suitcase aside and tried to dodge around them. But she hadn’t taken two steps before the taller guard pulled her back.

“Apologies, Mrs. Walter.”

After all that struggle, she was back where she started. Anger, frustration, and helplessness washed over her, making the corners of her eyes sting.

She shouted, “What you’re doing is illegal! I could call the police!”

The bodyguard’s expression didn’t change, “Mrs. Walter, even if you did, it would be considered a domestic matter. The police wouldn’t get involved.”

“You-” Tears of rage spilled down Jade’s cheeks. She wiped them away, her voice thick with sobs. “What do I have to do to leave?”

The two guards exchanged a look. One of them picked up her suitcase and placed it in front of her.

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Chapter 10 Another Warning

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He said, “We’re sorry, Mrs. Walter. Mr. Walter said until you’ve had time to reflect, you must stay in the villa. You can’t go anywhere.”

“He’s the one who needs to reflect, not me!” Jade snatched her suitcase back.

Knowing the guards were just following orders, arguing was pointless. Choking back tears, she dragged her suitcase back toward the house.

Passing by the backyard, she suddenly stopped. If she remembered correctly, there was a small gate back here.

Rosa often used it to pick vegetables. Besides her, no one usually came this way. She could probably slip out without being stopped.

Jade looked around. No one was in sight. Holding her breath, she picked up her suitcase and quietly slipped out through the backyard gate.

Meanwhile, at the front gate, the bodyguards received a call from Hudson.

“Did you convince Jade to go back inside?” he asked.

The two guards glanced at each other. They hadn’t reported Jade’s attempt to leave, yet here was Hudson calling about it. He really knew Jade.

“She went back inside,” one guard replied, then hesitated. “It’s just that…”

Hudson’s voice immediately turned stern. “Just what?”

The guard answered, “It’s just that Mrs. Walter seemed really upset. She was crying.”

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