From His Ex-Wife to the World's Most Sought-After Restorer (Jade and Hudson) novel Chapter 281

Amara approached him with a soft, practiced smile.

"Hudson, where did you go so early? I made some soup for you to try. I've been waiting forever."

As she spoke, she caught sight of the document in his hand. She looked closer.

Was that a divorce decree?!

Joy surged through Amara, nearly overwhelming her. She struggled to keep her face neutral.

But as she looked up at Hudson, her lips twitched into an unstoppable curve, her voice high with delight.

"Hudson... did you and Jade finally end it?"

"Yes," Hudson said, his voice flat and unreadable. He watched her joyful expression with a cold detachment.

"You seem pleased."

"Of course I am," Amara said, looping her arm through his.

"Anyone can see you two were a terrible match. I'm just happy you're finally free."

Hudson pulled his arm back, his face a mask of indifference.

"You said you made soup? Go back and wait for me. I'm going to change first."

Amara felt a shift in his tone, and her smile widened.

"Okay! I'll go dish it out so it can cool down. Don't be long."

"Yeah."

Hudson gave a short nod and stepped into the house. The second the door shut, his composure vanished, replaced by a dark, heavy shadow.

He ripped off his coat, threw it into the trash, and marched up to his study. He locked the door and lit a cigarette, waiting for the nicotine to settle his frayed nerves.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

His phone rang. He checked the ID; it was Charles. He picked up.

The second the line connected, Charles's voice hit him like a physical blow.

"Did you really divorce her?"

Hudson's brow knit. "How do you know that?"

Charles dropped a grenade.

"Haven't you checked the news? Julian Forster is spending ten million dollars to deck out the Mingler Club. Word is he's proposing to Jade tonight!"

Thud—

Hudson stood up so fast his chair toppled over, the crash echoing in the room. His face turned a ghastly shade of red.

"Is he insane? Proposing now? Does he want to ruin her? He's going to get her killed!"

"Well, he's definitely bold—" Charles started, then paused as a thought hit him.

"Wait a minute. You're divorced, right? Why do you care more now than you did when you were married?

"Is this a mid-life crisis?

—

After the County Clerk's office, Jade returned to the studio to tackle her backlog.

The surge in interest was massive. Even with her extra shifts, the orders were stacking up like a mountain.

The workshop was quiet, the only sound the low, rhythmic hum of the machinery.

Knock, knock, knock.

A light rap at the door broke her concentration.

Jade stopped and rubbed her eyes, which were dry and strained from hours of staring at fine text.

It was her assistant, Sarah.

Jade leaned back and stretched her neck.

"What is it?"

Sarah walked over with a small espresso and set it on the desk.

"You were up so early, Ms. Merchant. I thought you might need a kick-start."

"Thank you." Jade took a sip. The bitter, cold liquid hit her system, clearing the fog instantly.

Sarah pulled a gold-embossed envelope from her pocket and set it on the desk.

"This arrived from a private museum in Faronne. They're holding a major selection for restoration experts. They want you as a guest mentor to lecture on technique and help vet their new students."