Defeating My Ex-Husband by Tracy Estrada ( Colton Zeller )
Chapter 30

Chapter 30 I Am Serious

At the mention of their divorce, Colton’s face went as dark as thunder.

He stood there with a hand in his pocket, his gaze filled with certainty. “Cat it out. Francesca. I don’t believe you’ll marry Yoel for real.”

She once loved me head over heels. Howe could she possibly have fallen in love with him so quickly? And she even wants to marry him?

Francesca gradually put her smile away. She stared straight at the man with her ebony eyes. “Five years have passed. What makes you think I’d be foolish enough to still love someone who doesn’t care about me at all? There’s a limit to being narcissistic, Mr. Zeller.”

With a dark look, Colton stalked toward her. Reaching out, he grasped her chin. “You’re talking about limits with me, Francesca? Will Yoel give you two brandred million for a period of three years?”

The mockery in his eyes was a stab in the heart to Francesca, but she calmly pried his fingers off one by one without backing down. “I don’t owe you anything. Colton.”

When I was with him, I loved him without reservation. Even after I left. I bore his child. It was he who chose to cast me aside like an old glove. I hadn’t done anything

wrong.

“Really? I shall see if the Zabielski family dares to have you marry into the family, Francesca,” Colton sneered.

Francesca did not say anything further. Picking up the documents on the table, she strode out.

As Colton watched her retreating back, he again felt as though something had gone out of his control.

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Chapter 30 I Am Serious

He took out a cigarette and lit it before giving Timothy a call.

Upon returning to the condominium, Francesca discovered that Yoel had come over at some point. He sat in the living room with a grim.

expression, cigarette butts littering the floor.

She quirked an eyebrow. Ever since he found out that she did not like the smell of cigarette smoke, he never smoked in front of her. Yet, he had then broken that rule.

She sighed softly. “You’ve learned about it? The incident today was too sudden, so I—”

Before she could finish speaking, Yoel reached out and embraced her.

Francesca stiffened. She hesitated for a long time, but she did not push him away in the end.

The rich aroma of tobacco instantly filled her nostrils. Yoel’s voice carried a trace of restrained ruthlessness. “I’ve looked into it. That b*stard, Stephen, deliberately targeted you this time because he was paid to do so. Don’t worry. He won’t have another chance in the future.”

#

Francesca had long since already surmised that. She stepped back from his embrace and said seriously, “You do know we’re now living in a society. governed by the rule of law, right?”

Yoel was surprised. He raised an eyebrow, asking, “Are you concerned about me?”

At that, Francesca glared at him irritably. “If you keep spouting nonsense, just go back already.”

Having obtained a hug after much difficulty, Yoel did not dare to overstep his bounds.

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He quickly composed himself and said, “Don’t worry. Stephen isn’t worthy of me dirtying my hands. He has no shortage of enemies. All I need to do is leak some information, and there’ll be plenty of people wanting to deal with him.”

Francesca knew that while the man appeared to be casual and carefree, he actually had his own principles in doing things. Therefore, she nodded in

greement.

“Where are Lukas and Luna?” She noticed the unusual quietness in the condominium and looked at Yoel.

Yoel rubbed the tip of his nose and said, “After receiving news of the incident, I was worried about your condition, so I drove them to the Zabielski manor.”

“The Zabielski manor?”

Francesca was somewhat surprised. Although Anna would occasionally take Lukas and Luna to her vacation home while abroad, George was never around then. At present, the man had clearly expressed his dislike for her. Thus, she feared that further involvement would only make him detest her more.s

However, Yoel waved a hand dismissively. “You didn’t see how much my mother loves Lukas and Luna. If my father dares to object, he might end up sleeping on the streets tonight.”

Although Francesca did not quite believe that, she could tell by listening to his description alone that Anna and George had a close relationship. A faint sense of envy rose within her.

It was uncertain whether it was a coincidence, but none of those around her had a happy marriage. Hence, hearing such a story felt incredible.

Before leaving, Yoel looked intently into her eyes and said, “I admit that I

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Chapter 30 LAm Serious

used to be a bit of a womanizer. But ever since meeting you, I haven’t done anything of the sort. I won’t force you. I merely hope you can seriously consider me.”

Francesca was promptly taken aback.

In the past, he had mentioned countless times that he wanted to marry her, but she always took it as a joke. That day, however, the seriousness in his eyes made her truly acknowledge his feelings for the first time.

“I” Francesca opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything. Yoel stopped her.

“I know this might not be on your mind right now. I just hope you can consider me when you want to replace a life partner!” Yoel said anxiously. “As for now, feel free to use my name whenever you need it. I don’t mind at all!”

Right then, his insouciant attitude in the past was nowhere to be seen.

Francesca was torn between amusement and exasperation. “You’ve said it all. What else can I say?”

$

Yoel arched an eyebrow. “I’m merely showcasing my seriousness.”

Francesca started in exasperation, “What I wanted to say was… I might not. be able to accept someone like I used to because of my past experiences. But I’ll try my best to move on from those the trauma of the past as soon as possible.”

Yoel’s eyes lit up.

“During this time, you’re free to like anyone you want,” Francesca said. “All I can say is that I don’t hate you right now-”

“That’s more than enough!” Yoel cut her off.

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He knew that if she were to continue speaking, the content would no longer be what he wanted to hear.

“I’ve still got something to do, so I’ll be leaving first.”

He swiftly turned around and waved his hand with his back to her before leaving nonchalantly.

Early the next morning, Marcus called Francesca and told her that Stephen had been arrested.

“Rumor has it that he was anonymously beaten up on his way home last night. When he later went to lodge a police report, he was taken away by the police.” Marcus explained briefly.

Francesca did not expect Stephen to be arrested before she even had a chance to make a move.

“That aside, all members of the chamber of commerce who were present yesterday suffered the same fate.” As Marcus spoke of that matter, his emotions were quite complex.

Bringing Stephen down was not difficult. But surprisingly, everyone in attendance got reported and ended up detained in just a night. The methods behind that were truly astounding.

Francesca had already known that Yoel would take action, so she wasn’t too surprised. “Since Stephen has already been arrested, we can do away with the things we’ve prepared.”

In turn, Marcus grunted in acquiescence.

“How’s your injury?” Francesca asked in concern.

“Thank you for your concern, Ms. Shelley. Yesterday, Mr. Zimmerman accompanied me all the way to the hospital.” Pausing for a moment,

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Marcus added, “It’s just that he kept asking me questions about you…

“Don’t worry about him. He probably won’t bother you again,” Francesca said indifferently.

Considering Colton’s arrogance, he’d never seek me out anymore.