"Nellie doesn't even ask for a title. All she wants is to stay quietly by my side. So fine. From now on, I won't waste another ounce of effort trying to please you."
He pulled out the private seal that should have been mailed to the lawyer and held it up in front of Jocelyn's face.
"Still waiting for Daddy to come save you? He settled with me a long time ago. I gave him shipping rights to three of Harbor City's docks, and he told me himself he would never help you file for divorce."
"Or did you forget? You were the one who humiliated him in the first place. You really think he still cares about you? I'm the only one left who's willing to protect you."
As he spoke, he unlocked his phone. Every major outlet in Harbor City was running the same headline, accompanied by photos of him and Nellie at high-profile events. The banner read: MRS. SANCHEZ JR. BASKS IN CEO'S FAVOR — MISS HENSON REPORTEDLY COMMITTED TO PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY AFTER FALLING FROM GRACE.
Jocelyn's pupils contracted, but she kept silent.
Ivor's voice softened, edged with something almost like pleading.
"Jocelyn. Just give in. Is that so hard?"
"Just give in, and I'll send Nellie back where she belongs. You're Mrs. Sanchez. You'll always be Mrs. Sanchez."
Jocelyn stared at him for a long moment, then lowered her head and laughed.
"You really do make me regret it more every day."
The color drained from Ivor's face. "What did you just say?"
"I said I look down on you."
"You know Nellie framed me, and you still played along with her little performance. You know exactly what she is, and you still hold her like she's made of glass. You know what I wanted, and you handed my things to her one by one."
"You're not stupid. You're a coward."
"Ivor Sanchez, you make me sick."
Ivor's chest heaved. His features twisted, and his hand rose to strike her across the face. But slowly, it dropped back to his side.
"Fine. Just fine."
"Jocelyn Henson, let's see how long that spine of yours holds up."
He spun toward the door and bellowed down the stairs. "Jasper James! Starting today, she gets nothing but water. Not a single thing. Let's see how many days she lasts."
The old butler glanced at Jocelyn with hesitation in his eyes but didn't dare defy the order.
Ivor turned back one last time and looked at her.
"When I get back from Switzerland with Nellie, I hope you still have the strength to beg."
Three days later. Switzerland.