His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 123: Hidden Truths

"You're quitting drinking?"

Julian murmured softly, his voice gentle, "I'll keep every promise I made to you."

Back then, she'd only wanted him to cut back on drinking—not stop entirely.

Iris frowned, doubt creeping in. "Quitting drinking has gotta be hard, right?"

"Nah." Julian said it like it was nothing. "I smoked for five years before we got married too."

Iris's eyes went wide.

She'd never once seen Julian smoke.

"Why'd you quit out of the blue?"

Julian sighed, a faint half-smile tugging at his lips. "On our first date, we got in the elevator. A guy was smoking, and you covered your nose like it grossed you out. I quit the next day."

He said it so casually, like it didn't matter.

But Iris's heart skipped a beat. She could barely wrap her head around it.

After dinner, Iris went to the bathroom.

When she came out, she ran into Julian's stepmom, Vivian.

Even though she was Julian's stepmom, she treated him like her own kid. Real or not, she always played the part well.

Iris greeted her politely. "Vivian."

Vivian smiled softly. "Frederick's waiting for you in his study. Go on up."

Iris froze for a second and then nodded.

As Vivian turned to leave, Iris called after her. "Can I ask you something?"

Vivian turned back. "What is it?"

"How'd you find out I filed for divorce?"

Vivian paused. "Oh, that. Lily told me."

Lily?

Iris thought for a second. She trusted Zoe, and she knew Julian wouldn't tell anyone. That only left Daniel.

Last time Julian got drunk, Daniel dropped him off. She'd mentioned the divorce then.

Vivian's tone was flat. "I respect whatever you kids decide."

With that, she kept walking.

Iris let out a quiet breath and headed to the study.

Inside, Frederick had his hands in his pockets, standing by the window and staring at the night outside.

When he saw Iris, he shut the window tight, pulled the curtains closed, then walked to the door and locked it. "Sit down."

Every move he made felt careful and serious.

Iris sat down on the sofa.

Frederick walked over. "Give me your phone."

Iris looked confused, staring at him.

Frederick's face was stern. "You don't want those monkeys back anymore?"

Iris's heart picked up. She glanced at the locked door, then the closed curtains, and felt a twinge of unease.

She had to get the monkeys back. She caved, pulling out her phone and handing it to him.

Frederick took her phone, shut it off, and tossed it on the coffee table.

He sat down in front of Iris, crossed his legs, pulled out his own phone, and slowly pulled up a video. He asked casually, "You filed for divorce?"

"Yeah."

"Good. I'll call some people to speed up the divorce."

"Can I have the monkeys back now?" Iris clenched her fists, holding back her anger.

"Not yet." Frederick handed her his phone. "Check this out."

Iris took the phone.

On the screen, five monkeys were locked in a glass cage. They were going nuts—screaming, thrashing, biting each other, and jumping all over the place.

Iris's heart sank. "Give them back now! They'll die if this keeps up."

Frederick snatched the phone back, deleted the video, and put it in his pocket. "I asked what's wrong with them."

Iris's anger flared, but she had to give in.

"Besides the contagious virus, they have a really rare disease. They need medicine to keep it in check."

"Give me the medicine."

"It's still in research. I can't give it to you."

Frederick stared at her, a cunning look in his eyes. He tapped his leg lightly, scoffing. "Afraid I'll steal your formula?"

Iris didn't hold back. "It's not out of the question. You already paid someone at my lab to steal the monkeys. That's pretty low. What else won't you do?"

Frederick's face turned dark. He clenched his fists, veins popping out on his neck. His chest heaved with rage, his eyes practically blazing.

Iris stared right back, no fear in her eyes.

He'd gone this far—stealing the monkeys to force her to divorce. She didn't see him as family anymore. He didn't deserve her respect.

Iris had always known where she stood with love and hate. Even if she was nice and gentle, she had firm lines when it came to right and wrong.

Frederick forced his anger down, his mouth twitching. He spoke slowly, every word sharp. "You don't want those monkeys back?"

Iris's voice was firm. "I already agreed. I'll divorce your son."

Frederick scoffed, then let out a sudden laugh.

It was a creepy laugh, laced with mockery.

Iris stared at him, confused.

Frederick uncrossed his legs, leaned forward, and glared down at her, pure disdain in his eyes. "I told him before—you're not good enough for the Everhart family. You'd throw him away, throw your marriage away, all for your career. And he's still being an idiot, giving up the family business just to keep you."

Iris was stunned. "What are you talking about? Is Julian leaving Everhart Group?"