Chapter 91 If You Want a Divorce, Compensate the Sterling Family With a Child

Chapter 91: Chapter 91: If You Want a Divorce, Compensate the Sterling Family With a Child

Seeing the child custody agreement so suddenly, Sophie Winslow felt her heart almost stop in her chest. Her mind went completely blank for several seconds.

Julian Sterling lowered his gaze, his dark eyes fixed on the child custody agreement while his thumb lightly rubbed against his teacup. "There’s no need." He looked up at Sophie. "We don’t have children, so there’s no custody dispute to worry about."

It wasn’t until Julian finished speaking that Lawyer Aldridge suddenly understood. "So that’s how it is. I assumed you two would have had children by now after being married for seven years, so I prepared this agreement just in case. Well, this is fine too. It saves us some trouble."

Out of a lawyer’s habit, he had to consider every possible issue. Normally, divorcing couples would argue endlessly over nothing more than property division and child custody. But the two sitting before him... One was neither crying nor throwing a hysterical fit over the divorce, while the other didn’t mind that his wife hadn’t contributed any children in seven years, generously giving her money, real estate, and shares. It was truly bizarre.

Although Sophie didn’t show any trace of emotion on her face, her heart rate had been soaring for quite a while. Julian’s words, declaring that they had no children, instantly calmed her down. Once again, she rejoiced that she had kept the birth of her daughter a secret from the Sterling Family. Otherwise, she would have undoubtedly been skinned alive.

"I want a clean break with this divorce. I don’t want any additional clauses," Sophie stated. She did not agree with what had just been discussed—keeping Stella Sutton’s identity a secret and cooperating to maintain the Sterling Family’s reputation.

Julian looked over, and Sophie met his gaze. It wasn’t that he couldn’t see the determination in her eyes—the determination to get a divorce and to have nothing more to do with him or the Sterling Family. His eyes flickered slightly, his expression betraying neither joy nor anger. Sophie didn’t yield either.

Right during this stalemate, the door was suddenly pushed open, accompanied by an angry shout. "Divorcing Sophie? All for that shameless Stella Sutton?"

Sophie turned her head in astonishment. She saw Madam Sterling walking in. The matriarch began scolding the moment she entered the room, having clearly received the news that they were negotiating their divorce today and coming to demand an explanation from Julian.

Following behind Madam Sterling was Evan York. He hadn’t expected to witness such a dramatic scene today. He had originally come to discuss a collaboration project with Julian, only to stumble upon their family drama. He looked at Sophie. He had thought she would be heartbroken, broken down, and helpless. But when he looked over, Sophie was sitting upright, as clear-headed and rational as if she were negotiating a business deal.

Madam Sterling had already walked over, leaning on her cane. She angrily swatted Julian a few times. "You child! You were mature and intelligent from a young age and never made the family worry. How could you be so heartless and ungrateful when it comes to relationships? How many seven years does a woman have in her life? You’re going to become a heartless betrayer for the woman who almost married Charles?!"

Julian didn’t dodge; he simply took the hits. Lifting his chin slightly, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Word certainly reaches you fast."

Just from this one sentence, Madam Sterling’s expression stiffened for a moment. They were discussing their divorce in the marital home, so naturally, it couldn’t escape her notice. She had set out immediately upon receiving the news.

"If I hadn’t come, you really would have done something foolish!" Madam Sterling walked to the table and picked up the divorce agreement to read. When she saw the assets he was giving to Sophie, she frowned. "This is quite a lot." But then she realized the situation. "True, this matter was the Sterling Family’s fault to begin with. You’re the party at fault. Being a heartless betrayer is one thing, but doing it with Charles’s fiancée..."

If Stella Sutton hadn’t been Charles Sterling’s fiancée, making this whole affair a disgrace, it truly wouldn’t have been easy for Sophie to get so much compensation in the divorce. After all, marrying into a prominent family like the Sterling Family was easy, but getting out unscathed was difficult.

"This is between Sophie and me. You don’t need to get involved," Julian said calmly.

This only angered Madam Sterling further, her face turning ugly. "If I don’t get involved, who will? I’m laying down the law right here and now: if you insist on divorcing Sophie, I absolutely will not let Stella Sutton off the hook! A measly Sutton Family—let’s see how they manage to escape this unscathed!"

Julian’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but he didn’t speak.

Madam Sterling walked over to Sophie. "Sophie, the Sterling Family has wronged you in this matter. Don’t worry, I will back you up."

Sophie shook her head and said earnestly, "Madam Sterling, I am the one who wants a divorce. I am the one who doesn’t want to live like this anymore. I don’t feel wronged."

These words left Madam Sterling choking on her words. Even Julian, who was sitting on the sofa, looked over. His dark eyes revealed very little emotion.

Evan York, who had been silent the whole time, was taken aback. He found it hard to believe those words had come from Sophie’s mouth. So much so that it was a bit... amusing? It wasn’t as if he hadn’t seen how fiercely devoted Sophie used to be to Julian. Now that she was suddenly turning hostile, he momentarily lost control and let out an involuntary, soft chuckle.

The untimely laugh sounded exceptionally grating. Evan merely shrugged. "My apologies. Please continue."

Sophie glanced at him. How could she not know that Evan didn’t believe her? But she had long stopped caring about what others thought.

Madam Sterling opened her mouth, but ultimately let out a weary sigh. "I know you’ve been wronged, but a divorce for a family like ours is like tearing flesh from bone. It impacts every aspect. If you truly insist on leaving...

"How about this? We draft another agreement. Julian will promise never to let Stella Sutton carry a child of the Sterling Family. And Sophie, you will leave a child for the Sterling Family."

Madam Sterling’s words plunged the entire room into silence. Sophie even suspected she had misheard.

Julian, however, unhurriedly lifted his eyes. "Grandmother, is that really necessary?"

Madam Sterling turned her head, her face cold. "How is it not? I can see you’re dead set on being involved with Stella Sutton. But as long as I have breath in my body, I will never let her cross this threshold! You are the sole heir to the Sterling Family. Is it proper for you to remain childless? A child of the Sterling Family must be legitimate. You will either have a child with Sophie, or we will drop all talk of divorce."

Sophie never expected things to escalate to this point. The monumental task of continuing the Sterling Family line was being tossed onto her shoulders again?

"Sophie, you haven’t had a child in these seven years. I’ve rarely pressured you, nor have I ever blamed you. As you can see, Julian is extremely stubborn. If you don’t leave a child for the Sterling Family, I’m afraid he won’t marry and have children for a very long time," Madam Sterling said, holding Sophie’s hands, her face etched with sorrow.

Sophie’s heart clenched. How could she not understand the hidden meaning? She hadn’t produced an heir in seven years, and the Sterling Family hadn’t kicked her out. That was already a massive act of grace, so she couldn’t act like an ungrateful wretch now.

Madam Sterling appeared to be fighting for Sophie’s rights, but in reality, she was leaving her with no way out. She seemed to be taking Sophie’s side by refusing to let Stella Sutton enter the family or bear illegitimate children. But in truth, she was using Sophie’s seven years of childlessness to force her into bearing a child for the Sterling Family as compensation for holding them up for so long.

Sophie knew that given the Sterling Family’s forceful methods, this wasn’t something she could resolve simply by refusing. She could only press her lips together tightly and look toward Julian, who hadn’t said a word. She hoped he would crush Madam Sterling’s delusions.

Feeling her gaze, Julian met her eyes for two seconds.