Before anyone could react, I had already unbuttoned my shawl.
It was a deep winter, but the venue was well-heated.
However, I stood near the entrance. The icy wind clawed at my skirt, raising goosebumps along my bare arms and shoulders.
I reached out to unbutton the buckle at the back of my dress and the thin dress collar slipped off.
Most of my shoulders and the curve of my breasts were revealed.
"Heavens!"
A few timid people in the crowd covered their eyes, unable to watch any longer.
However, the men looked on with great interest.
Only Silas' expression darkened. His lips pressed into a thin line, the only sign of his anger the slight tremor in his fingers as he held his cigarette.
The dress slipped off and I was almost standing in front of everyone naked.
The cigarette in Silas' hand burned his fingertips. He dropped it, swiftly removed his suit jacket and draped it over me.
"Juliette, you've got a death wish!"
"Everyone, close your eyes! If a single word about what you saw tonight gets out, I'll ensure you don't see the sun tomorrow!"
"Get lost, all of you!"
Silas rarely lost his temper, especially in this kind of setting.
Everyone present was an old acquaintance, so they naturally understood and began to leave.
Even the nine girls Silas had brought back earlier went upstairs one after another. Only Sue remained standing there.
"Silas, are you satisfied now? Can you let me go?"
I tilted my head back, stubbornly looking at Silas.
Even though tears welled up in my eyes, I didn't let them fall.
I had cried too many times for Silas. I didn't want to cry for him anymore.
"Juliette, don't play these little tricks of playing hard to get in front of me. I feel sick when I see them."
Silas still didn't believe it and warned me not to embarrass the Gills.
I took a deep breath, then said, "Silas, this time I really want a divorce."
For a second, he looked like he'd heard the funniest joke in the world. Then, his hand clamped around my neck, forcing me into a bow.
"Do you dare to divorce me? Can you afford a single day of your father's hospital bills? Can you afford your mother's daily shopping sprees?"
"Juliette, your mother would be the first one to kneel in front of me, begging me not to divorce you!"
His hatred for me and my mother was beyond hiding.
He resented her for drugging him. He resented me for letting it happen.