# Chapter 239: The Price of Breaking Free
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 239 of "REMARRIED AFTER I SECRETLY DIVORCED THE CEO" — a chapter that crackles with raw emotion, long-suppressed anger, and the thrill of a woman finally taking back her power.
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Grant watched from a distance as Colin and Autumn chatted, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of disbelief and contempt. *Could it be that Colin has succumbed to Autumn's allure as well?* he thought. *How did we overlook the fact that Autumn could actually possess such striking beauty?*
To Grant, she would always be Julian's devoted lapdog, clinging to him like a shadow. But now, seeing her play this game of retreat to advance, he found her more unpredictable and dangerous than ever. He let out a derisive snort. "Even if someone is momentarily enchanted by her looks, how long can that infatuation truly last? A beautiful vase, utterly empty inside — stare at it long enough, and you'll grow weary."
But Colin saw something entirely different. When he approached Autumn, his expression earnest, he gestured toward the crowd surrounding Wilson. "Miss Lewis, Mr. Lee is right over there. Why don't you go speak with him?"
Autumn shook her head firmly. "There's no need for that. If you truly possess the talent, you shouldn't have to resort to currying favor with anyone." Her voice was steady, resolute. "If it's merely a pretty shell devoid of substance, then no amount of flattery will ever grant you the opportunity you seek."
Colin listened, increasingly impressed. "Miss Lewis, you are not only exceptionally skilled but also remarkably humble. That is truly a rare combination."
He couldn't help comparing her to the other Miss Lewis — Luna, whose arrogance was off-putting. Discussing professional topics with Autumn was like digging for treasure; he gained something with every question. Luna, on the other hand, relied heavily on Simon and Julian's endorsements, her pride nearly overflowing.
Autumn smiled politely at Colin's compliment, though inside she disliked the comparison. The Lewis family had always compared her to Luna, as if her only purpose was to serve as Luna's backdrop. But she kept her composure, nodding gracefully.
Just then, Ethan waved her over. "Sorry, Mr. Reed, but Mr. Sharp is calling me. I need to go." And with that, she walked away.
Shawn, standing with Ethan, smiled at her. "Autumn, I think if you take part in this submission, first place will definitely be yours."
Not far away, Luna overheard Shawn's praise and frowned in displeasure. She knew Shawn was one of Dr. Edwin's students, a national-level researcher. But what was Autumn compared to her, to deserve such praise? She hadn't earned Shawn's admiration — it must be nothing more than flattery gained through men.
Julian, too, heard Shawn's words and instinctively turned his gaze toward Autumn. He saw her speaking gracefully, looking rather pleased. Luna noticed his fixed stare and tugged at his arm. "Julian, what are you looking at?"
Pulled back from his thoughts, Julian instinctively withdrew his gaze. He didn't know what was wrong with him. Since she had left, she'd become very different. He returned home less often, but every time he did, the house felt empty — no longer that familiar busy figure. Zoe had told him Autumn had already begun moving her things out. By the time they realized her belongings were gone, she had been away for several days.
The divorce certificate was already in her hands. In that instant, he had felt she was becoming more and more outrageous. Didn't she fear that once she had the divorce certificate, he would ignore her forever? So he simply stopped indulging her.
Soon after, Wilson stepped onto the stage and announced the three separate assessments for the bidding process. "The exam is scheduled for one week from now," he declared. "Anyone who wishes to register can do so with my assistant at any time."
After the announcement, Autumn overheard Luna speaking. "AI diagnostic medicine has always been my area of study. I heard this project was led by one of Dr. Edwin's students." Luna's gaze slid toward Autumn, wanting to see panic or inferiority cross her face. But when their eyes met, Autumn curved her lips in a faint smirk and shot her a challenging look.
Luna frowned, displeased. She couldn't understand where Autumn found the nerve. She would just wait and see — when it came time to prove ability, would Autumn still dare to act so arrogant?
But suddenly, a sour pain twisted in Autumn's stomach. She slipped off to the lounge, holding her stomach as she entered. She asked a server for water, pulled medicine from her bag, and swallowed a few tablets.
Julian's voice came from above her. "Your stomach again?"
Autumn turned her head, surprised to see him standing behind her. She didn't answer and tried to get up, but a wave of dizziness struck, and she nearly collapsed. Julian caught her just in time.
At that moment, David walked over and happened to see Autumn falling into Julian's arms. He was startled. To him, this was a shameless seduction — a newcomer who couldn't even walk straight without tumbling into another woman's boyfriend.
"Miss Lewis, can't even walk in a straight line without tumbling into another woman's boyfriend? Didn't your parents ever teach you the meaning of shame?" David sneered.
Autumn pushed Julian away, the dizziness still hitting her in waves. "Mr. Cowell, which eye of yours saw me throwing myself into someone's arms? I'm not interested in playing mistress, understood?"
Sometimes she really couldn't understand why so many people sided with Luna. Clearly, Luna was the one knowingly stealing another woman's man, yet everyone acted blind and painted Autumn as the homewrecker. And Julian — every time, he stood there like stone, never saying a word to defend her.
David didn't catch what she meant. "Miss Lewis, what exactly do you mean by that?"
Autumn let out a cold snort. "Exactly what it sounds like. If you don't understand, Mr. Cowell, you can ask Google when you get home — or maybe try a dictionary."
When Luna walked in, she saw Autumn stumble into Julian's arms and felt a sense of satisfaction. Seeing Julian stay silent only made her more certain that he loved her. As long as she and Julian were truly in love, Autumn would always be the clown.
After Autumn left the lounge, David walked over to Luna, his eyes full of admiration. "Miss Lewis, that other woman just tried to seduce your boyfriend, but I gave her a good scolding."
Luna smiled gracefully. "It's fine, I won't let it bother me."
David's admiration grew. "You're truly magnanimous."
Later, Ryan arrived, and David told him about the incident. "That other Miss Lewis actually threw herself into his arms earlier. You wouldn't believe how shameless that Autumn was."
Ryan listened without much expression. He already knew Autumn was never one to stay quiet. But knowing was one thing — he still didn't know how to describe what he felt now that she had actually gone and done it. "I get it. I'll just send him a message later."
After Autumn left the venue with Ethan, she received a call from Keith. "I heard you threw yourself into your ex-husband's arms today?"
Autumn's hand went numb. "If I told you I got dizzy, and Julian happened to steady me, and someone just happened to see it — would you believe me?"
"I believe you," Keith answered almost instantly. Then he asked, "And what about Colin? I heard he likes you. That you even exchanged numbers?"
"You're imagining things. I only met him once. How could he possibly like me?"
Keith took an unhurried sip of milk. "Mm. When are you coming back to Northhaven?"
"Tomorrow."
After the call, Keith sent her a photo of his desk with a glass of milk, proving he was following her advice to avoid coffee. Autumn smiled.
But during dinner, Colin joined Autumn and Ethan. When Keith called again and heard Colin's voice in the background, his tone turned low. "Stay away from him. Don't get too close."
Autumn was baffled. She and Colin had only met today. Yet Keith had called just to warn her to keep her distance. What was he playing at?
Back in Northhaven, Autumn visited her grandmother at the hospital, only to learn Ginny had been discharged alone while the entire family rushed to attend to Luna's cold. The betrayal stung, but she pushed it aside.
Ginny held her hand. "Autumn, last time I told you to bring the one you like home — have you spoken to him yet?"
Autumn froze before crouching down to eye level with her grandmother. "Grandma, there's no rush. I'm still young."
But Ginny's health was fading. "I just want to see you settled with someone good. Only then can I be at peace."
Autumn nodded, though the weight of her grandmother's words pressed heavily on her heart.
Later, Irene spoke privately. "Madam's health is getting worse. Sometimes even at mealtime, we can't wake her. Miss Lewis, please come back more often if you can. She only ever truly smiles when she sees you."
Autumn clutched Irene's hand. "Irene, do you know something about Grandma's condition? Tell me, please."
Irene shook her head, wiping away tears. "She forbade me to say. Please, just spend more time with her."
Autumn's heart sank.
Just then, the Lewis family returned. Hector glared at her. "You still dare to come here? Do you realize Luna is in the hospital with a fever because you slandered her and even laid hands on her?"
Richard demanded, "Autumn, is what your brother said true?"
Simon chimed in, "Dad, it's true. Autumn really hit Luna. And after Julian fired her, she even spread rumors, slandering Luna as a mistress."
Susan's tearful voice followed. "Autumn, I know you don't like Luna, but you can't slander her without reason like this. Our Luna is innocent, in a proper relationship."
Autumn's anger boiled over. "What a performance. You and your daughter should get an award for best actresses! You shamelessly broke up my mother's marriage, ruined her life, and now you want to pull the same trick to destroy me? Keep dreaming!"
She pointed at the Lewis men. "And you three grown men, being led around by this mother and daughter — you still think you're noble? I slapped Luna the day before yesterday, and she only got sick now? Her body's reflexes are awfully slow!"
Hector jabbed a finger toward the door. "Get out of our house! Our only princess has always been Luna. What do you have to compare with her?"
But then, an old, frail voice called down from upstairs. "Enough! Hold your tongue!"
Ginny had wheeled herself to the balcony. "Irene, bring me my cane. I need it to deal with the rotten ones in this family."
Ginny snatched up a cup and hurled it at Hector. "Autumn did right to hit her. Someone who doesn't even know the meaning of respect isn't fit to be called a child. As for Luna, I know exactly what kind of person she is. The rest of you may be blind, but I'm not."
She turned to Susan. "A vain mother, and a daughter just the same. You're terrified Autumn will threaten your place in this family, so you scheme against her in every way you can. Every time I fall ill, Luna somehow finds the chance to stir up trouble, dragging all of you away. That leaves me lying in a hospital bed alone."
Susan's face went pale. "Mom, you've really misunderstood me."
But Ginny had had enough. She placed the cane into Autumn's hands. "Today I give you permission. Whoever you want to hit, hit them. If anyone dares fight back, I'll move out this very day."
Autumn's heart burned with years of suppressed anger. She swung the cane hard against Hector's shoulder. Her mind flashed to the day her mother died — waiting and hoping, yet never seeing her sons come through the door. They had been with the mistress and her daughter. And for the past three years of memorials, the same thing happened.
"Simon, you deserve it too," she shouted, bringing the cane down on him. "When Mom died, none of you were there. Even in the three years since, you've never come for her memorial. And you dared to say the dead don't matter compared to the living!"
She turned to Susan, her eyes burning red. "You ungrateful, backstabbing mistress. You robbed my mother of her dignity. You and your daughter destroyed her life and tried to take mine too."
The cane came down hard across Susan until she collapsed into unconsciousness.
Richard carried Susan out without a word to Autumn, without a glance at Ginny's frail condition.
After they left, Ginny gently took Autumn's reddened hands. "Does your hand hurt? Should Irene bring some ointment?"
Autumn shook her head. "I'm fine, Grandma. What matters is that you rest and take care of yourself."
In another room, Simon and Hector tended their wounds, vowing revenge. "Vanguard is working with our company," Simon said. "As long as we bring them more profit, asking them to fire one junior employee shouldn't be a problem. It's time to cut Autumn down to size."
In the days that followed, Autumn visited Ginny every evening, watching her grandmother's spirits lift. But at seven o'clock one evening, her third aunt called, her voice shaking. "Autumn, your uncle suddenly collapsed. I don't know what to do."
Autumn rushed to the hospital, paid the fees, and waited with her aunt until Henry woke up. The doctor said they would need a brain CT tomorrow.
While Henry rested, Autumn stepped into the hallway and accidentally saw into a VIP ward — Susan feeding oatmeal to Luna. She heard their conversation.
"If not for the old lady, you wouldn't even be eating it now," Susan laughed. "If Autumn finds out you ate her oatmeal, she'll throw a fit."
Luna sipped and muttered, "Mom, Autumn went way too far this time. Isn't she afraid the family will never let her come back?"
Susan sneered. "The more reckless Autumn becomes, the better it is for us. Once she's completely shut out of the family, those shares will end up in your hands."
Autumn's heart stayed calm. She turned and walked away. She had never coveted anything from her grandmother. The Lewis fortune wasn't something she cared to fight for.
As she walked back into her uncle's room, Henry looked at her weakly. "Autumn, you've lost so much weight. We promised your mother we would take good care of you. I'm sorry."
Tears welled in her eyes. "It's alright, Uncle. I have my own place now. I can take care of myself."
Her phone buzzed — Keith calling again. She stepped outside to answer.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice tired.
"I'm at the hospital," she said, quickly explaining it was her uncle, not her.
Keith let out a breath of relief. "That explains it. Zack said he couldn't get through to his parents. Call him back — let him know."
After hanging up, Autumn dialed Zack. "Uncle and Aunt are at the hospital. Aunt dropped her phone. Don't worry."
She looked at the phone in her hand, thinking of Keith's unexpected care, of Ginny's failing health, of the family that had turned against her, and of the mother and daughter who still schemed.
Tomorrow, she would go to court for her long-overdue justice. Tomorrow, the truth would finally come to light.
But tonight, she would stay by her uncle's side, holding on to the love that remained.
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## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
This chapter was a rollercoaster of emotion — from the quiet tension of the exhibition hall to the explosive confrontation at the Lewis family home. Watching Autumn finally unleash years of bottled-up anger, backed by her grandmother's authority, was cathartic and powerful. The beating scene was both satisfying and heartbreaking, revealing how deeply she has been wounded by those who should have loved her. Keith's unexpected jealousy and care add a tender layer to the story, showing that someone truly sees her worth. The revelation of Ginny's failing health and Autumn's quiet strength in the face of betrayal left me breathless.
**⭐ Star Rating: 4.7 / 5 Stars**
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## Next Chapter Prediction
Tomorrow's court hearing is going to be explosive. Ace will present the evidence, and Julian will finally learn that Autumn was never guilty of the false accusations that ruined her reputation. But will that change how he treats her? Meanwhile, Simon's plan to have Autumn fired from Vanguard is likely to backfire spectacularly — especially when Keith's true involvement is revealed. The Sinclair heir won't stand by and watch the woman he cares about be crushed by her own family. Get ready for a stunning showdown!
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