Diane’s POV
Two weeks since the accident, and the bruises had faded. But the fire in my chest? That was just getting started.
Dr. Chen had insisted on rest—for my sake and for my babies—but today wasn’t about resting. Today was about reclaiming my power.
I stood before Joan’s full-length mirror, tilting my head slightly as I took in my reflection. The red dress hugged my body lightly —professional yet striking. My makeup was flawless, my hair swept into an elegant twist that sharpened the edges of my face.
The woman staring back at was not the sa Diane Ashton from two weeks ago.
She was stronger. Sharper. Dangerous.
Behind , Joan hovered in the doorway, arms crossed. "Are you sure about this? You don’t have to confront him in person. We can continue to handle everything through legal channels."
I applied a final coat of red lipstick, pressing my lips together before answering. "This isn’t just about the divorce anymore, Joan. He needs to understand that I’m not going to disappear quietly."
Joan sighed. "Just promise you’ll be careful. Liam’s volatile, especially now that he knows you were in the house that day."
"I can handle Liam," I said, reaching for my handbag. Inside was the evidence I’d collected from our ho—his little secret I’d discovered. "Besides, I’m done being afraid of him."
The drive to Synergy Sphere’s headquarters was familiar, yet everything felt different. I wasn’t arriving as Liam’s supportive wife, but as his soon-to-be ex-wife and adversary. The thought brought a smile to my lips.
I parked in the visitor’s section rather than my usual spot—another reminder of how Liam had systematically erased from the company. As I stepped out of the car, I took a deep breath, and walked towards the entrance.
The lobby of Synergy Sphere was just as I rembered it—sleek, modern, impressive. Heads turned as I walked through the glass doors, my heels clicking confidently against the marble floor. I recognized so faces, but many were unfamiliar. Liam had been busy replacing staff, it seed.
One of the security guards who had known for years, did a double-take as I approached the front desk.
"Mrs. Ashton! It’s good to see you," he said, genuine warmth in his voice.
"It’s good to see you too," I replied with a smile. "I’m here to see my husband."
A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. "Do you have an appointnt? There’s a new protocol—"
"I’m aware of the protocol," I cut in smoothly. "But I think we can make an exception today, don’t you? For old tis’ sake?"
He hesitated, then nodded, handing a visitor’s badge. "Of course. Go on up."
As I made my way through the office, I felt the weight of stares following . So curious, so pitying, so admiring. A young intern nearly dropped his stack of files when I passed. I couldn’t help but smile—it was gratifying to know I could still command attention.
Near the elevator, a familiar figure caught my eye—Mrs. Elizabeth, the office cleaner. She had been with the company since its early days, the kind of woman who saw everything but spoke little.
"Mrs. Ashton," she whispered, glancing around nervously before beckoning closer." I wasn’t sure if I’d see you here again."
"It’s good to see you, Elizabeth," I said warmly. "How are things?"
She lowered her voice. "Many changes. Not all good. Amanda left."
"Amanda?" I echoed. "Liam’s secretary?"
Elizabeth nodded grimly. "She resigned last month. Very sudden. There were rumors..."
"Let guess," I said, feeling a cold satisfaction settle in my chest. "She found out about Liam’s extracurricular activities?"
Her expression said everything.
She squeezed my arm. "You be careful, Mrs. Ashton. Mr. Ashton, he’s not been himself lately. Very angry, very suspicious."
I patted her hand reassuringly. "Don’t worry about , Elizabeth. I know exactly what I’m doing."
The executive floor was quieter, more subdued. Liam’s new secretary—young, blonde, predictable—looked up in alarm as I approached.
"Excuse , you can’t—"
"It’s alright," I cut her off. "I’m his wife."
Before she could protest further, I walked past her desk and straight to Liam’s office door. Without knocking, I pushed it open and strode in.
Liam was on the phone, his back to the door as he gazed out the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city. At the sound of the door opening, he turned, irritation clear on his face until he realized who had entered. His expression froze, shock replacing annoyance.
"I’ll call you back," he said into the phone, his eyes never leaving mine as he set it down. "Diane. What are you doing here?"
I closed the door behind , taking my ti as I sashayed toward his massive desk. My heels clicked rhythmically against the hardwood floor, each step deliberate, asured. I trailed my fingertips along the surface of his desk as I circled it, maintaining eye contact the whole ti.
"What, no warm welco for your wife?" I asked, my voice honeyed with false sweetness.
Liam stood abruptly, his chair rolling back. "I’m in the middle of an important business. If you need to speak with , you can call my lawyer and make an appointnt like everyone else." And besides, I thought I told you about the 24hours notice before coming here?
I ignored his words, continuing my slow circuit of his desk until I reached him. Without breaking eye contact, I hoisted myself up to sit on the edge of his desk, my dress riding up just enough to be provocative but still decent.
"Get off my desk," he hissed. "What the hell do you think you’re doing?"
"Sit down, Liam," I slamd my hand on the desk with full force, my voice commanding, which startled him.
To my surprise—and satisfaction—he complied, sinking back into his chair. He was confused, off-balance. Good.
"What is this, Diane? So kind of ga?" His voice had lost its usual arrogance.
I leaned forward, placing my hands on his shoulders. I could feel the tension in them, the rigid resistance. For a mont, I saw a flicker of the old attraction in his eyes—the desire that had once drawn us together. I had been so blind then, so trusting.
"No ga," I whispered, my lips close to his ear. "Just a promise."
His breathing quickened, whether from anger or arousal, I couldn’t tell. Nor did I care. I slid my hand to his cheek, forcing him to look at as I kissed him forcefully, he tried to pull away. "Isn’t this sweet enough for you, you fool?" I yelled.
"You told you’d make sure I couldn’t even afford a cardboard box to live in," I said, my voice still soft but edged with steel. "You threatened to destroy , to leave with nothing."
Liam’s jaw tightened under my hand. "You should be grateful for what I’m offering. Fifteen percent is more than fair."
I laughed, the sound sharp and brittle in the quiet office. "Fair? You think anything about this situation is fair? You slept with my sister in our bed. You tried to close our joint accounts. You’ve spent months systematically erasing from the company I helped build."
I leaned in closer, my lips nearly brushing his ear, as I slid my hand down to his groins and held him. "Watch your back, Liam. I’m going to make sure you’re the one who can’t afford a cardboard box to live in when I’m done with you."
I could see beads of sweat on his forehead now. "Diane, please let go," he pleaded.
Liam jerked away from , his face turning bright red as I let go of his groins. He slid back a bit and started stuttering. "You’re... you’re threatening now? You’ve got nothing."
I smiled, the expression never reaching my eyes. "That’s where you’re wrong. I have everything I need to ruin you."
Standing from the desk, I reached into my handbag and pulled out the silk lingerie I’d found hidden in our bedroom. I dangled it from my finger, watching as the color drained from Liam’s face.
"Cheap and tacky," I observed, letting it fall onto his desk. "Just like the woman who wears it. I expected better taste from my sister, but then again, she was sleeping with you, so clearly her judgnt is questionable."
Liam stood up so quickly his chair toppled backward. "Get out," he snarled. "Get out before I call security."
"Go ahead," I challenged. "Call them. Make a scene. Let everyone in the office hear how stupid their boss is and how you still shamlessy continuously screwing your wife’s sister even after the dia stunt you created. I’m sure your investors would love that little bit of gossip."
He froze, his hand halfway to the phone. "What do you want, Diane?"
"What I deserve," I replied simply. "Half of everything. The company, the assets, the properties. All of it." The rules are changing now because I’m done being your fool, Liam.
Liam laughed humorlessly. "You’re delusional. You’ll never get half."
"Won’t I?" I picked up the lingerie again, twirling it around my finger. "This is just the beginning, Liam. I have more—so much more. Bank statents, emails, records of your little... indiscretions. Financial irregularities that would interest not just the divorce court, but perhaps the board as well."
It was a bluff, but a calculated one. Liam’s face paled slightly, and I knew I’d hit a nerve.
"You’re lying," he said, but there was a tremor in his voice.
"Am I?" I smiled, tossing the lingerie to his face. "Are you willing to risk finding out? Because I promise you, I will burn everything to the ground before I let you walk away with what’s rightfully mine."
I turned and started toward the door, my point made. As I reached for the handle, I paused and looked back at him. Liam stood frozen behind his desk, anger and fear warring in his expression.
"Oh, and Liam? I’d get tested if I were you. God knows where Sophie’s been."
The sound of the door slamming behind was deeply satisfying. In the outer office, Liam’s new secretary stared at , wide-eyed. I offered her a sympathetic smile.
"Word of advice, sweetheart. Start updating your resu. n like Liam Ashton have a short attention span."
The elevator ride down to the lobby felt like floating. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, making feel more alive than I had in months. I’d taken back my power, confronted my fears, and for the first ti since discovering Liam’s betrayal, I felt like I was in control.
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