Share

Chapter 36

last update Last Updated: 2025-03-08 00:39:04

Chapter Thirty-Six

Alex

The gauntlet has been thrown.

Nathan's warning was nothing more than a desperate attempt to regain control of the wheel, but I've known him long enough to not consider him a man who could be beaten. He's not that kind of guy. He doesn't fall. He retaliates.

And the silence that follows? That's when the threat is real.

Sophia is still in my penthouse, by the floor-to-ceiling windows, arms crossed. She hasn't spoken much since our conversation last night. But I see it—the fierce focus in her eyes, the wheels turning in her head, strategizing her next move.

"He's planning something," she says finally, her voice level but with a thread of tension underneath.

I nod. "Of course, he is."

She exhales, fists grasping the fabric of her blouse. "Then why do I feel like we're still one step behind?"

I'm studying her closely. For all that she wears strength like armor, I can see where the cracks are underneath. Nathan's visit, his folder of painstakingly chosen threats—they
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Related chapters

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 37

    Chapter Thirty-SevenSophiaVictory is a stealthy, drunken monster.I sense it crawling up on me, slinging over my shoulders, tensing my muscles as I move down the corridors of Carter Industries. The fight at the boardroom may have ended in a tie, but I am wiser than that.Nathan is breaking.He wanted to embarrass me, to depict me as just a foolish woman playing a game that was beyond my capabilities. But he did not anticipate me to be ready.And now?Now, he is on the back foot.The knowledge lies soft on my lips as I step into my office. Weeks have gone by since I last passed through these doors, and yet nothing has changed. The same antiseptic perfection, the same pungent scent of freshly trimmed flowers, the same lingering aura of Nathan's presence.But this office is not his.It's mine.I toss my bag over the desk and turn to the magnificent windows that open out over the city. Rain is threatening again, dark gray clouds rolling in across the skyline, battering against the panes

    Last Updated : 2025-03-08
  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 38

    SophiaChloe is a liar.She always has been.Even today, standing in my office, pretending to be desperate, she's acting, and calculating her words, ensuring that they make her out to be the victim.She wants me to believe it.She wants me to save her.But here's the thing, I gave up saving people the day Chloe and Nathan turned me into prey.I hesitate before speaking. I need her to feel it, the weight of not knowing, the power dynamic tipping my way."You want me to help you?" I demand finally, tipping my head back. "You, the same woman who stood at Nathan's back as he humiliated me? The same woman who smiled at me while laying a trap?" Chloe's lips clamp together. She's losing the argument, and she knows it."Sophia, I...""No." The sentence is firm but gentle. It's final. "You can't rewrite history, Chloe. You can't stand here and pretend you didn't rub my fall in my face."She flinches. Good.Standing in the corner of the room, Alex crosses his arms over his chest, a flash of am

    Last Updated : 2025-03-08
  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 39

    SophiaThe walls of Carter Industries' headquarters have never felt so cold.I sit at the huge, polished boardroom table, my fingers tapping out a rhythm of anticipation on the wood. My presence has already unsettled the board. My 29% stake's influence looms over this room like a gun ready to fire at the first sign of provocation.Nathan isn't here yet, but I'm not in any doubt that he'll come. He wouldn't risk missing this meeting, not after the destruction I've unleashed.I inhale slowly, my expression unreadable, serene. Beside me, Alex lounges in his chair, casual but totally in control. The picture of easy dominance. His gaze drifts to me, dark amusement glinting in its depths."Enjoying yourself?" he murmurs.I would be if the show started already," I reply just as quietly.The doors explode open.Nathan strides in, a storm in a designer suit. His presence takes over the room immediately, his face an impassive mask. But I catch it, the underlying flash of anger beneath his featu

    Last Updated : 2025-03-09
  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 40

    NathanLoss of control is not an option.I slam the door to my office closed behind me, the sound reverberating through the room. My breaths are steady, but my heart is a smoldering fire beneath my skin. Sophia played her card too well today.She embarrassed me. She turned my board against me.And worst of all? She enjoyed it.I stride to my desk, fingertips burrowing into the glossy wood as I force myself to think. I've spent decades shaping this empire to my bidding, ensuring no one, not one single person, could take it out of my hands.But in that boardroom, she stood before me like a queen already sitting upon my throne.That smug little laugh. That unshakeable confidence.She thinks she's won.A brisk knock interrupts my churning thoughts."Enter," I bark.The door opens and Chloe comes in.I exhale, irritation increasing."What do you want?"She hesitates, her hand grasping the hem of her dress. New. Chloe doesn't hesitate—she pouts, she demands, she gets entitled. But now? She

    Last Updated : 2025-03-09
  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 41

    SophiaNathan's move is bold.A Vote of No Confidence. A direct attempt to oust me from Carter Industries before I can establish myself.I had expected retaliation, but not so soon.I sit at my desk, my fingers clenched around my phone, reading the email for the third time. The words sear like acid on my skin, each syllable a promise of the war I already knew was coming.CARTER INDUSTRIES EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING, VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE.Nathan's no longer on defense. He's striking first.A breath. I release my hold, allowing the phone to fall slowly to my desk with careful control. No fear. No panic.Because if Nathan wants war, he'll get it.Alex sits on the couch behind me, observing without emotion. He hasn't spoken a word since I showed him the email.Then, at last, he leans forward, elbows on his knees. "You knew he'd come after you, Sophia."I turn and glance at him. "Not this soon."He inclines his head slightly, balancing it. "Nathan doesn't like losing. He's been cornered, so

    Last Updated : 2025-03-09
  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 42

    SophiaThe boardroom is cold today. Not in terms of temperature, but atmosphere. The tension chokes thick, weighing on the walls like an invisible force, suffocating anyone who isn't prepared for the battlefield laid out before them.Nathan lounges at the head of the table, calm, his mask securely in place. But I see the hint of jerked jaw, tapping fingers, an unsaid tell he's barely in control of. He thought that he could today, that he could win using his vote of no confidence, break me. He wasn't.I rest back in my chair, my fingers tracing the smooth wood of the table. Board members seated around me shift uncomfortably in their chairs, looking at each other. Some are loyal to Nathan, others wary of his growing stranglehold on a crumbling empire. But the most lethal ones? The undecided ones. The ones whose voice would tip the balance either way."Before we proceed," I say, my voice smooth and unyielding, "I believe we need to discuss the elephant in the room."Nathan's mouth twist

    Last Updated : 2025-03-10
  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 43

    Chapter Forty-ThreeSophiaThe world is watching.News of the whistleblower's testimony is going viral. All the major financial publications are dissecting the fraud allegations against Carter Industries. Headlines blare with words like "criminal investigation" and "corporate corruption." The stock is plummeting, investors are bailing, and Nathan?Nathan is losing control.I'm sitting at my desk, scrolling through the multitude of articles flooding my phone screen. My nails click-click on the desk in the otherwise silent room, the staccato sound the only noise.Alex is leaning against the window, hands in his pockets, watching me with a smile. "You look like a woman basking in the demise of her arch-nemesis."I smile. "Maybe I am."He pushes off the window, walking toward me. “Don’t celebrate too soon. Nathan isn’t the type to go down quietly.”I know that.Nathan thrives in chaos. If he senses his empire crumbling, he won’t retreat. He’ll burn everything down with him.And I’m not ab

    Last Updated : 2025-03-10
  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 44

    SophiaNathan’s voice lingers in my mind long after the call ends."No, sweetheart. I’m just getting started."A chill creeps up my spine, but I refuse to let fear take root. Nathan thrives on fear. It’s his weapon, his way of controlling people. I won’t give him that satisfaction.I set my phone down, my hands steady despite the storm brewing inside me.Alex watches me from across the room, his expression unreadable. But I know him. I know that sharp glint in his eyes, the way his jaw tightens. He doesn’t like uncertainty. And right now, Nathan has just introduced the most unpredictable variable yet.“He’s planning something,” Alex finally says, breaking the heavy silence.I nod. “Something big.”Alex crosses the room in slow, measured steps. “We need to assume the worst. Whatever Nathan is doing, it’s not just about business anymore.”He’s right. This isn’t just about Carter Industries. Not anymore. Nathan has been cornered, and men like him don’t accept defeat—they lash out.I exha

    Last Updated : 2025-03-10

Latest chapter

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 130

    Sophia’s POVBy morning, the world had already taken sides.The news had spread like wildfire. My face was everywhere—headlines questioning my character, my daughter’s paternity, and my so-called lies. The media didn’t care about facts; they fed on scandal. Photos of Lina and Nathan were already being compared by strangers online. Hashtags trended. Conspiracy threads circulated like poison.It wasn’t just my name on the line anymore. It was Lina’s future. Her identity.I stood in front of the mirror in the penthouse bedroom, watching myself as Alex spoke quietly into the phone behind me. I was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, my hair a tangled mess, but none of that mattered. There was a fire in my chest now. An anger I hadn’t known I was capable of.“I don’t care what it costs,” Alex said, his voice low and sharp. “I want a full investigation into Victor’s finances and Chloe’s communications. Backdate it. Dig as far back as you need.”He ended the call and looked at me. “You okay?”

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 129

    Sophia’s POVThe next morning arrived with a storm in its wake—figuratively and literally. Rain lashed against the windows of the penthouse, a dull gray mist casting a somber hue over the city. It mirrored my mood far too well.Alex had been up since dawn, pacing in his office, fielding calls from his legal team, PR experts, and Mark. I stood in the kitchen, staring into a cup of untouched coffee as Lina played quietly in the living room, her favorite sketchbook resting on her knees.But my mind was far from calm.Julian had promised to send over security footage—something he’d managed to obtain through one of his sources. Apparently, Nathan had been spotted meeting someone suspicious late last night. He hadn’t said who. Not yet.Just as I lifted the cup to my lips, Alex strode into the kitchen, his phone pressed to his ear. He gave me a tight nod before finishing the call and slipping the phone into his pocket.“Julian’s on his way over,” he said, brushing a hand over his jaw. “He sa

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 128

    Sophia’s POVThe morning of the press conference arrived, and my nerves were a live wire beneath my skin. The media had been relentless since Nathan’s paternity claim went public, dissecting my past, my relationship with Alex, even my pregnancy. Every headline felt like a fresh wound. Alex stood beside me in front of the floor-length mirror in our bedroom, adjusting his tie. His reflection was all sharp angles and barely contained fury, but when his eyes met mine, they softened. “You ready?” he asked, voice low. I inhaled deeply, smoothing my hands over the sleek black dress I’d chosen—elegant, professional, unshakable. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” His fingers brushed my waist, grounding me. “Remember, we control this. Not him.” I nodded, but the weight of what we were about to do pressed down on me. This wasn’t just about refuting Nathan’s lies. It was about exposing him—and Chloe—for the manipulators they were. And Julian had given us the ammunition to do it. **********

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 127

    Sophia’s POVThe dining room was suffocating. Crystal chandeliers cast a cold, glittering light over the long mahogany table, the same one where I’d endured countless silent meals as a child. The air smelled of roasted lamb and expensive wine, but beneath it all lingered something bitter—resentment, lies, and the unspoken war between us. Nathan sat directly across from me, his sharp jaw clenched, his fingers drumming impatiently against the tablecloth. His dark eyes flicked to mine, and for a second, I saw the same cold calculation that had haunted me since we divorced . Chloe, seated beside him, looked like the cat who got the cream, her lips curled in a smirk as she sipped her wine. My mother, ever the gracious host, gestured for the servers to begin plating the first course. “So,” she began, her voice too bright, “how have things been with the two of you?” I forced a smile, gripping my fork a little too tightly. “Busy, but good.” Alex’s hand found my knee under the tabl

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 126

    Sophia’s povNathan’s words hung in the air like a blade poised to drop. My breath hitched, my fingers instinctively curling into fists at my sides. Beside me, Alex went rigid, his grip on my waist tightening protectively. "What the hell did you just say?" Alex’s voice was low, dangerous. Nathan didn’t flinch. His dark eyes remained locked on mine, cold and calculating. "You heard me." He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Is it mine?" The accusation was like a slap. My pulse roared in my ears, my stomach twisting with fury. How dare he?I didn’t even think—my hand flew out, the sharp crack of my palm against his cheek echoing in the night air. Nathan barely staggered, but his head snapped to the side, a red mark blooming on his skin. "You disgusting bastard," I hissed. Nathan slowly turned back to face me, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "That’s not an answer." Alex moved before I could, shoving Nathan back hard enough that he stumbl

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 125

    Sophia’s POVThe dining room was suffocating. Crystal chandeliers cast a cold, glittering light over the long mahogany table, the same one where I’d endured countless silent meals as a child. The air smelled of roasted lamb and expensive wine, but beneath it all lingered something bitter—resentment, lies, and the unspoken war between us. Nathan sat directly across from me, his sharp jaw clenched, his fingers drumming impatiently against the tablecloth. His dark eyes flicked to mine, and for a second, I saw the same cold calculation that had haunted me since we divorced . Chloe, seated beside him, looked like the cat who got the cream, her lips curled in a smirk as she sipped her wine. My mother, ever the gracious host, gestured for the servers to begin plating the first course. “So,” she began, her voice too bright, “how have things been with the two of you?” I forced a smile, gripping my fork a little too tightly. “Busy, but good.” Alex’s hand found my knee under the tabl

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 124

    Sophia’s pov“That lying ass bastard!” I said with my voice coated with anger. “Hey, calm down.”I turned to see Alex with a glass of vodka and he stood near Julian as he worked.“Why not get this to the police? Nathan and Chleo would have been able to manipulate the board.” I told myself, as I tried to calm down.“And you think they don't have the resources to actually manipulate the police also?” Alex eyebrows went up.“Not with the letter and evidence we have.” Alex said and my phone rang.I picked it up from the table to see Chole’s name on the screen. My heart clenched, hard.“Who is it?” I lookeded to Alex waiting for a response, “Chole.”“Well, what are you waiting for? Pick it up before she suspects something.”I exhaled and then pressed on the green button, bringing the phone close to my ears.“Hello.” I said, my voice was filled with hate.“Ah, sister, that's one way to end the day.” I could hear the sarcasm in her voice.I rolled my eyes, not in the mood to play any stup

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 123

    SophiaThe morning was too still.Like the air was holding its breath.I was perched on the clinic bed, IV line still leaking cool liquid into my arm. My head ached... not sharp, just dull and constant, like a warning hum before something bigger.I watched the door instead of the clock. I did not know what I was waiting for, maybe a sign that the world was ready to stop spinning. Maybe just for Alex to come in and not look like he was trying to carry everything on his shoulders.He was in the doorway a moment later.Hood pulled back, shirt untucked, eyes bloodshot.He didn't speak for a moment. Just leaned back against the frame like he wasn't sure he should come in or give me space. "Coffee?" he asked finally, raising a metal thermos."God, yes."He came over with it.I took it from him with both hands and had a sip. It was awful. Burnt. Too strong. But it was warm. It was real.Alex pulled the chair close, but didn't sit right away. His fingers drummed on the back. "You good to m

  • After Divorce, I became the CEO of my Ex-Husband's Company    Chapter 122

    SophiaThe morning was too still.Like the air was holding its breath.I was perched on the clinic bed, IV line still leaking cool liquid into my arm. My head ached... not sharp, just dull and constant, like a warning hum before something bigger.I watched the door instead of the clock. I did not know what I was waiting for, maybe a sign that the world was ready to stop spinning. Maybe just for Alex to come in and not look like he was trying to carry everything on his shoulders.He was in the doorway a moment later.Hood pulled back, shirt untucked, eyes bloodshot.He didn't speak for a moment. Just leaned back against the frame like he wasn't sure he should come in or give me space. "Coffee?" he asked finally, raising a metal thermos."God, yes."He came over with it.I took it from him with both hands and had a sip. It was awful. Burnt. Too strong. But it was warm. It was real.Alex pulled the chair close, but didn't sit right away. His fingers drummed on the back. "You good to m

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status