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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Author: Kesiree 🦋
last update Last Updated: 2025-05-15 15:19:11

The private dining room at Le Ciel was bathed in the warm glow of crystal chandeliers, the ambient sound of classical music floated in muffled by the thick walls and heavy door, creating a cozy, relaxing atmosphere.

A place where deals worth billions were struck over lobster thermidor and vintage champagne, where the city's elite could speak freely without fear of being overheard.

Kathleen Winters sat in one of these private rooms, but the atmosphere was anything but relaxing.

"Nothing?" She repeated,swirling a glass of amber fluid, her manicures nails clicking lightly against the crystal.

"After all these years, Eleanor's child suddenly appears and David welcomes her with open arms" Kathleen paused as she shot a glare at the two men sitting on the edge of their seat across the table.

"With all the resources at your disposal, you bring me this? It has been three weeks" She said pressing her lips together in a tight smile.

Lawrence Pemberton and Richard Zhao, both members of the Card
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  • Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband    CHAPTER NINETEEN

    THE WIDE MARBLE LOBBY of Dreams Inc gleamed under soft recessed lighting. Two men in tailored corporate suits clutched leather briefcases as they perched on opposite ends of the waiting area, stealing furtive glances at one another over steaming porcelain teacups, their bodies angled deliberately away from each other.The first man's teacup clattered against its saucer as he abruptly stood, his jaw clenched. He strode toward the reception desk, his Italian leather shoes clicking against the polished floor."You there," he barked, leaning forward until his cologne—a cloying mix of sandalwood and bergamot—wafted across the counter. "How long are we going to sit here?" His eyebrows knitted together as he drummed his manicured fingers against the marble surface. "Are you sure there's no way you can fit me in?"The receptionist's crimson lips curved into a practiced smile that never reached her eyes. She inclined her head slightly. "I'm sorry, sir. Please wait patiently. Mr. Winters will

  • Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband    CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

    The hot water cascaded over Ethan's broad tan shoulders, washing away the remnants of last night but not the memories that clung to him like the steam in the bathroom. He closed his eyes, his hands running through his dark hair as his mind drifted back to when he first met Victoria.He'd been thirteen, a scrawny kid with glasses too big for his face and the McQueen name too heavy for his shoulders. The bullies had spotted him immediately at the prestigious private school, the quiet heir who preferred books to sports, an easy target despite his family's wealth. Or perhaps because of it.One afternoon, they had cornered him behind the gymnasium. Three boys, led by Jason Hendricks, son of his grandfather's biggest competitor. Ethan still remembered the metallic taste of blood in his mouth, the sting of tears he refused to let fall."Hey!" A girl's voice, sharp as a whip crack. "Back off, Hendricks!"Victoria had appeared like an avenging angel, five-foot-nothing of pure defiance. She'd

  • Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband    CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

    Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across Ethan's face as he walked hand in hand with Ava through the garden. Wildflowers swayed in the gentle breeze, their colors almost too vibrant to be real. The air smelled sweet, like honeysuckle and spring rain. Ava's laugh, melodic and light, made his heart swell."Did you see that?" she asked, pointing ahead where a small figure darted between rose bushes.A child, their child, ran ahead of them, little legs pumping, arms outstretched like wings. The boy's laughter echoed through the garden, pure and untouched by the world's troubles. Ethan felt a tightness in his chest, a happiness so complete it almost hurt."He has your smile," Ethan said, squeezing Ava's hand."And your curiosity," she replied, her eyes reflecting the sunlight. "Always exploring."The boy stumbled then, tripping over an exposed root. His laughter turned to startled cries as he fell forward onto the garden path. Ava's hand slipped from Ethan's gra

  • Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband    CHAPTER SIXTEEN

    The leather of the steering wheel creaked beneath Ethan's grip as he shut the car door, sealing himself into the ensuing silence. "Damn it!" He growled, banging his palm against the steering wheel. Through the windshield, the glass-and-steel McQueen Construction headquarters towered against the darkening sky, storm clouds gathering on the horizon, a fitting comparison to his current predicament. Ethan exhaled slowly, watching his knuckles whiten as he squeezed the wheel. His right hand twitched involuntarily, and he released his grip, flexing his fingers to quiet the tremor. "Jesus Christ" He said, clenching his fist against the pain. The twitching had started this morning during his coffee, a warning sign he recognized from the months following his divorce. The psychiatrist had called it an anxiety response. "Anxiety my ass, it's a damn weakness"Ethan hissed angrily. The afternoon's emergency meeting replayed in his mind. Gary Kaon, the president of McQueen construction's

  • Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband    CHAPTER FIFTEEN

    The private dining room at Le Ciel was bathed in the warm glow of crystal chandeliers, the ambient sound of classical music floated in muffled by the thick walls and heavy door, creating a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. A place where deals worth billions were struck over lobster thermidor and vintage champagne, where the city's elite could speak freely without fear of being overheard.Kathleen Winters sat in one of these private rooms, but the atmosphere was anything but relaxing."Nothing?" She repeated,swirling a glass of amber fluid, her manicures nails clicking lightly against the crystal."After all these years, Eleanor's child suddenly appears and David welcomes her with open arms" Kathleen paused as she shot a glare at the two men sitting on the edge of their seat across the table."With all the resources at your disposal, you bring me this? It has been three weeks" She said pressing her lips together in a tight smile.Lawrence Pemberton and Richard Zhao, both members of the Card

  • Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband    CHAPTER FOURTEEN

    Ava walked into the dining room illuminated by the soft glow of the crystal chandelier. "Ava" David stood as she entered, his tall figure commanding respect even in the informal setting of a family dinner. "You look lovely tonight dear" He said , wrapping her in a brief hug. Ava blushed and accepted the hug 'I can't get used to this' she thought as she fell into David's arms " Thank you grandfather" "I believe you remember Marcus" David gestured to the other slightly older man in the room, with faded gold hair and keen eyes that seemed to probe her face. "Of course" Ava extended her hands to Marcus Winters who clasped her hands in both of hers and squeezed affectionately " The pleasure is mine ,Ava" he replied, "David hadn't stopped talking about you since you came into his life and I can definitely see why, you look lovely" "Ha ha!, she takes after me, this one" David guffawed, parental pride evident in his voice. Ava smiled at him, a warmth spreading through her chest

  • Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband    CHAPTER THIRTEEN

    A New BeginningGolden rays slanted through the gauzy curtains, painting Ava's skin with warm light as she dabbed the final touch of crimson onto her lips. Her fingers paused mid-air as she caught her reflection in the vanity mirror. The woman staring back at her was poised, elegant, with a hint of newfound confidence in her emerald eyes, she barely resembled the shell of a person who had arrived at the Cardwell estate three weeks ago, broken and uncertain.She traced the slight curve of her jawline, her grandmother's jawline, they'd told her and marveled at how a simple revelation of bloodline could rewrite one's entire existence. The Cardwell name now clung to her like an invisible cloak, both empowering and overwhelming.A soft rapping at the door pulled her from her reverie."Come in," Ava called, setting down the gold-capped lipstick tube with a gentle click.The door creaked open, and a maid Ava recognized as Martha walked in bowing slightly in respect."Miss Ava, the chairman

  • Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband    CHAPTER TWELVE

    The front door slammed with enough force to rattle the crystal vase on the entryway table. A petal detached from one of the dying roses Ava had arranged three days ago and floated to the marble floor. Ethan brushed past Victoria and Phoebe who stood stunned in the living room and charged upstairs ignoring his mother's attempt to stop him. His leather shoes pounded the curved staircase, each step heavier than the last, until he reached the second floor. The bedroom door, Ava's bedroom door, banged against the wall. The framed wedding photo on the nightstand wobbled, then fell face down with a soft thud. He picked it up to stare at the radiantly smiling face of the woman, happy as she took a vow to love him forever. The same Ava who had just walked out of his life without a backward glance, divorce papers signed with a practiced flourish, her signature as elegant and composed as she had appeared throughout the proceedings. He dropped the framed photo with a slam back on the tab

  • Billionaire Heiress is Divorcing Her Husband    CHAPTER ELEVEN

    "Welcome home, Ava," David called, his voice carrying across the driveway. He descended the steps with surprising agility for a man in his seventies, making his way directly to her. Up close, the resemblance was undeniable. They shared the same high cheekbones, the same determined set of the jaw. Most strikingly, they had identical eyes, a beautiful shade of green with flecks of gold. "Mr. Cardwell," she began, extending her hand formally, her nervousness showing in her voice. "David, please. Or Grandfather, if you're comfortable with that." He ignored her outstretched hand and instead pulled her into a gentle embrace. "You look so much like Eleanor," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. When he released her, Ava saw moisture in his eyes. He composed himself quickly, gesturing to the people waiting on the steps. "Allow me to introduce some of the household staff. This is Mrs.

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