chapter 34

Kane’s POV

“Are you sure she’ll take the bait?” Jayson asked for the third time.

I narrowed my eyes at the screen, my frustration rising. “Will you quit yapping and let me think for a minute?” I snapped. “It’s our safest bet and my last option. For the sake of my sanity, she’d better take it, or I’m going to burn this entire company to ashes before I let her take a cent out of it.”

On the video call, Jayson looked genuinely shocked. We had been on the line for over an hour, and frankly, he was starting to get on my nerves. He had insisted on watching the drama unfold live.

“Now, don’t go all crazy on me,” Jayson snorted, leaning closer to his camera.

Ever since the nightmare at the house last night, Jayson had been on edge on my behalf. Deep down, I knew he was terrified I was a ticking time bomb ready to explode.

“Isn’t that what you wanted to hear?” I muttered, checking my watch. “That I’m actually fucking nervous about this whole setup?”

It was already 11:50 AM. Claudia’s Friday spa appointment with her friends was always scheduled for noon. Matilda had notified me the minute Claudia left the house around eleven.

I wondered how many minutes it would take before she stormed into my office in fury.

“She can’t survive without luxury,” Jayson added. “So I’m positive it’s going to work.”

I nodded wordlessly.

“One… two…” I started, drumming a single finger rhythmically against the desk.

“What are you doing?”

“Counting down the minutes until she bursts through that door… three…”

“You’re insane,” Jayson muttered, shaking his head in amusement as he casually arranged a bottle of wine on his shelf in the background.

“Four… five… six… seven… eight… nine… and… ten.”

The words had barely left my lips when the heavy double doors of my office burst open.

A red-faced Claudia stormed in, followed by a bored-looking Mrs. Hawkins, who quietly pulled the doors shut behind her without a word.

“Why are you doing this to me?” Claudia choked out, a single dramatic tear trickling down her cheek. “What have I ever done to deserve this kind of humiliation from you?”

I hadn’t expected this fragile, weeping act. I had braced myself for screaming and throwing tantrums, not tears.

But I was prepared for anything.

As long as I could reclaim my shares and get her to sign the postnuptial agreement.

“I have no idea what you mean,” I said smoothly, leaning back in my leather chair. I shared a glance with Jayson on my monitor, who was currently muted.

“Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was to beg a friend for a ride here?!” she demanded, her voice pitching higher as the tears started flowing in earnest. “I wanted to go out, and suddenly every single car in the garage was gone! Even my driver is nowhere to be found!”

“Calm down, Claudia,” I said as she grew more hysterical.

“You don’t get to tell me to calm down after what you’ve done!” she wailed. “What did I do to deserve this wickedness from you?!”

“Have a seat first.”

I stood up, took her by the elbow, and gently guided her onto the leather sofa.

“Please, stop crying. You know it hurts me to see you cry.”

I pulled a linen napkin from my desk and gently wiped away her deceitful tears.

This is my absolute last act of kindness toward you, I thought coldly. Enjoy it while it lasts.

“Was it because of what happened last night?” she whimpered, leaning her head against my chest, her breaths coming in dramatic whines that she had perfected over the years. “Are you punishing me, Kane?”

“Baby.”

The word felt like dry sawdust in my mouth.

“You really think I’d intentionally hurt you? We promised never to hurt each other the day we took our vows. You already explained what happened last night. I thought about it, and I realized I can’t fault you for showing hospitality to a member of my family. That’s just your sweet nature…”

I hated that I had to lie.

She blinked up at me. “Then why?”

“Why what?” I asked, acting completely clueless.

“Why do you treat me like I’m less than one of your employees?” She let out an irritating, loud snort into the napkin. “I looked like a complete fool today! All dressed up, hitching rides like a street urchin!”

“Oh…” I offered.

I felt a sudden urge to snort with laughter, but I suppressed it, holding her tight while struggling to breathe through the suffocating smell of expensive perfume she was doused in.

“Oh? Is that all you have to say?!” She glared up at me, faking cute annoyance.

I used to find that face endearing. Now, it makes my skin crawl.

“Let me explain,” I began, rubbing her hands soothingly. “The only reason I had those cars removed was because they were old, outdated, and completely unfit for my wife’s status and elegance.”

She paused, her eyes widening. “Really? Are you being serious?”

“Yes.” I held her hand. “You should know everything I do, I do for you. And I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience today. It was a lack of foresight on my part not to inform you beforehand.”

“It was so horrible, Kane,” she pouted.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” I cooed. “You should have just called me. I would have had Maxine drop everything to pick you up.”

“I thought you were still angry at me,” she whimpered, melting into my arms. “I thought you didn’t love me anymore, that you hated me.”

“Never,” I responded calmly.

I stood up and walked over to my desk, picking up the stack of legal documents I had prepared earlier.

“That’s why I already ordered you a brand-new 2026 G-Wagon and a custom Escalade as an apology.”

It’s time. My final card.

“What?!” she gasped, leaping off the couch.

Her eyes ignited with pure greed, and, well… happiness as she threw her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly despite my visible stiffness.

“I can’t believe this!”

“You’d better believe it,” I chuckled darkly, resting the paperwork on the glass table and thrusting a pen into her hand. “All you have to do is sign these transfer and ownership forms, and they’re yours to drive and keep.”

I held my breath, praying she would sign without reading.

Just like the greedy snake I knew her to be.

“Where do I sign?” she giggled, practically bouncing on her designer heels.

“Here, here, and here,” I said, flipping through the pages smoothly as she scribbled her signature.

Then, on the fifth page, her hand stilled.

My heart slammed against my ribs. My breath caught in my throat.

God, please don’t give her a brain today. Not today, damn it.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked, keeping my voice calm and loving.

“Why do I have to sign so many pages?” she groaned, rolling her eyes. “My fingers are getting numb, and I just got my nails done!”

A silent surge of relief washed over me.

“I’m sorry, baby… You can head straight to the spa right after this. I’ll have Mrs. Hawkins arrange the VIP package for you.”

I leaned down, clenching my jaw tight as I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Okay, baby,” she chirped, happily scribbling her signature across the remaining pages. “There! All done!”

“Thank you, baby,” I said, taking the pen back.

“What are you thanking me for, silly?” She rolled her eyes playfully.

For setting me free. For being an absolute idiot.

I smiled warmly instead. “For always understanding me, and for forgiving me.”

“Oh, you’re not forgiven yet,” she said sneakily, tapping her chin. “You still have to credit my allowance account so I can spoil my friends at the spa.”

Of course.

Claudia was only ever about two things: herself and money. She never cared about me. She only cared about my money and ….Adrian.

“Done,” I smirked, taking my seat behind the desk and making eye contact with Jayson, who was clutching his stomach, probably from laughing so hard. “Contact my account manager on your way out. I’ll have him credit you immediately.”

“Love you, baby!”

She rounded my desk and planted a sloppy kiss on my cheek, smearing lipstick across my face.

“Muah.”

With that, she strutted out of the office on her high heels, already on her phone, dialing her friends to brag.

The moment the doors clicked shut, Jayson unmuted his mic, a massive grin spreading across his face.

“You’re free?”

I looked down at the signed postnuptial agreement and asset-forfeiture papers in my hands, a cruel smile spreading across my lips.

“I’m free.”