Chapter 14. The Divorce Bomb on the Twelfth Floor

The next morning, Evelyn Sinclair didn’t wake up until ten, startled by the sound of the doorbell.

“Who could that be?” she muttered, her head heavy. She staggered through the messy living room, where empty wine bottles littered the floor. The alcohol had dulled the pain a little last night, but only for a moment.

When she opened the door, a young man stood there looking worried.

“Mrs. Sinclair,” Daniel greeted politely, his eyes flicking over her disheveled state. “Are you alright?”

“Daniel?” Evelyn blinked in surprise, finally recognizing him. She stepped aside to let him in. “What are you doing here?”

He lifted a food box. “Mr. Reed asked me to bring you breakfast.”

“Breakfast?” Evelyn glanced at the clock on the wall.

“He figured you probably went to bed late, so he told me to come after ten.”

“Tell him thank you,” she said softly.

Daniel nodded and set a tablet down on the table. “There’s one more thing. Mr. Reed asked me to remind you… it’s fine to feel lost for a while, even to want to run away. But he thinks this isn’t the time. There are people out there who’ll take advantage of it.”

Evelyn’s eyes dropped to the tablet screen. The company’s internal chat group was flooded with heated comments about a new announcement. Any trace of sleepiness vanished in an instant.

“Chloe Hartman just joined the company, and she’s already promoted to CEO?”

“It’s only temporary. Word is, Mrs. Sinclair’s sick, so Chloe’s filling in. Maybe it’s also for her training.”

“Makes sense, right? Didn’t Mrs. Sinclair always trust her?”

“Not really. Rumor has it she wants to focus on having a child, so she can’t handle the company right now.”

“But hasn’t Evelyn and Lucas been married for years without kids? Maybe they’re planning IVF?”

Evelyn’s heart hammered in her chest. She froze at the final message: Lucas had stepped down as CEO and handed the company over to Chloe.

What made her stomach turn even more was the way someone in the group was deliberately spinning the story. They were claiming she wanted to step back to focus on having a baby—an absurd lie. What other reason could there be but pure malice? And Chloe, with barely any experience, suddenly promoted to acting CEO?

Those shameless snakes! She hadn’t even been gone from the office that long, and already they were scheming behind her back. Fury surged hot through her veins.

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At Callahan Group, the workday had long since started. Two young receptionists were still gossiping about the forum drama at the front desk.

Suddenly, the sharp clack of heels echoed from the entrance. One receptionist panicked, shoving her phone under the desk and snapping upright.

“Mrs. Sinclair.”

Evelyn strode past them with purpose. She wore a tailored apricot suit, paired with a Burberry scarf draped gracefully around her neck. Her face radiated a cold elegance—the commanding presence of a top-tier executive. Without slowing, she headed straight for the elevators.

One of the receptionists quickly grabbed the internal phone. “Richard? Mrs. Sinclair just arrived. She’s on her way… to HR!”

The elevator chimed on the twelfth floor. Evelyn stepped out, her expression unreadable, and walked into the HR department.

“Mrs. Sinclair, what brings you here?” Richard, the HR manager, rushed from his office.

Her eyes were icy. “Why? I’m no longer Callahan Group’s CEO, so I’m not even allowed into HR without permission from the new director? Is that how things work now?”

“That’s not what I meant, Mrs. Sinclair,” Richard stammered. “The decision was so sudden. I tried to reach you, but your phone was off.”

“And now I’m here,” she snapped.

Sweat trickled at his temple. “It’s just… the order came directly from Mr. Callahan. We don’t know the details. Wasn’t this a joint decision between the two of you?”

Before Evelyn could answer, a woman’s voice called from the doorway.

“Evelyn!”

Her fists clenched instinctively. She knew that voice.

“I heard there was an issue in HR, so I came right away. Evelyn, what’s going on?”

“Mrs. Hartman… it’s about the new placement,” someone blurted out nervously, turning toward Chloe.

Evelyn’s glare cut to the employee. Terrified, the person shrank back, hiding behind their colleagues. Opportunists—so quick to show their true colors.

Chloe widened her eyes, feigning surprise. “A new placement? Evelyn, is that why you came here?”

Evelyn let out a cold laugh. “I was stripped of my title as CEO of a public company without a board meeting, without a vote from the directors. And you think I shouldn’t care?”

“I swear I had no idea,” Chloe replied quickly. “Lucas announced it this morning in a meeting. I thought it was a decision you two made together. I mean, you didn’t show up to the office yesterday.”

Her faux-innocent act only made Evelyn’s rage burn hotter. She realized she had raised a snake that was now ready to strike.

Moments later, Lucas arrived. “What’s with all this noise so early? What’s going on?”

The instant his gaze landed on Evelyn, his expression hardened. “You’re here about the new placement? Let me explain. Mrs. Sinclair signed a contract with Reed Group.”

The room buzzed immediately.

“The Reed project’s already in motion? Mrs. Sinclair’s amazing.”

“Shouldn’t that mean she gets promoted, not replaced?”

Lucas silenced them with a glance and continued flatly, “To guarantee the project’s success and keep Reed satisfied, Mrs. Sinclair will focus on leading it to completion. In the meantime, Mrs. Hartman will temporarily take over CEO responsibilities.”

“Evelyn, don’t misunderstand Lucas’s intentions,” Chloe chimed in sweetly. “He just doesn’t want you overwhelmed. That’s all.”

Evelyn nearly gagged at their well-rehearsed routine. Keeping her composure, she reached into her bag, pulled out a document, and placed it on the table for everyone to see.

“In that case, since Mr. Callahan and the HR manager are both here, I’d like you to sign my resignation.”

The room fell silent. Faces turned pale. Everyone knew how much of Callahan Group’s success rested on Evelyn’s shoulders. If she left, how many clients and partners would follow her out the door?

Lucas’s eyes widened. “You’re resigning? Do you even realize what you just said?”

Evelyn calmly pulled out another paper. “There’s one more matter. It’s personal, but it will affect the company’s ownership structure, so I’d rather announce it now. Lucas and I have agreed to divorce—amicably.”

The words hit like a thunderclap.

“Are you insane, Evelyn?” Lucas exploded, his temper finally breaking. “I never once mentioned divorce, and now you’re announcing it first? Is this guilt talking, or are you just trying to get ahead of me?”

Before Evelyn could respond, Chloe jumped in. “Evelyn, don’t be impulsive. Why bring up divorce all of a sudden? If you’re uncomfortable with me covering your position, I can step aside. Lucas only wanted to protect you. Besides, the news yesterday has already been taken care of.”

“What news?” Evelyn shot back sharply.

The room rippled with whispers. Most hadn’t heard. The media reports had been scrubbed the night before. But Chloe’s slip was enough. Someone quickly pulled out their phone and played a video.

“What if it wasn’t fake news? Maybe it’s true.”

“What news? Show us.”

On the screen, a headline blared: Evelyn Sinclair accused of an affair with Sebastian Reed to secure the major contract.

Cruel comments poured in like a flood, sharp and merciless.

Evelyn clutched her resignation letter, her hands trembling. Her face was pale, but her gaze remained steady.

They had struck first.