Semua Bab No Longer Theirs: The One They Can't Replace: Bab 51 - Bab 60

After speaking, Elijah stood up, his presence radiating a chill as he strode out of the room. Behind him, Corey grabbed his briefcase and hurried to keep pace."Mr. Stroud, it seems Nora is dead-set on cutting ties with you. What are we going to do?" Sean was frantic. "Nora hasn't even submitted the automotive design drafts for this season, and we've been hyping it up for a month now. If news of a contract termination leaks now, it'll be a disaster for us!"After all, most of Stroud Corporation's electric vehicle customers are buying for Nora's designs—they're her fans. If she's gone, our cars will just be soulless shells. Sales will tank for sure!"Joshua sat frozen, feeling like a heavy weight was crushing his chest. His usually proud, piercing eyes were now dark and stormy, clouded with a chilling fog.He could barely breathe. For the first time in his life, he realized what it felt like to be cornered and at someone else's mercy.Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. He shot t

Now, free from the cage that was the Stroud family, Winter stood alone. She would make up for Victoria's regrets one by one, filling the void that they left.Elijah looked at Winter intently, his voice low and hoarse, almost pleading. "Win, if you don't want me to live with a guilty conscience that will keep me awake at night, please don't pay me back. Okay?"Though Winter didn't mention repaying the money again, she silently swore to return it once she had the means.After dinner, they discussed the next steps for the contract termination. Then, Elijah stood to leave, though he wished to stay with Winter for a little longer.She walked him to the entryway. As he bent to slip on his shoes, his gaze suddenly froze on a trash can a few steps away. Inside were a few empty medicine bottles and a crumpled medical report.Winter's heart sank when she noticed. She moved to cover the trash can, but Elijah strode to it and picked up the report. He smoothed it open, and the word "miscarriag

The herbal scent was worlds apart from the cloying perfume that clung to Jessica. It was far more refined."Mr. Stroud, Mrs. Stroud is truly talented. This aromatherapy blend she made works better than any doctor's prescription!" Sean couldn't help but praise Winter.Now that Joshua's migraine had subsided, his eyes regained their usual cold haughtiness. "What are you getting at?"Sean tested the waters. "The aromatherapy blend is running low, isn't it? Why don't you give Mrs. Stroud a call and ask her to come back to make some more?""You want me to grovel? To give in to her? Does she deserve that?" Joshua's lips curled into a cold sneer, and his eyes glinted with disdain. "The Stroud family has too many ties she can't cut. It won't be long before she comes crawling back like nothing happened."Sean nodded on the surface but inwardly disagreed. Winter's departure didn't seem like a tantrum this time. Even an outsider like him could see it—how could Joshua, who wasn't blind, be so

Sean yanked the receptionist's badge from her neck, his voice sharp. "Go to HR and settle your paycheck. You're fired."The receptionist staggered backward in shock and stammered, "W-What did I do? Why—""Because you're stupid, blind, and rotten to the core! Stroud Group doesn't keep dead weight, and we sure as hell don't tolerate schemers!"…After finishing the pastries, Joshua felt a little tired. He leaned back on the couch, his legs slightly apart as he lounged languidly.Jessica sat close to him, her voice soft and soothing. "Josh, are you still upset about Nora's termination?""Yeah." His eyes were half-closed as he pressed his fingertips to his throbbing temples.She leaned in closer, nearly pressed against him as she looked at him with glistening eyes. "In my opinion, losing Nora's designs isn't that big a deal. For a car, the exterior is the least important part. What consumers really care about is whether the performance is cutting-edge."Joshua's gaze sharpened. Her

An uncontrollable pang of bitterness welled up in Winter's chest."It's been nearly a month. When are you going to sign the divorce papers?" she asked, taking a deep breath, keeping her expression cool and detached.Joshua's brows furrowed, and he let out a cold scoff. "You came all the way here just to ask about that?""Is there any other reason for us to meet?" Winter narrowed her eyes and glanced around the room. "This is quite the nice office, really. It's just missing a big bed. I'm sure that cramps your style."Joshua barked out an exasperated laugh. "Paranoia is a disease, Winter. Get it treated."She ignored his jab. "Have you signed the divorce papers or not?""I tore them up," he said, his tone dismissive.He liked tearing things up, huh? She'd figured as much.After a moment of silence, Winter pulled a thick stack of divorce papers from her bag. She set them on the coffee table and slid them toward him. "Contact me after you've signed them. I'll see you at the courth