All Chapters of Divorced, Now Watch Me Rise!: Chapter 151 - Chapter 160

CLAIRETuesday morning started with good news for once. Michael called at eight AM while I was having breakfast with Julian."Claire, I have an update on the Vivienne Drake situation," he said when I answered."Good or bad?" I asked, putting the phone on speaker."Very good," Michael replied. "Her lawyer called me last night, they want to settle."I felt my heart jump. "Settle how?" I asked."She's agreed to pull all the copied designs immediately," Michael explained. "No production, no sales, complete removal from her website and social media.""What's the catch?" Julian asked, leaning closer to the phone."No catch," Michael said. "She's also issuing a public apology acknowledging that your designs came first."I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Why the sudden change?" I asked suspiciously."Our injunction filing spooked her," Michael replied. "Her lawyer reviewed our documentation and realized they'd lose in court, badly.""So she's just giving up?" I said."She's cutting her

CLAIREI woke up to my phone ringing insistently. I grabbed it without looking at the screen, still half asleep."Hello?" I mumbled."Ms. Cross, this is Detective Martinez," a familiar voice said. "I apologize for calling so early."I sat up immediately, suddenly wide awake. Julian stirred beside me, his eyes opening. "Detective, is everything okay?" I asked."I'm calling because Vanessa Whitmore's situation has changed," he explained. "Her lawyer contacted us last night with new information."My heart started beating faster. "What kind of information?" I asked."I can't discuss details over the phone," Detective Martinez replied. "But her lawyer is requesting an emergency meeting with you today.""Today?" I repeated. "It's Saturday.""I understand," the detective said. "But the lawyer claims Vanessa has information relevant to other ongoing investigations, information she'll only share if you agree to meet."I looked at Julian, who was now sitting up fully, watching me with concern.

CLAIRENEXT DAYThe garlic sizzled in the pan as Julian added vegetables, the smell filling our kitchen."Hand me the salt," he said, focused on his cooking.I passed it over, watching him work with the easy confidence of someone who'd done this a thousand times.Music played softly in the background, some jazz instrumental I didn't recognize. "Your mother taught you to cook?" I asked, leaning against the counter."She said a man who can't feed himself is helpless," Julian replied, stirring the pan."Smart woman," I observed."She was," Julian agreed, his voice soft with memory.We plated the food and sat at the dining table, comfortable in our routine. "How was production today?" Julian asked between bites."Good," I said. "Maria finished five blazers, all perfect quality, and the new seamstresses are getting faster.""That's excellent," Julian replied."How were your meetings?" I asked."Productive," Julian said. "Closed a deal with a renewable energy company in Sweden.""How much?"

CLAIREThat evening, I couldn't stop thinking about Laurent Global's offer, not because I wanted to accept it, but because it made me realize how much potential my brand actually had.If they were willing to pay thirty million, that meant CLAIRE was worth something significant and if I wasn't going to sell, I needed to grow it properly.Julian was reading on the couch, glasses perched on his nose, looking relaxed. I sat beside him, tucking my legs underneath me."Can I ask you something?" I said."Always," Julian replied, setting his book down and removing his glasses."It's about business," I clarified."Okay," Julian said, his full attention on me now.I took a breath, organizing my thoughts. "Laurent Global's offer made me realize something," I began. "My brand has real value, real potential.""It does," Julian agreed."But I'm operating on a small scale," I continued. "Limited production capacity, minimal marketing budget, everything constrained by cash flow."Julian nodded, liste

CLAIRE I woke up to sunlight streaming through the bedroom windows and Julian already gone, a note sat on his pillow."Early meeting in Boston. Back tonight. Good luck with the facility viewing. - J"I smiled and got up, energized despite the early hour. Nina was picking me up at one thirty for the two PM viewing.I spent the morning reviewing resumes from the recruiter, fifteen seamstresses had applied, all with impressive backgrounds.One woman had worked for Chanel for eight years, but the first person I wanted to interview was Maria's sister, Elena.Maria had mentioned her weeks ago, said she was talented and looking for work.I called Maria directly. "Maria, hi, it's Claire," I said when she answered."Claire, good morning," Maria greeted warmly. "Everything okay?""Everything's great," I replied. "I wanted to ask about your sister, is she still looking for work?""Elena? Yes, absolutely," Maria said, excitement in her voice."Can she come in for an interview tomorrow morning?"