Chapter 14: She Can’t Wait to Divorce

Vivian Hale held the phone slightly away from her ear, fearing the sharp voice might pierce her eardrum.

Divorce?

She couldn't wait for it.

However, she didn't want to let Adrian Cross and the Cross family off so easily.

The kindness she had shown them over the years had ultimately been fed to the dogs.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late to cut her losses.

On the surface, she remained submissive, agreeing, "Mom, please don't get upset. When I get back, I will definitely find the best doctor to check on Adrian..."

Before she could finish, Eleanor Cross hung up the phone in a fit of rage.

The world fell quiet again, and Vivian felt a significant sense of relief.

She tossed the scorched egg into the trash and ended up ordering takeout.

Going back? In her dreams.

She had many of her own things to do.

Exposing the news about them was only the first step. Although Zenith’s reputation would certainly be affected, their PR department was no amateur; they would likely suppress the news quickly.

Next, she needed Zenith to continue hitting roadmines until they were driven into a corner. Only then would Adrian stake everything on the new patent.

As she was planning her next move, a notification popped up on her phone. It was from the HR department of the new company she had just joined.

To her surprise, they mentioned there were some issues during the background check, and their boss wanted to speak with her personally.

This was her livelihood after the divorce, so she had to treat it with caution and immediately agreed.

The time and location for the interview were set.

She picked out a light blue striped shirt dress from her wardrobe—simple yet elegant.

While it outlined her perfect silhouette, it added a touch of professional competence.

Her dark hair was pinned up, exposing her radiant, oval face.

Vivian gave a proper smile to the mirror and set off on time.

At the branch office's office building, Vivian arrived at the CEO's office for the first time.

She had done her research when submitting her resume; the boss behind this company was very mysterious and almost never appeared in public.

The one who usually handled business was a Vice President.

Of course, that had nothing to do with her job, so she hadn't paid much attention.

She didn't expect that this time, the boss wanted to meet her in person.

At the door, she knocked twice and slowly pushed it open...

To her surprise, the interior was a suite with a New Chinese style—minimalist and grand. Separating the desk was a Suzhou embroidery screen.

Delicate stitches depicted the vitality of mountains and rivers.

Behind the screen sat a blurred figure.

Though she couldn't see him clearly, she could feel an extraordinary aura.

Vivian froze for a moment, struck by an inexplicable feeling.

It felt as if an old acquaintance was sitting across from her.

A second later, a voice much younger than she had imagined spoke.

"Miss Hale, please have a seat."

Vivian immediately snapped back to her senses.

Her gaze darkened. Recalling that this boss never appeared in public and there was no information about him online, she relaxed. She sat directly on a chair nearby and began the conversation.

The man initially asked a few questions about the new patent.

This was her stepping stone to the job, but since the review process wasn't finished and the patent wasn't yet in hand, it was natural for him to have concerns.

The work was hers, so discussing it was second nature. Vivian briefly explained her views, and the man seemed to be convinced.

However, when the conversation turned to the relocation process for working abroad, he suddenly asked a personal question.

"According to our background check, Miss Hale and your husband are not very close? If you are to work abroad, will your husband agree?"

The smile on Vivian’s lips suddenly froze.

However, if he had asked this question a day earlier, she might not have been sure she could convince him.

But now...

After thinking for a moment, she admitted it directly.

"Adrian Cross and I are already preparing for a divorce. I presume you have seen the news that just broke."

The man behind the screen seemed slightly surprised.

Vivian lowered her eyes and continued.

"He betrayed me, and I am no fool. I want to take back everything that belongs to me. I will get the assets that are due to me, and after the divorce, I need a job to sustain myself. To be honest, we have already signed a divorce settlement. I will handle my affairs during the cooling-off period before the relocation procedures are finalized."

She didn't deny that telling him this was a gamble.

She had laid all her cards on the table, believing that even if the partnership failed, a man of his character and status would not leak today's conversation.

Time passed, and the office fell silent.

Vivian’s hands clenched quietly on her lap, her heart beating even faster than before.

After an unknown amount of time, a familiar voice came from behind the screen.

"Business is business. As long as Miss Hale can bring enough profit to me, these are your private matters."

Vivian suddenly looked up. It was a success.

"Then, I wish us a happy partnership."

The man nodded. "However, as a future partner, if Miss Hale encounters any difficulties during this month, you can ask for my help."

"Including the divorce."

With that, he waved his hand, and an assistant stepped out from the other side to hand Vivian a business card.

This genuinely surprised her.

She hadn't expected the boss to be so easy to talk to and willing to help.

Even if he was only doing it for the company's interest, this kind of relationship was often the most reliable.

She immediately took the card, expressed her thanks, and left.

However, a second after she left, the man stepped out from behind the screen.

He was dressed in a well-tailored V-neck black suit, with handsome features and eyes as deep as the sea.

Simply standing there, he was like a masterpiece of turbulent undercurrents.

Mysterious and noble.

The most shocking thing about his face was that it looked exactly like Adrian Cross!

If Vivian had stayed just one step longer, she would have discovered the truth.

Silas Vance stood with his hands in his pockets, his slender figure looking like a beautiful silhouette.

Watching the direction in which Vivian had left, the man whispered to himself: "One day, I will make you come back to my side."

After saying that, Silas tilted his head slightly.

His eyes held an undisguised desire to have Vivian belong only to him.

He took out his phone and dialed his special assistant.

"Intercept Zenith Corp's recent co-branding projects. Send them my business letter, demanding that for any further cooperation with Zenith, they must provide higher-level technical support than what they have now."

The special assistant’s heart skipped a beat.

He had followed Silas for many years and knew his ruthlessness and composure well.

But he had rarely seen him make such an impulsive decision.

After hesitating for a moment, he reminded: "Mr. Cross, doing so carries great risk with minimal returns, and it might even have a negative impact on you..."

"Do as I say."

Before he could finish, Silas interrupted in an unquestionable tone.

As long as Vivian wanted to escape Adrian Cross, he would support her at all costs.

The assistant knew further persuasion was useless and could only comply.

After Vivian returned, she enjoyed a rare few days of peace.

She followed the doctor's orders, taking her daily vitamin pills and water, waiting with her hand gently on her lower abdomen.

Recalling the madness of that night, she couldn't help but feel a flush on her face.

Calculating the days, it should be time for implantation.

Success or failure hinged on this.

If heaven blessed her with a child and gave her a new hope to live for, she would be willing to give everything to protect this tiny life.

Vivian took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions.

The next second, her phone chimed with a message from a colleague at her old company.

"Manager Hale, things aren't looking right at the company lately. Will you be coming in to help handle things these few days?"

Seeing the message, Vivian curled her lips.

It seemed the effects of the public outcry were beginning to show.

Before her thoughts could settle, the phone in her hand vibrated, and Adrian Cross's name flashed on the screen.