Chapter 406
The lingering taste of Joseph was still on her lips when he finally pulled away from their lengthy kiss. Cassie's face flushed a deep crimson, a stark contrast to her usual pallor. As she glanced around the room, her eyes fell upon the half-open window. "I think I heard a car passing by," she murmured, a hint of anxiety creeping into her voice. The thought that their intimate moment might have been witnessed by an outsider was mortifying.
Joseph's eyes sparkled with mischief as he smirked at her. "What's wrong with a husband and wife sharing a kiss?" he asked, his tone teasing.
Cassie bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the floor. This had nothing to do with marital propriety. Who could be as brazen as him?
"Why did you suddenly hold my hand earlier?" Joseph's question was direct, his gaze intense as he watched her.
Cassie faltered, the memory causing a fresh wave of embarrassment to wash over her. "I don't remember what you're talking about," she mumbled, turning her face away to avoid his piercing gaze.
"I'm referring to when the Hernandez family agreed to Edward breaking my hand," Joseph murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he leaned in close to her ear. "You felt sorry for me."
"Absolutely not, don't flatter yourself," Cassie retorted, annoyance creeping into her voice. "Are you still planning on working with Edward and the others?"
"No."
"But they're major corporations in Madison..."
"We're living in an era of rapid technological advancement. Once a data product falls behind, it quickly becomes obsolete," Joseph explained, his tone matter-of-fact. "This situation has opened my eyes. I plan to support some new companies through investments. As for those old-school companies that shift with the wind, it's time they stepped down."
Cassie was quick to grasp his meaning. "You're building your own business empire, and you're positioning yourself at the top of the pyramid."
"You could say that. I don't want to answer to anyone anymore," Joseph declared, his gaze arrogant and his tone commanding.
Cassie took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. His ambition was even more terrifying than she had imagined. It seemed that New York would soon be reshaped by his hand. But could she, as Viv, truly handle a man like Joseph? Once he reclaimed his throne, there would surely be a flood of women vying for his attention. Would her title as Viv end up being merely nominal?
...
Two days later, an argument was brewing at the Chapman Family Estate.
"Leo Chapman, you can only divorce me over my dead body," Vera shrieked, her voice shrill with hysteria.
"Quit your threats, I'm divorcing you, even if it's over your dead body," Leo retorted, his voice cold and resolute. "You are pure evil, conspiring to disfigure Cassie's face and urging Edward to frame her at the engagement party. Don't think I'm unaware of your actions."
"Let me guess, Cassie told you all this? You believe everything she says, just because she's Isabella's daughter and you've always been infatuated with Isabella."
"Yes, I have always loved Isabella the most, and marrying you was my biggest regret," Leo spat, his face contorted with rage. "You've got three days. If you don't agree to the divorce, I'll sue for it myself. I don't care if I lose my reputation."
With that, he stood up and stormed out of the room, leaving Vera alone with her despair.
"Leo Chapman, you bastard!" Vera cried, collapsing onto the floor in a fit of sobs.
The shrill ring of her phone snapped her out of her misery. Upon seeing the caller ID, she answered angrily, "What do you want now?"
"Leo Chapman has lawyered up to prepare the equity split agreement – thirty-five percent for Cassie, five percent for Luna."
"What?" Vera's voice was a strangled whisper. "He's that generous to that illegitimate daughter but wants a divorce? Leo Chapman has gone too far after twenty years with me."
"He's dead set on it. Once the agreement becomes legally binding, the consequences will be dire."
"What am I supposed to do?" Vera panicked.
"The only option is if Leo Chapman dies."
Vera gasped.
"Just think of what he's done to you and your daughter."
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