Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98 Bumping into Troy and Max

Emmett watched Kaleb’s stone–wall attitude and finally asked, “… So, theoretically, could your sister even have a hundred million lying around?”

Kaleb’s brows furrowed. “Emmett, don’t tell me you’re planning to beg Ayla for money.”

“No–no, that’s not what I meant-”

“She was a full–time housewife and a secretary for three years. Every cent she ever had came from Troy Winston. Even if she handed money to me, I wouldn’t touch it. It’s filthy.”

That killed any hope Emmett had of coming clean.

Ayla drove home.

But Blake texted her–urgent overtime. Draven had a drinking engagement.

So Ayla met up with Blake and headed to the venue together.

And just her luck—she walked right into Max, stepping out of a private room.

Inside that room were Troy and Skyla.

Troy’s gaze lifted; their eyes collided for a split second.

He held his wine glass lazily, looked at her like she was invisible.

Ayla didn’t expect him to care.

Three years together–she had always been the one making compromises.

She did it because she loved him.

And she thought she understood everything about Troy.

But she never imagined he would go after Kaleb.

That crossed a line.

Everyone lives for something worth protecting.

And right now, Kaleb was the closest blood family she had left. She would never let him get hurt.

Yet, Troy still did it.

Ayla hated him so much in that moment that she could practically taste blood.

She wanted to rip that icy mask off his face.

She wanted to shatter his cold arrogance under her heel

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Chapter 98 Bumping into Troy and Max

But she withdrew her gaze almost instantly, said nothing, and walked past.

She didn’t spare Max a glance.

He was Troy’s friend; they lived in different worlds..

There was no point in interacting.

Blake and Ayla walked a little further.

Then, Blake muttered, “He’s a clown.”

Ayla didn’t need clarification–she knew exactly who she meant.

And the insult hit her soul like sweet justice.

“Couldn’t agree more.”

“Heh. Glad you feel the same.”

Finished

Max had stepped out to make a call, but seeing Ayla froze him mid–step. He turned around and walked back into the private room.

Troy had already looked away, swirling his drink with dry indifference.

Skyla wasn’t paying attention either.

Rolf had just finished hearing about the mess between Zane and Kaleb, and asked, “Max, why didn’t you help Zane?”

Max poured himself a drink.

But instead of answering, he replayed Ayla’s earlier look in his mind–cold, distant, and gone in less than a

heartbeat.

She didn’t even hesitate.

She practically ignored him.

Meanwhile, she looked at Troy far longer.

No surprise–she’d loved him for three years.

Even if he treated her like trash, feelings like that don’t disappear cleanly.

Love or hate–anything tied to Troy carried more weight.

Max prided himself on being open–minded.

But even he felt an unexpected ribbon of jealousy tighten in his chest.

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Chapter 98 Bumping into Troy and Max

Dow

He raised his eyes and forced a crooked smile. “Troy, Ayla was your wife for three years. She took care of you three years. Treat her like this–aren’t you scared she’ll find another man?”

The room fell silent.

Rolf frowned. “Isn’t Ayla the one being unreasonable? She’s the one provoking him.”

Rolf was fundamentally biased against her; Max knew arguing was useless.

Troy’s expression cooled, eyes sharp on Max.

“I’m curious. She has a little brother. You came down on him pretty hard.”

Troy said, “And?“ ̧

“We’ve all been young. Young people have pride–they have egos. You dropped a bomb on his company. For you, it’s nothing, but for them, it’s a huge blow. You kill that youthful fire too early, and they don’t get it back.”

Max smiled faintly, the same harmless curve he always used.

“So yes, I stepped in. Zane got his cheap shots in–I wasn’t letting him keep humiliating people. Fairness is fairness.”

He had answered Rolf’s earlier question, too.

It fit Max’s style.

He disliked extremes.

He always stopped before things tipped too far.

Troy drank, voice flat. “Ayla already resigned. I’ll handle Kaleb’s issues.”

Max chuckled. “And if she refuses to resign?”

“Then, she brought it on herself.”

Max stopped trying. He poured himself more whiskey.

4

Rolf sneered, “Ayla’s been acting different lately. She’ll probably keep butting heads with Troy, and she definitely won’t shield Kaleb.”

He turned toward Skyla. “Dr. Summer, if it were you–how long would it take to fix the breach?”

Skyla actually thought about it. “About a month.”

“Impressive. A one–woman tech team.”

Troy tapped his glass against hers.

Skyla smiled lightly–she could see he was complimenting her.

Rolf added, “If Ayla wants to defy Troy so badly that she sacrifices her brother’s company … I honestly have

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Chapter 98 Bumping into Troy and Max

no idea what goes on in that woman’s head”

No one in the room believed Ayla had the skill to solve any of this on her own.

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Finished