Ex Wife's Collapse After Divorce novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17

“You live here?” Ethan hadn’t caught up yet.

Aurora slipped past him, pushed the front door open, and stepped into a pair of house slippers like she’d done it a thousand times.

She turned, smile bright enough to light the whole foyer. “Young Master, what are you standing there for? Get inside!”

“I told you to rent me a villa. This is—”

“Yeah.” Aurora blinked. “I rented you mine. What’s the problem? Unless you think I’m an eyesore?”

“A man and a woman living under the same roof. It’s not appropriate.”

“What’s inappropriate about it? You pay rent, I provide the villa. Fair trade.”

Her expression said she couldn’t care less.

When Ethan still didn’t move, she waved him in. “Come on. I made dinner. It’s getting cold.”

Ethan considered it for a moment. Then he walked in.

Aurora led him upstairs and showed him the guest bedroom. He set his suitcase down.

“Good. Now wash up. Food’s ready.”

She headed downstairs, practically bouncing.

The dining table held three dishes and a bowl of soup. Two meat dishes, one salad, and egg drop soup. Nothing fancy, but decent.

Aurora came back from the kitchen with two plates and two sets of silverware.

“I’ve been practicing my cooking. Try it!”

Those expectant eyes. Ethan gave a slight nod, picked up his fork, and cut a piece of the chicken.

He chewed. Swallowed.

“It’s fine.”

Aurora’s face fell.

“Hmph. High standards much?”

They ate.

Halfway through dinner, Ethan brought it up again – finding a different villa tomorrow. He explained why.

Aurora was a public figure in Crestwood. People paid attention to her. If word got out that she was living with a man, the tabloids would have a field day.

“So what? Rumors are rumors.” Aurora shrugged. “At least it’ll shut up the people who keep saying I’m into women.”

She looked almost excited about it.

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Ethan rubbed his temple.

If she didn’t care, then what was he fighting for?

“Fine. Since we’re splitting the place,” he said, “about the rent-”

“Market rate. Full-unit price.” Aurora cut him off instantly. “Young Master, you’re getting a gorgeous woman as a roommate. Eye candy included, free of charge. You’re not seriously going to haggle, are you?”

She leaned back in her chair. “Besides, I cook sometimes. Think of all the money you’ll save on takeout.”

Ethan had nothing to say to that.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, Ethan was up early.

By the time footsteps came down the stairs, breakfast was already on the table.

“Wait – you cook?”

Aurora stood at the bottom of the staircase, eyes wide.

Ethan glanced up. “Stop talking. Do you know what time it is? Sit down, eat, then drive me to the office.”

“Yes sir!”

Aurora grinned, pulled out a chair, and dug in.

Her eyes went round after the first bite.

“How is this so good?”

“I’ve been practicing my cooking,” Ethan said. Deadpan. Word for word what she’d said last night.

Aurora’s cheeks turned pink.

There was no comparison. Her food was edible. His was good-plated well, seasoned perfectly, the kind of breakfast you’d pay money for.

Aurora felt personally attacked.

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at Stellaris International Trading,

Today was Ethan’s first day officially running the company. He’d put on a black suit for the occasion.

“Good morning, Ms. Sinclair!”

“Morning, Ms. Sinclair!”

Greetings came nonstop as they crossed the lobby. Every single person’s eyes slid from Aurora to the man walking beside her. Curious. Confused.

The elevator doors closed behind them.

Out in the lobby, phones were already buzzing.

‘What’s going on? Ms. Sinclair brought a guy to the office??]

A guy? No way. Everyone knows her orientation is… you know.j

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“I saw him with my own eyes! And honestly? He’s hot.j

‘Her boyfriend?? This is HUGE.J

“Must be. You should’ve seen her face she was SMILING when she walked in.J

“The Ice Queen smiles?? Pics or it didn’t happen!

“Get lost, you creep.J

The company group chat exploded.

Aurora and Ethan knew nothing about it.

The private elevator opened into the executive suite. Aurora poured him a coffee.

“Young Master, I’ve prepared detailed company files on my computer. Take a look first. Once you’re done, I’ll call a senior leadership meeting around eleven to announce your position.”

“Hold off on the meeting. Let me get through the files first.”

Ethan sat in the CEO’s chair and clicked open a folder on the desktop.

A grid of anime pretty-boy wallpapers filled the screen.

“That’s that’s not the one! Don’t just click random things!”

Aurora lunged across the desk, snatched the mouse, and slammed the folder shut. Her ears were red.

She opened a different folder and maximized the window.

“This one. Company financials, development roadmap, product specs, executive profiles – it’s all in here.”

“Got it. Thanks.”

Ethan kept his eyes on the screen. Also a little red.

Time crawled by.

At one point, a secretary knocked and entered to report on something. Aurora handled it in the lounge area.

Before leaving, the secretary stole a glance at the man sitting in the CEO’s chair. Her expression was… complicated.

Aurora pretended not to notice.

One minute later, the group chat detonated again.

At the same time, Lockwood Industries was holding an emergency executive meeting.

Reginald Lockwood – the company’s chairman, who rarely attended these sessions – sat at the head of the table. His face was dark.

“Stellaris has terminated our partnership. Our chief pharmaceutical R&D engineer has resigned. Does anyone have anything to say about this?”

Silence.

Stellaris pulling out meant Lockwood lost half its business overnight. Arthur Voss walking out the door meant the drug optimization project was dead in the water.

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