Ex Wife's Collapse After Divorce novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

The next day, Ethan woke up with a pounding headache. Having had a bit too much to drink with Aurora the previous night, he had completely forgotten their conversation, let alone the covert clash between Aurora and Sophie.

After washing his face, he headed to the office as usual.

Vivian had finally agreed to finalize the divorce, meaning things on her end could finally be put to rest, although he didn’t know whether Vivian would actively come looking for trouble. For now, the more

pressing matter was that he was considering giving himself a promotion.

Over the past few days, he had gotten a firm grasp on the company’s operations. Securing Sophie’s order had also helped him build a solid reputation within the firm. The role of a mere sales representative was no longer fitting for him.

He was going to give himself a promotion and get involved in Stellaris’s transformation plan.

Meanwhile, after many years, Damian finally set foot in the Lockwood household again.

He knew Vivian’s parents had never liked him, but this time, he was determined to successfully deceive the entire Lockwood family and seize the shares he desired.

Eleanor Whitmore stood in the entryway, her expression polite but distant-the same look she’d worn every time he’d visited years ago.

“Mrs. Whitmore.” Damian stepped inside, arms laden with premium supplement boxes. “These are for you and Mr. Lockwood. Top-of-the-line formulations. My uncle’s company sources them from

Switzerland.”

“How thoughtful.” Her voice carried zero warmth. She gestured toward the dining room. “Reginald is

waiting.”

Damian’s jaw tightened, but he kept his smile fixed in place.

The dining table stretched between them like a battlefield. Reginald Lockwood sat at the head, barely glancing up as Damian settled into a chair. Eleanor took her seat beside her husband, her movements

stiff and deliberate.

Reginald didn’t waste time on small talk. “Vivian tells me your uncle wants to invest in Lockwood

Industries.”

“Yes, sir.” Damian kept his voice steady, respectful. “My uncle’s real estate company has plateaued. He’s looking to diversify, and I suggested Lockwood.”

“How much?”

“A hundred million.”

The number landed like a stone dropped in still water. Reginald’s expression didn’t change, but his

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fingers went still on his wine glass.

Damian caught it. The old man was interested. Desperate, even, though he’d never admit it.

“Lockwood is valued at a billion,” Reginald said slowly. “For a hundred million, I’d part with ten percent.

No more.”

Damian’s jaw tightened. Ten percent. The old fox was pricing Lockwood at its peak valuation-back

when the Aurora deal was still alive.

Lockwood’s real value was bleeding out by the day, and Reginald knew it.

“Sir,” Damian said, carefully threading hesitation into his voice, “I work at Lockwood. I see the numbers.”

Beside him, Vivian set down her fork. “Dad, ten percent at that valuation isn’t reasonable. Not with where

we are right now.”

The expressions on both Reginald and Eleanor’s faces stiffened suddenly. They had never expected Vivian to openly side against her family in a business negotiation, aligning herself with her so-called boyfriend. This was truly… unbearably stupid.

Eleanor pushed her chair back with a scrape. “Vivian. My phone’s been acting up. Come help me with it.”

“It’s fine, Mom, I’ll look at it after-”

“Now, Vivian.”

The command brooked no argument. Eleanor’s hand closed around Vivian’s elbow, and just like that, the two women disappeared down the hallway. A bedroom door clicked shut.

Reginald turned back to Damian. The mask was off now.

“Your uncle doesn’t know what shape Lockwood is actually in.”

Damian didn’t flinch. “No. He doesn’t.”

“Then I’ll ask you directly.” Reginald’s eyes were sharp as anything Damian had encountered in a boardroom. “What is it you actually want?”

Here it was. The moment Damian had been rehearsing in his head for weeks. It was also the critical moment that would determine whether he could outsmart Reginald, that old fox.

“I want Vivian,” Damian said, letting his voice soften. “When you and Mrs. Lockwood opposed us before, I understood. I wasn’t worthy of her then. But I’ve built something. I can stand beside her now, help her

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