Ex Wife's Collapse After Divorce novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

The word hung in the air like a grenade with the pin pulled.

Aurora’s reaction was immediate. The sip of sparkling water she’d just taken came spraying out in a fine

mist across the white tablecloth.

She snatched a napkin, dabbing furiously at her lips while shooting Bianca a glare that could’ve cut glass.

“Say that again,” Aurora warned, voice low. “I dare you. I will rip that mouth right off your face.”

Bianca didn’t flinch. If anything, her grin widened-the kind of grin that belonged to someone who’d just confirmed exactly what she wanted to know.

“Oh?” Bianca leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, violet waves spilling over her shoulders. “Look at you. Getting all protective already.” She tilted her head, studying Aurora with theatrical interest. “You really do care about this one, don’t you?”

Aurora’s ears flushed pink. She refused to meet Ethan’s eyes.

Ethan sat beside her, watching the exchange with quiet amusement. He didn’t rescue her. Not yet.

The two women fell into conversation like no time had passed-rapid-fire, overlapping, finishing each other’s sentences. College stories, post-graduation ventures, mutual acquaintances who’d gotten married or gone bankrupt or both. Ethan let the chatter wash over him, picking up details Aurora had never shared directly.

“First beauty of the campus,” Bianca was saying, slicing into her filet mignon with casual precision. Every guy in the business school wanted a shot. Finance department, law department-hell, even the philosophy majors tried.” She pointed her fork at Aurora. “And this one? Never dated. Not once. Four

years.”

Aurora rolled her eyes. “I was focused on-”

“I genuinely thought you were into women.” Bianca’s delivery was deadpan. “I’m serious. I almost set you up with my roommate.”

A small laugh escaped Ethan before he could stop it.

Aurora’s head snapped toward him, eyes narrowing. But the corner of her mouth twitched.

Bianca caught the exchange and smirked, filing it away. Then she popped another bite of steak into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully before asking: “Speaking of pains in the ass-that half-sister of yours still causing trouble?”

Aurora’s smile stiffened. Just a fraction.

“She’s not a child anymore.” Her voice came out even, controlled. “Let’s not talk about her. Actually-let me get to why we’re really here.”

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The pivot was smooth. Professional. But Ethan noticed the way her fingers tightened briefly around her

water glass.

He had never heard Aurora mention having a younger sister. Seeing Aurora like this, he actually found himself a bit curious about this sister of hers.

Aurora turned to him. “The development zone project-you know the details better than anyone at this point. Walk her through it?”

Ethan straightened in his seat.

For the next thirty minutes, he laid it all out. Market projections, infrastructure timelines, supply chain logistics, contractor availability, zoning regulations, profit margins at twelve months and twenty-four months. He pulled data from memory-the afternoon spent walking those dusty construction sites paying dividends now.

Bianca had gone still across the table. Fork down, knife down, hands folded beneath her chin. Her violet eyes were fixed on him with an intensity that might’ve been professional attentiveness.

It wasn’t.

“-and if we secure the eastern corridor permits by Q3, the processing plant alone would generate enough revenue to justify the entire initial investment within eighteen months.” Ethan paused. “Miss Donovan, those are the broad strokes. What’s your take?”

Silence. Ethan waited patiently and politely for Bianca’s reply.

Bianca blinked slowly. Then a smile spread across her face-languid, deliberate.

“You know what?” she said. “You’re even more attractive when you’re being serious.”

Ethan blinked, utterly stunned.

He turned to Aurora, eyes clearly communicating: Help.

Aurora covered her mouth, failing to suppress a laugh. “Relax. She’s like this with everyone.” She nudged Bianca’s arm. “But she heard every word. Right, Bianca? The project-is it viable or not? Give it to me straight. If it’s a no, I’ll kill it now.”

Bianca sighed, the playfulness draining from her expression as business took over.

“The project’s fine. Better than fine, actually-it’s smart.” She reached for her wine glass. “But I can’t greenlight it alone. My father stepped back six months ago. Health issues. The whole zone falls under my brother now.”

“Marcus,” Aurora said. Her tone flattened.

“Marcus.” Bianca’s lip curled with sisterly disdain. “Twenty-five years old, zero vision, and greedy enough to choke on his own demands. That’s why every company that’s tried to break into the zone has failed. He bleeds them dry before groundwork even starts.”

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Aurora’s posture shifted-subtle, but Ethan caught it. A withdrawal. The beginning of retreat.

“The same Marcus,” Bianca continued, swirling her wine, “who spent an entire year chasing you around

like a lost puppy.”

Aurora’s brow creased. “Then maybe we should-”

“Don’t.” Bianca set her glass down with a decisive clink. “Don’t you dare back out. He’s an idiot, but he still listens to me. Mostly.”

She leaned forward, eyes bright. “Here’s the deal. Tonight-you two come with me to Hot Springs Manor. One evening. Then I’ll handle Marcus tomorrow.”

Ethan’s posture shifted almost imperceptibly. “The hot springs? That seems…”

“Romantic? Intimate? Inappropriate?” Bianca counted off on her fingers. “Yes, yes, and absolutely yes. That’s the point.” She stood, and flashed a sweet smile at Ethan. “Come on. One night. That’s all I’m asking.”

Left speechless for a moment, Ethan turned to Aurora with a helpless look. His meaning was clear-How could you bring me to meet a woman like this?

Aurora’s expression was also subtle, seemingly having not expected Bianca to flirt with her young master so blatantly. Then again, only she knew Ethan’s true identity as a young master, whereas Bianca was completely in the dark. If Bianca had known, she would certainly not be behaving so frivolously now.

“I am so sorry, Young Master,” Aurora whispered, leaning close to Ethan’s ear. “But I will stay by your side the entire time. Bianca is all talk; she won’t actually do anything inappropriate.”

Ethan held her gaze for a long moment. After a while, he exhaled and gave a short nod.

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