I Chose Me Over My Marriage novel Chapter 43

Leaving Director Lancaster's office, Lyra's expression was anything but pleasant.

Returning to her cubicle, she checked her phone and saw that Silas had already replied.

A genuine smile finally touched Lyra's lips.

Everything was still firmly under her control, unfolding exactly as she had orchestrated.

By the time Lyra carried the finalized contract up to Maxwell Sterling's executive suite, he was already visibly enraged about some other corporate crisis.

His foul mood didn't improve when she walked through the door.

"Is it handled?" he demanded.

Only then did he notice the folder in her hands, and some of the tension eased from his shoulders.

"How much of a cut did Silas want?"

Lyra didn't give him a number. Instead, she dropped the contract onto his sleek desk and slid it right in front of him.

"Read it yourself."

Maxwell grunted in acknowledgment, but the moment he flipped the cover open and skimmed the terms, his expression turned murderous.

"He originally wanted thirty percent, and now he's demanding fifty? Are you telling me I'm sinking millions of dollars into this project only to walk away with half the payout?"

The reality was even worse. He had invested astronomical sums into the production.

With the Sterling Group currently facing severe cash flow issues, he desperately needed a massive return on investment to stabilize the company's financials.

Instead, his anticipated windfall had just vanished into thin air, all while the company's stock prices continued their steady plunge.

He was completely cornered.

What the hell was he supposed to do now?

Lyra's lips curved into a faint, cynical smirk as she took a seat across from him.

"Don't take that tone with me. You should be asking your dear adopted sister why she felt the need to act so recklessly and piss Silas off in the first place."

It was the cold, hard truth.

The endless mockery and veiled insults from his relatives used to feel like needles piercing her heart.

And through it all, Maxwell had never once defended her. His silence had only enabled their cruelty.

Now that their divorce was an inevitable reality, she had absolutely zero obligation to tolerate it anymore.

"Lyra!"

The man's sudden, explosive roar echoed harshly in her ears.

Back when they were together, she used to endure his explosive temper, constantly compromising to keep the peace. Now that her love for him was dead, she realized she had simply been a doormat.

Love truly had made her blind.

"I've already retained a lawyer," Lyra said, her voice terrifyingly calm. "He should be contacting you shortly. Since you refuse to give me a straight answer regarding the divorce, I'm following through on my promise. We're doing this the legal way."

Without another word, Lyra opened the door and walked out.

Maxwell was left staring at the heavy mahogany door as it clicked shut, the devastating reality of her words finally crashing over him.