My CEO HUSBAND sign the divorce novel Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Confrontation

Not far away, Alicia had seen everything.

She stood still for a moment, her thoughts drifting, her expression faintly distant.

A strange sense of detachment settled over her.

Then, without warning, a memory surfaced.

The first day she had joined the company.

She had gone to report to the CEO’s office, Jane by her side. Back then, unfamiliar with the rigid boundaries he enforced, she had called him by his name—

Alexander.

The correction had been immediate.

Cold.

Precise.

Regardless of the situation, regardless of who was present, she was to address him as CEO Blackwood within the company.

There were no exceptions.

At work, he had always been strictly professional.

Distant.

Unyielding.

He treated her no differently than any other employee.

At the time, she had believed—

That was simply who he was.

It wasn’t until Lilian returned... that Alicia realized something else.

Alexander was capable of favoritism.

He just never chose her.

And yet today—

He had spoken.

For her.

Alicia’s fingers tightened slightly at her sides.

If this had happened earlier... perhaps things would have been different.

Perhaps she would have felt something.

Relief.

Warmth.

Even the smallest trace of happiness.

But now—

There was nothing.

No, that wasn’t entirely true.

There was something.

A faint, lingering bitterness.

Because she didn’t need it anymore.

When the rumors had first surfaced, he hadn’t defended her.

When the whispers had begun, he hadn’t intervened.

When the accusations had spread, he had remained silent.

And now—

Now that everything had already taken root—

His words felt... late.

Too late. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

The rumors had already spread.

The insults had already been thrown.

The gossip had already taken shape.

Nothing he said now could undo it.

Alicia lowered her gaze briefly, then lifted it again, her expression returning to calm indifference.

As if none of it mattered.

As if it had never mattered at all.

But just as she was about to turn and enter her office—

A sudden wave of nausea rose in her chest.

Sharp.

Unexpected.

Her steps faltered.

Only for a second.

Her hand moved instinctively, pressing lightly against the edge of the desk beside her.

Her breathing slowed.

Careful.

Controlled.

No one around her seemed to notice.

Except—

Through the glass corridor, a pair of eyes remained fixed on her.

Alexander.

He hadn’t left.

His gaze was steady.

Too steady.

Seeing my reaction, she smirked. "You know it was me. But does CEO Blackwood know? He chose to protect me and shift the blame onto the intern. What do you think that means?"

What did it mean?

My gaze lowered slightly.

I knew exactly what it meant.

It meant that, in Alexander’s eyes, I didn’t matter.

It meant that Lilian mattered more.

Because Sophia and I stood in opposition—because we balanced each other out—no matter how much she slandered me, she would never lose her position as Head of PR.

Her reputation was worth more than mine.

Sophia let out a soft laugh. "Even if I lose part of my bonus, it’s just money. It doesn’t affect my salary. And with months left before the end of the year, I could easily earn it back. This so-called punishment means nothing to me."

Her eyes swept over me, full of mockery. "But you... you seem to take it seriously. Alicia, by now, you should understand your place in CEO Blackwood’s eyes. He spoke up for you earlier, made it look like he was defending you—but what have you actually gained?"

My reputation was still in ruins.

And work hadn’t become any easier.

A flicker of irony crossed my mind.

Thankfully, I hadn’t been fooled by Alexander’s so-called "defense."

Otherwise... I would have been the biggest fool in the world.

Fortunately, I had already seen him for who he truly was.

"I’m curious, Director Sophia," I said calmly, shifting the conversation, "why do you hate me so much?"

"Why?" she sneered. "Can’t I dislike you for no reason?"

"That’s impossible," I said firmly.

I was the adopted daughter of the Blackwood family. I had the Chairwoman’s favor. Even if people disliked me, they wouldn’t show it so openly. Avoiding conflict was human nature—especially for someone like Sophia, who had climbed her way to the top of PR.

If she were straightforward, I could understand.

But after working with her for years, I knew exactly what kind of person she was—smooth, calculating... and two-faced.

There had to be a reason.

"What’s so impossible about it?" she asked mockingly.

I studied her for a moment, then said slowly, "Director Sophia, you keep bringing up CEO Blackwood... Could it be that you like him?"

Her expression shifted, just slightly.

"Are you jealous?" I continued, my tone light but deliberate. "Jealous that I—a nobody—was adopted into the Blackwood family? That I get to stand close to him? Is that what bothers you?"

"Alicia, what nonsense are you spouting?" Sophia snapped, her face darkening. "Don’t you dare slander me."

That reaction told me everything.

"Oh?" I tilted my head, a faint smile forming. "Did I hit a nerve? You seem... flustered."

"I have no idea what you’re talking about," she said sharply, already turning away.

She walked off without another word.

I watched her retreating figure for a moment, then let out a quiet breath before heading back to my office.