The Billionaire Ex-Wife's Return (Cynthia and Ethan) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Cynthia’s POV

My laptop screen glowed in the dim light of my bedroom, tabs upon tabs open, doing my investigations.

Marcus Chen’s name typed into every search engine I could think of. His smug face stared back from an old alumni photo, his grin still as fake as it had been in middle school. I hated that even his smile could still trigger a wave of nausea.

Why now? Why would Marcus suddenly crawl out of whatever gutter he’d been rotting in just to try to destroy me again?

I scrolled through his social media accounts. They were practically dormant, until a few weeks before the incident at the university. That was when the likes, comments, and new followers started showing up. My stomach tightened as I clicked on the list of people he interacted with most.

Anna Walker, Margot Blaine…

“As much as I thought.”

My finger hovered over the screen. The three of them were connected, mutual friends on F******k, following each other on I** *****m.

“Of course,” I muttered, anger burning through the fog of exhaustion. “Of course, it’s Anna. Who else?”

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. “Fucking Anna,” I hissed under my breath. “Why won’t she leave me alone? I left it all for her. I left Ethan, Amber… everything! I walked away so she could have it and still… she wants to make my life miserable?”

I slammed the laptop shut. “Not this time,” I said quietly to the empty room. “You don’t get to break me twice.”

A knock on the door startled me. “Cici?” It was Julian’s voice, gentle but firm. “We’re coming in.”

Before I could respond, the door opened and all three of my brothers filed in… Nathaniel first, composed and serious in his tailored suit; Kevin, lounging in the doorway like he owned the place; and Julian, with that calm, doctor–like concern that made me feel both seen and smothered.

Why do they have to remind me every second that I have brothers?

Kevin flopped into the armchair across from me, grinning. “There she is…the Michelin goddess herself. You’ve been locked up here for hours. What are you doing? Plotting world domination?”

“Something like that,” I murmured.

Nathaniel crossed his arms. “You’re investigating again, aren’t you?”

I hesitated. “I needed to know what was behind Marcus Chen’s attack. It didn’t come out of nowhere.”

Julian glanced at the closed laptop. “And did you find what you were looking for?”

I met his gaze. “Yes. Anna, my supposed evil sister.”

Kevin’s grin vanished. “That witch again?”

I nodded slowly. “She’s the one pulling the strings. I knew Marcus wouldn’t have had any reason to come after me on his own. We haven’t talked since like… god knows when”

“Then we’ll handle it. I’ll have our legal team build a case for defamation on Marcus, Anna, whoever else is involved…they’ll regret crossing a Laurent and you should leave for Paris if you can’t manage all of these drama”

“No.” I stood, shaking my head. “I can’t run already and jeez, guys… I really don’t like you guys getting involved, I don’t want

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the world to know my identity yet.”

Julian sighed. “Cici, you have to let people who love you protect you.”

“I know,” I said softly. “But I have to stand my ground. If I run now, everyone will think Marcus was right… that I’m guilty of everything he said.”

Kevin whistled low. “So you’re staying in Missford then?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “I’m not going to keep running away forever. I’ve got students counting on me. I won’t disappear just a week through the semester.”

“Well, I guess we’ll just have to endure Missford’s gossip mill for a bit longer, then.”

Julian chuckled. “Kevin, you hate the attention with Cici more than anyone. Half the city thinks you’re dating Cynthia.”

“Exactly!” Kevin said, feigning outrage. “Do you realize how this ruins my chances of finding my missing rib? My soulmate probably thinks I’m off the market because the world believes you’re my girlfriend, Cici.”

I blinked at him, caught between exasperation and laughter. “Your what?”

“My missing rib,” he repeated dramatically, clutching his chest. “My other half, the woman destiny carved out just for me. And now I’ll never find her because you, dear sister, are too famous for your own good. Every headline in Missford reads, ‘F1 Racer Kevin Lauren Seen With Mystery Woman…Chef Cynclair?“”

Julian groaned. “God help us.”

I burst out laughing. “You’re unbelievable.”

It was just very hilarious and laughter is actually good medicine to the soul because I felt good instantly.

Kevin leaned forward, grinning. “Admit it, though, you like being seen with me. The world thinks we’re the power duo of Missford, Chef Cynclair and the F1 Prince.”

“More like the Chef and the Sugar boy,” I teased, Kevin looked way too young for his age, any one would think I am older.

Julian chuckled, clapping Kevin on the shoulder. “She’s got you there.”

Kevin threw up his hands in mock defeat. “Fine, fine. I’ll take the loss. But seriously, Cici, if you’re staying, we’re staying. You’re not facing this circus alone.”

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