The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 199

**TITLE: Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest 199**
**CONTENT: Chapter 199**

**Chapter 206**

Gemma’s POV

The atmosphere in the room hangs heavy with an uncomfortable silence, a stark contrast to the audacious offer he just laid before me. Cassian’s proposition, brimming with a casual arrogance, suggests he believes he’s bestowing a favor upon me, as if my dreams are so trivial they could easily fit into the palm of his hand.

I find myself seated across from him, my gaze locked onto his face, illuminated by the soft glow of my laptop. The light casts shadows across his damp torso, painting him in hues of blue and purple. But if he thinks I should feel grateful, he is sorely mistaken.

“No,” I respond, my voice steady and unwavering.

“No?”

His voice barely rises above a whisper, echoing my refusal with a hint of disbelief.

I can sense his surprise without needing to glance away. Cassian Blackwell is not a man accustomed to hearing the word ‘no.’

The thought of becoming a flight attendant, as my grandfather once suggested, or remaining a warehouse worker, as I currently am, fills me with a sense of dread. Those paths do not resonate with my true passions. Hacking is my calling, and no amount of scrutiny from Mikhail will deter me; I am confident in my abilities.

“I’m not interested in your company, and I certainly have no desire for any position you might offer. Since I resigned, I have not once entertained the idea of returning. In fact, I have already accepted an offer elsewhere…”

“Elsewhere!”

“Yes, Dream International. Once I return, I’ll be joining their entertainment subsidiary.”

For a fleeting moment, I catch a glimpse of genuine surprise flickering across his features, but it quickly morphs into a light, mocking laugh.

“Dream International? Are you applying as a receptionist or an office assistant? Let me at least negotiate a decent salary on your behalf, or you’ll find yourself fetching coffee in exchange for pennies—”

A familiar sting of hurt and dismissal ignites within me. I knew it. In his eyes, I will always be seen as insignificant. He truly believes that’s the pinnacle of my potential?!

“Mr. Blackwell, you are sorely mistaken. Even if I am deemed useless, I possess a multitude of skills. At the very least, I could be an artist in their entertainment division. Even a vase can find its place in the spotlight.”

I hurl his own veiled insult back at him, my words sharp and deliberate.

His expression shifts to one of genuine astonishment. “An artist? Don’t tell me you think you’re cut out for that?”

The retort simmers on my tongue, hot and biting.

“Haven’t you noticed? Half the industry is filled with individuals whose only qualification is looking good under the lights.”

His eyes narrow, skepticism etched across his features.

“So that’s your plan? To be a vase?” His gaze sharpens, as if he’s trying to decipher whether I’m bluffing. “Do you really believe that qualifies you to survive in a corporation like Dream International? Beauty does not equate to ability.”

“Clearly, Dream International thinks otherwise! While looks may not hold much weight for you, don’t pretend they don’t open doors. And for the record, arrogance does not equate to truth either.”

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