The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 280

Chapter 280

Gemma’s POV

+2 Bonus

I place the crisp white notepaper and a sleek black pen on the table between us with a soft, definitive tap. I came prepared, like I always do when I know I’m walking into a den of snakes and fools.

“Write it,” I say, my voice flat.

I press my lips together, watching Rhett, a morbid curiosity coiling in my stomach. I’m eager to see how this will play out.

Rhett has always been the weakest link in their little triumvirate.

His family‘ wealth is a fraction of the Blackwells‘ or the Staffords; a few hundred million at best. He only orbits Cassian and Liam’s Liam’s world because of a childhood friendship and a lucky stake in Blackwell Industries.

If he liquidates forty–six million in a day, he’ll be bleeding assets, teetering on the edge of falling out of the upper–class bubble he so desperately clings to.

Reyna, the master manipulator, senses his hesitation like a shark scenting blood in the water She clutches his arm, her voice a trembling whisper.

1/7

15:23

< Chapter 280

+7 Bonus

Rhett, I know you care for me, bu I can’t let you repay this money. It’s my mom’s spending, even if I have to work to earn it back, it should be me repaying.

I almost scoff aloud. Work? Her? The only work she’s ever done is perfecting the art of the victim.

But Rhett, poor, deluded Rhett, sees only his goddess in distress. He immediately frowns, his hero complex fully activated,

“I should pay Gemma back, it’s just… Fulfilling this challenge might be out of your league-”

Reyna, don’t say that. You’re my girlfriend. We’re family!“” he declares, puffing out his chest.”

So that’s it. The official announcement. I turn my head slightly, my gaze flicking to Cassian. Is he upset? Jealous? This is his former lover, now wrapped around the arm of his best friend.

But I’m unexpectedly mistaken.

He’s sitting beside me, looking profoundly bored. He’s rubbing his earlobe, then fusses with the cufflink on his suit sleeve, his expression one of pure impatience and annoyance.

Provoked by Reyna’s performance, Rhett snatches up the pen. He writes quickly, scrawling an IOU. And the fool, the absolute idiot, writes his own name as the sole debtor, completely

2/7

15:24

< Chapter 280

absolving Reyna.

+2 Bonus

I watch, my disbelief so profound I can’t help but mutter under my breath, “Idiot!”

I take the note, my eyes scanning every loop and line of his signature. “I hope you keep your word. I want to wake up tomorrow and see the numbers on my card back to normal.” I don’t wait for a reply. I tuck the paper into my bag, a tangible trophy of this absurd battle, and stand to leave.

Cassian just gives Rhett one last, deep, unreadable look before falling into step beside me.

Even without glancing back, I can feel Reyna’s gaze, a mix of fake sobs and very real, seething resentment, burning into our retreating backs.

Sliding into the car, I stare out the window at the passing city.

The adrenaline of the confrontation ebbs away, leaving me drained. I turn to find Cassian looking at me, a small smile on his lips.

“Why are you looking at me?” I ask, my guard instantly up. What happened to my face? Is there something on it?

“How did I just behave?” he asks, his tone almost… expectant.

“What?” I’m genuinely confused.

3/7

15:24

< Chapter 280

$

“I didn’t defend Reyna anymore, and I was totally on your side!”

+2 Bonus

He clarifies, as if pointing out he’s successfully performed a basic human decency. I’m stunned into silence for a moment. So what? Does he want a medal? Does he need me to stroke his head and compliment him like a good puppy?

“Shouldn’t you reward me then?”

The audacity is breathtaking. “If you hadn’t just taken the card out, it wouldn’t have happened today!”

I retort. He actually wants a reward for cleaning up a mess of his

own creation?

The smile vanishes, replaced by a crestfallen look. He actually has the nerve to look sad. “Well, she’s right. It was indeed an oversight on my part.”

He concedes so easily it’s frustrating. He shifts gears, clearly trying to change the subject.

“The Opal Group will be hosting a party in a couple of days. I’ll have the dresses delivered to the home. I’ll go back to pick you up then.”

I’d almost forgotten. “No, I’ll just drive myself there.”

4/7

15:24

< Chapter 280

&

+2 Bonus

“Then let’s go back to Blackwell Manor for dinner tomorrow.”

“I have something tomorrow. I’m afraid I can’t.”

Rejected twice in a row, his demeanor instantly goes cold. The air in the car chills several degrees.

He takes a deep, controlled breath. “I’ll pick you up from work then.” Before I can refuse again, he adds, “You can’t refuse this time!”

I fall silent, turning back to the window. Can’t I just be by myself? I’m pregnant. Every moment spent with him is a risk, a chance that my carefully constructed walls will crumble and this secret will come tumbling out.

He breaks the silence again, “Why did you go to Dream International as a cybersecurity researcher? What is your research on the Internet?”

My breath hitches for a fraction of a second. I blink, forcing a casual tone. “It’s a job Zina set me up with. I’ve learned something from her.”

He seems to accept this, but a line of worry appears between his brows. “Learn less of this stuff from Zina.”

“On what grounds?” I snap back, my temper flaring like a match. I am a bad–tempered cat, and he always knows how to stroke my fur the wrong way.

5/7

15:24

< Chapter 280

+2 Bonus

“Take it easy,” he says, his voice softening into something that sounds like genuine concern. “I just don’t think it’s a very safe business, and I don’t want you to take any risks.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify