The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 324

Chapter 324

Gemma’s POV

The moment Jeremy’s name leaves my lips, the vibrant energy in the room deflates. Zina’s bright smile vanishes, replaced by a familiar, stubborn scowl. “He contacted you again?” she demands, her voice tight.

He just mentioned it today, I say, keeping my tone neutral.

Ignore him. She waves a dismissive hand, but the gesture is too sharp to be convincing. “He just can’t accept that I initiated the breakup. It’s a matter of pride for him, that’s all!”

I don’t push it. I know that determined set of her jaw all too well.

Instead, I shift the subject, steering us toward safer, more productive ground. “Was everything smooth with the Eursia project today?”

Smooth doesn’t even begin to describe it, she replies, her mood lifting slightly as she moves to the computer. “And we settled the accounts quickly. By now, the payment should be done processing.”

She clicks open the accounting software, but the moment the screen loads, she freezes. A sharp, incredulous gasp escapes her. “Oh my god. Why is there an extra thirty million?”

That gets everyone’s attention. Jace and Molly crowd round–the monitor. This project’s commission was substantial, but it was

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Lucky Draw

Zina’s fingers fly across the keyboard, pulling up the transaction details. A string of account numbers appears on the screen. My eyes scan the digits, a habit born from years of managing my own precarious finances.

I see the last few digits of the depositing account, and a cold, heavy familiarity settles in my gut.

Zina cross–references the number. “Demon spawn?!”

She reads aloud, her voice a mixture of shock and confusion.

Demon spawn…the silly nickname for Cassian that she started using to vent her frustrations after hearing that he wasn’t treating me well and that I couldn’t do anything about it.

The others turn to look at me, their expressions a blend of awe and confusion. I feel a headache beginning to pulse behind my temples. Why? Why would he transfer this massive, inexplicable sum to me now? What game is he playing?

Why not give him a call and ask? Jace suggests, but I hesitate. The act of blocking him felt so final, so necessary for my sanity. Unblocking him, even for a moment, feels like a surrender.

Jace seems to read my conflict. He wordlessly pulls out his own phone and hands it to me. “Use mine.”

I take it, the cool metal foreign in my hand. I dial the number I know by heart, a sequence etched into my memory from three years of hoping it would ring.

2/7

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Lucky Drow

It takes a long time for him to answer, likely because it’s an unknown number.

Cassian, I say, my voice deliberately flat. “Why did you transfer thirty million to my account?”

There’s a sharp, sudden noise on the other end, the sound of a chair scraping violently against the floor, as if he had jolted upright. “Gemma?”

His voice is rough with surprise.

The money, I repeat, impatient. “Why?”

That was the money from Seaside Manor before, he says, recovering his composure.

“The property there appreciated. I transferred the surplus to you.”

I raise an eyebrow, though he can’t see it. The house hasn’t been sold. There’s been no valuation. This “appreciation” is a fiction, a flimsy excuse for… for what? Guilt? A payoff?

Since you are so generous, I say, my tone dripping with sarcastic acceptance, “thank you.”

I would be a fool to refuse, and I’m done being a fool for him.

Gemma, he says, his voice getting softer, more pleading. “Could we talk sometime?”

A’s the same line, the same worn–out record. “Mr. Blackwell, 5:34

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Lucky Draw

anything left for me to discuss with you. If there’s any business cooperation in the future, I’ll naturally discuss it. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”

I end the call before he can respond, handing the phone back to Jace. I look at the number on the screen… the absurd,

life–altering thirty million. A strange sense of power washes over

1. me.

This is not a chain; it’s a key. “Consider it a bonus for your business trips!”

I announce to my team. “Ten million each.”

Molly’s eyes widen like saucers. “Ten million?” she breathes, her voice barely a whisper. “I… I never dreamed… I didn’t do much on this business trip. It was Zina and Jace handling everything. I can’t accept this ten million…”

It’s too much, too overwhelming.

Zina slings a comfortable arm around Molly’s shoulders, grinning. “Our team treats us well; you’ll get used to this!”

She says, her voice full of pride and promise. She’s right. I foolishly married for a illusion of security before. Now, I’m building my own fortress, brick by brick, and I’m determined to make sure everyone inside prospers.

44

The next day, I walk into the sleek, modern lobby of the Opal Group. The moment the elevator doors slide open, a young,

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meeting, Please wait a moment.”

Lucky Draw

I nod and follow her to a minimalist waiting area, all clean lines and expensive art. As she pours me a glass of water, I notice her glancing at me several times, a curious, almost nervous energy about her. “Ms. Marino, please wait. Mr. Hartley should be out soon,” she says, her words a little too rushed.

It’s okay, I’m not in a rush, I assure her. And it’s the truth, the frantic urgency that used to define my life has quieted.

The moment she leaves, I can hear the faint, excited buzz of conversation from the main office area. The acoustics are poor, or perhaps they’re not trying very hard to be discreet.

Hey, I just saw that Ms. Marino is really beautiful. I couldn’t even see pores on her face!

Really? Wasn’t she Mrs. Blackwell before? How come she’s with Mr. Hartley now?

I don’t know. Mr. Hartley told me to take good care of her. Do you think Mr. Hartley has a thing for Ms. Marino?

Interested in a married woman? Does Mr. Hartley have such unique tastes?

Their gossip flutters around me like gnats. It’s irritating, but also strangely amusing. Then, as if summoned by their chatter, Jeremy appears, and the office instantly falls into a hushed, productive silence.

Fle

gestures for me to follow him into his office. “Hello, Mr.

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Hartley,” I say formally as I enter

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