Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 56

Leo froze. "...Did Elara actually say that?"

"More or less," Julian replied vaguely, instantly firing back with a question of his own. "Do you really want to watch my equity get carved up, triggering a massive management restructure and plunging the entire company into chaos?"

Ark Solutions was gearing up for an IPO. If the largest shareholder and board director suddenly became embroiled in a massive asset-division scandal, it would completely sabotage both his personal standing and the company's IPO approval.

Leo understood the business logic, but it still twisted his stomach to watch Elara worry herself sick over a company she had no idea was actively trying to ruin her.

"Elara practically saved Ark back in the day. If there's any room for discussion, you really need to try and talk to her."

"Besides, you're Melody's parents. Melody's a sensitive kid. If this turns into a bloodbath, what happens to her?"

"Are you just giving up on co-parenting entirely?"

"You can't seriously be planning to cut Elara out of Melody's life forever, right?"

To secure the Winthrop family's shares in the Beckett Group and to push Ark further, necessary sacrifices had to be made. But they had a child. The child was completely innocent.

"Elara isn't an unreasonable person," Leo pressed on. "Sit down with her. Offer her a massive cash payout in the divorce settlement so she'll voluntarily waive her rights to your other assets?"

Julian listened in silence. In his mind, taking full custody of Melody and cutting Elara entirely out of the picture was the ideal scenario.

As for the money—if they had divorced amicably a year or two ago, he wouldn't have minded giving Elara a larger cut. But right now, he needed every single cent to grease the palms of the Beckett Group's shareholders.

And knowing Elara's fierce personality, if she found out he had been sleeping with Vivian for months, she would never just walk away quietly.

He was completely out of options.

But Julian didn't voice any of this. He simply waved a dismissive hand, signaling that he had heard enough and gesturing for Leo to leave.

Leo opened his mouth to argue, but quickly realized the situation was entirely out of Julian's hands now. The die was cast.

"Fine. I trust you'll handle your family drama. Just don't let it drag the company down with you."

[Peeking_Cat.jpg]

[Is your meeting over?]

Today's meeting agenda had been heavy. Vivian had intentionally timed it out, waiting until she assumed it was over before reaching out.

Still terrified of interrupting him, she quickly fired off another message: [I hope I'm not bothering you?]

So incredibly thoughtful and attentive. It was exactly what Julian needed to hear right now.

The corners of his mouth curled into an involuntary smile as he typed back: [Just wrapped up.]

[The meeting was entirely too loud. Frying my brain. I need oxygen. Lips_puckered.jpg]

Vivian didn't hold back or play coy. She sent a bashful emoji, followed by a remarkably bold question: