What She Overheard in Her Own Marriage novel Chapter 429

Walking beside him, Dexter followed Finnian's line of sight and immediately pulled out his phone, pretending to be deeply engrossed in a text.

Finnian jammed a hand into his pocket, glaring at the roses as if someone had just kicked a gaping hole through his chest.

"Mr. Sanders, the meeting is about to start," Dexter braved the ice to remind him.

Finnian tore his gaze away and stalked into the conference room.

Kaia was seated right next to Silas Sanders. The two of them were deep in conversation, looking entirely relaxed and comfortable with each other.

The room was packed with Veridian's top executives, along with several VPs from the conglomerate who managed the subsidiary. The moment Finnian walked in, the atmosphere turned to stone, and total silence descended.

Finnian chose a seat off to the side, positioning himself directly across from Kaia, guaranteeing she would be in his direct line of sight whenever he looked up.

The meeting commenced with Silas leading the presentation. He stood in front of the projector screen, clicking through his slides at a measured pace, delivering sharp, precise points.

Finnian's gaze flickered obsessively toward Kaia. He didn't process a single syllable Silas was saying.

He watched Kaia twirl a pen between her slender fingers. She used to wear a wedding band on her left ring finger. Now, it was utterly bare.

Kaia could practically feel the laser-focused stare coming from across the table, but she expertly ignored it.

After Silas finished his segment, it was the R&D department's turn. Kaia stepped up to the podium with cool confidence. Since she had to face the room, she inevitably locked eyes with Finnian, whose gaze was simmering with volatile emotion.

She gave a slight frown but brushed him off, flawlessly executing her presentation before opening the floor to questions.

The room was quiet for a few seconds before someone raised two complex technical questions, which Kaia answered with effortless authority.

Finnian stared down at the documents in front of him, remaining silent. However, he noticed that the young technician asking the questions seemed to be doing it just to get Kaia's attention. The eager, desperate look in the kid's eyes struck a chord. Why did it feel exactly like when he had tried to stump Kaia on stage seven years ago?

It was far too familiar.

"No."

Finnian's face instantly went rigid.

Seeing that he was just trying to provoke her, Kaia replied frostily, "Finnian, focus on your own life. Stay out of mine."

Finnian was choked by her dismissal. He let out a self-deprecating scoff. "You signed the divorce papers and immediately ran off to have dinner with another man and accept his roses. Kaia, you really show zero respect for our marriage."

Kaia braced her hands on the table, leaning in to glare down at him. "The papers are signed. The only thing left between us is a formality. I don't owe you any explanations about my personal life."

Finnian was silent for a couple of seconds before a hollow laugh escaped him. "I don't think I ever bought you roses. I guess I really don't know how to be romantic. Just a relic."

Kaia sneered. "You don't need to tell me that."

"Kaia..." Finnian's Adam's apple bobbed convulsively.