Chapter 8
After the plane landed. I sent Hunter a message:
[Where are you?]
He replied almost instantly.
[At the office.]
I didn’t respond.
I flagged down a cab and went straight back to what used to be our home.
I opened the closet and began packing.
I’d already asked a friend to help me rent a one–bedroom apartment.
My plan was to move in as soon as the divorce papers were signed that afternoon.
The speed of it all almost exceeded my own expectations.
In my previous life, I had exhausted myself and swallowed endless humiliation, yet still couldn’t break free from that
cage.
This time, in just a few days, I was dismantling it cleanly–separating, detaching, preparing to leave.
I couldn’t help but sigh:
“Hey, Penny…”
“So this is just how capable you really are.”
Ever since I found out about Hunter’s affair, I’d stormed into his company countless times.
Every visit had ended in hysterical arguments.
I’d smashed glass, torn up documents, damaged walls–like a completely unhinged woman.
The entire company probably knew by now: CEO Hunter’s wife was a lunatic with no dignity whatsoever.
Now, as I stepped into the office, all eyes turned toward me–from every corner.
Curious, judgmental, eager for a show.
The elevator doors opened
I stepped inside. Several employees who had been waiting followed me in.
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In the cramped space, low whispers rose.
“She’s here again… which window do you think she’ll smash this time?”
Tch, the renovation crew must be making a fortune off her.”
“Quiet. The show’s about to start.”
Laughter wrapped around me in the sealed space.
This time, I didn’t lose control.
Instead, amid the faint weightlessness as the elevator ascended, I let out a soft chuckle.
I turned calmly and swept my gaze across their faces.
“I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.”
“I’m not here to break anything today.”
“I’m here to talk to your CEO—”
I paused, enunciating every word clearly.
“About a divorce.”
Ding-
The moment my words fell, the elevator reached its floor.
I stepped out and walked straight down the corridor.
I pushed open the office door.
The first thing that met my eyes was an intimate pair.
Luna was sitting sideways on Hunter’s lap.
When she saw me, her cheeks flushed crimson. She jumped up in panic,
“P–Penny… you talk, I’ll go outside-”
She stammered, head lowered.
“No need,” I said, my voice surprisingly calm. “Sit. You’re not in the way.”
My gaze passed over her and settled on Hunter.
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He looked perfectly composed.
I took a document from my bag and placed it lightly on the desk.
“I’ve read the agreement your lawyer sent me earlier.”
I met his slightly mocking gaze.
“Hunter, since you’re the one at fault, ten million dollars isn’t enough.”
I paused, then stated my terms.
“I want thirty million dollars. You agree, and we meet at the County Clerk’s Office tomorrow morning at nine.”
Hunter burst out laughing, as if he’d heard a joke.
His arm tightened, pulling Luna–who was trying to step away–back into his embrace.
“Penny, the money I earned through blood and sweat and giving you ten million is already out of respect for our past.
That’s me being generous.”
“And you still dare to ask for thirty million dollars?”
“Have I been too lenient all these years that you’ve forgotten your place?”
“So greedy.”
I looked into his eyes.
Those eyes I had once been so infatuated with now held only calculation and indifference.
I suddenly remembered his early days as an entrepreneur–how I put aside my beloved photography, spending day and
night accompanying him to meet clients, visit factories, smile through it all, even drinking myself to the point of
stomach pain.
I remembered waiting four hours outside another company just to help him negotiate a deal. All my wedding gifts from
the bride’s family and my savings had gone into supporting his business… It wasn’t until these past two years, after he
finally stabilized, that I slowly returned to photography.
And in the end, I was branded as greedy.
He had forgotten.
Or maybe he never thought any of it was worth remembering.
But I didn’t argue.
Chapter 8
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Digging up old accounts would only make me look more like a bitter wife, and accomplish nothing.
I gave a self–mocking smile, pulled over a guest chair, and sat down across from him, relaxed and composed.
“It’s fine, Hunter. I have plenty of time.”
“And.” I narrowed my eyes slightly, “I have quite a few compromising photos of you and Luna, and others too.
High–definition. Faces clearly visible.”
“You know, if I post a few of them online with some snarky little captions exposing everything… people eat that wealthy
family drama up. Who knows, I might even become an influencer and rake in a ton of followers.”
The smile vanished from Hunter’s face.
The air in the office froze instantly.
After a long pause, he suddenly let out a scoff, leaned back into his leather chair, and shrugged indifferently.
“Go ahead. Post them. I’ve got money to suppress trending topics, delete posts, and send legal notices.”
“At worst, we won’t divorce. Honestly. I think this, us doing our own thing, works just fine.”
He was testing my limits, gambling that I wouldn’t go all–in and burn the bridges completely.
I met his gaze steadily and after a moment, I chose to yield, just a little.
Truth was, I had no interest in dragging this out.
Twenty million dollars,” I said. “Final price.”
A brief silence followed
After weighing the pros and cons, Hunter nodded.
Deal made.
I picked up my bag and turned toward the door,
Tomorrow morning. Nine o’clock. The County Clerk’s Office.”
‘Don’t be late.”
