Chapter 31

Kayla waited at the roadside, the humid air finally giving way as a light breeze brushed past, cooling her skin.

Her chest still thudded with the lingering rush of emotions, her cheeks tinged pink as fragments of the earlier encounter replayed in her mind.

A sleek black Maybach rolled to a stop beside her, its arrival subtle yet impossible to ignore.

The window on the passenger side slid down with a quiet hum, and Edwin's face appeared. He regarded her with calm civility. "Would you like a ride home? It's on the way."

From the back seat, an icy stare seemed to cut straight through the barrier of glass.

Jeremy's refined profile was barely visible in the reflection, yet it carried unmistakable weight.

Kayla steadied her breath and gave a gentle response. "Thank you, but my ride is already on the way."

Edwin looked over his shoulder before giving her a courteous nod. "Very well. Goodbye."

The car eased back into motion and disappeared down the street.

Kayla pressed her palms to her warm cheeks and let out an exasperated whisper."It was just applying an ointment-no bid deal!"

A moment later, her ride pulled up. She stepped in without delay and left the scene behind.

Over the next few days, Kayla deliberately kept her distance from Jeremy, doing everything she could to sidestep another uncomfortable run-in.

At the same time, Liam clung to Marsha as his bargaining chip, refusing to divorce Kayla.

In response, Kayla sought legal counsel, hoping the law could untangle the situation he insisted on prolonging. in the quiet atmosphere of a cafe, Khalid Potter flipped through the documents Kayla had brought."Taking this through legal means doesn't work in your favor right now. Since Cooper Group is still under mortgage,your claim to the groupis significantly weakened. There's a real chance you'l walk away with nothing."

The idea of leaving empty-handed was unacceptable to Kayla. She couldn't let Liam take everything. At the very least, she had to win back what was hers.

"Mr. Potter, if I manage to clear the mortgage on Cooper Group, will that make the divorce easier to negotiate?"

Khalid gave a firm nod. "Yes, that would shift things in your favor."

Once they'd finished going over the details, the lawyer stood and left, leaving Kayla alone with her thoughts.

If she accepted Archie's conditions and joined Newton Group, there could be a path to recovering Cooper Group.

While Kayla considered the possibilities, the cafe door opened. Two women stepped inside, dressed in bold colors and expensive accessories, their laughter trailing behind them.

Tricia scanned the room and spotted Kayla sitting by the window.

Kayla·caught sight of them as well but didn't plan to acknowledge their presence. She paid her bill quietly and rose to leave.

Before she could take a step, Tricia's companion spoke with theatrical surprise. "Well, if it isn't Mrs.Graham."

Kayla turned and immediately recognized the woman-Felicia Bates, one of the staff at Perennia Group.

Back when Kayla still worked at Perennia Group, Felicia had just arrived as an intern. She had trailed after Kayla constantly, eager to impress, playing the part of a loyal sidekick.

Now,Felicia appeared to have switched allegiances, clinging closely to Tricia.

Kayla gave them a flat look, her expression cool and unbothered. THole wasted no fime adopting a friendly front. 'R's been a while. How have things been wlth you?

Kayla's reply cut through the pretense. "You really have to ask? With Liam dragging out this divorce, how do you think I'm doing?"

Tricia tilted her head, her voioe thick with mock sympathy. "But Liam's been good to you. Why fight so hard for a divorce?"

That was enough for Kayla. "Tricia, drop the act. You're the one counting the days tllf we spllf, aren't you?"

Felicia chimed in,"Why even talk to her? Mrs. Graham clearly has too much time on her hands, stirring up drama to get Mr. Graham's attention. Unlike you, she's just playing housewife with nothing better to do."

Kayla gave a dry, biting laugh. The same intern who once clung to her approval now dared to speak this way.

My personal life doesn't concern you," she said with a frosty smile.

She moved forward, closing the distance, until she stood level with them-taller than both, even without heels.

Tricia and Felicia shrank back slightly, their earlier bravado cracking.

"Don't take offense, Mrs. Graham," Tricia said, wearing a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Felicia was just teasing."

As she spoke, she casually swept her hair to the side, exposing a faint hickey on her collarbone, a not-so-subtle message about where she'd spent the night.

Tricia's shameless attempt at provocation struck Kayla as almost amusing.

She let out a scornful laugh. "No need to show off. I'm not interested in seconds. But if you are, hold on tight -he'll move on the moment someone else catches his eye." ,

Tricia snapped back, "I'll pass that along to Liam. And rest assured, he's in good hands. Let's be honest,without him, what do you have left? He's the reason your grandmother's still alive."

Before the words had time to settle, Kayla seized the coffee cup from the table and hurled its contents straight at her.

The splash Hit Tricia full on, coffee soaked her hair, streamed down her face, and ruined her designer outfit.

Kayla set the empty cup onto the table with a sharp clink, brushed her hands together, and spoke with cold detachment. "Next tlme, don't come alone. Bring Liam, I've got somethning saved for him as well."

She pushed past them without looking back and walked out of the cafe.

Felicia scrambled to Tricia's side, her voice rising in concern. "Tricia,are you hurt?"

Tricia shakily brushed the coffee from her face, her expression twísted with rage.