Chapter 99

Kayla stepped into Jeremy's car once more, her nerves still present but not as intense as before.

The drive passed in silence, neither of them speaking until they pulled up in front of her apartment.

Just as she reached for the door handle, her phone slipped from her grasp, landing by Jeremy's feet. She leaned over to retrieve it, and her head brushed awkwardly against his leg.

Jeremy stiffened instantly, and Kayla's face burned with embarrassment. She looked up, flustered."1"m sorry!"

With deliberate slowness, Jeremy took her chin in his hand. His gaze was unreadable, his voice low. "Trying to seduce me now?"

Color rushed to her cheeks. "No! It's not like that. My phone just..."

He picked up the phone and handed it to her. "Do that again, and you'll regret it."

Kayla snatched it from his hand, but in her haste, her arm tugged at his jacket, pulling him forward unexpectedly.

He stumbled into her, his body pressing hers firmly against the seat.

"Mr. Graham, we've arrived," the driver announced, glancing back, freezing at the sight of their uncomfortable position.

Kayla's breath caught in her throat as.she clutched Jeremy's collar. Their eyes met, charged with tension and lingering confusion.

"Whose car is blocking the road?"

A middle-aged woman stormed up behind the car, eyes narrowed.

Kayla shoved Jeremy away and leapt from the car, dashing into the building like she couldn't get away fast enough.

"That girl's in a real hurry," the woman muttered, approaching the vehicle. She caught Jeremy's icy stare and swallowed hard. Flashing an awkward smile, she asked, "You single, handsome?"

Jeremy rolled the window up without sparing her a glance. "Drive," he told the driver flatly.

The car took off in a rush.

The woman he left behind muttered under her breath, "These young men nowadays-no manners at all."

Back at her apartment, Kayla still felt shaken. She took a shower to calm her nerves, popped a prenatal vitamin, then curled up in bed with a parenting guide in hand.

But she couldn't concentrate-her thoughts were all over the place. With a sigh of frustration, she flung the book away.

Her thoughts circled around Jeremy-every interaction they had. She'd planned to keep him at a distance,but somehow, they kept drawing closer, and that closeness made her restless, like she was bracing for something she couldn't name.

She realized she needed to leave the city-and quickly. She couldn't afford to wait any longer.

Having made up her mind, Kayla switched off the lights and settled into bed.

By morning, she was dressed and out the door right after breakfast.

She arrived at the courthouse just as the doors were opening, becoming the first person to file for divorce that day.Liam arrived moments later, punctual as always.

Dressed in a crisp white tweed suit, her makeup flawless and refined, Kayla sat poised on a bench, waiting in composed silence.

As Liam walked in, his gaze locked on her. For a second, admiration flashed in his eyes. He started walking over to speak.

Without sparing him a glance, Kayla rose and headed for the divorce registration desk. Liam trailed behind, his voice lowered. "Are you really sure this is the end?"

She turned, her eyes like ice.-"Ifyour public image means anything to you, sit down and keep quiet."

The night before, Jeremy had the trending story wiped out in record time. But Janiya and Liam understood-if they dared to back out,he could make it explode across every headline in an instant.

Liam dropped into a chair, his face tense and pale.

The clerk glanced between them and asked, "So, you're filing on mutual grounds?"

"Yes," Kayla answered without hesitation.

"Any disagreement on property division?"

Kayla paused. Other than reclaiming the Cooper Group, she had no interest in anything else Liam owned.Her agreement with Archie was nearing its end-soon, the company would be hers again.

"No disagreements," Liam said. "I'll hand over some of my properties and cars."

Kayla smirked. Those suburban fixer-uppers and beat-up cars of Liam's? Barely worth pocket change.

The clerk nodded and passed them the documents to sign. "Everything's in motion. Just a reminder-there's a thirty-day grace period. Either of you can withdraw the application within that time. Any objections?"

Kayla felt a flicker of annoyance at the reminder, but she brushed it aside. Thirty days would pass quickly.Once done, she'd be officially free.

"No objections," she said flatly.

"Very well," the clerk replied.

Outside,Liam caught up with her, his tone laced with smugness. "You've got a month to think things over. If you change your mind, you know where to find me."

Kayla stopped, folded her arms, and turned to face him with a sly smile.11Amonth? That's nothing.And while we're at it, remember that cemetery project you've been working on? I tipped off your competitors. They're most likely scheming behind your back already."

Liam's expression twisted. "What the hell are you trying to pull?"

With a knowing smile, Kayla flagged down a cab and stepped inside, leaving without a word.

Liam's phone buzzed. His assistant's voice came through, urgent.′′Sir1, the cemetery project's been exposed. Competitors bribed the landowners. If we go through with the sale, they'll hit Perennia Group with a breach of contract lawsuit-this could cost us over a hundred million!"

Seething with rage, Liam hurled his phone to the ground, shattering it. "This is unbelievable!"