Billion Dollar Vow After Divorce

Synopsis

It was ten in the morning at the Riverdale courthouse. Claire stood in the hallway of the family court, gripping the final decree. The vibrant leather cover felt like cold, dead weight in her palm. "Claire, is this really what you want?" Michael Landon asked. He stood before her in a bespoke suit, his Patek Philippe gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. His young assistant, Vivian Lynn, stood close behind him in a designer blazer, her diamond ring stinging Claire's eyes. It was the ring Claire had been eyeing for three years, but never had the heart to buy. "The settlement's already signed. What's the point of asking now?" Claire's voice was flat, like a dial tone. Michael narrowed his eyes, unsettled by her composure. "You're walking away from all your shares in Landon Holdings, leaving me the house and the car, and only asking for 150 thousand dollars. Claire, what is this, some kind of noble act?" "I just don't want anything to do with you," Claire said, her gaze lifting to Vivian behind him. "Your new assistant is very pretty, Mr. Landon." Vivian paled and instinctively stepped back behind Michael. "Drop the sarcasm," Michael said, stepping closer, his voice low. "Claire, I admit I've put you through a lot these past three years. But in business, these things happen. Did you really have to take it this far, all the way to divorce?" "Business?" Claire let out a short, sharp laugh, pulling a stack of photos from her bag and slamming them down in front of him. "Was it business at that remote tropical island? Or at those luxury boutiques? Michael, while I was drinking myself sick to entertain your clients, were you busy with your 'business'?" The photos spilled across the floor. Every single one showed Michael and Vivian entangled—embracing, kissing, even one taken in the bed they once shared as husband and wife. People waiting in the hallway for their paperwork turned to look, their attention snapping to the scene. Michael's face drained of color, then flushed with anger. "You had someone follow me?" "Do I need to?" Claire bent down, picked up the most damning photo, and tapped it lightly. "You said you were on a business trip last month, but the hotel bill came straight to my phone. Michael, for three years your secondary card has been linked to my number. Did you forget?" Michael went rigid. Vivian spoke in a low voice, "Mr. Landon, the board is still waiting..." "Get out!" Michael snapped. Vivian bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears. Claire watched it all unfold, and suddenly it felt absurd. Three years ago, when Michael's startup collapsed and he was drowning in a million dollars of debt, she sold the house her parents left her and stayed by his side. Now the company was worth billions, and she had become the unreasonable ex-wife everyone dismissed. "I'm leaving," she said, slipping the divorce decree into her bag and turning away. "Wait," Michael called after her. "Next week is Grandpa's eightieth birthday. You know how much he cares about you. Don't tell him about the divorce yet." Claire paused, but didn't turn back. "Michael, we're divorced." "Just this once," his tone softened. "His heart isn't in good shape. He can't handle the shock. After the party, you can announce it however you want." Claire stood still for a moment. "Fine," she said at last. "But I'm bringing someone with me." "Who?" Michael asked. "You don't need to know," Claire replied.