Chapter 2

"Don't get the wrong idea," I said, setting my glass down and getting up. I sauntered over to Emory and Caleb, wearing my most practiced smile. "Nothing happened between me and Caleb."

I paused, letting my gaze sweep over the two of them, then added with a pointed look, "After all, if you force it, it just won't be any good. I'm not into making people do things they don't want."

And I especially didn't like forcing someone who was already set to end up beneath another guy.

Emory's face darkened, and he looked at me like I was something filthy. "You'd better be telling the truth."

"Of course I am," I said, my smile growing even brighter. "If you don't believe me, go ahead and see for yourself. After you're done, we can discuss the divorce and compensation. My time is precious."

The air went dead silent.

Caleb and Emory, two men who could make all of Caberlon City shake in their boots, were staring at me like I was an alien.

The live chat froze for a few seconds, then came flooding back in even bigger text.

[What?]

[Divorce? She's actually the one asking for a divorce? That's not how the plot was supposed to go.]

[Something's off about this side character.]

"What did you just say?" Caleb was the first to break the silence, his voice trembling ever so slightly, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

I looked at him, cool as a cucumber, and repeated, "We're divorcing.

"And not just that, I want compensation too for emotional damage, wasted youth, you name it. Nothing crazy, just 60 million dollars."

[Holy crap! She's asking for 60 million dollars right off the bat.]

[Is she out of her mind? It's a miracle Mr. Layton hasn't crushed her yet, and she still dares to ask for money?]

[I don't think she's crazy at all. She knows exactly how to handle Mr. Layton.]

Emory's gaze grew even icier, and his whole presence was so cold it could chill one to the bone.

"You really think you have the right to bargain with me?" he sneered, like I'd just cracked the most ridiculous joke he'd ever heard.

"Whether I get to bargain or not, that's not up to you," I shot back, striding over to the safe, punching in the code, and pulling out a stack of papers. I tossed them onto the table.

"This is the prenup," I said, tapping a clause. "It's crystal clear: if either Caleb or me wants a divorce and it's not because of cheating or some huge deal, the other has to cough up 30 million dollars in compensation."

I glanced up at Emory. "And you, Mr. Layton, barged into my place at three in the morning intending to do God-knows-what. That messed me up pretty badly. Thirty million for that is pretty reasonable, don't you think?"

Emory's face finally changed. He clearly hadn't seen it coming. I was the infamous hopeless romantic, the spoiled rich girl who supposedly just threw money at everything. And here I was, beating him at his own game with the fine print.

I turned to Caleb, who'd been keeping quiet this whole time. His lips were pressed into a straight line, and I couldn't tell what he was thinking at all.

"Furthermore, I spent a fortune to marry Caleb, expecting him to do his husbandly duties. But it's been a whole month, and he hasn't even let me hold his hand once.

"He's been guarding his chastity like some kind of virgin hero," I said, throwing up my hands in mock helplessness. "Honestly, I'm starting to think he scammed me into marriage. Don't you think I deserve some compensation for that?"

[Virgin hero? That description is absolutely spot-on.]

[I can't even argue with her. She actually makes sense.]

[Mr. Layton, Caleb has been saving himself just for you. How can you just stand there and let this lunatic roast him like that?]

Emory was practically seething, his chest heaving with anger. He pulled Caleb behind him protectively. "Not a chance!"

"Alright then." I snapped my fingers. "See you in court. I'd love to see the headlines: 'Caberlon City's youngest and most eligible CEO breaks into a woman's place at 3AM for his so-called buddy.' Now that's the kind of drama that'll blow up the internet, don't you think?"

I even helpfully came up with a trending hashtag for him: "CEO Breaks Down Door For Love: Is It Bromance Or Love?"

"You!" Emory was so pissed.

Just then, Caleb, who'd been silent this whole time, finally spoke up.

"I'll sign the divorce papers," Caleb said, his voice a little hoarse but steady.

I shot him a surprised look.

He stepped out from behind Emory, met my gaze head-on, and said, "I'll sign the divorce agreement. And I'll figure out how to get you the 60 million dollars."