Chapter 2

There was a flicker of amusement in Alexander' eyes-he didn't expect Eira to come at him this hard. He let out a cold snort, flipping through the document casually. A moment later, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he let out a cold laugh. "So that's what you were after." His finger paused at a section-right there, bold and clear: they'd split their assets fifty-fifty after divorce. She'd worked so hard to marry him, and now, just two years in, she was ready to bow out? He always knew Eira wasn't as sweet as she looked. If not for his grandma practically forcing the marriage, he wouldn't have walked into it in the first place. Alexander tossed the agreement aside and reached for his phone. He dialed her number, but after a couple of tries with no answer, his face turned grim. Something clicked in his head. He narrowed his eyes and rang the direct line to the CEO's office. His secretary peeked in nervously. "Mr. Brooks, you called?" Alexander's tone was calm but cold, his stare intense. "Call Eira." "Huh?" Daniel Harris glanced at the file in his hands, eyes darting nervously at Alexander's dark expression. The tension in the room made his palms sweat. He quickly found Eira's contact, tapped the screen, and waited. The line dragged on until finally, a cool, distant voice came through. "What is it?" Alexander caught the voice and scoffed, snatching the phone. "Eira, what the hell is your problem?" Amused, she shot back, "Did you not understand the words ‘divorce agreement'? Want me to explain it for you?" His eyes darkened, cold as steel. "You expect half of Brooks Corp's assets? You really think you're worth that much?" "Whether I'm worthy or not-that's for me to decide," she replied dryly, eyes rolling without a care. She tugged at the decorative beads on her dress and smirked, "Or is it that you can't even cough up the money?" The air around Alexander turned cold and menacing. "Guess some things never change-no matter how you package it, deep down you're just a gold-digging woman, obsessed with money." "Who isn't into money? Let's be real-it's so much more dependable than men. Don't you think so, Mr. Brooks?" Eira flashed a dazzling smile. "Plus, if you can't even scrape together the few hundred million in cash, maybe I should've filed for divorce sooner. I'd be the idiot not to." "Eira!" "Quit yelling. With mood swings like that, maybe go get your thyroid checked." Eira caught her driver signaling at her through the rearview mirror, and whatever patience she had left was gone. Her voice dropped cold and sharp. "Bring your ID. I'll see you at the civil affairs office first thing tomorrow." She hung up right after that. The car had just pulled to a stop. Eira stepped out of the car in a deep crimson gown, its hem adorned with shimmering sequins that caught the sunlight with every movement-radiant and dazzling, making her porcelain skin appear even more luminous. Her hair was elegantly swept up, revealing the graceful curve of her neck and shoulders. Framed by her updo, her face-delicate and doll-like-was striking: fox-like eyes slightly upturned, a high, defined nose, and lips as red as rose rouge. John nearly forgot how to blink. For a guy used to dealing with gorgeous women all day, even he froze for a second. He smoothed down his suit and hurried to meet her. "Boss! You're finally back!" Eira slid off her sunglasses and looked up at the house she'd left for years like it was just another day. Before she could say a word, John was already launching into updates. "Eira, everything at the company's been running smoothly while you were gone. The villa's been kept spotless too-it's like you never left." Eira gave a small nod and followed him inside. Dropping onto the couch, she casually listened while John chattered on about recent developments in the company. Few people knew that Eira wasn't just the heiress of the powerful Johnson family-she was also the hidden CEO of Yanis Group, a global industry giant. What started as an IT firm had now branched into pretty much every sector imaginable, easily outpacing the Brooks. That's why she never saw Alexander as anything special. John was going on and on, but Eira barely reacted, her eyes lowered, clearly tuning most of it out. He caught on and quickly changed topics. He raised his voice slightly, "Oh, right-remember that perfume line you started? The agency contract just expired, and now a bunch of companies are lining up hoping to snag the deal." Eira lifted an eyebrow. "You really think something like that needs to go through me?" John chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Word is, Brooks Corporation sent in their bid too..." Catching his implication, Eira's lips curled up slightly. "Since that perfume's now in the National Archives, let's extend the bidding timeline. Let's see who's really willing to pay up." John got the message loud and clear and had someone quietly spread the news about the extended bidding war. That night, Eira got an email from Alexander. [Cut the mind games. I've seen enough of this playing-hard-to-get routine.]