Chapter 6

"Who approved that?!" Lance shot back instantly.

I noticed he didn't ask why I had left.

Leah reeled. When she realized that meant I was effectively unemployed, she snapped.

"How shameless are you, Brianna?! You're already a terrible wife! And now you're going to live off his money like a parasite?! Damn it! I swear to God, I should have forbidden this marriage back then!" she snarled, trembling with fury.

Lucinda quickly stepped in to console her.

Lance's expression darkened. "Fine. Resign all you want. But let me burst your bubble right now. I'm not paying your allowance. You're on your own."

His siblings immediately chimed in, "Wait! That means there's a vacancy at the company! This is perfect! Lucinda can take the position! She's more than qualified for it!"

Leah nodded at once.

Lance hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

How ridiculous. A few well-placed remarks were all Lucinda needed to become the company's COO.

It took her less than a minute, yet I had spent ten years earning that position.

The way Lance pretended to give it serious thought made me laugh. I was about to point it out when Lucinda suddenly jumped to her feet and put on a show of gratitude. "Thank you for believing in me, Lance, everyone. I promise I won't let any of you down."

She turned to me and flashed a triumphant smile before handing me a gift box. "I know you've been upset with me these past few days, so I prepared a care package as a gesture of goodwill. Please accept my sincerest apology."

As she pushed the box toward me, the diamond ring on her finger caught the light. The gesture was anything but subtle.

I had already seen the ring on her Instagram post. The matching one was on Lance's finger.

I snickered. "Sorry, but your idea of an apology is giving someone a box of free samples?"

I already had the same gift box. It was part of a promotional campaign. Anyone could get one without buying anything.

"How could you say that?!" Lance immediately protested. "Free samples?! She took the time to pick those gifts out for you!"

Lucinda lowered her gaze and stood beside him as though deeply hurt. "It's fine. I shouldn't be surprised Brianna thinks it's cheap. I don't have the money to buy anything better, after all."

Nolan and Marlene immediately grabbed the box. "No! Don't say that! She's just being an asshole, Lucy!"

Even Leah slammed her glass onto the table in outrage. "We've had just about enough of your attitude, Brianna! You and Lance are clearly incompatible. You're not good enough for him. Divorce is the only way forward!"

I caught the slight curl of Lucinda's lips, but when she looked up again, she wore a sorrowful expression. "Mrs. Mitchell, that's too harsh. They've been together for so long! I don't think Lance would be happy with that."

The Mitchells turned to him with bated breath as he walked toward me.

"This is too much, Brianna. You were out of line. You shouldn't have mocked Lucy's goodwill like that," he reprimanded. "Apologize now and transfer your client list to her. Do that, and I won't divorce you."

I couldn't hold it in any longer and laughed scornfully. This bastard was still trying to pave the way for Lucinda's success.

"Save your breath," I sneered, raising the divorce decree right in front of his face. "We're already divorced."