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.]

After reading the email, John stomped his foot in frustration. "Eira, I've already got the top legal team on standby-they can head over first thing tomorrow!"

Eira's slender fingers danced over the keyboard as she typed out a single line. Then she tugged at the corner of her lips, a faint, cold smile playing there.

"No need to make it so complicated. I just want to cut ties with him-fast."

She knew from the beginning that the divorce agreement wouldn't go through. A meticulous guy like Alexander had sorted out his prenuptial agreements long before they even said 'I do.'

But still...

"If I can't get anything from him now, he'll pay me back eventually-bit by bit."

The next day, Alexander stepped out of the meeting room, rubbing his temples wearily. Something suddenly hit him, and his face darkened. "What time is it?"

Daniel glanced at his phone before replying in a low voice, "Almost noon."

"Tell the driver to wait downstairs."

Without missing a beat, Daniel made the call.

But...the time they agreed on had passed by hours already.

Was there even a point in going now?

When they finally arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau, Daniel looked around for a moment before spotting a sleek Maybach pulling up nearby.

The sound of the engine caught Alexander's attention, and he looked out the window.

There was Eira, wearing a simple camisole top. Her slim waist looked like it could be wrapped in one hand.

She frowned slightly, clearly annoyed by the blazing sun, and bent down to say something to the person in the driver's seat.

Almost squinting, Alexander saw a young man step out from the driver's side, dressed to the nines in a sharp suit.

'Bringing some random guy right in front of me-before we've even officially split?'

His gaze turned piercing, practically slicing through the air between them. "No shame at all."

He got out of the car and strolled over, his voice sharp and cold. "No wonder you were pushing for a divorce-you already found a replacement."

Before Eira could react, Alexander forcefully grabbed her wrist, the pressure making her wince in pain.

Two years of marriage-say what you will, she had poured her heart into it. Hearing him mock her like this still cut deep, no matter how prepared she thought she was.

Without thinking, she yanked her hand back. "Still better than keeping a mistress while married!"

She didn't bother with more arguing. Slipping on her sunglasses, she walked into the building, not even glancing back.

Alexander let out a low, sarcastic laugh through his nose, his lips drawn into a tight line.

*****

Showing up late did have one upside-no lines.

Eira took the form and scribbled her name down without hesitation.

The staff member gently slid the divorce cooling-off period notice toward them. "You'll need to come back in 30 days to finalize the divorce. Either party may withdraw during this time."

Eira didn't even flinch as she signed, then pulled a few red boxes of candy from her bag and handed them out. "Bit of pre-celebration-finally free. Take some sweets."

The staff were totally stunned. Since when do people hand out candy for a divorce?

Alexander signed the paper too, then shot her a cold glance. "Don't forget-this was your choice. No take-backs."

Eira looked over at him coolly. "You think I've lost my mind? As if I'd regret this."

And with that, she flipped the paper in her hand and walked off with a casual wave. "Bye now, soon-to-be-ex."

Watching her leave so breezily, Alexander's face turned stormy.

That woman always had her little tricks up her sleeve. He didn't think she'd actually go through with filing for divorce. No way she could hold out long-she'd come crawling back looking for an excuse to retract it.

He just didn't buy it. A girl from the slums, with nothing but a pretty face-what's she got to survive in a place like Oceanvein, where every inch of space costs a fortune?

Alexander's eyes narrowed, voice flat and icy. "Let's see how long you can play tough."

To celebrate Eira finally getting through the tough times, John grinned and said, "There's a new bar just up ahead. The bartender there's got some serious skills-wanna check it out?"

They hit it off instantly and set off for the bar.

It was still early, so the place wasn't packed yet. Still, the moment Eira walked in, heads started turning.

She took off her sunglasses and casually hooked them onto her collar, glancing around with some interest. "Not bad," she commented.

John immediately straightened his back a little. "Of course it's not. It's owned by a friend of my brother's. Back during renovation, they even asked him for input."

Sneaking a quick look at her expression, he added, "Pretty sure you mentioned to my brother once that you wanted to open your own bar someday. Some of the design ideas in here? Totally yours."

Eira didn't pick up on the hidden meaning in his words. She just nodded. "Ah, that explains why it feels kinda familiar."

"Yeah, you can bet my brother remembers everything you've ever told him."

As he led her inside, he started telling her how panicked his brother had been the whole time she was gone.

Eira chose a seat by the bar, tapped a drink on the menu, and finally replied, "We grew up together. If he hadn't been worried, now that would've been strange."

Hearing that, John was momentarily speechless. He mumbled under his breath, "Why can't you see it?"

Right then, the bartender walked over, and Eira's attention was drawn to the overly dramatic flair moves he was pulling.

Resting her chin on her hand, she watched the show with a small smile. "One more throw and the alcohol's gonna be all in the air, not in my glass."

The bartender froze for a split second, then quickly toned it down.

He poured the drink into a highball glass, added a fresh mint leaf on top, and slid it to her with a flourish. "Give it a try."

As he spoke, he slipped off his gloves and pulled a business card from the drawer, sliding it across the table toward Eira with a hint of meaning in his eyes.

"If you like the drink... I do private mixing too~"

Eira just took a small sip. That familiar heat spread across her tongue, making her eyes narrow slightly in satisfaction.

She didn't bother responding to the flirty offer. Just raised her glass a little before leaving the bar.

Their booth was on the second floor.

But just a few steps up, John's phone rang. He motioned for the attendant to take Eira upstairs first.

By the time he walked into the room, there were already a few half highball glasses in front of her-each with a little leftover liquor still swirling at the bottom.

John slid into the seat across from her and shook his phone. "Just heard back from the higher-ups. They're not ready to go public with the news about the Johnson girl's return yet."

"What the-"

Before the words even left her mouth, someone suddenly yanked open the private room's door.

A young man in a cap and mask rushed in, breathing hard, while two bar staff tried and failed to hold him back.

John looked annoyed as he glared at the intruder. "Who are you?"

The man didn't answer right away. Instead, he pulled off his mask with one swift motion, revealing a ridiculously good-looking face lit up with excitement.

"Sis, I finally found you!"

Even the staff froze when they realized who it was. Wasn't this the insanely popular star from just a while ago? Ethan Taylor?

Eira clearly recognized him too. She motioned for the staff to leave, then smiled. "How'd you even know I was back?"

She remembered the last time she sent Ethan to Stellaris Entertainment. Back then, he'd only come up to her shoulder-now, in just a few years, he looked completely grown-up.

That starry-eyed kid chasing dreams had become a global celebrity in no time.

Ethan didn't blink as he stared at her, then hurried to sit next to her, full of emotion. "My manager told me you might announce a comeback. But why didn't you tell me yourself?"

John rolled his eyes hard and shot back, "You're so busy being famous that we can barely see your shadow. How would you have time for this?"

"Yeah, not talking to you. Zip it," Ethan snapped back, not even looking at him. His gaze softened again as he turned to Eira. "I want to help you, sis."

Eira knew there was no stopping him, so she gave in. "Alright, but no posting my photos anywhere. I don't want to spark gossip."

"Got it, everything you say goes!"

Meanwhile, in the car, Alexander sat quietly flipping through some documents.

His brows knit tight as he recalled how Eira had spoken earlier at the civil office. Something about her felt different, unsettling almost...

A sudden ringtone cut through his thoughts.

He answered, and a gentle female voice came through.

"Alex, the hospital suddenly told me today that my attending physician was reassigned. A new doctor came in to change my dressing... I'm scared...""

"I'm worried my hand won't heal right, and that I'll never play the piano again."

Sophia Clark's voice trembled with unshed tears-it tugged at the heart.

Something flickered in Alex's eyes. He gripped the phone tighter and said in a low voice, "I'll be right there."

Just then, from the passenger seat, Daniel suddenly burst out.

"Mr. Brooks! There's a new lead-someone said the Johnson family's eldest daughter is still alive, though it's only a blurry image. Not confirmed."

"Is it credible? Look into it!"