Chapter 113

Chapter 113

The memories made Yvaine tremble with rage.

Thora, however, was dismissive. "If you ask me, you shouldn't have played those games in the first place. If you'd just married him, you'd be the one living as a billionaire's wife right now—with an heir to boot. So what if you had to swallow a little pride?"

"Open your eyes. Ignatius is a man of principle. He didn't even love Octavia, and he still gave her a fortune when they split. Imagine if it were you—with the bond you two share, a little sweetness, a little charm, and you'd probably get even more."

Yvaine waved it off. "You're forgetting something. The reason Ignatius controls so much of the family's wealth—the reason he has full authority over the company—is because Mason took a liking to Octavia. If I'd been the one he married, things might have turned out very differently."

At the mention of Mason, something cold and lethal flashed through Yvaine's eyes.

For reasons she never understood, Mason had disliked her from the moment they met. Even after the engagement, he'd never once given her a warm look.

And then, with the wedding approaching, Mason had dropped a prenuptial agreement on the table—one loaded with restrictions.

The terms were spelled out in black and white. During the marriage, Yvaine would have access to certain assets, but she would never hold shares in the company.

Worse still, even if she bore children, she would have no custody rights. The children would be sent to the Grimaldi Manor to be raised.

Yvaine had felt humiliated to her core. She refused to accept those terms.

That was why she'd convinced Jasper to orchestrate the scheme—to put Octavia in Ignatius's bed.

Now, thinking about Octavia and Ignatius's impending divorce, Yvaine's lips curled with satisfaction. "You know what they say—what you can't have is always the most desirable."

"All these years, if I'd been the one who married him, the passion would've faded into domestic monotony by now. But this is different. Going through hardship makes you treasure what you have."

She raised her wrist, showing off a new bracelet. "See this? A hundred million dollars. Look at those diamonds. If he didn't feel he owed me, do you really think he'd buy me something this extravagant?"

Maybe he would have bought her something. But never anything this expensive.

Thora couldn't say whether Yvaine's approach was right or wrong, but at this point all she could do was support her. "Enough with the drama. If you get the chance, marry him—quickly. No more schemes. Feelings can only take so much. And aren't you worried that some other woman might catch his eye?"

"Fine, I hear you. But remember—what happened back then stays buried. No one can ever find out."

Yvaine gave a few more instructions before reluctantly leaving for the office.

---

Meanwhile.

It was the weekend, and Holden's school was out. He sat alone in the game room, bored out of his mind.

The door opened. Mason walked in. Seeing the boy by himself, he frowned. "Why are you here alone?"

"They're all working."

Holden was long accustomed to everyone in the family being consumed by work. His voice was flat when he said it.

Mason made his way over, leaning on his cane. "Someone should have stayed behind to keep you company."

He knew about Octavia joining the classified project, and that knowledge only deepened his frustration.

Ignatius had been fiercely disciplined since childhood, and adulthood had turned him into a full-blown workaholic—always at the office, always en route to the office, never home.

Mason had assumed that once the two of them were married, at least one parent would be around for the child. Instead, both of them were perpetually busy.

Seeing Holden absorbed in his game, Mason said nothing more. He turned and headed to the company.

---

The quiet office.

Mason cut straight to the chase, tossing a document across the desk. "What is this? Explain."

Ignatius glanced at it, his expression unruffled. "You can see for yourself. It aligns with our corporate strategy. Our downstream partners' ability to deliver on schedule directly affects company performance. This is simply a prudent arrangement."

Mason's cane struck the floor with a thunderous crack. "Save that nonsense for someone who'll believe it. You think you can fool me? How many times have I told you—stay away from the Lavien family, stay away from Yvaine. And now you're going into business with them?"

The document was crystal clear. Ignatius had privately helped Yvaine establish her own company, carving off portions of the parent corporation's business for her. It was an obvious move to benefit Yvaine and the Lavien family.

Mason valued Octavia deeply. His contempt for Yvaine and the Laviens ran just as deep.

His eyes narrowed, his gaze burning. "Have you given a single thought to Octavia? Your marriage may not have been perfect, but you have a child together. What—are you trying to tear this family apart?"

His anger mounting with every word, Mason swung his cane and cracked it against Ignatius's shoulder.

Ignatius winced at the pain but didn't push back.

Mason stared, stunned. "What's that supposed to mean? You're planning to divorce her?"

Shocked as he was, the question came out in a tone that was already certain of the answer.

Ignatius lowered his gaze. "Back then, I listened to you. I married her. I had a child. Everything went according to your plan. But I'm a grown man now. Some decisions—please let me make them for myself."

Mason shook with fury. "The audacity. Have you thought about Holden at all? If you two split up, the one who suffers most is that child."

"I'm an adult now, and Holden is growing up too. Just because we separate doesn't mean we'll stop being his parents."

Ignatius's tone was measured, but his resolve was absolute.

Their eyes locked. A silent standoff.

Looking at the grandson who had single-handedly doubled the company's market value—a man more than capable of standing on his own—Mason's gaze dimmed. He let out a long sigh.

"I know you've got the confidence now to push back against me. But have you asked yourself honestly—do you really feel nothing for Octavia? With your personality, even if I'd tried to force you, if you'd truly refused, what could I have done?"

Mason's voice grew heavy. "Octavia is a genuinely good person. In this marriage, she's the one who's been shortchanged. At least give yourself one more chance. Give her one more chance. Don't live to regret it."

Those closest to the situation are often the most blind. It takes an outsider to see clearly.

Over the years, Mason had watched it all with painful clarity. Ignatius was cold by nature, and the wife best suited for him was Octavia.

She was sincere and kind. Throughout their marriage, she'd given everything for the family and the child. Mason couldn't fathom how Ignatius remained so blind to it.

He pleaded, he reasoned, he cajoled. Ignatius didn't budge.

Finally, Mason stormed toward the door. "Fine. Fine! You're all grown up now. Nothing I say matters anymore. But mark my words—you'll regret this."

The office door slammed shut with a deafening bang.

Ignatius pulled out a cigarette and lit it. The smoke curled upward in the silence.

"I won't regret it."