Chapter 173 Destroying Apex Technologies Corporation
The next day.
Steven lent them four bodyguards.
Nora said, "Olivia, Steven borrowed four bodyguards from Chris for us. They said to have them follow us to keep us safe."
Olivia looked at Steven gratefully, "Thank you, Steven."
If Steven hadn't been helping her throughout this divorce, she probably wouldn't have been able to hold on.
"It's nothing, we're family." Steven smiled in response.
Nora got up, picked up a spray bottle, and misted the flowers Steven had bought yesterday.
She had unwrapped the bouquet that morning, trimmed the stems, and put them in a vase with water.
This way, they could bloom for a few more days.
Seeing how much she cherished a simple bouquet, Steven thought to himself that he should buy Nora flowers more often.
After breakfast, Steven saw them off.
They both wore athletic clothes today, worried that dresses would be inconvenient later. They chose loose windbreakers and joggers with elastic cuffs.
Their long hair was tied back in neat ponytails. Both had great skin and looked especially energetic.
In the car, Steven drove and asked Olivia, "Olivia, are you planning to have it out with Willie today?"
"Yes." Olivia's tone was firm.
Steven reminded her, "Then you need to be assertive. In this kind of situation, don't back down. The bodyguards I borrowed are all skilled and will protect you. Don't be afraid, and if anything happens, call me right away."
That last sentence was directed at Nora.
"Okay." Nora nodded, then turned to Olivia and said, "Olivia, since we're getting divorced, we need to be tough. Otherwise, Willie will keep dragging this out for half a year."
"That's what I think too. Now that I've decided on divorce, why should I care about his company's future? If he wants the company, he needs to give me money." Olivia thought back to those cheating photos she saw last night—her mind was completely made up. If he refused to pay, she'd make sure the Reed family had no peace.
"Olivia, you got this!" Nora encouraged her.
Olivia smiled, "Okay!"
Apex Technologies Corporation.
Hazel had bought breakfast for Willie. Her slender hand rested on his shoulder as she massaged him, asking in a soft voice, "Willie, are you really going to let Olivia come back to work?"
Yesterday, Hazel had gone to the Reed House, where Eleanor was cursing out Nora, calling her a troublemaker.
The whole family was discussing what to do next.
Later, Willie said he'd let Olivia come back to work first, rebuild their relationship for a while before talking about reconciliation.
Hazel panicked when she heard this.
If Willie hadn't divorced Olivia, she'd have no chance.
That night, she stayed at the Reed House, sleeping in the master bedroom, wearing Olivia's pajamas, sleeping in her bed, calling Willie "honey" in bed, practically driving Willie wild.
Early this morning, she came to the office to find out what Willie was thinking.
Willie said with his eyes closed, "I can't divorce Olivia right now. I need her."
Hazel's expression changed, her tone full of grievance, "But if Olivia comes to work at the company, aren't you afraid she'll secretly take the company's clients away?"
"Don't worry, she can't." Willie was confident.
He had set restrictions on Olivia's account so she couldn't see the company's confidential files. Even if she came back to work, she could only sit there and do nothing.
He'd also given the finance department a heads-up not to let Olivia get involved.
As for the company's main online store, it was still in Bianca's hands, and Nora couldn't touch it either.
Even if she stayed at the company, she'd just be idle. Once she got bored, she'd naturally stop making trouble.
"Willie, why won't you divorce Olivia? Things have gotten so bad, you're unhappy every day." Hazel kept pressing Willie.
"I can't divorce now. The factory is still being built. If I divorce at this time, I won't have enough money to give her."
"You still have to give her a lot of money?" Hazel wouldn't give up. "Can't you make her walk away with nothing from the divorce?"
"No way."
Hazel suggested again, "Didn't your mom say you should transfer the company to Terry's name? That way you'd have no assets and wouldn't have to split anything with her?"
"You're too naive." Willie shook his head. "She's a company shareholder. Without her signature, the company can't just be transferred. Olivia's not stupid either. She can easily find out how much money I have. Even if I transfer assets, she can trace it, especially with that sharp lawyer by her side."
Thinking of that lawyer made Willie feel irritated.
Just then, employees' greetings came from outside the office.
"Mrs. Reed!" Recently, everyone at the company could tell Willie and Olivia were having problems and were probably getting divorced.
But they still had to be polite.
Willie's divorce was his personal business. They just needed to do their jobs.
"Nora, Olivia, why did you come together?" Amelia was the most excited, running up to them.
Behind them were five men in suits—one was a lawyer, the other four were bodyguards.
"I'm here with Olivia to handle something." Nora glanced at Bianca's desk—empty—and asked Amelia, "Where's Bianca?"
"She didn't come today. I heard someone beat her face up, and she's recovering at home."
"What about Terry?" Terry wasn't there either.
Amelia said, "Didn't he break a bone last time? He's been in the hospital for over twenty days and hasn't been discharged yet."
Nora felt satisfied. With those two gone, today would be much easier.
Amelia asked quietly, "What are you here for?"
"To assess the company's value," Nora said in a low voice. "Olivia's divorcing Willie. We're here to handle these matters today."
As they were talking, Willie and Hazel came out of the office.
Seeing Willie and Hazel standing together, Olivia unconsciously clenched her fists.
But she didn't forget her business. She walked toward Willie with the lawyer and bodyguards.
"Amelia, I'll handle my business first. We'll chat later." After speaking, Nora followed Olivia.
Willie stared at Olivia with a complicated look.
Hazel wasn't afraid either, deliberately giving Olivia a provocative glance.
Olivia just looked at her briefly without responding, and walked straight into Willie's office.
"Olivia," Willie called out to her. "What are you doing?"
Olivia ignored him.
Willie looked at Nora again, "Nora, what's the meaning of bringing so many people to the company?"
Nora didn't respond either, just walked to Olivia's side.
Olivia walked to the glass cabinet and said to Nora, "Nora, stand back a bit."
"Okay." Nora obediently stepped back.
Olivia turned to Willie and said, "Open the cabinet, and the safe too."
Since Willie wouldn't let her see the company backend, she'd check the purchase orders. It was more troublesome, but as long as she could get to the bottom of things, it was fine.
These purchase orders were all locked in the glass cabinet in Willie's office and needed his key to open.
"Olivia, what exactly do you want?" Willie's expression turned cold.
"We can never agree on the divorce. I don't want to negotiate with you anymore—let's just go through legal channels. This is my lawyer. We're here today to assess the company's value. Take out all the purchase orders and some confidential documents. We'll do the assessment ourselves." Olivia came today to handle this forcefully.
Hearing this, Hazel's eyes lit up.
Finally getting divorced?
She couldn't wait for Olivia to follow through and give up the position of "Mrs. Reed."
Willie said coldly, "These are company secrets. I won't give them to you."
"I've told you everything, and you still won't listen. Then don't blame me for what happens next." Olivia turned around and calmly told the bodyguards, "Break open the cabinet."
"Yes!" The bodyguards were very efficient and immediately smashed the glass cabinet.
A loud crash—glass shattered all over the floor.
The employees outside saw the glass cabinet in Willie's office being smashed and stopped their work to look over.
Hazel jumped in fright and grabbed Willie, "Willie!"
Willie instinctively held her, then realized it was inappropriate and immediately let go.
"Willie..." Hazel was still playing pitifully.
Olivia found it disgusting and smiled coldly, "Take all the documents inside."
"Yes!" the bodyguards responded in unison.
Olivia turned to Willie and said, "I'm taking all these documents. After I assess the company's value, I'll go to the factory for an on-site assessment. I'll contact you to meet at the factory then. If you don't show up, I'll smash all those imported machines you bought."
"Olivia!" Willie was getting angry. "Can't you just talk nicely? Do you have to bring people to the company to cause trouble?"
"How many times have I tried to talk to you? At least five times, right? Every time you play games. What's there to talk about?" Olivia's expression was calm.
"Let's talk after work." Willie cared about his dignity. Seeing everyone outside the office watching, he didn't want Olivia to continue making a scene.
Olivia ignored him. "Take everything."
The bodyguards listened to her and picked up the documents to leave.
"You can't leave!" Willie got angry and blocked the bodyguards carrying documents. "These are company secrets. If you dare take them, I'll call the police!"
"Go ahead and call." Olivia looked completely unconcerned. "I'm just checking the accounts, and it's for the divorce. I'm sure the police will understand."
With that, she pushed Willie aside and walked out of the office.
"You can't take them!" Hazel ran over to grab Olivia.
Olivia slapped her directly, "Who the hell do you think you are? Get out of my way!"
Nora watched from the side, feeling thrilled.
This was how Olivia should be—so assertive!
"How dare you hit me?" Hazel covered her face and lunged forward to fight back.
Olivia dodged to the side and grabbed her hair, pulling her down to the floor.
"It hurts!" Hazel's scalp burned as she cried out for help.
"Enough, Olivia! Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?" Willie rushed over to pull Olivia away.
Hazel tried to scratch Olivia's face with her nails.
Nora saw a mop nearby, grabbed it, and swung it at Hazel, hitting her back.
"Ah!" Hazel cried out and quickly hid behind Willie.
Nora just hit Willie, too, while she was at it.
"Enough!" After getting hit several times, Willie completely lost it. He grabbed the mop from Nora's hands, about to strike back.
"Don't you dare touch my sister!" Olivia rushed over and stood in front of Nora.