Chapter 25

"Mr. Blackwood, stop this! Let go of Mrs. Lockhart!"

"You do realize domestic violence is a felony, right? Mrs. Lockhart is an incredible woman! She loves you so much! How could you lay a hand on her?"

"If you dare hurt her again, we’re walking out—and filing charges against you for abuse!"

The voices belonged to employees of Blackwood Group—the same ones Vivian had secretly been slipping lunchboxes to. Those extra pastries had finally paid off.

The scene unfolding was… awkward, to say the least.

From a distance, it looked like Nathaniel was overpowering Vivian, his towering frame looming over her delicate figure. To any bystander, it was infuriating.

The commotion had drawn a crowd. Even Ethan Young, Nathaniel’s most loyal assistant, was siding with Vivian this time.

"Mr. Blackwood, I’ll be blunt."

"Mrs. Lockhart is amazing, and you know it. For years, she’s been nothing but devoted. And yet you cheated on her—"

"And now you’re refusing to sign the settlement? That’s just cruel." Ethan glared, unbothered by the risk of losing his job.

"Wait… could it be you’re still in love with her? Is that why you won’t sign, sir?"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.

"That’s got to be it! The affair was just a stupid mistake—he still loves her deep down!"

"How could any mistress compare to Mrs. Lockhart? He just wanted to spice things up!"

"Mr. Blackwood, swallow your pride. Admit you love her! If you apologize sincerely, she’ll forgive you!"

"Honestly, I’d drop to my knees right now. Embarrassing? Maybe. But she’s worth it!"

They knew speaking up could cost them their jobs, but they were all-in to save their favorite power couple.

Vivian hadn’t expected things to escalate like this.

After a stunned pause, she snapped back to reality and played along. "Do you really still love me, darling? Is that why you’re being difficult? Just to keep me close?"

"If you do, just say it! No need to hide. They’re right—I’ll forgive you if you beg properly."

"Vivian Lockhart!" Nathaniel’s glare burned into her, his jaw clenched in fury.

For all his business prowess, he was utterly defenseless against her schemes.

"Stop deluding yourself! Loving you? Impossible!"

He refused to let this farce continue. Yanking open his desk drawer, he pulled out the revised divorce papers and signed them with a sharp stroke.

"You just wanted my signature? Here. Take it." He flung the document at her, his voice icy.

At the same moment, Vivian ended the live stream. Smirking, she picked up the papers. "Thank you, Mr. Blackwood. Initiate the ownership transfer as soon as possible."

His words stung, but it didn’t matter. She’d won.

Clutching the signed papers, she strode out of Blackwood Group with a triumphant smile.

"Mrs. Lockhart, wait!" Ethan called after her.

She turned. "Yes?"

Since Nathaniel often used Ethan as a messenger, they were familiar. She’d always found him easy to talk to.

"Just… I wanted to apologize for his behavior."

"And… why Hunts & Co.? Those three lawyers are useless. The firm’s practically worthless. You’re getting nothing from this divorce."

Vivian’s lips curved mysteriously. "You’ll understand soon enough."