They didn't know if the recording was real, but Summer's absolute confidence made it seem undeniable. If what she said was true...

Considering the damage to Lily's reputation, Xavier ordered, "Come to my office, Summer. We need to talk."

Perhaps fearing she would refuse, he added a pointed remark. "About what you wanted."

With that, he turned on his heel, making sure to call for Lily to follow him.

His tone toward Lily was noticeably softer than the bark he had used on Summer.

It was a deliberate display for the employees—a silent declaration that even if Lily cost the company millions, he wouldn't utter a single word of blame.

It was blatant favoritism, and a clear sign he was backing her.

Summer watched coldly, mulling over his words.

What she wanted? New chapters come out on novelceo(.)com first.

Was he finally going to discuss the divorce?

She stood up and followed them.

Inside Xavier's office.

As soon as she stepped inside, he said, "I need you to issue a public statement taking the blame. Say it was your negligence during the handover that locked Lily out. Tell everyone it wasn't her fault."

Summer let out a humorless laugh. "Why should I? Her reputation matters, but mine doesn't?"

He frowned, looking at her as if she were a petulant child. "Because it was your fault to begin with. You didn't leave clear instructions. Besides, you know how my grandfather gets. If he finds out about this, he'll target Lily. She's pregnant and can't handle the stress. The online abuse is already vicious enough today; she doesn't need Carlson breathing down her neck too."

Summer glared at him coldly. "So it's fine if your grandfather targets me instead?"

He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Just go back and apologize to him. It's not like you haven't done it before. You're used to it, so it's easy for you. Plus, I'll protect you. I won't let him actually punish you."

"I'm not posting anything, and I'm not going." Her stance was unyielding. "If you have nothing but this garbage to say, I'm leaving."

He wasn't surprised by her refusal, knowing she wouldn't cave easily. He pressed on. "I know exactly what you want to hear. You want me to say I won't divorce you, right? Fine. If you post the statement and apologize to my grandfather, I'll give you another chance. We won't get divorced. You'll still be Mrs. Sterling, and everything will go back to normal." New chapters come out on no⁠velceo.com first.

She curled her lips into a mocking sneer. "With how fiercely you're protecting her, Xavier, a divorce is the only option. I will not issue that statement, and as for that *Divorce Agreement* you drafted, I reject the asset division and your claim to Leo's custody entirely."

His gaze darkened, his voice dropping several degrees. "I'm trying to reason with you, Summer. Are you going to be difficult?"

She scoffed. "Reason with me? Is that what you call this? You've already made all the arrangements and simply demand my compliance."

"So, will you comply?"

She pulled out the *Divorce Agreement* from her bag—the revised version Sebastian had drafted for her.

She slid it across the desk. "Sign this, and I'll post your statement."

He glanced at it before violently ripping it to shreds. "You don't get to dictate the terms of this divorce, Summer. I make the final call."

As he spoke, he shot a look to the bodyguards standing nearby.

Before Summer even realized what was happening, the two massive men had pinned her arms to her sides.

"What are you doing? Let me go!" she shouted, struggling furiously. But against two towering enforcers, her efforts were futile; she was immobilized in their iron grip.