From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 102

This decision wasn’t easy.

If I let Jeffery help me, maybe I’d finally be free of Remy—only to end up entangled with Jeffery instead. Ten years apart had changed both of us. He wasn’t the same Jeffery I once knew, and I was no longer the naive, wide-eyed Avery from back then.

Whatever we’d had ended the day he quietly moved out and never mentioned what happened between us. But now, with trouble closing in from every direction, I needed someone solid to stand with me. Even just a lawyer who’d be willing to show up in court on my behalf would be a lifeline.

Remy wasn’t someone you wanted as an enemy. No one in Georgia Bay would dare face off with him. If anyone had the nerve to challenge Remy, it was probably Jeffery.

I regretted how much I’d depended on Remy all those years, never thinking to build my own connections or have a backup plan. After a lot of thought, I decided not to accept Jeffery’s offer.

I refused to escape one mess just to fall into another I couldn’t see coming.

Then John showed up at my office, wearing a polite smile that didn’t hide the real reason he was here. I didn’t even have to ask—I already knew. Zoey must have gotten the court summons, and now John was here, not to negotiate, but to threaten me. That much was obvious.

“Well, John, this is a surprise. Please, have a seat. Vicky, could you make us some of my best tea?” I said, keeping my voice light.

Vicky nodded and slipped into my office, grabbing the tea canister from the storage shelf and carrying it out along with the red clay teapot.

When he opened his eyes again, the smugness was gone, replaced by cold anger. I guessed he wasn’t used to anyone standing up to him, especially not someone like me who refused to play by his rules.

“So, Ms. Greenwood, you’re really set on going up against me?” He raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with mockery and warning. “In the past, for Mr. Thompson’s sake, I looked out for you. I made sure nothing bad happened to you. But I hear Mr. Thompson’s ex is back, the three of them are getting back together, and he’s already filed for divorce. If you think you’ll keep getting special treatment, I’m afraid that’s over.”

“So you’re telling me that you run Elite Tech however you want and you’re planning to push me out just because you can? I’ve worked for everything I have here, never relying on anyone’s connections or power. With all respect, I don’t agree with your view at all.”

He gave me a twisted, almost sleazy smile. “Why put on this tough act, Ms. Greenwood? I heard you’re refusing to sign the divorce papers and you’ve been getting hurt a lot lately. I think I know what’s going on. But you can relax—I have a soft spot for women in trouble. Let this go, and I’ll make sure to take care of you. Give it a couple of years, and I’ll help you get a VP title. How does that sound?” His eyes glinted, full of predatory promise.