Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO novel Chapter 417

Chapter 417

Astrid’s POV

Thalia stared at Rebecca, her face blank with shock. “Mom… is all this true? I…

She could barely get the words out, her voice cracking like dry wood.

Rebecca smiled, stroking her daughter’s hair with surprising tenderness. “Of course it’s true. I never told you before because you can’t keep secrets. You would’ve acted weird around Blake, and he would’ve figured it out.”

I stayed frozen behind my tree, barely breathing, my fingers cramping around my phone as I kept recording.

“But now Blake’s dead, so there’s no reason to keep hiding it,” Rebecca continued. “And don’t worry – I won’t let that outsider Rachel Hayes take over Parker Group.

“What do you mean?” Thalia asked.

Rebecca leaned back, confident as a cat. “Once you’re married, Parker Group will have a new son-in-law. Rachel Hayes will have to step aside for your husband. The power comes back to us, where it belongs.”

I watched understanding dawn on Thalia’s face. The family resemblance between them had never been clearer – same calculating eyes, same cold smile.

“If this guy’s your pick,* Thalia nodded firmly, ‘I’ll marry him after Blake’s funeral and when William’s gone. Let Rachel deal with the mess first, then we take back what’s ours.”

Rebecca squeezed her daughter’s hand, looking deeply satisfied. “That’s my girl.”

Thalia threw herself into her mother’s arms. “Mom, you’re brilliant. I’ve wanted to take Blake’s power for ages.”

My stomach turned watching their tender moment. They were discussing deaths like social events.

“I know, sweetie,” Rebecca said, returning the hug. “Three years ago, your last business-savvy boyfriend was also my selection. When things looked promising between you two, I arranged Blake’s car accident…”

She said it so casually. I felt sick.

‘But he didn’t die – just became a vegetable,” she continued, disappointed like she was discussing an undercooked meal. “While he was a vegetable, I tried to finish him off multiple times, but William had Audrey marry him. That bitch never left his side – I couldn’t get near him!”

I had to cover my mouth to stay silent.

“And you, Rebecca added, her tone slightly scolding, ‘you cheated on your boyfriend after Blake’s accident. Once you broke up, I had to put my plans on hold. Never thought Rachel Hayes would be more impatient than me…..”

Thalia squeezed tighter. “Sorry I messed up.”

“It’s fine, Rebecca patted her back. “Things worked out anyway.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Rebecca caused Blake’s accident? Tried to kill him in his coma? Now planning to use Thalia’s boyfriend to take control after Rachel did the dirty work?

I needed to tell Audrey. This wasn’t family drama – this was attempted murder.

Without thinking, I stepped back. A dry branch snapped loudly under my foot.

Crack

Chapter 417

They broke apart instantly, heads whipping toward me. “Who’s there?!” they shouted together.

Sha

Audrey’s POV

“Miss Hayes.”

Rachel turned when I called, her eyes narrowing as she spotted me in the parking garage. Despite her reddened eyes from the police station performance, her face showed zero actual grief.

‘Mrs. Knox, she sneered. “Here to claim your daughter’s body? Finally accepted she’s dead?”

I kept my face neutral. “I’m not identifying anyone. Just thought I’d deliver this myself rather than sending a courier.”

I held out Blake’s phone.

Rachel’s hostility immediately gave way to barely contained excitement. After confirming it was Blake’s limited edition model, she quickly powered it on.

She immediately pulled a USB drive from her coat and connected it to the phone.

I watched her begin transferring data. Five years ago, I would’ve been outraged. Now I just observed her like an interesting specimen.

*Heard you rejected your adoptive parents’ help in Sydney,” Rachel said, eyes on the screen. “Trying to start from scratch with Adrian? I’ll admit, Q.elegant’s impressive for a jewelry startup, but so what?”

She looked up triumphantly. I’m about to control all of Parker Group. An empire that rivals your adoptive parents’ entire business. Something you’d never achieve on your own.”

I smiled bitterly at the irony. “None of it came from your own work. What’s there to be proud of?

The Rachel I knew five years ago would’ve been disgusted by what she’d become. I remembered her at a bar, ranting passionately about her stepsister.

“Audrey,” she’d said, face flushed with righteous anger, beer in hand, we need to build something ourselves! What’s the point of everything she has? None of it came from her own work! We’ll show her up!”

Her passion had been infectious back then. I’d chugged my beer and agreed, “You’re right! I’ll design, you’ll manage, and we’ll become jewelry stars – по handouts, just hard work!”

Rachel caught my expression and laughed. “Only losers with no options talk about ‘hard work.’ Evelyn, you’re as naive as your sister Audrey.”

Ding!

A notification interrupted us. Rachel looked down, satisfaction spreading across her face.

‘Blake was so paranoid about his phone security,” she mused, scrolling through the contents. “But what good did it do? He died protecting your worthless kid. No matter how well you guard secrets, death takes everything.”

She glanced up, almost pitying. “Blake was pathetic. Never appreciated Audrey when she was alive. After she died, he died saving the daughter of a woman who just looks like her…”

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