HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 170

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 170**

“The news just won’t die down,” Daven grumbled, letting himself sink into the chair behind his desk as if the weight of the world had just settled on his shoulders. His weary gaze fell upon the mountain of documents that the legal team had already wrestled with, each sheet a reminder of the chaos that Vanessa had unleashed. “Damn Vanessa. She’s pulling every string she can find.”

Arsen stood across the desk, his posture rigid, delivering his report with a seriousness that matched the gravity of the situation. “We’ve managed to silence most of the outlets, Mr. Daven. However…” He hesitated, choosing his words carefully, “to be honest, there are still a few major players with significant influence who refuse to comply, even after we’ve offered them compensation. They’re simply biding their time, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.”

Daven ran a hand through his disheveled hair, frustration bubbling within him. “So, for the past two days, I’ve squandered millions just to salvage a name that my own wife has dragged through the mud?”

Arsen remained silent, lowering his gaze as he sensed the storm brewing within Daven. It was wise not to provoke him further.

“Continue tracking Vanessa’s every move,” Daven ordered, his voice low and intense. “I know she’s not acting alone. And prepare everything we need to strike back—I can’t let this linger any longer.”

“Yes, Mr. Daven,” Arsen replied, his tone respectful yet tinged with concern.

Just then, the office door swung open with a force that echoed through the room. Kate Callister entered, her expression cold and commanding, as if she had just stepped off a battlefield.

“Daven.”

He sprang to attention, his heart racing as he stood up from his chair. “Mom.”

Of all the people he had anticipated walking through that door, his mother’s presence was the last he had expected. Regret washed over him like a tidal wave; he should have prepared her for this moment, should have shielded her from the rumors that were undoubtedly swirling in the air.

But the moment had come, and it was too late for that now.

Kate advanced toward him, her demeanor unyielding. “What exactly is going on? Is it true that you’ve been seeing Althea all this time?”

Daven let out a long, heavy sigh, feeling as though the very ground beneath him was crumbling. The pressure of the world was already unbearable, and now his mother was adding to the burden. “Mom, please listen to me. Yes, I’ve been in SunCity—but not for Althea. I had no idea she was even there. My trip was solely for work. If I happened to run into her, it was nothing more than a coincidence.”

Kate’s eyes narrowed, skepticism etched across her face. “Coincidence? Do you really think the public will accept that excuse? You’re Daven Callister, not some small-time businessman who can hide behind the word ‘accidentally.’”

Daven pressed his fingers against his temples, battling the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm him and the burning anger simmering just below the surface. “I know how it sounds, Mom. But it’s the truth. This is all Vanessa’s doing. She can’t accept that I filed for divorce. And believe me, she’ll stop at nothing—absolutely nothing—to drag me down into the dirt with her.”

For a moment, Kate fell silent, her mind racing as she processed her son’s words. “So… all of this mess is because of Vanessa? Because she refuses to let you go?”

“Yes.” Daven met her gaze, his voice steady even as fatigue weighed heavily on him. “I’ve already filed the petition. Tomorrow, my lawyers and I will submit the official paperwork to the court. I can’t tolerate Vanessa’s behavior any longer.”

“Sir… an important call,” Arsen said quickly, his face grave, the tension palpable. “It’s from the Miller family.”

Daven’s brow furrowed, curiosity mixed with apprehension. “Put it through.”

Arsen pressed the button, handing the device to him with an air of urgency. On the other end, a voice emerged—calm yet heavy with authority.

“Daven Callister.” It was Chase Miller, his voice resonating with a thunderous intensity.

Daven straightened in his chair, caught off guard. “Chase… I didn’t expect you to call me personally.”

“At first, I thought it was just a courtesy. But the more I see, the clearer it becomes—your promises to me were nothing but empty words,” Chase replied coldly. “You swore you wouldn’t drag Althea into your mess with Vanessa. And yet? She’s been pulled in deeper and deeper.”

Daven inhaled sharply, struggling to rein in the anger that threatened to explode. “I never intended to involve Althea. I… I wanted to protect her.”

“Protect her?” Chase let out a harsh laugh, disdain dripping from his words. “Do you think I’m blind? Vanessa is behind this. And I’m certain you know it. So listen to me carefully, Daven. If you can’t silence your wife, don’t blame me—or my family—when we step in to make Vanessa pay for everything she’s done.”

For a moment, Daven froze, taken aback by Chase’s directness. He hadn’t expected him to call out Vanessa so boldly, so decisively. “How can you be so sure she’s the one behind it?”