Lady Warrior's Warth on Divorce Day novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Nicolas froze for a moment. Jasmine retorted, “This patent is jointly owned by you and Nicolas, so why can’t he use it? Besides, after your marriage, if it weren’t for Nicolas working hard to make money, do you think you’d have had so much free time to work on that patent?”

‘Free time?’ Zoya scoffed inwardly.

For almost all three years of their marriage, she’d poured nearly every ounce of her energy into helping Nicolas launch his

business.

If that hadn’t been the case, she would have had more than just one patent to her name since getting married.

“So you’re telling me Mayer Technology is all thanks to Nicolas’s talent and his earnings? That’s it?” Zoya shot back.

“Of course! Even if you had research achievements in the military before, so what? Starting a business is nothing like working in the army. It takes vision, courage, and connections. Do you think money just falls from the sky?” Jasmine said sharply.

Even though Harvey had once told her in person that Zoya had multiple research achievements in the military and was an expert in drone technology, Jasmine had always thought he was exaggerating.

Zoya gave a faint smile, her gaze drifting over to Nicolas. “You’re right. Starting a business does take vision, guts, and connections. Money doesn’t just fall from the sky.”

Back then, for Nicolas’s sake, she had used every connection she could find, and she had been involved in nearly every major decision the company made.

Several times, when Nicolas made reckless choices that nearly drove the company into crisis, she was the one who persuaded him to change course. And now, somehow, all of that credit had become his in Jasmine’s mouth!

“Of course, Nicolas can use any patents you both filed after the wedding. It’s only fair. He busted his ass too, it’s not just yours alone!” Jasmine snapped.

“Whatever, if you want to keep worshipping Nicolas, be my guest. Just remember that promise. Let’s see how loyal you are if he ever loses everything,” Zoya replied with a mocking smile.

Either way, once the investor conference started, she’d make sure Nicolas learned the hard way. Her patents weren’t some free pass he could just cash in on.

“Zoya, you’re just jealous of Jasmine, aren’t you?” Daphne sneered. “Nicolas, a rising tech mogul, left you for her. You really missed out!”

Nicolas’s brow furrowed at her words. Daphne’s comment made it sound like he’d made it big and then left the woman who stood by him through thick and thin for someone else.

He opened his mouth, about to say something.

But Wren cut him off. “Does Zozo need to be jealous?”

That “Zozo” made the whole room go dead silent. Daphne nearly bit her tongue in shock.

Wren’s tone practically announced to everyone. Zoya was already with him, the undisputed head of the Richmond family. What upstart tech mogul could ever hope to compete with that kind of power and legacy?

Zoya had absolutely no reason to be jealous.

Nicolas suddenly looked awkward. He’d always worried people would think he was just some guy who got rich and then ditched the woman who stood by him.

But now, it felt like the tables had turned. He was the one getting left behind, and Zoya had moved on to someone leagues

above him.

Now he was the pitiful one in everybody’s eyes.

Jasmine managed a strained smile. “Honestly, it’s not about how much money a man has. It’s about how much he’s willing to give. If he owns a hundred bucks but would only part with one, then that relationship is pretty much worthless.”

“Oh, but it looks like Mr. Mayer was more than willing to splurge on Ms. Ingram,” Wren interjected bluntly. “He even spent the money he earned during his marriage to buy her all kinds of jewelry.”

Instantly, Jasmine’s cheeks went scarlet.

Because of those jewels, she was nothing but the mistress in everyone’s eyes.

She’d tried so hard, even risked flying a plane over the island just to claw back a bit of her reputation, but with Wren throwing this out there, it all felt completely pointless.

Wren didn’t hesitate. He declared, “As long as Zozo wants something, whatever it is, I’ll give it to her. Anything I own is hers if she asks.”

Everyone was stunned into silence by that statement.

After all, Wren was the one calling the shots in the Richmond family.

And as for how deep the Richmond family’s pockets really ran, that was anyone’s guess.

“So what if Zoya asked for the whole Rich Group? Would you seriously hand it over?” Jasmine fired back, her tone sharp and provocative.

Wren gave Jasmine a lazy, almost amused smile, then locked eyes with Zoya. “If you want it, I’ll give it to you.”

The whole room inhaled at once, taken aback.

Even Zoya froze for a second, genuinely surprised Wren would say something so bold.

Joke or not, he was definitely putting her front and center, giving her all the face she could want.

“No need. If I want something, I’ll fight for it myself,” Zoya said, her tone firm and full of confidence.

Plenty of people in the room figured all this was just for show, typical scene-stealing words.

But show or not, one thing was crystal clear. Zoya’s standing with Wren was on full display for everyone to see.

“True enough,” Wren said with a faint smile. “A woman like you gets what she wants on her own. Unlike some people, who always rely on others.”

Jasmine’s face went beet red, and even Daphne squirmed in her seat.

Wren’s words were a direct slap in both their faces.

Soon, the investment conference officially began.

Representatives from various companies stepped up one by one to introduce themselves and the projects they were bidding for in the island’s development.

Each representative explained their proposal, which would then be reviewed by government officials as well as the Richmond family and the Lucero family. They had already formed major partnerships with the government.

Nicolas sat with his head down, staring at the proposal document in his hands.

He hadn’t expected Zoya to still be there.

If he presented the proposal in public, she would immediately realize that it was written by her before she left the company.

Nicolas had never really been impressed by Zoya’s skills. He always thought she was just your standard project manager, nothing special.

But after she resigned, none of the company’s new proposals for the island development had been approved by the Marabotara government.

So, just to make up the numbers, he ended up submitting Zoya’s old project proposal, the one she’d written before quitting. To his surprise, that was the one the Marabotara government picked.

He hardly touched it at all, except for swapping out Zoya’s original “riverside” location for “island.”

Just thinking about having to present this proposal with Zoya sitting right there, listening in, made Nicolas squirm in his seat. He was restless, anxious, and almost felt like he’d just swallowed a mouthful of needles.

“Nicolas, you don’t look well. Are you feeling sick?” Jasmine whispered beside him.

“No, I’m fine,” Nicolas said. But when he looked up, his eyes met Zoya’s calm, sharp gaze.

For a split second, guilt clawed at Nicolas’s gut.

Just then, the host announced, “Next, let’s welcome Mr. Nicolas Mayer, CEO of Mayer Technology, to present his company’s proposal!”

The room erupted in applause, but Nicolas’s heart skipped a beat.