The Doormat Wife’s Ultimate Glow-Up novel Chapter 64

George’s voice buzzed through the phone. “Ms. Meyer, we’ve got almost everything we need for your divorce. The last documents are being checked. We should be able to file next week.”

“Okay,” Reese replied, exhaling slowly. Seven years with Sebastian, and it was finally about to be over.

“Oh, and George, I sent you the power of attorney for the Dylon short-selling case against Ramos Corporation. Did it arrive?”

“Yeah, just got it this morning.”

Reese nodded, relieved. “Great. I’ll leave it all to you.”

She hung up, turned up the air conditioning, and lay back down, but sleep just wouldn’t come. She tossed and turned until after midnight. Finally, she flicked on her bedside lamp and pulled out a rosewood box from the drawer.

Inside were a few leather-bound journals. Reese picked up the one on top and flipped it open. Marie’s handwriting flowed across the pages, gentle but strong, chronicling a lifetime.

A smile touched Reese’s lips as she traced the faded ink. Then she paused.

“Today Bailey gave me a necklace—a platinum chain with tiny sapphires, sparkling like the light in his eyes.”

Reese remembered that necklace. In the sunlight, the pendant scattered flashes of blue, almost like stars. She was sure it was the first gift her father ever gave her mother. Even after the divorce, her mom wore it all the time. Thrn her grandfather died, the company ran into trouble, and her mother had to sell nearly everything, including that necklace.

If only she could get it back.

She remembered the upcoming charity auction and decided to check it out. Maybe, just maybe, the necklace would show up. She still had some savings—plus the money from selling her last patent. Maybe luck would be on her side.

She closed the journal and shut her eyes.

The next morning was sunny and clear. Reese got up early, got ready, and headed to BlackOak.

As she stepped out of the elevator, she spotted Lyla, arm in arm with Sofia, coming out of the other elevator. Lyla saw Reese and turned away with a dramatic huff, raising her voice, “Wow, Reese, Mr. Ratcliff must really be spoiling you! Is that the newest H&K bag? I heard you have to drop almost a hundred grand just to get the chance to buy it!”

“It’s not that crazy,” Sofia said, patting Lyla’s hand and giving Reese a friendly smile.

Sofia was about to badge into the R&D area with Lyla when Reese frowned.

“Wait.”

Sofia looked back, confused.

“The Blade project is classified. Everyone here signed an NDA. You can’t bring irrelavant people in,” Reese said, voice calm but firm.

Sofia’s smile faded. “I think there’s a misunderstanding. Lyla and I both left Clever Cloud. We’re both on the Ratcliff Global team now.”

“This isn’t right. You should talk to Matthew. Don’t let Reese fool him.”

Sofia’s eyes got a little red. “It’s fine. Matthew probably has his reasons.”

“Fine? No way!” Lyla snapped. “Don’t worry, I’ll go with you.”

She practically dragged Sofia out of the conference room.

Everyone had their own workspace, each one locked with iris scan. As Lyla and Sofia walked down the hall, they saw Matthew and Reese heading for the biggest room at the end. Matthew leaned in, smiling as Reese talked.

Lyla grabbed her phone and took a few quick photos. In one, Matthew was turning to the scanner, his hand protectively at Reese’s side.

“See? There’s obviously something going on. No wonder Matthew’s ignoring you.”

“I’m sending these to the Ratcliff Global group chat. Mr. Ratcliff needs to know. He’ll stand up for you.”

Sofia didn’t stop her. “Let’s go. Reese works for BlackOak; of course Matthew trusts her more.”

At that same moment, over in Ratcliff Tower, Sebastian stared at the photos of Reese with another man in the work group chat, his face darkening. He didn’t even notice as the fountain pen in his hand leaked a blot of ink onto the paper.