The Ex-Wife's Triumph novel Chapter 131

Early the next morning, Kingsley was having breakfast with Peter when Xavier entered the room with light, measured steps.

He bowed his head slightly, offering a respectful greeting: "Mr. Sherwood, Mr. Peter."

Peter dabbed the corners of his mouth with a napkin and glanced up, a trace of amused curiosity in his eyes. "He knows me? Is this your new special assistant?

Kingsley shot him a glance, his tone laced with warning. "Don't get any ideas about my people."

"Relax, I don't have a death wish," Peter chuckled, all too familiar with Kingsley's ruthless streak.

Once breakfast concluded, Kingsley grabbed his overcoat and led the way out, with Xavier following close behind. Watching Xavier's retreating figure, Peter called out, "Did your boss's terrible temper finally drive Shane to quit?"

Xavier paused, turning back with a polite smile. "Shane didn't quit. He was promoted to Chief of Staff."

"Right. I assume the salary Mr. Sherwood offers is just too tempting to refuse," Peter shrugged, making conversation.

Xavier didn't confirm or deny it. The pay was indeed substantial, but the demands were equally high, requiring near twenty-four-hour availability.

"The compensation packages at Sherwood Group and Cosmoscope Group are industry-leading," he added softly.

"Yeah, well, that's because your boss is basically a cash machine. He's never short on cash," Peter teased.

Xavier didn't reply, simply stepping forward to open the car door for Kingsley.

Kingsley glanced sideways at Peter. "Where's your car?"

Without a word, Peter opened the other door and slid into the back seat. "I had the driver take it back last night. I'm hitching a ride with you today."

Kingsley didn't argue and got into the car. As soon as the door closed, Peter turned his head. "About that project in the development division—you aren't putting it up for bid?"

"No need," Kingsley's voice was flat.

Peter laughed immediately, his tone teasing. "Kingsley, are you hoarding it for personal reasons?"

Kingsley kept his eyes lowered on his tablet, scrolling through documents, ignoring him completely.

Peter, however, had no intention of shutting up. "Even if you save it specifically for her, she might not appreciate the gesture."

Seeing he still wasn't getting a response, Peter clicked his tongue. "You really are a bore. If I were her, I'd run away too."

At this, Kingsley finally looked up. His thin lips pressed into a hard line, and his voice dropped a few degrees. "You can get out and run right now."

Xavier nodded and turned to execute the order. Shane, upon receiving the message, dared not delay and immediately sent the email.

In the offices of The Holt Group, Jules clicked open the email. Looking at the project delivered right to his doorstep, he tapped out a reply: [Is there a designated designer?]

Shane didn't dare make that decision himself and blind-copied Kingsley on the email. Kingsley's instruction came back quickly: [Reply as you see fit. Others can take it too.]

Shane stared at the screen, troubled. How could he just "reply as he saw fit"? He deliberated for a moment before cautiously typing out a response. Not long after, Jules replied with two words: [Very well.]

After sending the email, Jules leaned back in his office chair, absently rubbing his mouse, confused. What was Kingsley planning? He wasn't demanding Lucy take the job; he was even offering it to his "romantic rival" voluntarily. Since when did such good things happen? Unable to figure it out, he stopped obsessing and sent a message to Lucy: [Sherwood Group has a project. Do you want to take it? If not, I'll assign it to someone else.]

It took a good while for Lucy to reply: [Jules, are you asking a rhetorical question?]

Jules quickly explained: [No, just letting you know. I looked at the project; it's not overly difficult.]

Lucy didn't reply again. Jules sent a follow-up: [Don't be mad. Aren't I always the most lenient with you?]

This time, Lucy replied instantly: [Because I make you money.]

Reading that sentence, Jules felt a tightness in his chest, nearly choking on exasperation. He stared at the screen with a bitter smile—if he ever poked through that thin layer of paper between them, would she just hand in her resignation and walk away?