Mission: From Divorcee to Millionaire

Selena grabbed the document with impatience. "There's nothing I would change..." Her voice trailed off as she scanned the pages, her expression growing serious.

Over the past three years, her uncle had been leveraging her connections to secure projects with Bennett Corporation, raking in a tidy profit each year-enough to keep his family living comfortably. But she hadn't counted on his greed being so insatiable. The document laid out in stark detail how Brook had been cooking the books, skimming off a hefty chunk from each project.

Selena's fist tightened. She couldn't bear the thought of Everett and the rest of the Bennett family looking down on her, which is why she'd always stayed out of the business side of things, blissfully unaware. Sure, she knew her uncle and aunt had their greedy streaks, but she never imagined her uncle would be so bold. The evidence was damning, enough to get him in serious trouble!

Everett lounged back in his chair, casually taking in her reaction before speaking, "I'll give you another chance to rephrase that."

So this was his game plan all along.

Selena shook with anger, swallowing hard. "And if I still say no?"

Everett's brow barely twitched. "Selena, I'm a businessman, not a saint. I've only overlooked your uncle's antics out of respect for our marriage."Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"But..." he paused, his eyes taking on a cold sheen, "if we weren't family, as the CEO of Bennett Corporation, I owe it to the shareholders to protect their interests. So don't expect me to be lenient." Lenient? Had he ever shown her any real kindness?

"Mr. Everett, you've got a real talent for making threats sound so polished. Maybe you missed your true calling. You could go to those talk show-you'd be a star!"

Everett's tone grew even cooler. "Selena, it's just a six-month extension to our divorce, not an annulment. Why are you so reluctant? Or are you just playing hard to get and trying to stir things up?" Selena said with a sarcastic laugh, "How can you be so cocky?"

Everett's face darkened, his voice carrying a warning, "Selena, if you don't want your cousin and uncle to end up behind bars, think carefully before you speak!"

Her next words caught in her throat,

her cheeks flashing red with the effort to hold them back. Trading barbs wasn't going to solve anything. Even if Everett's tactics were underhanded, her uncle-had handed him the ammunition, so she couldn't really blame Everett.

Everett knew exactly where her vulnerabilities lay. Her uncle had been a pillar of support, and she couldn't just abandon him. She was cornered.

Selena fumed silently, biting her lip until it turned white, unsure of what to say next. The office fell into a tense silence, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Everett's eyes flicked over to Selena.

The sight of her look so hurt stirred something unsettling inside him. He'd been more patient and accommodating with her than

anyone else. What did she have to feel so wronged about?

Selena closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she looked at him again, her decision was made.

She sat back down, her dark eyes

Bet

locking with his, and said firmly, "I you want me to keep playing the role of Mrs. Bennett, fine, but we're setting some ground rules

Everett didn't seem surprised. If she'd agreed without a fight, she wouldn't be the Selena he knew.

"Let's hear it." His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk.

Selena took a moment before speaking, "First, consider these six months as you employing me as your wife. I expect a salary. I'll treat it like a job."

After all, she did need the money, and if Everett wanted to present himself as the perfect target, she'd be foolish not to take advantage!

Everett was taken aback for a moment, then smirked. "A job? Should I throw in health insurance and a retirement plan, too?"