7 When I woke the next day , the sky was just barely beginning to lighten . Jax Ryder beside me was still sound asleep . My clothes and his were crumpled together , tossed messily by the bed . Using the sliver of light filtering through the curtains , I glanced at him , then got up and left . My car was parked downstairs . As I got in , my assistant , Maya , handed me an iced Americano and said softly : 21:36 Tue , 26 Aug 4 % " Ms. Cross , the second phase of the stock acquisition was completed last night . No one has discovered it was our move yet ." I held the cup , listening quietly as she recounted the details . " … Also , your father called this morning , ordering you to return to the Harding estate today ." I nodded : " Ignore him . If he calls again , block him ." " Everything else , proceed according to the original plan ." Maya nodded . Before starting the car , she hesitated , glancing at my neck . " Ms. Cross , your neck …" I checked the rearview mirror , understanding . I reached up and carefully buttoned my shirt to the very top button : " Don't worry about it . Just a playful nip from a puppy . " I originally planned to go home , change , and head back to the office . But I never expected Alex Thorne to be home . He lounged on the sofa , his shirt unbuttoned and open , clutching some documents . Seeing me , he said coldly : " Eve , aren't you going to explain yourself ? " I took a look . It was the divorce agreement I had asked my lawyer to draft earlier . I remained silent . " Speak up , have you gone mute ?! " He suddenly stood striding toward me " You ? You thin ! you have the right to demand a 21:37 Tue , 26 Aug < 4 % He suddenly stood , striding toward me . " You ? You think you have the right to demand a divorce from me ? " " Eve , have you forgotten how you debased yourself , begging on your knees , clutching at my pants , just to marry me ? " He threw the divorce agreement at my face . The crisp edge of the paper sliced the skin right by my eye , and blood welled up . I raised a hand , touching the wet stickiness . I took a quiet breath : " … I thought you and Chloe were true love , and you needed me to step aside for her . " " You don't get to decide what I do . " Alex laughed , enraged : " Eve , you're just a dog the Harding family raised and " ent to me . " " Now that the Hardings are seeing you get a little more respect , that you can say a few words at Harding Corp , have you forgotten your place ? " He clamped my chin , forcing me to look up at him . " Thorne Enterprises will halt all cooperation with Harding Corp on the second phase of the downtown development project ." " Eve , this is your lesson - you only get to be treated like a human when I decide to give you that much respect ." He released my chin , a soft scoff . And just like before , he reverted to his arrogant , superior self . " Go home and think about how you can butter me up enough for me to forgive this transgression ." " Perhaps , by kneeling and begging me again ." 21:37 Tue , 26 Aug