---- Chapter 8 Spencer was efficient. It was still early, and we hadn't even finished breakfast when Casper Hoffman, the corporate legal advisor for Joplin Group, showed up at Spencer's door with his laptop. Casper didn't look surprised to see me. He smiled and introduced himself, "Good morning, Ms. Thorne." I set my sandwich down. "Thanks for coming, Mr. Hoffman." "No problem," he said. "Mr. Joplin already went over this case with me a while back. Trust me, a case like this is nothing to worry about." His smile told me he knew exactly what he was talking about. He brought the divorce agreement along. I went over it, didn't spot anything off, and signed. Out of everything Reuben and I owned together, I only took my savings-one million dollars-and left him the house. ---- He'd bought the place with his loan and had always been the one paying the mortgage. So he wasn't losing anything. We didn't meet at home. Instead, we chose a quiet café, somewhere out of the way. Reuben took almost an hour before finally walking in. Ihanded him the divorce agreement. "If it all looks good, then sign. The house stays with you. I'm keeping my savings." Reuben took it without reading them. Instead, he set it aside with a big grin. "We've been married for five years, Lissy. That's got to mean something. Are you really in such a rush to call it quits?" "Just sign it, Reuben. I'm not spending another second on this." "Hold up." He glanced at Spencer. "What if I sign this and Mr. Joplin breaks his word?" Without saying anything, Spencer pulled out his ---- phone to send a message. Asecond later, Reuben's phone vibrated. He checked it, and his face lit up. "Mr. Joplin, you're a man of your word. Since the appointment letter's already here, I'll sign right now!" I looked over at Spencer. When had he even prepared the appointment letter? How could I, his own secretary, not have noticed? He gave my hand a quick, discreet pat. It put me at ease instantly. He wasn't the type to let anyone walk all over him. It wasn't until Reuben signed the divorce agreement that I finally let out the breath I'd been holding. A quiet sadness crept in. Human greed had no end. It all came down to whether someone had any decency. Reuben and I would finally go our separate ways. I didn't regret it, but I couldn't ignore the bitter thought that I'd wasted my time on him. ---- I was about to walk out when Reuben spoke up. " Lissy, don't say I didn't warn you. Do you really think a family as powerful as the Joplins will accept someone from your background? And a divorcee, at that. "You'll end up with nothing and no one to turn to. But if that's how it plays out, you can always come to me. I'd be willing to move past everything. We did have ten years together, after all." "Save it. I'd rather starve than beg you for help." I left the café and glanced up at the sky. The heaviness in my chest that I'd carried for ages was finally gone. I, Elise Thorne, was free at last. Spencer waited by the car, leaning against it. He didn't budge until he caught my smile, then tipped his head toward his car. "Get in." "Where are we going? Aren't we going to the office? I only took a half-day." "T cleared you for the whole day." In "CEO, Those Twins Look Just Like You" by CrushReel, a single mother's life takes an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with a charming playboy who unknowingly holds a billionaire secret. As their worlds collide, secrets unravel and hearts intertwine in this captivating romance novel set in a modern office backdrop. Amidst the challenges of raising twins solo, our protagonist finds herself drawn to the enigmatic playboy, unaware of the wealth and complexity hidden beneath his charismatic facade. The juxtaposition of their contrasting lives sets the stage for a tale of unexpected love, where opposites truly attract in ways neither could have imagined. This sweet romance novel delves into themes of family, identity, and the power of love to transcend social boundaries. With its blend of heartwarming moments and intriguing twists, "CEO, Those Twins Look Just Like You" stands out as a refreshing take on the billionaire CEO trope, offering readers a glimpse into a world where love knows no bounds. Experience the magic of this ongoing story at CrushReel and dive into a narrative that promises to captivate your heart and leave you eagerly awaiting what unfolds next. Read online at CrushReel for a journey that will keep you hooked till the very end.