Chapter 3
Trina closed the chat with her assistant, only to be hit by a barrage of messages. After being off the grid for three years, it seemed like everyone was suddenly desperate to get in touch with her.
Before she could even start sorting through the flood of texts, her phone rang. She picked up, hearing a panicked voice on the other end.
“You’re finally back!” It was Jenny Cook, her store manager, practically shouting “We haven’t put out any new designs in forever. Customers are getting amsy, and orders are backed up until next year. We’ve got a shit ton of unpaid bills piling up.”
Trina rubbed her temples, feeling a headache conng on. “Alright, I’m on my way,” she said.
As the hung up, she couldn’t help but laugh at the irony of her life. Here she was, sitting on a goldmine, totally ignoring her role as an heiress, just to play housewife for a man who barely gave a damn about her. It was like she had chosen to suffer when she didn’t have to
Shaking her head with a dry laugh, Trina had the mansion’s butler drive her to her jewelry store in the heart of downtown. The place, with its elegant vintage decor, was a magnet for socialites and rich women who loved showing off and blowing cash on sparkly things
The moment Trina walked in, Jenny practically sprinted over, relief all over her face.
“Thank God you’re here!” Jenny blurted, shoving a stack of papers at her. “We’re drowning in backlogged orders, and we desperately need new Hesigns to turn this ship around”
Trina took the papers and scanned the orders. “Let’s prioritize by deadline,” she said calmly. “I’ll start sketching right now, and once I’m done, you can run the designs over to the factory.”
Jenny watched in awe as Trina fired up her computer and got to work on her tables. Within minutes, a stunning jewelry design lit up the screen, like she hadn’t skipped a heat
“Incredible!” Jenny gushed. “You’re a genius, Trina. You whipped up something so breathtaking in no time.”
Trina ignored the praise and kept working, in half an hour, she’d churned out over a dozen designs. She printed them out and handed them to Jenny.
“Take these to the factory right away. Trina instructed. “Use only the finest materials for each piece. Quality is non–negotiable.”
Jenny nodded eagerly, her eyes shining with excitement. “Got it. I’m on it. She hurried off, clutching the precious designs like they were gold.
As Jenny left. Trina turned her attention to the store’s inventory, meticulously examining the display cases. They were running low on stock, with mostly older designs from before she’d left.
She was carefully polishing a necklace when a familiar voice made her freeze
“Trina?” Lisa called out with uncertainty.
Trina looked up to see her nemesis standing nearby, with Cyril at her side. Their eyes met, and Trina felt the weight of Cyril’s intense gaze, like being scorched by fire.
Lisa simpered, her voice oozing with fake concern “Oh Trina, why are you picking fights with Cyril Look at you, reduced to working in a shop after leaving him. Her eyes gleamed with malicious glee as she added, “It must be so hard insking ends meet after divorcing Cyril, hm”
Trina quirked an eyebrow, amused by Lisa’s theatrics. “Wow, since when did you become my life coach! I’ll work wherever I please. It’s none of your business.”
Lisa’s eyes welled up with crocodile tears as she turned to Cyril, clearly expecting him to jump to her defense. But Cyril’s laser focus remained on Trina, much to Lia’s disappointment. She bit her lip, seething inwardly at being ignored.
Cyril strode forward, his jaw clenched. “What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded. “Is the allowance I give you not enough, that you have to work in a place like this?”
His voice was cold, tinged with anger. He’d searched high and low for her, only to stumble upon her here of all places.
Trina locked eyes with Cyril, her gaze full of defiance. “Mr. Banks, look like you have forgotten–I walked out of your house with nothing,” she said, hertone icy.
“All that money you gave me? It’s still sitting there. Oh, and by the way, have you signed the divorce papers yet? If you’re not too busy, we should set a date to make in official at the courthouse.”
Cyril’s brow furrowed, his entire demeanor radiating icy displeasure. He grabbed Trina’s wrist, his grip tight. “You’re coming home with me. Now,” he growled.
1/2
Chapter 3
Trina laughed bitterly, yanking her arm free. “Home?” she repeated, her voice laced with disdain. “We’re getting divorced, remember? That’s not my home anymore.
Cyril’s eyes glittered dangerously, his patience wearing thin. “This tantrum has gone on long enough,” he snarled. “Trina, I’m warning you – stop playing games
But Trina was dead serious. She enunciated each word clearly, her voice firm. “I am not playing games. I want you to sign those papers and finalize this divorce at the court ASAP”
Cyril searched her face for any hint of bluffing but found only cold determination in her eyes and voice. It finally sank in she genuinely wanted out of this marriage. He was taken aback, his expression hardening like ice.
“You think you can just marry me and divorce me on a whim?” he snarled, his handsome features twisted in anger. “What do you take me for?”
Lisa watched from the sidelines, her nerves on edge. Questions swirled in her mind. What does Cyril mean? Is he reluctant to divorce Trina? But why? Trina has never held any sway over his heart before, hasn’t she? Lisa thought to herself.
Trina had no patience for Cyril’s posturing. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she asked sweetly, “Oh my, could it be you’ve fallen for me? Is that why you’re dragging your feet on this divoror? You just can’t bear to let me go!”
Cyril’s eyes narrowed to slits, his expression incredulous. He let out a derisive snort and spat. “As if that could ever happen!”
Jisa breathed a sigh of relief at his vehement denial, but Trina just shrugged, unfazed by his hostility. “Well then, there’s no reason not to get
divorced,” she replied breezily
Cynl’s gaze intensified, his voice dripping with icy warning. “You think I’m the one hesitating Mark my words, Trina – once we’re divorced, don’t come crawling back begging me to take you in”
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