Chapter 134

"I'm clearly doing this because—" Vivian paused, then flashed a mischievous grin as she quipped, "I want your money!"

Ethan looked utterly speechless. He could tell she was brushing him off, her answer revealing nothing about her true motives.

"I told you before—if you need money, just ask. We were married, after all. I'll do my best to meet your financial needs. No need to beat around the bush."

"Just ask you?" Vivian scoffed. "What if I demanded half the Blackwood fortune? Would you hand it over without hesitation?"

Ethan's expression darkened. "That's absurd."

"Oh? And here I thought my ex-husband was generous. Turns out, you're still stingy when it counts. Can't even humor a simple request..."

Though his irritation was palpable, Vivian showed no concern about provoking him further. "You don’t know me at all. I’m greedy. A few million might satisfy others, but not me!"

She had two children on the way. Financial security was non-negotiable. She wanted wealth matching Ethan’s—so her kids would never feel deprived under her care.

The once docile wife he remembered now stood before him, bold and unapologetic. Yet, her ambition intrigued him. She wasn’t begging for handouts—she wanted to fight for it.

Disdain and reluctant admiration warred within him.

"Do you really think poaching my lawyers and signing with Kingsley Holdings will solve everything?" Ethan warned, voice sharp. "Business isn’t some game. One wrong move, and you’ll drown. Or have you forgotten what happened to your family?"

His words struck deep. Vivian’s fists clenched. She knew the risks. The Lockharts had once stood among Newport City’s Elite Eight—until they were crushed overnight.

The memories still haunted her.

Noticing her distress, Ethan softened slightly. "South Group—no, Kingsley Holdings—demanded eight billion in sales from you, didn’t they? That’s impossible for a small firm like yours."

"I’ll decide what’s possible," she snapped.

"Stop being stubborn. We’re divorced, but I don’t hold grudges. I don’t want to watch you fail—it’d reflect poorly on me too." His harsh tone barely masked his concern.

Vivian only heard condescension. "What’s your point, Mr. Blackwood?"

"Simple. You’re out of your depth. Take the money I offer and live comfortably. Stay away from this battlefield."

In his mind, she belonged in a gilded cage, safe from the cutthroat world she’d naively entered.

Her lips curled in defiance. "Don’t underestimate me. You’ll see exactly what I’m capable of."

"Fine." His patience snapped. "Then don’t blame me when I join the Summit in crushing Lockhart Enterprises."