Chapter 3

Cedric's eyes flashed with a meaningful look.

Their marriage was a business arrangement. Over the years, their intertwined interests had grown like the tangled roots of a massive tree, binding them inextricably together.

No matter what happened, Katniss and he were partners in profit, always standing united. Her sudden bid for the resort project was essentially a declaration of war, sending signals to the outside world.

He knew Katniss's capabilities. If she truly wanted this project...

Katniss received Cedric's call after her meeting ended.

Dressed in a crisp, professional outfit, she stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bustling streets below, her voice calm and measured.

"What is it?"

"If you wanted the resort project, you could have just told me. There was no need for this. I've already suppressed the media looking to make a story out of it."

Cedric looked at the documents his assistant had just delivered.

This morning, Katniss had merely been competing for the project, but by noon, she had increased her bid.

She was making it clear—she had to win this deal.

"I'll allow your tantrum this once, but I don't want there to be a next time."

Listening to Cedric's irritated tone, Katniss could almost picture his furrowed brow.

To Cedric, she was just an obedient and useful tool. Now that the program had malfunctioned, he, as the controller, was naturally displeased.

She said coldly, "It's already noon, the deadline I gave you yesterday has passed."

Katniss paused briefly. "You missed my chance at a clean break. From now on, I'm not just filing for divorce—I'm taking half of everything you own."

Cedric's gaze sharpened. "Do you have a new man on the side?"

After all, their three-year marriage had been harmonious until now. Why would Katniss suddenly turn on him?

"Don't forget, the Astor family only regained their footing because of me. I brought them back from the dead, and I can just as easily plunge them back into darkness."

"That was three years ago. If you insist on pushing this, I don't mind fighting you to the bitter end. We'll both end up wounded. If you want to play, I'll play along."

With that, Katniss hung up.

Looking back on their marriage now, beyond the loving couple façade they maintained in public, all that remained were endless scandals to manage and cold, calculated business interests.

For three years, she had never slacked off, fighting her way through the industry on her own merit.

If Cedric truly wanted to take things to the extreme, she could bite back just as hard.

On the other end of the line, Cedric stared at the darkened screen, his expression growing increasingly grim.

This was the first time that Katniss had ever hung up on him, and with such an impatient tone.

He tugged at his tie in frustration.

He simply couldn't understand what had gotten into Katniss.

Katniss pushed the minor interruption from her mind, but her assistant, Flora Foster, quickly delivered more unwelcome news.

"Ms. Astor, not a single lawyer dares to take your divorce case."

Katniss's hand, holding her coffee cup, froze mid-air. "Tell them to increase the offer."

Flora hesitantly replied, "We've already offered five times the market rate, but still no one will take it. If we're truly desperate, we could try lawyers from other cities to see if anyone would be willing."

Katniss set down her cup, took a deep breath, and shook her head slowly. "Don't bother. If Cedric gives the word, no one will dare touch it."

For a moment, she felt utterly pathetic in this marriage.

She didn't even have the right to divorce.

"Then what should we...?" Flora cautiously probed.

"You can go now. Don't disturb me unless it's important," Katniss said with a frown.

"Of course."

After Flora left, Katniss leaned on her desk, massaging her temples.

Cedric's grandfather, Cody York, valued family lineage above all. As the legal wife, Cedric wouldn't let her go, if only for the sake of the company shares.

But she no longer wanted to be a pawn in someone else's game.

As for a divorce lawyer...

She did think of someone.

Her college senior, who had once pursued her.

Katniss sighed softly, immersing herself in work to numb her thoughts.

Soon, it was time to leave the office.

Just as she exited the company building, she spotted a stretched Lincoln waiting at the entrance.

Cedric sat in the back seat.

Katniss initially planned to ignore him as she had that morning, but Cedric anticipated her intentions. "Get in. Grandfather wants us home for dinner."

Her steps halted abruptly.

Cedric wasn't the only child in his family; his cousins were equally ambitious about the company.

Their harmonious marriage had earned Cedric considerable favor with Cody. Now, if she gave birth to a child, they'd secure that 10% share, cementing his absolute control within the York family.

After a brief hesitation, Katniss opened the car door.

"How long do we have to keep up this charade?" She asked, suppressing her frustration.

"I can continue pretending to be your loving wife even after our divorce is finalized."

Cedric's cold gaze swept over her. "And what about the child?"

"Not happening."

She wasn't crazy. If she were seeking a divorce, why would she bear his child?

With a child binding them together, she and Cedric would never be free of each other.

"I can compromise further. Let one of your women get pregnant, and I'll claim the child as mine."

As long as she could divorce him, she could endure anything.

Cedric stared at Katniss with a complex expression, as if trying to read her thoughts. "Katniss, there's a limit to how far you can push this tantrum. This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Why are you making such a fuss this time?"

He had people investigate Katniss's recent activities, but never expected that she had been at the hotel the day he sent Lillian there. But so what?

Katniss had often helped him handle such matters before.

Shouldn't she be used to it by now? Why was she suddenly insisting on divorce?

"I've shown you considerable patience. Don't push me any further."

Katniss suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

She had argued and fought before, but each time, he had dismissed her concerns.

"You never remember anything I say. Which woman could tolerate her husband constantly generating scandals outside their marriage?"

This statement sparked a flash of surprise in Cedric's eyes, followed by biting sarcasm.

"Are you telling me you've actually fallen in love with me? Katniss, have you been acting for so long that you've started believing your own performance?"