The Ruthless CEO's Revenge Wife
Chapter 207: Derek

Chapter 207: Derek

Darla hesitated before dialing. This wasn’t a call of power. It was a call of desperation.

Derek Adams. Her husband or whatever their cold, crumbling bond had become.

He answered on the third ring. "Darla."

"You’ve seen the video."

"Everyone has."

"You need to help me." Her voice cracked. "Damage control. Hire a lawyer. Speak to Alex. We can push a counter narrative. Say it was taken out of context..."

"Stop." Derek’s tone wasn’t cold. It was tired. "Darla, I covered for you for decades. Looked away when you manipulated everyone, alienated , broke everyone down just to control the world. And now that it backfired you call your husband for damage control? You should have taken precautions before dragging our names in mud."

He exhaled shakily. "But this... This is on you. No one edited that video. No one made you say those words."

"You’re my husband!"

"I was." A long pause. "But I won’t go down with you. I’ve lost enough already. I’m filing for a divorce."

Click.

Darla stared at the screen in stunned silence.

No allies.

No favors.

No more smoke and mirrors.

For the first time in her life, Darla Adams was completely alone.

_________________________

The soft rustle of fabric echoed in the quiet room as Jean stood in front of the full length mirror, her dress halfway zipped, fingers fumbling behind her back.

The navy-blue silk was sleek, professional... the kind of armor she needed today.

But it didn’t cooperate.

Neither did her hands.

She let out a frustrated sigh, twisting awkwardly, nearly losing her balance in her heels.

From across the room, Logan’s voice broke the silence. "You’ll hurt yourself if you keep doing that."

Jean turned her head.

He was leaning by the closet door, dressed for the day... crisp shirt, navy tie loosened at the collar, and sleeves already rolled. A faint shadow of tiredness hung beneath his eyes.

But what caught her off guard wasn’t his voice.

It was the way he wouldn’t look at her.

Not really.

"I didn’t hear you come in," she said softly.

"You were too busy fighting silk."

She gave a faint smile, but he didn’t respond.

Instead, he stepped toward her, slow and silent, until he was behind her.

Jean’s breath hitched as she watched him in the mirror.

His fingers brushed her skin... warm, careful... as he found the zipper and began to pull it up.

No words.

No glance at her reflection.

Just the sound of metal teeth locking into place and the slight tremble of her own breath.

Why wouldn’t he look at her?

Since that day... the night he forged her signature, the way things had spiraled... Logan had become careful. Polite. Distant.

He helped her. He protected her. He stood beside her.

But he no longer reached for her.

Not with his eyes. Not with his words.

"You don’t have to do this," she murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

He paused, fingers still near the top of the zipper.

"Do what?"

"Stay close... when you clearly want distance."

His eyes flicked up then... not at her back, not at her dress but at her eyes in the mirror. The moment froze.

His voice was low, rough. "It’s not the distance I want."

Jean turned slightly, facing him fully now, heart pounding.

But Logan stepped back, just enough to break the moment, and handed her a pair of earrings from the dresser.

"You’ll be late." His smile was faint. "Don’t give them a single reason to doubt you."

Jean took the earrings, but her eyes didn’t leave his face.

And just as he turned to walk away, she called his name.

"Logan."

He stopped, waiting.

Jean hesitated, a thousand thoughts swirling but all she said was. "Thank you."

He didn’t reply.

But his hands clenched once at his sides before he left the room.

___________________________

The boardroom was tense.

Too quiet.

Chairs filled. Faces unreadable. Coffee barely touched.

Everyone had seen the headlines. The video. The backlash.

And everyone was waiting to see if Jean Adams would fall apart.

The large double doors opened.

Jean entered.

Poised. Elegant. A deep navy pantsuit hugging her frame like armor. Her hair pinned back, face glowing not with makeup but purpose.

She didn’t falter.

Didn’t glance sideways.

She sat at the head of the table like she owned the sky they breathed under.

And beside her?

Logan Kingsley. Silent, sharp eyed, arms folded not speaking unless he needed to. But his presence alone silenced whispers.

Jean placed her folder on the table and looked around slowly.

One by one, she met every eye.

"Before we begin," she said, voice calm, "let’s address the elephant in the room."

Her eyes locked onto Mr. Raymond... the board member long rumored to be loyal to Derek Adams.

He flinched.

"You tried to question my leadership," she said coldly. "You tried to circulate a petition, didn’t you?"

Raymond cleared his throat.

"With all due respect, Miss Adams, your health was in question and the company..."

"...is mine." Her voice sharpened. "I built this from blood, sweat, and every sleepless night while the rest of you were watching numbers on a screen. If you were so concerned about the company’s direction, you should’ve had the spine to bring it to me directly... not scheme behind my back."

The room stiffened.

"I won’t tolerate snakes in this room." Her eyes scanned the table. "If anyone thinks threatening my position is an acceptable move, you’re welcome to try again and I will personally escort you out."

Someone coughed nervously.

Jean didn’t blink.

"I know sabotage when I see it." She placed a printed still image from the security footage on the table. Susan’s face caught under the harsh light of the office camera. "And this little stunt... stealing internal documents, leaking launch intel... won’t be buried. Whether it was greed, jealousy, or a favor to someone else, I will find out exactly who’s behind it."

A beat passed.

Then her voice dropped.

Colder. Sharper.

"Even if it’s my own mother."

Gasps. Shocked glances.

Jean stood slowly.

"Let me make something very clear."

She leaned forward slightly. "No one and I mean no one... gets to take this from me. Not without a war. And I don’t lose wars."

Then, she smiled.

But it wasn’t kind.

It was dangerous.

"So if you’re still on this board because you believe in what we’ve built... stay. But if you’re just waiting for the fall... I suggest you leave before I push you out myself."

Silence.

Raymond swallowed hard, lowering his eyes.

No one moved.

No one left.

Jean nodded.

"Good."

She picked up her file.

"Now. Let’s get back to work."