Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Retribution

Jack Holden was silent for a long moment.

He truly hadn't expected Stella Dawson's call to be solely about the divorce certificate.

"It's still processing," he muttered, his lips twitching slightly. "Things have been hectic. I haven't had a moment to chase it down."

What surprised him more was the impatience in her voice. "Jack, this is unacceptable. A divorce decree is a time-sensitive document. I need it, urgently. Can you please expedite it?"

"Urgently?" He blinked.

The woman on the other end didn't hesitate. "Absolutely."

So she was in a hurry to finalize the divorce from Mr. Sterling. Was it to marry that male model?

His mind went blank.

"You're in such a rush for. him?" Jack asked, awkwardly.

"Sharp as ever, Jack. Yes, the same one from the club."

Her tone was casual, bordering on flippant.

"Is this a serious relationship or just a. fling?"

"Serious, of course. He's young, handsome. A far cry from your Mr. Sterling-pushing thirty, practically ancient."

Her voice took on a teasing lilt. "I'm not a fool, you know. Before, I had no basis for comparison. But now that I have fresh, vibrant company, why would I glance back at a relic like him? Don't you agree?"

Jack quickly covered the phone receiver, a bead of sweat forming on his temple.

The last thing he needed was for her voice to carry.

"Jack." A cold, distinct voice cut through the air.

He jerked upright and ended the call instantly. Stiffly, he turned. "Mr. Sterling."

Alexander Sterling stood a few feet away, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.

"This is company time," he stated coolly.

He did not appreciate his staff handling personal matters during work hours.

And Jack had clearly not been working.

"It was Miss Dawson," Jack admitted, lowering his head.

Alexander's brow furrowed. "What did she want?"

Before Jack could formulate a response, Alexander let out a short, sarcastic laugh. "Trying to change my mind? Pleading for reconciliation?"

"No," Jack shook his head. "She was inquiring about expediting the divorce paperwork."

"What?" Alexander's eyes narrowed further.

"She mentioned she needs it to marry that. model. She wants the certificate as soon as possible."

"She plans to marry a model? Has she completely lost her senses?" His voice was sharp with sheer disbelief.

"Mr. Sterling, she said. she's found someone younger."

Jack didn't dare finish, sensing it would only ignite Alexander's temper.

Still, he had to relay the message to prove the call's legitimacy-and that he wasn't slacking off with a fabricated story.

But clearly, Alexander had zeroed in on the "younger" part. His expression darkened instantly.

"She's calling me old?" he scoffed, his jaw tightening. "I'm 'ancient,' am I?"

Jack hesitated, then gritted his teeth and shook his head. "No, sir."

Internally, he was groaning.

Mr. Sterling is at least seven or eight years older than that model. So, technically. he is getting on a bit. And Miss Dawson wasn't exactly lying.

"She wants the divorce certificate that badly, does she?" Alexander's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile.

But before he could say more, a cloyingly sweet voice interrupted.

"Mr. Sterling." A woman, dressed as if for a gala, swayed toward them.

Jack instinctively moved to block her path, preventing her from throwing herself at Alexander. "Ma'am, maintain some decorum, please!"

While Alexander never lacked for female attention, and many women dreamed of getting close to him, such a brazen approach was still rare.

"What do you think you're doing?" Emily frowned and tried to push his arm away-unsuccessfully.

She had arrived today in a custom-made white mini dress, her makeup perfectly applied, and drenched in what was undoubtedly an expensive, overpowering perfume.

The cloying scent made Jack want to sneeze immediately. He rubbed his nose.

What an assault on the senses. And she thinks this is the way to the boss's heart? Is she trying to asphyxiate him?

"I'm here to see Alexander," Emily cooed, shooting Jack a sharp glare before flipping her hair and stepping forward with saccharine sweetness. Her eyes locked onto Alexander behind Jack. "Alexander, I came to see you. Let's go get our marriage license!"

She took another step, completely missing the way Alexander's expression iced over completely.

Jack stared at her, utterly dumbfounded. A bizarre mix of the urge to laugh and sheer disbelief churned inside him.

Where did this lunatic come from? He had genuinely never encountered someone so audaciously delusional.

"Jack," the woman following Emily spoke up, moving to the front. "This is Emily, the true heiress of the Dawson family. You wanted to marry the legitimate Dawson descendant. Well, here she is."

"She even brought her ID. Since we're all here, let's just go and make it official!"

Laura gave Alexander a look of supreme satisfaction, her tone brimming with confidence and pride.

Emily nodded eagerly. "Alexander, even though this is our first meeting, I've admired you for so long!"

"Believe me, I will be the perfect Mrs. Sterling."

She reached out affectionately, aiming to link arms with him, but Alexander casually shifted his shoulder, evading her touch.

Her hand closed on empty air. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, but quickly recovered, looking at him with a wounded expression. "It's okay... I understand you're not used to me yet."

"Once we're married, we'll have plenty of time to grow closer..." A contrived blush spread across her cheeks.

Alexander's face turned thunderous. He locked eyes with Emily, his voice glacial: "Where did you crawl out from?"

"What?" Emily's eyes widened in confusion.

"And who gave you the authority to proclaim yourself my wife?" His tone dripped with contempt.

She wasn't even in the same league as Stella-not in looks, not in intellect.

Sure, both women were shameless in their own ways, but at least Stella was aesthetically pleasing.

Emily's hands clenched the fabric of her skirt. Tears welled up in her eyes, as if she couldn't believe his words. Her voice trembled, "But. don't you want me? I mean. I'm the real Dawson daughter."

Laura reached out protectively, clasping her daughter's hand with a pained expression. "Sweetheart, let me handle this."

"Jack, how can you speak to your future wife like that?" Her gaze turned accusatory as she faced Alexander. "You."

But Alexander let out a heavy, frustrated sigh and shut his eyes briefly. "I have no further business with the Dawson family."

"I've fulfilled the old man's request. From this moment on, I owe you nothing."

"Do not appear at Sterling Group again. This is the only warning you'll receive."

His words were low, final, and carried unmistakable threat.

Laura frowned, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Jack, you call that fulfilling his wish? He wanted you to marry my daughter. Why won't you go get the marriage certificate?"

"I am married. To Stella Dawson."

"She's a fraud! She stole Emily's rightful place! Isn't that why you're divorcing her? You're supposed to marry the true Dawson lady-our Emily. How can you renege now?" Laura's voice rose in frustration.

Alexander Sterling fell silent for a moment before letting out a low, cold laugh.

"Oh? Is that what Stella Dawson told you?" he asked lazily, a flicker of sarcasm in his eyes. "Figures she'd stir the pot."

"Exactly! At least she still feels some gratitude toward the Dawsons!" Laura Warner nodded vigorously, completely missing the storm gathering in his expression. "Otherwise, that country bumpkin who was switched at birth-how could she ever be worthy of you? Right?"

"Thank heavens you divorced her. Now Emily is the one who should be Mrs. Sterling."

"My address-did she give that to you as well?" Alexander suddenly interrupted, his voice turning sharp and dangerous.

Laura finally sensed the shift in his tone and froze, hesitating to answer.

"Of course not! I'm here because I care about you-I went through great lengths to find you." Emily Dawson looked at him with pitiable eyes, like a wounded creature begging for belief.

But before she could finish, Alexander's demeanor shifted-calm on the surface, but radiating danger. A chilling smirk played on his lips as he narrowed his eyes slightly.

"So you've been stalking me?"

Emily's body went rigid, frozen in place, completely unnerved by his suddenly terrifying aura.

"Get them out of here," Alexander said in a low, impatient tone, tugging at his tie as he addressed Jack.

He didn't raise his voice, but the command was clear. Jack nodded silently and turned to signal the security personnel outside.

Without a backward glance, Alexander strode away, giving them no opportunity to react further.

Emily panicked, yelling after him, "Alexander. Mr. Sterling! This is a misunderstanding!"

But the stone-faced bodyguards, caps pulled low, marched in and unceremoniously began ushering both women toward the exit.

"Ah!"

Laura stumbled backward, nearly tripping over her own feet. Both women landed hard on the ground outside the building.

The commotion instantly drew stares from passersby.

Laura clutched her wrist, wailing dramatically. Emily knelt on the pavement, shaking with fury, her fists clenched white around the hem of her dress.

That wretched Stella Dawson. That viper!

She must have said something to Alexander-why else would he react like that?

Emily scrambled to her feet, the hatred twisting her features into something truly frightening.

Meanwhile, Alexander was in no better a mood.

He sat down, jaw clenched, his expression dark. "Put the divorce certificate on hold," he ordered coldly.

"Let's see if she's truly desperate enough to come begging me for it-all for the sake of some boy toy."

His face was set in a mask of frosty amusement, but his eyes were icy. The rage simmering within him showed no signs of abating.

Jack stood to the side, swallowing hard. He didn't dare speak, simply bowing his head in silence.

Miss Dawson, you'd better brace yourself.

Once you've angered Mr. Sterling to this extent, no one can save you.

The next day-

Stella waited all morning, but there was no sign of Jack delivering the divorce papers.

Frowning, she opened her phone to follow up, only to discover-she was blocked.

"What the hell is this?" She furrowed her brows. "Don't tell me he's having second thoughts?"

Kevin Porter scratched his head, clearly confused. "Wait, Stella. if you don't have the divorce certificate, does that mean you're single or still married?"

"Don't even say it. The thought of being called his wife makes my skin crawl," Stella snapped, her tone thick with irritation.

She waited a while longer, but no matter how many times she tried, Jack wouldn't answer.

"That bastard!" she finally exploded, thrusting her hand toward Kevin. "Give me your phone."

Kevin didn't hesitate, handing it over immediately. She snatched it and quickly redialed.

This time, instead of a disconnected tone, the call connected-after a few rings.

"Hey! Jack, what the absolute hell is wrong with you?!"