Chapter 2: I Don't Need It.

James’ Point of View

“Sir, I have something urgent—” Ryan’s voice cut through the meeting, but I didn’t lift my head.

The conference room was packed, and the discussion was nearing its peak. Numbers, projections, and strategies. This was what mattered. This was how empires were built. Not whatever my assistant thought was worth interrupting me for.

“Ryan, not now,” I said flatly, my eyes still on the presentation.

Ryan hesitated. “But, sir—”

“I said not now,” I repeated, this time more firmly, keeping my focus on the charts in front of me. The profits from the last quarter had exceeded expectations, but there were gaps—minor inefficiencies that needed addressing. That was the priority.

Then, suddenly, Ryan raised his voice. “It’s the divorce papers, sir.”

I froze. The room grew silent. A few people exchanged glances, unsure of what to do. Divorce papers?

I slowly lifted my eyes and met Ryan’s. He stood there, holding a brown envelope, his face pale but determined. The shock on my face must’ve been evident because, for the first time in years, I felt something other than complete control.

“Everyone, out,” I said coldly. The room cleared within seconds. No one dared question me when I used that tone. Only Ryan remained.

Once the door closed, I reached out, signaling for the envelope. Ryan handed it to me cautiously, his hand almost shaking. I tore open the seal, pulled out the documents, and began to read.

It was, without a doubt, the simplest divorce agreement I had ever seen. There were no disputes over assets, no liabilities entangling us, no financial claims from her side. Just a name, an ID card number, and a signature. On her side, the name ‘Sophia Reed’ was signed in a neat, confident hand.

I stared at it for a long moment, feeling a strange disconnect. I had married her. *Sophia*. But even now, sitting here with her name in front of me, I couldn’t picture her face. I had never really cared enough to try.

I tossed the papers on the table. “Why did I marry her again?” I asked, the question more rhetorical than anything else. But Ryan, as usual, took it seriously.

“Your marriage to Ms. Reed was arranged because of her grandmother’s connections. Mrs. Reed had considerable influence in the city’s old circles, which helped you expand your business into New York. It was a strategic move, sir.”

I let out a quiet, humorless chuckle. *A strategic move*. Right. My marriage, my entire personal life, boiled down to a business deal. I couldn’t even be bothered to remember the details.

“And now she wants a divorce,” I said, scanning the papers once more. “No alimony? No demands?”

Ryan cleared his throat nervously. “Actually, sir, she’s offering to pay *you* alimony. She’s requested a meeting tonight to hand it over in person.”

That got my attention. I raised a brow. “She’s paying *me*?”

“Yes, sir. Ten million dollars.”

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. Ten million. That was pocket change to me, but it was a statement. She wanted to end this as cleanly and as swiftly as possible. Fine by me.

Ryan continued, “But there’s a small conflict. You have a dinner scheduled tonight with Mr. Thompson from the Finance Bureau. He’s not someone we can afford to push off.”

I tapped my fingers against the armrest, my mind already shifting back to business. Mr. Thompson was a key player in a deal I’d been working on for months. The dinner was far more valuable than any meeting with Sophia. This entire marriage had been meaningless to me for two years—why would I care about ending it now?

“Alimony or dinner?” Ryan asked, clearly unsure of where my priorities lay.

I didn’t hesitate. “I don’t care about the alimony. Cancel the meeting with her. I want to proceed with Mr. Thompson.”

Ryan blinked, as if expecting me to reconsider. “Sir, she’s… expecting to see you.”

I waved a hand dismissively. “Let her wait. I don’t need her money, and I certainly don’t need to see her. Handle it however you like. Just get it done.”

Ryan nodded, though he seemed hesitant to leave. He likely thought this deserved more thought than I was giving it, but to me, it was already decided. This marriage had been a transaction from the start, and like any business deal, it was time to close it out.

“Is that all?” I asked, signaling the end of the conversation.

Ryan opened his mouth, paused, then finally nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Good. Reschedule her meeting if necessary, but tonight, the focus is on Thompson.” My voice left no room for debate. Business always came first.

As Ryan exited the room, I stared at the divorce papers again. The bold, determined signature on her side seemed to echo in my mind. Sophia Reed. The woman I had never bothered to know.

It didn’t matter, I told myself. It was just a marriage on paper, a means to an end. One that had now reached its conclusion. I had far bigger things to worry about than some pointless contract.

Besides, people come and go in this world. The ones who matter are the ones who contribute to building something greater—people like Mr. Thompson.

I stood, straightened my suit, and prepared for the real meeting of the evening. Sophia Reed could wait.