The Don Tore Up Our Divorce (Gemma and Cassian) novel Chapter 480

Chapter 480

+2 Bonus

Gemma’s POV

I walk into the resort, my laptop bag slung over one shoulder. The client’s final offer was a trial run: test the collaboration.

If it’s not suitable, I can walk away with no penalty. It’s an escape hatch, but I have decided to use it as a foothold instead.

Rehena is already there, perched on the edge of a desk, scrolling through a tablet. She looks up as I enter, and genuine surprise flashes across her sharp features before she schools them into cool indifference.

She had assumed, given my personality–or her perception of it, that I would never agree to this. I can almost imagine the relief she must have felt, thinking the project was hers alone, evaporating into thin air.

I ignore her gaze and take my time choosing a desk far from hers, near the window with the mountain view. I set up, wiping down the surface, testing the ergonomic chair, booting up the provided computer.

I run a swift, thorough diagnostic scan. Only when I’m satisfied there are no nasty digital surprises do I plug in my encrypted:34

+2 Bonus

< Chapter 480

USB drive.

The click of the connector seems to break her silence. She pushes off her desk and walks over, leaning against the edge of mine with a practiced, playful grin that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Ms. Marino. I didn’t expect you to show up.”

I look up, offering a bland, professional smile. “It’s work. Why wouldn’t I come?”

I keep my tone light, echoing Mikhail’s logic. I’m not the one who was locked out. The project is well within my capabilities. Passing up this opportunity because of her pettiness would be a victory for her, a loss for me.

My calm seems to irriRennet her. The grin stiffens. She feels a lump in her throat, I can see the subtle swallow. She turns away, waving a hand dismissively. “Well, since you’re here, let’s get started. We shouldn’t waste any more time.”

She begins delegating tasks in a commanding tone, outlining the initial architecture with the confidence of a top hacker,

But this time, I don’t argue. I simply work. My response times are not faster; they are instantaneous. Problems she outlines as potential hour–long hurdles, I solve in minutes.

Every time she opens her mouth to assign the next step, I’ve already completed it and am tossing the resulting data or the5:34

+2 Bonus

< Chapter 480

next logical challenge her way.

I know I can defeat her by competing and provoking her… I can do that by showing who is more efficient.

I see the change in her posture. The confident lean corrects itself into a rigid straightness. By mid–morning, she is no longer directing; she’s reacting.

She’s constantly on the back foot, scrambling to keep up with the workflow I’m setting without any arguments. The flurry of activity is largely mine, she is just caught in the whirlwind of it, her face a mask of concentrated frustration.

She has no clear idea of what she is actually working on, because I’m three steps ahead.

At lunch, I save my work and stand, my spine aching from focus. “I’m going to get some air.” I don’t wait for a response.

As I step into the hallway, I feel Rehena’s gaze on my back, and I imagine her releasing a long, shaky breath of relief. My relentless pace has been a silent, exhausting assault.

Outside the room, I almost collide with a familiar figure. William stands there, looking incongruous without his chef’s whites, holding a small insulated case.

Aren’t you supposed to be competing tomorrow?” I ask, 15:34

+2 Bonus

< Chapter 480

surprised.

He smiles, that easy, genuine one. “Mr. Rennet sent me to cook a meal. For you two, I presume.” He gestures with the case. “Minimal staff here. Preparing two meals is no hassle. He paid me well, and honestly, it was fun.” He nods down the hall. “It’s all set up in the private cafeteria. You can just help yourselves.”

As he finishes, the door behind me opens and Rehena slips out. She brushes past me to leave, her shoulder deliberately knocking hard into mine. The force is unexpected, spiteful. I stumble sideways.

William’s hand is immediately on my arm, steadying me. His grip is firm, sure. “Are you okay?”

I right myself, a flush of anger warming my cheeks. I nod, brushing off my sleeve. “I’m fine.”

It’s the truth. The shove was childish. Only people deeply insecure about their own position resort to such petty physicality.

William’s eyes follow Rehena’s retreating back, his expression cooling. “Is she your colleague? I heard she’s been giving you a hard time.” Word, it seems, travels even in culinary circles.

I offer a small, dismissive smile. “It’s no big deal.” And it isn’t, notin the grand scheme. It hasn’t affected my work output. 15:34

+2 Bonus

< Chapter 480

Dwelling on it gives it power.

William squeezes my arm once, reassuringly, then leans in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial murmur. “Don’t worry. People like her… they tend to have their own tough days ahead.” There’s a knowing glint in his eye, cryptic but certain.

I just laugh lightly, extracting my arm. “I’ll head over now. You take care of your stuff.”

He watches me go, a small, protective frown lingering on his face before he turns away.

The private cafeteria is a serene, sunlit space. One table is beautifully set for two, with domed silver cloches. I lift the dome at the place I assume is mine, revealing William’s signature artistry: seared scallops on a pea puree, garnished with edible flowers. It looks and smells incredible.

I’m just about to sit when two flustered servers hurry over, their faces etched with panic. “Ms. Marino! So sorry! We’ve brought you the wrong dish! This one,” one says, pointing anxiously at my plate, “was meant for that table over there. A terrible mix–up! Our apologies!”

I pause, my hand hovering over the cutlery. A wrong dish? Aren’t they both from William? Is mine different from

Rehena’s?

5/8

15:34

Lafter all

a shrug, shopping, buck to

fragrant plate and ner with a different, or me, a roasted chicken

n’s standard is thes to those perlerd

oom, I dive into the code. but the frustrated energy nothing else. Her face ‘is ding, but her movements

to whisper something, “he murmurs, his voice ing okay?”

plexion is indeed off, like

< Chapter 480

huld suck beaded my kitc with a deep, scidae roll, I feel word werken werp, wahes my like. 1 Wke a nervous Vird,

“Kehemu, mafte you should take a l your wor

Wise concern is an insult. I shot Vin takes the last of my energy. “I’m fin than I intend. “Just keep your comm back to work. No one’s expecting yo

My pride is a brittle shield, I canno in front of her. If Gemma Marino c unruffled, working with that infuri end, then so can L. It must have bee That thought is my only anchor.

She walks towards me, holding out documents, “Take a look at these. S order”

Her tone is flat, professional. But it to corner me when I’m vulnerable.

Anger flares, and I try to stand, to n table, and:

+2 Bonus

my hairline, and my stomach churns res

I feel weird too, like a strange, clammymy my limbs. My assistant, the fool, hovers overs

ould take a break? Splash some water onter on

1. I shoot him a glare that feels like it like it rgy. “I’m fine,” I snap, my voice tightenighter p your comments to yourself and gold get expecting you to be mute!“ute!

eld. I cannot, I will not show weaknesskness na Marino can sit there, took publ and 1 that infuriating efficiency fordofors hours on ust have been something fhing Ivonblunch.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify