Chapter 24

Kayla's fists clenched at her sides. The urge to scream-or spit in Liam's smug face-threatened to overwhelm her.

How could someone be so shameless? After everything they'd been through, only now was Liam's true nature fully revealed.

But her grandmother still believed in him. As if he'd put her under some spell.

Martha stepped forward, her grip tightening around Kayla's hand. "No matter what happened, you two can still work it out. There's no need to end things like this."

Kayla's voice was steady but firm. "I've made up my mind, Grandma. This marriage is over."

"You're going to drive me to my grave!" Martha suddenly gasped, her chest heaving as she clutched at it in pain.

"Grandma!" Kayla's eyes widened in alarm as she rushed to support her.

Martha's face had gone pale, her breath shallow and uneven.

Liam, standing nearby, jumped in with false concern. "Let's get her back to the care facility. She can't handle this kind of stress."

Kayla shot him a look so cold it could cut steel. If looks could kill, Liam would have dropped on the spot.

Back at the facility, Martha remained confused and restless. She clung to Kayla's hand, repeating the same plea over and over.

"Your mother's marriage fell apart, and it destroyed her. I just don't want the same for you. Liam made mistakes, sure, but people change. You two just need to talk."

Kayla looked into her grandmother's kind, tired eyes and could no longer hold back the truth. "He cheated on me, Grandma. Just like my father did my mother." Martha froze. Disbelief flooded her expression.

Kayla gently brushed her grandmother's silver hair from her forehead. "I know you only want the best for me. But Liam and I are finished."

Martha's voice cracked. "You must be mistaken,sweetheart."

Too weary to argue, Kayla exhaled deeply. "Please, just rest."

Only once Martha drifted off to sleep did Kayla finally leave the facility.

Liam was waiting outside, leaning against his car. When he saw her, he straightened. "Is Marsha okay?"

The answer came in the form of a resounding slap.

Liam's head turned with the impact, pain flashing across his face.

Kayla's face was burning with rage. "Don't you dare try to hide behind my grandmother to stop this divorce.Have some shame, Liam. You make me sick."

Liam ran his tongue along the inside of his cheek, tasting blood. He wiped it away and gave her a slow,almost affectionate smile. "I didn't know you had this side to you, Kayla. Fiery."

His voice took on that infuriatingly familiar tone-the same one he'd used back when she'd broken a vase.

She used to think that made him gentle; that she was lucky to have a man like him.

Now, it made her skin crawl.

"Liam, I'm not done with you. Not even close."

Then she turned her back on him and flagged down a cab.

Liam watched her go, his cheek still stinging, but his smile remained. She hadn't divorced him yet. That was all he needed.

His phone buzzed. It was his assistant.

"Mr. Graham, you need to get to the office. North Investment just sent a team to audit us." "What? We're just partners! They don't have the right to do that."

"Sir, I think you'd better come and see for yourself."

Liam stormed into his office.

Inside,Edwin stood with a team, already laying out files. He tossed a thick document onto the desk as Liam entered.

"Liam, your uncle is now a major stakeholder in Perennia Group. This is a standard audit. Please cooperate."

Liam stared at the document in confusion. When he saw the signature at the bottom, his face twisted in disbelief. "Kayla transferred hér shares to Jeremy?"

Edwin raised a brow. "You think you can toss Mr. Graham's name around like it's yours to use?"

Liam's voice turned desperate. "No offense meant. I had no clue Kayla signed this. There must be some mistake!"

Edwin tapped the document with a finger. "There's no mistake. Your wife signed over her shares. See for yourself."

Liam's face darkened as he gripped the paper. Even furious, he knew better than to lash out in front of Edwin.

Edwin stepped closer, smirking slightly. "You were eager enough to cozy up to North Investment. Now that Mr. Graham's personally involved, you should be thrilled. And your wife said you'll be returning Cooper Group. If not, Mr. Graham's happy to handle it for her."

Liam's eyes narrowed, fury simmering beneath the surface. "There's no need to bother UJncle Jeremy.I'll take care of it."

"Good. Let's begin the audit."

Edwin and his team moved out into the office, instructing all staff to stand by.

Tricia crept over, voice barely above a whisper. "Liam, what do we do? If they find out about the cooked numbers-"

Liam cut her off with a glare that could kill.

She went silent instantly.

"Let them dig," he muttered."Ifanything surfaces, we'll blame it on past partners. Jeremy can't touch me.I'm the one running Perennia Group."

He strode from his office, watching Edwin like a hawk as the audit began.