My CEO Ex: Let Me Go.-Chapter 124

I turned my gaze toward the head of the industrial park.

He straightened up immediately and replied, "I agree with John’s approach—first, we need to ease the public pressure, then privately mediate and offer some compensation to the deceased’s family. If we let this situation escalate further, it will be extremely harmful to the company."

I leaned back on the sofa, resting my right hand on the armrest, my fingers curling slightly as I tapped lightly in a steady rhythm. "The situation is still developing. There are likely reporters stationed outside Mason’s house right now. If we move forward with compensation at this point, it will look like we’re admitting fault. Besides, the results of the police’s reinvestigation haven’t come in yet. We should hold off a bit longer."

John disagreed. "There’s been so much negative press about the company lately, and the stock prices are plummeting. Shareholders are already upset. We shouldn’t wait for the reinvestigation results. Even if the deceased was at fault, showing compassion and offering some support to their family could help rebuild the company’s reputation."

I raised an eyebrow. "I remember a time when John was full of ambition. The industrial park wouldn’t have reached its current scale without your contributions. But now, after spending so much time behind a desk, you’ve become so hesitant."

John: "..."

"Reporters have already focused their attention on Vanguard Global Enterprises. Do you really think that if we quietly settle the compensation, it will change public opinion? If we handle this discreetly, what will we do the next time something similar happens? Will we handle it the same way? The company doesn’t like being seen as the easy target. If it’s truly our fault, we’ll offer compensation willingly. But if it’s not on us, the company won’t take the hit."

The head of the industrial park glanced at John.

Seeing my determination, John sighed and turned to the head of the park. "Let’s go with CEO Hawthorne’s suggestion. The reporters are downstairs, waiting. When you speak, be mindful of your tone—don’t come off as too aggressive, but also don’t seem overly submissive. We’ll wait for the police’s conclusion."

The head of the park nodded. "Understood."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"CEO Hawthorne."

It was Jane’s voice.

"Come in."

"CEO Hawthorne, the government agency has responded. They want to meet with you at seven o’clock this evening."

The public opinion and compensation to the deceased’s family were secondary. What really concerned me was whether the government would use this situation to make things difficult for us—that was the real reason I was here.

"I understand."

John smiled. "In recent years, the industrial park has been expanding its investment attraction, and the government has been very supportive."

As soon as the fire broke out, the state government immediately halted production in the industrial park, waiting for the relevant departments to conduct their investigation.

Since safety hazards had already been ruled out, it was better to restore order quickly. Every day of delay was costing the company more.

"All of this is thanks to the leadership of CEO Hawthorne and Vice Chairman John Smith," the head of the park said with a smile.

...

Two days later, work resumed in the industrial park.

"CEO Hawthorne, shouldn’t we be heading back?" Jane asked.

I could have returned yesterday, but I wanted to stay one more day.

I glanced at the date on my phone and fell silent.

After the company’s fire incident, I once again felt the chaos of public opinion firsthand.

People online, driven by emotion, make wild speculations, and even when there’s evidence, there’s no way to defend ourselves.

How helpless and desperate must Vivienne have felt before?

Was the compensation I offered really too late?

And did she watch that interview?

What was she thinking? Would she still choose to divorce him?

"Please book me a flight," I said.

Vivienne’s POV

It was Wednesday evening.

When I got home from work, I noticed a pair of men’s handcrafted leather shoes by the door and a black trench coat hanging on the coat rack next to them.

I paused for a moment. Is he back?

"Done with work?"

I looked up to see Alexander sitting on the living room sofa, leaning back against the cushions with his legs crossed, his eyes fixed on me.

"Mm. Have things settled on your side?" I replied, continuing to change my shoes.

"Almost. The rest can be handled by someone else."

Slipping into my slippers, I walked into the living room. Alexander poured a glass of water and pushed it to the edge of the table, casually asking, "Did you watch the interview video from the other day?"

"I did." I sat down on the sofa, took the glass, and took a sip.

There was a brief pause, as if Alexander had been caught off guard by my simple response. He asked cautiously, "What do you think?"

I looked at him and answered flatly, "Nothing special."

His eyes darkened.

"When are we going to the court to finalize the divorce?"

Alexander froze, his gaze locking onto mine. His eyes were heavy with something unspoken. "You’re still insisting on the divorce?"

"Mm."

"We’ve already gone public."

"Just because it’s public doesn’t mean we can’t divorce."

"Why?"

"I told you last time, didn’t I?"

"Is it because of Julian Steele? Because he sacrificed his career to defend you, drew attention from the public, and even played you that recording?"

I frowned, confused. "What do you mean? Julian defended me? What recording?"

"It’s nothing." Alexander averted his eyes, shaking his head. "Then tell me, why do you want the divorce?"

"I just don’t want to live with you anymore. You go fulfill your promise to Isabella, and I’ll live my simple life. Isn’t that better?"

"So, it’s because of Isabella? What do you want me to do? I’ll do anything."

"Aren’t you always wanting to be with her? I’ll step aside for you two."

"Fine, if you don’t like her, I’ll send her out of the country. She’ll never affect us again. How does that sound?"

Seeing the determination in Alexander’s eyes, I stood up, took a deep breath, and closed my eyes. "Alexander, stop deceiving yourself. No matter what you do, I will still insist on the divorce!"

With that, I turned and headed for the stairs.

"Vivienne, don’t go!"

Alexander wrapped his arms around me from behind, gripping my waist tightly. His warm breath brushed against my neck as he pleaded softly, "Give me one more chance, please..."

Don’t be so cruel!

He had just realized he had fallen for her, that he couldn’t live without her, and now she was choosing to divorce him.

"Alexander, I’ve given you enough chances. You never seized any of them."

I lowered my gaze. "It’s not that I gave up on you. It’s that from the very beginning, you never chose me."

I was always just Plan B.

Even this time, Alexander only stepped in to clarify things after my personal information was exposed and things got out of control.

I thought of the initial black forest cake.

It symbolized his casual indifference, while representing my most innocent and pure love.

A seventeen-year-old girl’s heart, like that cake, was both bitter and sweet.

If I had known back then that the cake was something Isabella didn’t want, I wouldn’t have accepted it. I wouldn’t have allowed myself to fall for the bitterness of chocolate.

Just like my marriage. On the outside, it looked glamorous. I took a bite with high hopes, only to find it overwhelmingly bitter.

From the very start, it was clear I was just Alexander’s Plan B, that this marriage was always destined to make way for Isabella.

I just didn’t realize that even I had been deceived by the beautiful packaging of chocolate.

Now I understand. I still prefer to eat sugar—sweet, simple sugar—that’s plain yet sweet to the soul.

Now, before me, lies the beautifully packaged candy that Alexander offered, and I know that inside, it’s bitter chocolate.

"I just want this one chance."

For the first time, the proud Alexander pleaded humbly, "Vivienne, let me make it up to you, please?"

I stood still, eventually breaking free from his embrace and heading upstairs without a word.

This sweet fruit candy was eventually discarded.

Alexander was left with emptiness in his arms. His eyes were fixed on Vivienne’s determined back, and his heart felt hollow.