Chapter 3: The Richest Ex-Wife in the World
1387 Words
Ethan Blackwell stared at the television screen.
His entire body had gone rigid.
The woman standing beside Arthur Hart looked nothing like the Amelia he remembered.
And yet...
It was undeniably her.
The same eyes.
The same face.
The same woman who had quietly waited for him every night.
The same woman who had signed divorce papers less than twenty-four hours ago.
Only now, she looked different.
Confident.
Elegant.
Powerful.
The television reporter continued speaking.
"Industry experts believe Amelia Hart will soon become one of the most influential businesswomen in the world."
Another image appeared.
Amelia walked through Hart Group headquarters surrounded by executives.
Everyone treated her with respect.
No.
Not respect.
Reverence.
The kind of respect people reserved for someone far above them.
Ethan's expression darkened.
This couldn't be right.
For three years, Amelia had lived a simple life.
She cooked meals.
Cleaned their apartment.
Shopped at ordinary stores.
How could she suddenly become the heiress of a trillion-dollar empire?
Ryan rushed into the office.
His face was pale.
"Sir."
Ethan looked at him sharply.
"Find out everything."
Ryan swallowed.
"I already started."
"Then move faster."
The assistant nodded and hurried away.
For the first time in years, Ethan felt something he rarely experienced.
Uncertainty.
---
Across the city.
Inside Hart Group headquarters.
Amelia was completely unaware of the chaos she had caused.
Or perhaps she simply didn't care.
She sat inside her new office reviewing documents.
The office occupied the entire top floor of the building.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline.
Several assistants stood nearby waiting for instructions.
James entered carrying another stack of files.
"Miss Amelia."
She groaned.
"More?"
The old man smiled.
"You inherited an empire, not a candy store."
Amelia laughed.
For the first time in years, she genuinely felt relaxed.
Work distracted her.
Every contract she signed pushed Ethan further from her thoughts.
Every meeting reminded her that she had her own life.
Her own future.
Her own identity.
A knock interrupted them.
"Come in."
The door opened.
A young executive stepped inside.
He looked nervous.
"Miss Hart, there's someone requesting a meeting."
Amelia didn't even look up.
"Who?"
"The chairman of Sterling Technologies."
"No."
The executive blinked.
"You didn't even hear the proposal."
"No."
He quietly retreated.
James chuckled.
"You're becoming ruthless."
Amelia shrugged.
"I'm becoming busy."
Another knock followed.
Then another.
And another.
By lunchtime, more than twenty business leaders had requested meetings.
All of them wanted connections with the mysterious Hart heiress.
Amelia rejected every single one.
Eventually James placed a tablet in front of her.
"Look."
She frowned.
The screen displayed dozens of headlines.
"The World's Most Eligible Billionaire Woman."
"The Return of the Hart Heiress."
"The Beauty Behind the Empire."
Amelia nearly choked.
"What is this nonsense?"
James laughed openly.
"The media loves you."
She buried her face in her hands.
"This is embarrassing."
Unfortunately, things were only getting started.
---
That evening.
A grand charity gala took place at the Royal Crown Hotel.
Every major business family attended.
Politicians.
Celebrities.
Investors.
Billionaires.
Everyone.
The moment Amelia arrived, the entire venue became silent.
Hundreds of eyes turned toward her.
Flashlights exploded everywhere.
Reporters rushed forward.
"Miss Hart!"
"Miss Hart!"
"How does it feel returning to the Hart family?"
"Are you dating anyone?"
"What are your plans for the company?"
Security immediately blocked them.
Amelia sighed.
This was exhausting.
Inside the ballroom, whispers spread like wildfire.
"That's her."
"She's stunning."
"No wonder she's making headlines."
"Imagine marrying her."
Many unmarried heirs suddenly became interested.
Some had never even heard of Amelia a week ago.
Now they couldn't stop staring.
Arthur noticed immediately.
His expression darkened.
"Vultures."
Amelia laughed.
"They only want money."
"Exactly."
A waiter approached with champagne.
Arthur accepted a glass.
Then he smiled mischievously.
"Perhaps we should arrange your marriage."
Amelia nearly dropped her drink.
"Grandpa!"
The old man laughed loudly.
The conversation ended when another guest approached.
A tall man with sharp features and confident eyes.
Lucas Kingsley.
CEO of Kingsley International.
One of the youngest billionaires in the country.
"Chairman Hart."
Arthur smiled politely.
"Lucas."
The younger man nodded.
Then his attention shifted toward Amelia.
His eyes widened slightly.
Not because of her wealth.
Because she was beautiful.
Far more beautiful than the media photographs suggested.
"Miss Hart."
He extended his hand.
"A pleasure."
Amelia accepted the handshake.
"Likewise."
Lucas smiled.
"I've wanted to meet the famous heiress."
"Hopefully the headlines weren't too ridiculous."
"They were."
She laughed.
The sound caught him off guard.
For the next several minutes, they talked comfortably.
Business.
Travel.
Books.
Unlike most people, Lucas didn't treat her like a walking bank account.
The conversation felt surprisingly natural.
Unfortunately, someone else had arrived.
Someone whose gaze immediately landed on Amelia.
Ethan Blackwell.
The moment he entered the ballroom, his eyes found her.
And he froze.
Tonight Amelia wore a fitted silver gown.
Her dark hair flowed over her shoulders.
Diamond earrings sparkled beneath the lights.
She looked breathtaking.
For three years, Ethan had seen Amelia almost every day.
Yet somehow...
He had never truly looked at her.
Now he couldn't look away.
His chest tightened unexpectedly.
Then he noticed Lucas standing beside her.
Laughing with her.
Smiling at her.
Something unpleasant stirred inside him.
A feeling he couldn't identify.
Sophia noticed immediately.
Her expression darkened.
"Ethan?"
He didn't answer.
His attention remained fixed on Amelia.
Sophia followed his gaze.
The moment she saw Amelia, jealousy exploded inside her.
Why did Amelia look so radiant?
Why was everyone paying attention to her?
Most importantly...
Why couldn't Ethan stop staring?
Sophia grabbed his arm.
"Ethan."
This time he looked at her.
"We should greet Chairman Hart."
His voice sounded distant.
Sophia forced a smile.
"Of course."
They crossed the ballroom together.
Several guests noticed.
Whispers immediately began spreading.
The ex-husband.
The new fiancée.
The billionaire heiress.
Drama was inevitable.
Arthur saw them approaching.
His expression instantly became cold.
Very cold.
Amelia also noticed.
For a moment, her heart skipped.
Old habits.
Old memories.
Then she reminded herself who he was.
Her ex-husband.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Ethan stopped before her.
Silence stretched between them.
Several nearby guests pretended not to watch.
Every single one listened carefully.
Finally Ethan spoke.
"Amelia."
Her name sounded strange coming from him now.
She smiled politely.
"Mr. Blackwell."
The formal greeting hit him harder than expected.
Mr. Blackwell.
Not Ethan.
Not husband.
Not anything personal.
A wall now existed between them.
And he hated it.
Sophia quickly stepped forward.
"Congratulations, Miss Hart."
Amelia nodded.
"Thank you."
The atmosphere became awkward.
Lucas casually moved closer to Amelia.
The subtle gesture didn't escape Ethan's notice.
His jaw tightened.
Lucas smiled.
"Mr. Blackwell."
Ethan looked at him coldly.
Neither man liked the other.
Neither bothered hiding it.
Arthur suddenly spoke.
"I hear congratulations are in order."
Sophia brightened.
"Thank you."
Arthur nodded.
Then he added casually,
"Although I find it interesting that Mr. Blackwell proposed less than an hour after divorcing my granddaughter."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The ballroom became so quiet that people could hear glasses clinking.
Sophia's face turned white.
Ethan's expression darkened.
Everyone suddenly looked uncomfortable.
Arthur smiled pleasantly.
Which somehow made things worse.
The old billionaire continued sipping his champagne.
As though he hadn't just publicly embarrassed them.
Amelia almost laughed.
Almost.
Lucas definitely laughed.
Unfortunately, he wasn't subtle about it.
The tension became unbearable.
Eventually Ethan looked directly at Amelia.
"I'd like to speak with you."
Her smile disappeared.
"About what?"
"Privately."
For several seconds she studied him.
Then she shook her head.
"No."
The answer stunned him.
In the past, Amelia would have immediately agreed.
Now she didn't even hesitate.
"No?"
"No."
Her voice remained calm.
"I don't think we have anything left to discuss."
The words struck Ethan like a physical blow.
Before he could respond, Arthur stepped forward.
"Excuse us."
The old man guided Amelia away.
Lucas followed.
Leaving Ethan standing alone.
For the first time in his life...
Ethan Blackwell felt something dangerously close to regret.
Across the ballroom, Amelia continued walking.
She never looked back.
But she failed to notice one thing.
The way Ethan watched her leave.
As if he had just realized the value of something after losing it.
And that realization terrified him.
Because for the first time...
He wasn't sure he wanted the divorce anymore.
- Writer
