The CEO's Chasing His Ex-Wife

Even If She Died

The next morning, Karina woke up to the smell of breakfast. For a moment, she thought she was dreaming. Then she opened her eyes and stared at the familiar ceiling where her childhood memories came flooding back.

Truly, she is finally home.

Their breakfast passed so peacefully that Karina forgot about a certain existence until three guards came to report a visitor,

Her grandpa asked, "Who is the visitor?"

The guards looked at each other. "Cliff Beaumont."

Grandpa said nothing, waiting for Karina, who frowned and trembled in anger at the guards' report. "Don’t let him in. If he persists, just report him to the police, saying he’s trespassing."

The guards said nothing, looking awkward.

Her grandma held her hands. "I know what you’re worried about, but don’t be. Do whatever you have to do. We’re here."

Karina smirked. "If he has something to say, then say it from the gates. Let him shout."

"Yes." The guards left, hurrying to report to Cliff.

Cliff, hearing that, could only scoff, his hand in his hair, frustrated. "Open the door. I must talk to her today."

"We’re afraid you have to turn. If you persist, we’ll be calling the police for trespassing."

"I haven’t even entered inside–" He paused, annoyed. "Is my wife there?"

"There’s no wife here, only Miss Karina. Please address correctly."

Cliff looked at the guard. "Are you really going to lock the gates?"

"Yes," the guard said.

Cliff, humiliated and angry, bit his lower lip. As a last resort, he tried calling her, but then it said her number was invalid.

"Ms. Karina wants us to inform her that her lawyer will come to talk to you soon."

Cliff clenched his fists, irritated. She actually dared to close the gates and have him be humiliated by mere guards. How could she do this?!

Karina Halvent.

How come throughout their three years of marriage, he didn’t even know she was a Halvent?

He didn’t know she was the granddaughter of Halvent because she wasn’t publicized throughout their marriage, and she never spoke of her family. Considering how much she loved him, how could she have a strong backing?

He thought the information that she went back to the Halvent mansion was a bluff, until he confirmed it himself. She was Karina Halvent, the tycoon behind the Haven Company’s success. She was the card Jordan Halvent, her grandfather, talked about in one of his interviews.

"Everything doesn’t make sense anymore," Jones said with a cross of his legs. "How come we didn’t know sister-in-law is a Halvent? Did you not do a background check?"

Henry groaned, Cliff’s oldest brother. "He didn’t bother because she loved him too much."

"Haa, what a mess," Jones said, grumbling. "What will you do next then?"

Cliff’s eyes flashed, intertwining his hands. "I have to get her back, whatever the cost may be."

"Do you love her?" Jones asked.

"She is a Halvent," Cliff responded, hesitating first.

Henry laughed, "So, now she’s important? You used to neglect her."

Cliff leaned back, still convincing himself. "She tried so hard to gain my attention. I don’t believe she’s seriously divorcing me. One week… one week is all it takes, and she'll come back to me."

Henry shook his head. "Before you think about her, think about the business trip in Germany. You have an initial deal with Mr. Hudson, so during your trip, he must agree to it."

Cliff frowned. "You don’t have to remind me."

Henry stood up, his eyes squinting. "I need to, in case you’re too emotional for such a business deal."

Cliff didn’t say anything, shifting his head sideways.

Him, emotional?

Impossible.

And a woman is the least issue he’d ever be emotional with.

Not to mention if it’s Karina.

Karina will come begging and crying for him again.

After a few days, Cliff flew to Germany not only to talk with Mr. Hudson, but also to check for potential clients. That night, at a party, Cliff saw Mr. Hudson and started toward him, but froze when he saw him talking with someone.

Crash!

The goblet he was holding crashed on the floor, gaining the attention of Mr. Hudson and the person he was talking to, Karina Halvent.

He slightly frowned, his fist clenching.

In a hurry, people quickly cleaned the mess while Karina eyed Cliff, smirking before leading Mr. Hudson away from the mess.

"Mr. Hudson?" Cliff called to him, and he turned to him and smiled.

"Ah, Mr. Cliff. Nice meeting you here."

"Yes, I made a schedule to talk with you here. I noticed you’re talking to someone. Can we have a private talk later?"

Mr. Hudson waved his hand. "I know what you want, but I’d like to cancel our initial deal. I talked to the directors and found that it’s unsuitable for the business, but Ms. Karina Halvent’s offer is what we’re looking for."

"Ms. Karina Halvent?"

"Yes, this woman I am talking with. You need to talk to her. She’s the GOAT." He then smiled, signifying that he’d be leaving, and added another thing. "Let’s do some catching up next time, Mr. Cliff."

And just like that, Cliff was left alone. He wasn’t even able to talk to him? How come Karina is here, and how come she was able to convince him so easily? What the hell did she do?

***

"I didn’t expect you to wait." Karina looked at Cliff, who was swirling his goblet. She crossed her arms, tilting her head at him, her eyes dark, and the affection it had before vanished.

"Why, Mr. Hudson?"

Karina curved up her lips, amused. "Business, what else?"

"How dare you talk to me like that?"

"You expect me to kneel, coax you? You’re not a child."

"Didn’t you do that often?"

"Used to, but I won’t anymore."

She turned, about to walk when Cliff instinctively held her arm, stopping her. His eyes turned softer, as did his voice when he spoke, "Let’s talk."

She slapped his hand. "There’s nothing to talk about. Talk to my lawyer about anything."

"Lawyers wouldn’t understan–"

"Save me your excuses, it won’t trick me."

"Karina," he sighed, "Are you really going to be stubborn?"

"If stubborn is what you call it, yes. For this lifetime, yes, just like how you were with me. You detested me, and now you’re changing your views?" She sneered, "You wasted three years of my beautiful life, and even killed my baby. What else of ruin do you want?"

"I didn’t kill that baby, you killed it."

"Really? Then why don’t you ask your pretty little mistress what she did to me?"

"Mistress?"

She pushed him. "See? You don’t know anything, yet you’re acting almighty. Get off my face. You disgust me."

Cliff bit his lip. "Just because you’re a Halvent, you’re doing this?"

"Isn’t that the exact reason why you treated me so coldly and hatefully? So, shut up, you’re making me throw up."

Cliff frowned.

She was not the same as she was before.

Overnight, she changed. She wasn’t afraid of anything. She didn't cower or look down. It was as if she had the power of everything in this world.

He frowned. "I know you still love me. You won’t ever move on. I’ll make sure of that."

As she walked away, she scoffed, disgusted at that idea.

She won’t ever, ever get back with him. Even at the cost of her life.