Chapter 160 - The Backfired Scandal

Owen Ricardo's ultimatum echoed in my ears like a death knell. Divorce or resign. I glanced up at Nathaniel, whose face had hardened into an unreadable mask. My stomach twisted with guilt.

"You can't possibly be serious," Nathaniel's voice cut through the silence, deadly calm.

Owen stepped forward, his expensive Italian shoes clicking against the marble floor. "I've never been more serious. The Ricardo name stands for something. We can't have it tarnished by association with..." His gaze slid to me with undisguised contempt. "Her kind."

I fought to keep my expression neutral despite the familiar sting of those words. Illegitimate. Shameful. Unworthy.

"My wife has a name," Nathaniel said, his tone dropping to something dangerous. "Use it."

Owen scoffed. "Your wife? This marriage is nothing but a farce. A mistake that needs correcting."