Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 181: Chapter 181

'Painting?' Liam thought. 'So those imitations were hers? But she never had access to Mono... Unless she knows his apprentice...'
"I'll wait," Liam said. He was determined to see her today.
Derek gave a cold laugh. "Suit yourself."
He slammed the door in Liam's face.
Liam, thinking he'd be invited in to wait, was left standing in the cold.
He thought, 'This kid has no manners.'
Ten minutes passed. No one opened the door.
Shivering, Liam finally rang the bell. Derek glared at him when he opened the door. "Ring that bell one more time and I'll call the cops." And slammed the door again.
Aria, upstairs, was putting the final touches on a new painting—a woman draped in jewelry, every hairpin, earring, necklace, brooch, bracelet, and anklet perfectly rendered. Selina's masterpieces, every one.
After washing up, she headed downstairs.
Derek immediately reported, "Liam's here. No idea why, but he's been waiting at the door, ringing the bell nonstop. Seriously annoying."
Aria went to the door, her voice already laced with irritation. "If you've got something to say, spit it out and get lost. Don't distract Derek from his studying."
The door opened, and Liam visibly relaxed. Ignoring her clear annoyance, he said, "Aria, I'm sorry."
His voice was thick with remorse.
"It was my fault for ignoring everything you did these past two years, for acting like it was all just Cole family money. You gave your all for the company, took care of my family—I owe you. If I hadn't left for overseas, we could've been a real couple... But you can't force love. I hurt you, and I want to make it up to you."
He looked haggard and worn down, but his words dripped with sincerity.
Without missing a beat, he went straight to business. "The Cole Group is on the brink. I'll give you five percent of the shares if you come back and manage things."
Aria let out a cold laugh. "Five percent? Do I look like I care?"
Did he forget that she was the largest shareholder of the Stars Group? She wouldn't even blink at that offer.
"I'll give you another five percent once this crisis is over—plus all my personal profits. That's the best I can do."
"And?" Aria tilted her head, smirking. "We have no relationship. We've never even spent a day as a real couple. Why should I break my back for the Cole Group? What am I, stupid?
"When you need me, your family's all warmth and sincerity. When you don't, it's nothing but contempt, like I'm some parasite. You've already divorced me after cheating, and now you want your ex-wife back to save the company? Are you insane?"
Her words were biting, her tone brutal, but Liam could only swallow his frustration.
He was the one begging; he could let her vent. Still, he couldn't stand one thing—he pushed back. "No feelings? Come on, Aria, didn't you love me?"
Her expression darkened. "Don't flatter yourself."
She moved to shut the door, but Liam stopped her. "Don't deny it. If you didn't love me, why'd you risk your life to save mine?"
"Ever consider that maybe they were after me?"
"No way," Liam insisted.
"Idiot," Aria shot back.
"Aria!"
With Daniel still in the hospital and the company in shambles, Liam clung to his belief that Aria still loved him. "If you come back and run the Cole Group, I'll give you a child. Go do IVF—you can have a baby to raise as the next heir."
Aria slapped him, hard, without hesitation.