Sorry, Mr. Stanford, Your Wife Owns You - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Nelson knew my worth to the Stanford Family better than anyone.
If they thought they could toss me aside like some worthless pawn, they'd better be damn sure they had the power to do it.
Leonard scoffed. "Nicole, drop the act. Quit hiding behind Grandpa every time. I've done my part—married you, supported you all these years. That's more than enough."
He leaned in, smirking. "I'll give you money. Enough to live comfortably for the rest of your life. Just sign the divorce papers."
A slow, knowing smile curved my lips.
"Money's never been the problem, Leonard. You think swapping me out will get you further? Fine. But are you certain she's your golden ticket?"
He misread my tone as jealousy, as if I still gave a damn about him or his little affair. The thought seemed to amuse him even more.
"What's the point of fighting this, Nicole? Even if you can't imagine life without me, we're done."
His eyes gleamed with ambition. "With her connections, the Stanford name will skyrocket. We'll dominate the industry. So do us both a favor—sign while I'm still being patient."
I adjusted the hem of my dress, taking my time.
"Leonard, if you go through with this, you'll lose everything."
My gaze flicked to the others in the room. "And these people? They won't even have jobs to go back to."
Leonard and Anne burst into laughter like I'd just delivered the punchline of the century.
He lounged back in his chair, smirking. "Oh, sure. You're so powerful."
"Fine, Nicole. I'll sign the papers and watch my empire crumble. Happy?"
Murmurs rippled through the room—whispers of pity, scorn, disbelief.
"This is why women need their own careers. One mention of divorce, and she's unraveling."
"She was always too entitled. Now she's blaming us for losing our jobs? Please. Mr. Stanford signs our paychecks, not her."
"Look at her, putting on a brave face. She's breaking inside."
Their words slithered into my ears, each one laced with mockery. I inhaled deeply, steadying myself.
This was what happened when kindness was mistaken for weakness.
My father always preached mutual respect, but that only worked with people who deserved it. Birds of a feather—Leonard and his lackeys were cut from the same rotten cloth.
A listed company? Please. They'd gone public way too soon.
I reached for my phone, ready to end this farce.
But before my fingers could brush the screen, Anne smacked it out of my hand.
"Who said you could touch your phone?" she sneered. "Trying to leak company secrets?"
That was it. My patience shattered.
I'd endured insults my whole life—ignorance wasn't a crime, and I'd never bothered to put these people in their place. But now? They were testing me. Pushing boundaries just to see how far they could go.
And that wasn't something an apology could fix.
"Anne," I said coolly, "if you're just following orders—Leonard's, or hers—I'll let it slide."
My eyes swept the room, lingering on each smug face. "But before you take another step, ask yourself—are you ready for what comes next?"
Leonard barked out a laugh. "Seriously? You're threatening my team now?"
Anne rolled her eyes. "Enough talk. Search her."
Ice flooded my veins.
Fine. If they wanted a lesson, I'd give them one they'd never forget.
Just as I moved to act, a new voice cut through the tension.
"Leonard, must you make such a spectacle?"
The sharp click of designer heels echoed as a woman—older than me, wrapped in a curve-hugging red dress—strolled into the room like she owned it.
She stopped in front of me, arms crossed, chin lifted. "Nicole, I heard you think I can't be Leonard's stepping stone—"