My Ambition 18

Chapter 1 

After 10 years of marriage, my husband Rex Donovan’s parting gift? Divorce papers. 

‘Ten years of you doing absolutely NOTHING while I built an empire. Here’s $100,000-that’s $10K per year of being useless.” 

“Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.” 

Here’s the thing-I’ve played this game before. In another life. 

But this time? I’m changing the damn rules… 

The day after our divorce, I took his money straight to his biggest business rival-Caleb Steele. 

The man looked me up and down, amused. “Why the hell should I help you?”. 

smiled. “Try this-I’ve got the inside scoop on every business move Rex will make for the next decade. Oh, and honey? That little ecret he’s got stashed in Europe? His SON.” 

Sorry Rex, but this time around? I’m the one holding all the cards. 

Sign it, Maddie.” 

lex Donovan’s fingers drummed on the desk as he shoved those divorce papers right in my face. 

ehind him, floor-to-ceiling windows showed off the city’s glittering skyline, but all I could see was his ring finger-smooth as glass vhere our wedding band used to be. 

Ie’d already taken his off. Ages ago. 

Ten years, and you’re tossing me a hundred grand? That’s it?!” 

looked up at him, keeping my voice steady. 

ex let out this nasty laugh and loosened his tie, looking all casual and cocky. 

And?” 

What makes you think you deserve more?” 

You can’t even handle basic shit around the house-completely worthless.” 

he contempt in his voice was exactly the same as last time around. 

ast time, I begged him through tears. 

But what’d I get? His security dragged me out of the building like trash, and I died alone from gas poisoning in some shitty studio 

partment. Nobody even gave a damn. 

This time? I just wanna watch him burn. 

I grabbed the pen and scrawled my name across the bottom: 

(Maddie Windsor.] 

Rex stared at my signature, frowning like my cooperation threw him off. 

I didn’t even look at him. Just took that check and got the hell out of there. 

“Remember this, Maddie-YOU chose to leave, not me.” 

Right as the door slammed, I heard him smash something. Probably his coffee mug. 

Rex Donovan, you think I’m still that same pathetic fool from before? 

Your adorable surveillance setup? Your precious little mind games? Don’t worry sweetie, I’ll humor every single one. 

The next day, I’m standing on the top floor of Steele Capital-enemy territory belonging to Rex’s biggest business rival, Caleb Steele. 

The receptionist looked at me like I’d wandered in from the street. 

I dropped Caleb’s name without missing a beat. 

“Just say Rex’s ex stopped by, and trust me-he’s gonna want my gift.” 

Five minutes later, I’m face-to-face with Caleb Steele. 

Guy’s lounging back in his chair, legs crossed, sizing me up like I’m some piece of merchandise he’s thinking about buying. 

“Rex’s ex?” 

His voice is all deep and gravelly. 

I slapped that hundred-grand check down on his coffee table. 

“Consider this my resume.” 

He’s got this predator’s grin going, like a cat playing with its food. 

“Why should I give a damn?” 

I leaned forward, got right up in his space: “Try this-I’ve got the inside scoop on his company’s next decade of decisions. Oh, and that little secret he’s hiding in Europe? His kid.” 

Caleb’s eyes went wide for just a second. 

He sat up straight, all that casual attitude gone in a flash. Now he looked like a shark that just smelled blood. 

“Keep talking.” 

I didn’t answer right away. 

My mind flashed back to last time-after I died, my spirit just floating there, watching Rex throw this huge birthday party for his 

secret son. 

Watching him with his arms around some other woman, calling me the biggest mistake of his life. 

Watching him use what was left of my family’s connections to destroy my parents’ company, driving my brother to jump off a building. 

The rage from that memory could’ve burned down the whole city. 

Caleb narrowed his eyes, studying me with suspicion. 

“Prove it.” 

“So next week, Rex has this secret meeting with TechFlow’s CEO. Acquisition talk. But here’s the thing-it’s gonna totally blow up because of some patent drama.” 

I dangled the first piece of bait. 

“Good enough for you?” 

Caleb’s fingers tapped against his armrest-the guy was thinking. 

Three days later, his people called me back. 

‘Ms. Windsor, you called it.” 

When we met again, his whole attitude had changed. 

‘Alright, now let’s discuss that downtown deal.” 

spilled everything. 

Rex is gonna bid on that downtown lot next week. He’s going up to three hundred million.” 

Caleb’s eyebrow went up. “That solid?” 

He’ll get it. But in three months? They’re gonna find some ancient shit buried under there. Whole thing gets killed, and his three 

undred mil is toast.” 

kept going. “You just gotta swoop in and grab Maritime Logistics first-that’s where he’s hurting for cash.” 

He smiled, but his eyes stayed cold. 

Huh.” 

hen pulled out a card from his desk drawer and slid it toward me. 

There’s half a mil in there. Call it startup money.” 

But don’t think you can take the cash and bail-your life’s my insurance now.” 

his was opportunity. This was also a test. 

pocketed the card and stood up. 

Pleasure doing business.” 

Walking out of Steele Capital into the sunlight, I should’ve felt warm. Instead, everything felt ice cold. 

The revenge game was just getting started.