Chapter 31
Seated by the window of Sunset Bistro, Ivory stared down at her divorce certificate with a blank face.
Her mind was unusually calm with only one thing going through it.
She has done it, divorced at last, freed from Gadreel.
It felt like a dream, one that was bad, as well as good. The bad part caused her heart to ache ever so slightly as she thought back to the years she had wasted and the hope that had chained her down to a reality that was never going to happen. It ached for that innocent and youthful part of her that has desperately craved love and affection and it ached for said love and affection that has never been reciprocated.
But just as she thought of the negative part, she equally thought of the positive parts. Although it wasn’t much at first glance, but after deeper thinking, she realized she has gained experience, but In love, care, medicine and pain, and even after all that, she had a future ahead
of her.
A wistful smile crossed her lips.
Those experiences, no matter how painful they were, she was going to keep them to herself because it made her who she was today and who she’d become in the future.
‘As for the past that’s a closed chapter.”
She carefully placed the certificate on the table and took a quick picture of it. After making sure to blur out Gadreel’s name and anything leading to him, she posted it on her social media, account with the caption; Free at last.
The first few minutes didn’t have any interaction from the public, which was reasonable, seeing as her account was a small no name or face account.
And honestly, Ivory didn’t want any wild interaction from the public. This picture was just like a means to ground herself, to remind her of this brave decision she had taken.
One that has already began uttering the course of her life.
As her smile morphed into something more pleasant, Ivory’s phone rang; a call from Emma coming through.
Immediately, she answered. “Em-”
“You’re finally divorced! Congratulations, Ivy, I’m so proud of you!”
Ivory’s smile grew. She was proud of herself too. Thanks Em.”
“You know what this calls for?” Emma asked, sounding enthusiastic about whatever plans she had. “A celebration! Tonight, you and I, at Golden Hour, bill’s on me; what do ya say?”
That’s sounds like as” Before Ivory could finish her words, her phone dinged loudly with one notification, then another, and shortly after several more followed.
“What the-” Pulling her phone away, Ivory glanced at her screen and her eyes widened.
The post she has made minutes, no, seconds ago was bustling with like and comments.
In the short while she has looked away, it had gained nearly two hundred likes and eighty comments…and climbing.
“Is everything okay, Ivy?” Em asked from the other side.
“Yeah, it’s just…” Ivory was speechless as she clicked on the post and accessed the comment
section.
“Congratulations, girl!”
“Nice going! Enjoy your life to the fullest now!”
“Brave decision, I’m so proud of you!”
Not all women, even those who suffer abuse from their husband is bold enough to do t but you are. Not sure what you went through but I’m proud of you, keep going!”
The comment section was filled with tons of comments like that. But of course, not all of it was good.
“Breaking your own home and posting it publicly. She must not have received proper home training!”
“How shameless, what there to be so happy about a failed marriage. If I were your mother, would be ashamed!”
Some of the comments read. But of course, Ivory did not allow them get to her, because they didn’t know the full story and thus, their opinions were invalid.
“Ivy?” Emma called out. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, it’s just the post, the one I made, it’s blowing up.”
Emma was silent for a few seconds before replying. “It is. Wow, people are loving you, Ivy.”
From her words, Ivory could tell she was checking the post on her laptop or tablet.
She chuckled. “It’s so unexpected, but they are.” A warmth filled her chest, one that further solidified her notion that divorcing Gadreel was the right choice, and her smile softened.
But just shortly after, the peaceful moment was interrupted by another call entering. It was from Camilla this time around.
“Em, I’ve got to answer another call, I hit you up once I’m done, kay?”
“I’ll be waiting. Bye.”
Ending the call with Emma, she answered Camille’s call.
“Camilla, talk to me.”
“Boss, there’s a little problem at the office,” Calla started, sounding a bit on edge.
Ivory frowned. She felt that peace she felt a few seconds ago, slip away.
“What’s wrong.
“The post you made, everyone’s at the office has seen it and most of the employees want to quit after learning you just got divorced. They’re saying working under a divorcee doesn’t give good reputation and on top of that,” she hesitated. “The board has called another meeting and they want to see you, now!”
Ah, of course, Ivory thought with a sigh, things would go down this route.
Perhaps she shouldn’t have posted that picture, she thought. But even if she didn’t, they would have eventually found out she was divorced, maybe it was better things turned out this way now, she could tackle it while it’s still early.
“I understand, I’m heading to the company.” After saying that, Ivory ended the call and left Sunset Bistro.
Shortly after, she arrived at Elixiron. Ignoring the looks she got, she headed for the conference room.
“Boss,” Camilla greeted her by the conference door, looking a bit unleased. “They’re all inside.”
Thank you, Camilla.” Ivory flashed her a smile before stepping through the door that had been held open for her.
Immediately she entered, all eyes were on her.
“Ah, our honorable CEO is here!” Came a voice from the farthest end of the table.
It belonged to a fatty, who rose up, carrying his shoulder with pride upon seeing Ivory.
“We’ve been expecting you, after all, we have a thing or two to talk about. But I’ll be generous and save everyone the trouble by speaking on their behalf. With the recent turn of event, your divorce,” he scrunched up his nose like it was something disgraceful. “We’ve all come to the conclusion that we refuse to have a CEO like you.
Ivory frowned. “Pardon?”
“Oh you’re pardoned. I mean look around, do you expect us, Men, to follow you, a woman who couldn’t even keep her man? Oh, no no no, we can’t do that. So we kindly ask, step down. Or, I have a better idea, accept the acquisition of Odexa and well have mercy and keep you in the
position of management.”
Ivory blinked in confusion, then frowned at the nameless pimp speaking to her.
“And who the fuck are you?”
A few people whispered, but the pimp carried his shoulder higher. “The vice president, Tom Harmon.”
Ivory cocked her head at the name. Why did it sound so familiar?
It took a while, but eventually, it clicked.
Tom Harmon, his mother was Verona Harmon, once a friend of her late mother. Their family had gone into crisis, bankruptcy, and out of goodwill, Ivory had told Lucien to give him a helping hand.
It was supposed to be a lifeline. A fresh start. But looking at him now, standing smug and overconfident, it was clear he had let power go to his head.
How disappointing.
Ivory’s patience was at its breaking point. Watching this power–hungry fool try to oust her from a company she had built from the ground up was almost laughable. But enough was enough.
If they wanted a fight, she was more than ready to deliver.
“I should leave?” Ivory repeated, her tone deceptively calm as she pulled out her phone. Without waiting for a response, she connected it to the large screen at the front of the boardroom.
Confusion flickered across the faces of the shareholders. Murmurs filled the room, but they were silenced the moment Lucien Varga’s face appeared on the screen in a live video call.
“Mr. Varga,” Ivory greeted him with a composed, businesslike demeanor despite their years of connection. “It seems some of my esteemed shareholders are under the impression that I should step down. Perhaps you could clarify things for them.”
Lucien’s eyes briefly flicked with surprise, then he frowned. They wanted Ivory to step down?
What the hell were they thinking? And what did Ivory mean by clarify? Did she want him to….
The silent nod that came from Ivory was almost like an answer to his unspoken question. After returning the nod, a sign that he understood, he adjusted the glasses on the bridge of his nose and leaned forward.
“I apologize for not making the introduction sooner,” He began, his voice firmi and authoritative. He turned his attention to the room. “Gentlemen, allow me to formally introduce Ms. Ivory Remington–the founder of Elixiron.”
A stunned silence Tell over the room, followed by rising tide of whispers and disbelief as heads snapped in Ivory’s direction.
“That’s right,” Lucien continued, his tone brooking no argument. “Ms. Remington has been the driving force behind every decision that elevated Elixiron to its current success. She’s the visionary, the architect of everything you now benefit from. So, let me make this clear: she is not going anywhere. Your opinions, frankly, are irrelevant, seeing as she’s the founder and calls the shots,”
The weight of his words settled over the room like a heavy fog. No one dared to speak and this brought an invisible smile to Ivory’s lip.
“Thank you, Mr. Varga,” Ivory said coolly and after flashing him a smile that said volume for his effort and input so far, she ended the call with a tap of her screen. Slowly turning around, she allowed her gaze sweeping across the stunned faces of the shareholders.
“I trust that clears things up,” she said, her voice carrying a quiet authority that left no room for doubt.
Everyone, now hit by the sudden revelation, was whispering in disbelief, but amongst all, Tom’s reaction caught her attention the most.
She watched him for a short while before leaning towards Camilla and whispering into her ears. She nodded and exited the room shortly after, while Ivory addressed the crowd of stunned Shareholders.
“How…how is that possible?” One of them asked
“Oh it’s possible alright,” Ivory answered with a flat smile on her lips. “And now that’s been settled, let’s address the elephant in the room.”
Looking down at the paper on the table, she read the words out loud. “A petition to leave if the current CEO isn’t changed,”
She nodded and then looked at the lot of them with a soft smile on her lips. “Well congratulations, your petition has been approved. You’re all free to leave, because the current CEO, will not be changed. Now get up and get out.”
Murmurs of disbelief filled the room while fellow shareholders exchange looks of horror.
From within the crowd, Tom, exploded. “This must be some sort of joke! I refuse to believe you’re the founder!” He said and frowned in disgust.
“That position, you slept with Mr. Varga to get it, didn’t you?”
Ivory chuckled. “What?”
“The position of CEO, I’m sure you sold yourself to Mr. Varga.” He repeated with a smirk. “I’m sure of it.”
Chapte at
“You are, huh?” Ivory brought out her phone and opened the recorder on her phone. “So sure that you can repeat it, again?”
Tom did not hesitate. “The position of CEO, I’m certain you whored around to get it. Like a bitch, I’m sure you sold yourself. Perhaps that’s why your husband divorced your ass!”
He said confidently and Ivory smiled.
“Thank you,” she said as she saved the recording and shoved her phone into her pocket. “You just placed yourself in a whole lot of shit.”
Before anyone could process it, the door to the conference room swung open and Camilla walked in.
But she wasn’t alone. Behind her were security and some law agent. The police.
Tom paled when they approached him and Ivory watched his downfall with a smirk. “Mr. Harmon, you’re hereby under arrest for libel!”
