After Divorce, She Bloomed

At Holloway Green, the sound of subtle music, chatters, and the occasional sound of champagne glasses being pressed against each other, echoed through the room.

A man stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, deep in thought. No one dared to come up and bother him. The man who was called New York's renowned business guru.

Michael Hayes was a myth in the business world but met a Waterloo of his reputation due to a wrong marriage.

The cell phone in his suit pocket vibrated and a message from his private investigator, Lena, popped out.

[Boss, the investigation progressed.]

Michael's furrowed brow finally soothed a bit and quickly tapped his reply.

[Meet me at Dana's Restaurant in fifteen minutes.]

As soon as he left, many people in the venue silently sighed in relief. Only God knows how hard it has been to be around this cold-faced guru, especially for the last year after his divorce.

Michael had barely gotten far when someone rudely bumped shoulders with him.

"I apologize" The male who had bumped Into him paused on his apology upon recognizing his face and scoffed.

"Well, if it isn't Michael Hayes."

It didn't take Michael a few seconds to recognize the face in front of him. Jean Knox, his supposed business rival. Yet in fact, anyone with a little knowledge of this circle knew that Jean Knox could never hold a candle to Michael Hayes.

Michael didn't even bother more than a glance before he continued on his way.

Jean felt ignored and he couldn't help but try to provoke his Rival again, "Are you running away in such a hurry to avoid those press representatives who caught your little pretty scandal?"

Michael finally turned around at Jean words, his eyes were calm but all around him there was an intimidating presence.

"Mind your tongue, Knox."Michael took a step forward and warned, "Do you really think you're qualified to compete with me just by playing some word games on social media?"

"W-word games?" Jean swallowed hard, taken aback by Michael's choice of words.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Almost everyone here know that, you, Michael Hayes, is a cheater. It's only a matter of time before your business crumbles."

"You want to see my business crumble?" Michael simply chuckled, a mocking glint shining in his eyes.

"Since you forgot, I should remind you of the latest financial report this morning."

He stepped forward, staring Jean straight in the eyes. "My company just won a project worth billions of dollars, while your little media company lost to yet another lawsuit again, causing the share to hit an all-time low.

Jean's face fumed at his words, earning a light chuckle from Michael as he patted his shoulder twice.

"Face the reality, Knox. You're in no place to challenge me."

With that, Michael stepped out of the building. Bobby Hutcherson, his assistant immediately led him to the car while briefing him.

"Sir, there's been a problem." Bobby nervously informed.

After telling his driver the location, Michael turned to face his assistant.

"What is it?"

Bobby nervously brought forth his tablet, handing it to Michael so that he could see the email he had received an hour ago.

"R.C.G turned down your proposal to co-fund their project.

They claim that they are unable to trust someone who doesn't have a good reputation and, Bobby paused, showing hesitancy towards his last words. "And?" Michael demanded.

"They... They claim it's a family rule in the company to not cooperate with cheaters." Michael sneered.

A cheater, that's what everyone had tagged him for the past year, all because of his cunning ex-wife. Serene Vans, the only stain in his life.

He used to believe their first encounter was an accident but it was later proven to be an elaborate conspiracy. Serene created an entire setup where she accidentally lost her virginity to him, forcing him to marry her.

He didn't expect much from the marriage, but fidelity was fundamental. That was why he insisted on a divorce when he discovered she was having an affair with another man.

However, Serene, bitter by his choice at divorce decided to play the victim in the marriage. She smeared his reputation by publishing several pictures where he had met with his female business clients while accusing him of being the cheater. Her tearful rendition won the sympathy of most people.

In the end, she got everything she wanted. Half of his fortune and a whole lot of property including his Villa in the heart of Oklahoma, the penthouse in Paris, a notable amount of cash, and a few cars. While he, who was innocent lost a lot. Business partners, a chunk of his fortune... His reputation.

It was an utter humiliation for Michael. Obviously, he wouldn't let her go easily. He was determined to get all that back and make Serene Vans and her mister pay.

When Michael arrived at the restaurant, his private investigator Lena immediately stood up to welcome him.

"Boss, please have a seat." She gestured towards the empty chair opposite hers.

"Give me a Quick report. I don't have much time." Michael responded as he sat down.

"Of course." Lena politely nodded and continued, "Though I haven't gotten enough evidence to help you overturn the case and the rumors,"

Michael raised his brow as he watched Lena pull out a manila envelope from her purse and slide it across the table, towards him.

"I've found you a good collaborator. A woman who is equally interested in Ms. Vans."

As she spoke, Michael fetched out the contents of the envelope pictures of a gorgeous lady with black hair, in her late twenties.

"Her name is Vanessa Bennett, apparently, she's the wife of Ethan Bennett, Ms. Vans' current lover." Did Ethan Bennett have a wife?

And a rather beautiful one at that, Michael thought with narrowed eyes as he continued to examine the picture.

In that second, he heard the voice of the same Waitress who had led him in.

"This way please, Mrs. Bennett."

Michael's ears perked up at the mention and he lifted his gaze from the picture to look in the direction of the voice. A second later a lady with wavy long black hair and shining emerald green eyes, entered his view, and his eyes were immediately drawn to her.

She was dressed in a white shirt and a pair of tight-fitting jeans.

The outfit hugged her figure and Michael, despite being seated a good distance away, was able to catch a good glimpse of her ample bust, slim waist, and full hips.

But her beauty wasn't the only Michael, despite being seated a good distance away, was able to catch a good glimpse of her ample bust, slim waist, and full hips.

But her beauty wasn't the only thing that had him staring, it was the fact that he was looking at the exact same person that was in the pictures he held in his hand, just a few seconds ago.

Vanessa Bennett.