The Villainess Files for Divorce (& Accidentally Marries Final Boss)

Chapter 7: Balancing the Board



[Location: Li Holdings – Executive Office, Morning]

The soft clatter of keys echoed through the expansive office as Lilly Li settled into her chair, the early morning light cutting in thin streaks through the glass windows behind her.

Stacks of folders lined the desk—corporate proposals, partnership agreements, and pending contracts. Each one carried the weight of Li Holdings' day-to-day operations, a weight Lilly had always carried alone.

It wasn't new.

Even before she married Rocky, running the hotel empire her father built had been her responsibility. As Vice President, Lilly managed every inch of the operation while her father handled broader investments, jetting between properties or securing international partnerships.

But now, there was something else on her desk.

A slim black folder marked "Skybound Interactive."

Lilly's eyes lingered on it briefly.

Her new shares in Rocky's company sat quietly in the background of her portfolio, the result of a strategic condition Evelyn Chan had imposed when granting Rocky an expansion loan.

He had no choice but to give her the shares.

A soft flicker drew Lilly's attention to the system meter hovering in the corner.

[Rocky Chan: -44 (Hatred)]

It hadn't changed since the board meeting.

Lilly picked up the Skybound folder, thumbing through the contents.

The expansion project—Macau online gaming platforms.

Rocky didn't like the idea of sharing company ownership, least of all with his soon-to-be ex-wife. But Evelyn's influence outweighed his pride.

And now Lilly had a seat at his table.

Her phone buzzed softly against the glass.

Grace Liu.

Lilly's brow arched faintly as she swiped to answer.

"Grace," she greeted, leaning back in her chair. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Grace's voice was calm, but sharp as ever. "I thought you'd appreciate an update on the Macau expansion. I've emailed the project details for review."

Lilly smiled faintly. "Efficient as always."

There was a brief pause before Grace added, "Rocky doesn't know I'm sending this."

Of course.

Lilly's eyes flicked to Grace's hovering meter.

[Grace Liu: +70 (Favor)]

The woman was loyal, but not blindly so.

"He'll find out eventually," Lilly replied, skimming through the file Grace had just sent.

"Maybe," Grace said lightly, "but if Victor Zhou makes another move, it's better if you're informed first."

Lilly's gaze sharpened slightly.

Victor Zhou.

His name lingered like smoke at the edges of every recent conversation.

Lilly set the folder down, turning toward the window. "Has Rocky spoken to Victor since the board meeting?"

"No," Grace replied, "but I wouldn't assume silence means peace."

Lilly hummed softly in agreement.

Victor didn't engage in petty rivalries. He calculated. Waited.

And when the time came, he devoured.

The earrings Victor had gifted her—still resting neatly in their box on her vanity—were proof enough that he wasn't finished circling.

"Thank you, Grace," Lilly said after a moment. "I'll handle the rest."

Grace hesitated, her tone lowering slightly. "Careful, Lilly. Victor doesn't let go easily. Neither does Rocky."

Lilly smiled faintly.

"They'll get over it."

[Grace Liu: +73]

By midday, the Skybound folder sat neatly alongside the Li Holdings reports, both equally demanding her attention.

Lilly had spent hours shifting between them, balancing expansion plans for the hotel chain while reviewing digital growth strategies for Rocky's company.

It was exhausting, but it wasn't unfamiliar.

Even during their marriage, Lilly rarely attended social events or high-profile galas with Rocky unless the company didn't require her attention.

Work came first.

The intercom buzzed softly.

"Miss Li," her assistant's voice crackled, "your father is on the line."

Lilly straightened slightly. "Put him through."

A soft click followed, and her father's warm, weathered voice filled the room.

"Lilly," he greeted. "You're still at the office."

She smiled faintly. "I live here, remember?"

Her father chuckled lightly on the other end, though there was an underlying seriousness in his tone.

"I heard you acquired shares in Rocky's company."

So he had been keeping up.

Lilly's gaze flicked to the Skybound folder. "A small percentage. I'm not interfering with their leadership."

Her father's voice softened. "I know you, Lilly. You never hold shares without purpose."

[Father Li: +85 (Affection)]

Lilly didn't deny it.

"There's more at play than expansion, Dad," she replied calmly. "I'd rather keep an eye on it myself."

Her father sighed, but there was approval beneath the surface.

"You always did have your mother's instincts," he remarked.

Lilly's fingers stilled on the table.

It wasn't often her father brought up her mother's influence.

Her mother had always believed in traditional values, focusing on art and elegance, rarely stepping into the cutthroat world of corporate leadership.

And yet—Lilly had inherited her mother's quiet resilience.

"I'll handle it," Lilly assured him.

Her father hesitated briefly. "Let Rocky make his mistakes. Don't let him drag you into them."

Lilly's lips curved faintly.

"I won't."

As the line clicked dead, Lilly set the receiver down gently, her gaze trailing back to the stack of papers.

She wasn't following Rocky's mistakes.

She was making sure she stayed ahead of them.

By evening, the lights in Lilly's office glowed faintly against the dark skyline.

The folders were neatly stacked, emails sent, and yet—her phone buzzed again.

This time, the name flashing on the screen wasn't Grace.

Victor Zhou.

Lilly's brow arched, but she answered without hesitation.

"Mr. Zhou."

Victor's voice was smooth on the other end. "I heard you've been busy."

Lilly smiled faintly, leaning back in her chair. "I manage."

A pause lingered before Victor added, "You're doing Rocky's job now?"

"I have the shares to justify it," Lilly replied.

Victor chuckled softly. "I hope you know, Lilly—Rocky isn't the one you need to worry about."

Her gaze sharpened.

[Victor Zhou: +59 (Favor)]

"I know," Lilly answered quietly.

Victor's voice lowered. "Good. Then I'll see you in Macau."

The line went dead.

Lilly's eyes narrowed faintly as the system flickered.

[New Objective Unlocked – Meet Victor Zhou in Macau]


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