My Coldhearted Husband'S Regret novel Chapter 31

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Elara stiffened as Vivienne approached them, golden dress gleaming under the venue’s lights. The false sweetness in her half-sister’s voice made her skin crawl.

“I just wanted to say how nice it was to see you again after all this time,” Vivienne said to Julian, completely ignoring Elara’s presence.

Julian’s posture shifted subtly, protective and alert. “Is there something you needed,

Ms. Dubois?”

Vivienne’s smile dimmed slightly. “Actually, I wanted to discuss my position at

Croft Vision.” Her gaze darted briefly to Elara, then back to Julian. “Perhaps somewhere more private?”

“There’s nothing to discuss that can’t be said here,” Julian replied coolly.

Vivienne’s perfectly manicured hand tightened around her clutch. “I assumed with your company’s recent growth, you’d want to retain talent with my qualifications.”

Julian raised an eyebrow. “Your contract was terminated two weeks ago. The notification was sent to your office.”

“Yes, but surely that was before-” Vivienne’s polite facade cracked slightly as she gestured toward Elara. “Before certain personal connections became apparent.”

The implication was clear. Vivienne thought Elara had influenced Julian to fire her.

Julian stepped forward, his usually friendly face hardening. “Ms. Dubois, let me be perfectly clear. Your termination had nothing to do with Elara. You were released because your work was substandard and your attitude problematic.”

Elara fought to keep her expression neutral, though inwardly she was stunned by Julian’s directness. She’d had no idea Vivienne had worked for CroftVision, much less that she’d been fired. (4)

Vivienne’s smile disappeared completely. “I see,” she said, voice brittle. “So that’s how it is.”

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“That’s exactly how it is, Julian confirmed without apology.

Vivienne turned her attention to Elara for the first time, eyes cold with contempt. “How convenient that your old friend controls hiring decisions at a growing tech firm.” She laughed softly. “Did you ask him to fire me, or was that his idea?”

“I had no idea you worked there,” Elara replied honestly. “But Julian doesn’t make business decisions based on personal favors.”,

“Of course not, Vivienne drawled, disbelief evident. “Just like I’m sure your sudden resurrection as some tech genius has nothing to do with your impending divorce from Damien.”

Julian stepped between them. “That’s enough. Your problem is with me, not Elara.”

“My problem,” Vivienne said, her voice dangerously soft, “is that suddenly everyone’s acting like she’s some brilliant innovator, when for seven years she’s been nothing but Damien’s decorative housewife.”

Elara felt the sting of those words, but Julian didn’t miss a beat.

“Elara Vance,” he said loudly enough for nearby guests to hear, “co-founded YodaVision with me and developed LinguaFlex, which your own academic work cited three times.” He smiled tightly. “I checked.”

Vivienne’s cheeks flushed with anger, but her composure held. “How thorough of you.”

“CroftVision doesn’t need employees who can’t recognize true expertise when it’s standing right in front of them,” Julian said. He turned slightly. “Come on, Elara. Our car should be waiting”

Vivienne’s laugh stopped them. “This doesn’t matter, you know. Croft Vision is nothing compared to what the Thorne family controls.” Her smile returned, vindictive and sharp. “You’ve made an enemy you can’t afford, Julian.”

Julian appeared supremely unconcerned. “I’ll take my chances.”

He guided Elara toward the exit, but a prickling sensation on the back of her neck made her glance across the lobby. There, standing beside a massive floral arrangement, was Damien. His dark gaze fixed on the confrontation, expression

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unreadable. Beside him stood Beck, his head of security, and Lucas Sterling, Vivienne’s cousin.

None of them moved to intervene, just watched the scene unfold like disinterested observers at a mildly entertaining show.

Damien’s eyes met hers briefly. No recognition flickered there, no hint that they’d shared seven years of marriage. He might as well have been looking at a stranger. “Don’t let them get to you,” Julian murmured as they continued walking.

“I’m fine,” Elara lied, her heart hammering against her ribs.

They had almost reached the door when a tall man with friendly eyes intercepted them.

“Ms. Vance? I’m Bryson West, from Archer Technologies.” He extended his hand. “I overheard your discussion with Professor Leonard earlier. Your approach to the semantic processing issue was brilliant.”

Elara shook his hand, grateful for the distraction. “Thank you. It’s just one potential solution.”

“A solution no one else has considered,” Bryson replied. “We’ve been struggling with similar issues at Archer. I’d love to discuss your perspective sometime.”

Julian looked pleased. “Elara’s schedule is filling up quickly, but I’m sure she could find

time.”

“I’ll have my assistant contact you,” Elara offered, surprised by how natural the words felt. Seven years ago, she’d had assistants coordinating her professional schedule. Now she was reclaiming that part of herself.

Bryson nodded enthusiastically. “Perfect. I look forward to it.”

After exchanging business cards, they finally made it outside. The valet brought Julian’s car around, and they climbed in, Elara exhaling deeply once the doors closed.

“You okay?” Julian asked as they pulled away from the venue,

“Yes,” Elara said, then reconsidered. “No, I didn’t know Vivienne worked for

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Croft Vision.”

Julian focused on the road. “She was hired about six months ago as a financial consultant. Her work was mediocre, and she spent more time networking than actually delivering results.”

“And you fired her before I came back to YodaVision?”

“Two weeks before,” Julian confirmed. “I didn’t mention it because it wasn’t relevant.”

Elara rubbed her temples. “She thinks I orchestrated it.”

“Let her think what she wants. She’d just find another reason to resent you anyway.”

They drove in silence for a few minutes before Elara spoke again. “Did you see Damien watching us?”

Julian’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “I saw him.”

“He looked right through me,” Elara said quietly. “Like I was nobody to him.”

Julian glanced at her with concern. “That’s his loss, not yours.”

Before Elara could respond, her phone buzzed with a text. She expected it to be from Chloe, asking how the event had gone. Instead, it was from an unknown number.

The message contained just two words: “Watch yourself.”.

Elara stared at the screen, a chill running down her spine.

“What is it?” Julian asked, noticing her expression.

She showed him the message. “Anonymous.”

Julian frowned, “Block the number. It’s probably just someone being petty after tonight’s events.”

The most likely culprit was Vivienne, but something about the timing unsettled Elara. She’d seen Lucas Sterling smirking at her as they left, his eyes holding the same contempt Vivienne’s had. Maybe the warning came from him.

“Julian,” she said slowly, “what do you know about Lucas Sterling?”

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Julian’s expression darkened. “Vivienne’s cousin. Old money, bad temperament. Why?”

*He was watching us with Damien. The way he looked at me…” She shivered. “Like this

wasn’t over.”

Julian sighed. “Sterling Investments has partnered with Thorne Industries on several projects. Lucas probably sees himself as defending family honor or some outdated

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