My Coldhearted Husband'S Regret novel Chapter 41

41 Thome’s Unspoken Warning

41 Thorne’s Unspoken Warning

Julian’s phone rang just as he and Elara were reviewing the quarter’s projections. His brow furrowed when he checked the caller ID.

“I need to take this,” he said, stepping away from her desk.

Elara nodded, turning her attention back to the spreadsheets. The numbers were promising. YodaVision had exceeded all growth targets for the first quarter, largely due to the neural network modifications she’d implemented.

Julian’s voice drifted over from across the room, his tone sharp with concern. “When did this happen? Are you certain?”

Elara glanced up, noticing the tension in his shoulders. Something was wrong.

When Julian returned, his face was grim. “We need to talk. Privately”

They moved to his office, and Julian closed the door behind them. He paced for a moment before speaking.

“That was our contact at the Defense Department. Someone tried to block our security

clearance renewal.”

Elara felt her stomach drop. “Who?”

“Thorne Industries,” Julian said flatly. “More specifically, their legal team submitted documentation questioning our company’s stability and your involvement in particular.”

“Damien,” she whispered, the realization hitting her like a physical blow.

Julian nodded. “It seems your estranged husband didn’t appreciate our little maneuver with Vivienne’s project.”

Three days earlier, Vivienne had presented her latest research to the National Science. Foundation. Elara and Julian had attended, and during the Q&A session, Julian had pointed out critical flaws in Vivienne’s methodology–flaws that Elara had identified but chose not to voice herself.

“Did it work?” Elara asked, her voice steady despite her racing heart. “Did they block

us?”

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41 Thome’s Unspoken Warning

“No,” Julian replied, a small smile forming. “Our government contacts are stronger than Thorne’s, at least in the defense sector. But it was close.”

Elara sank into a chair, processing the implications. “This is only the beginning, isn’t

it?”

“Probably,” Julian admitted, perching on the edge of his desk. “Damien Thorne just showed his hand. He’s willing to target our business to protect Vivienne’s reputation.”

“Or to punish me,” Elara murmured.

Julian studied her face. “Are you worried?”

“Not about YodaVision,” she said thoughtfully. “You’re right–our government contracts are solid. But I am concerned about my family.”

“Your grandmother?”

Elara nodded. “My grandmother’s health isn’t great. This kind of stress could be dangerous for her.”

“Would he really go after your family?” Julian asked, his expression darkening.

“I don’t think so,” Elara replied after a moment. “Eleanor Thorne would never allow it. She adores my grandmother.”

Julian raised an eyebrow. “You’re still counting on Thorne family protection while divorcing one of them?”

“Not protection,” Elara clarified. “Just basic decency. Eleanor has always been kind to me and my family.”

“I hope you’re right,” Julian said, not looking

Convinced. “In the meantime, we

should be prepared for other tactics. Thorne didn’t get where he is by giving up easily.”

Elara’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, surprised to see the Thorne

household number on the screen.

“Hello?”

“Mom?” Cora’s small voice came through the speaker.

Elara’s heart clenched. “Hi, sweetheart. Is everything okay?”

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41 Thome’s Unspoken Warning!

“When are you coming home?” Cora asked, her voice wobbling slightly. “It’s been forever.”

Elara closed her eyes briefly. It had been nearly two weeks since she’d seen her daughter. “I’ve been very busy with work, Coco.”

“But I miss you,” Cora said. “And Hannah’s cooking is awful. She made fish yesterday and it was gross.”

Despite everything, Elara smiled. “Is that why you’re calling? For better food?”

“No,” Cora protested, then hesitated. “Well, maybe. But I miss you too.”

Julian gestured that he was stepping out to give her privacy. Elara nodded gratefully.

“I miss you too, sweetheart. So much.”

“Then why don’t you come home?” Cora asked, the simple question landing like a blow.

Elara swallowed hard. How could she explain divorce to a seven–year–old? “It’s complicated, Coco.”

“Dad’s not even here,” Cora continued. “He’s on a business trip until tomorrow. So you could come see me without fighting

Elara’s breath caught. Damien was away. The house would be empty except for Coral

and the staff.

“Please, Mom?” Cora pleaded. “Just for dinner? Hannah said she’d make spaghetti, but it’s never as good as yours.”

The walls Elara had carefully built around her heart began to crumble. This was her daughter, her little girl, asking for something so simple–her mother’s presence, her mother’s cooking.

“I’ll think about it, okay?” she finally said. “I have some meetings this afternoon, but maybe I could stop by later.”

“Really?” Cora’s voice brightened immediately. “You promise?”

“I’ll try my best,” Elara said carefully, not wanting to make a promise she couldn’t keep.

After hanging up, Elara sat motionless, staring at the phone in her hand. The divorce papers were filed. The separation was underway. Yet her daughter was still in that

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41 Thorno’s Unspoken Warning:

house–their house–waiting for her.

Julian knocked softly before re–entering. “Everything all right?”

“That was Cora,” Elara said. “She wants me to come home for dinner.”

Julian’s expression softened. “And will you go?”

“I don’t know,” Elara admitted. “Damien is away, so it would just be Cora and me.”

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