THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 1167

It was just a partnership agreement.

Xander looked at Elsa, his eyes wide with feigned disbelief. "So, you mean… you support me starting a company?"

"Of course I support you!" Elsa nodded. If Xander was willing to be child-free for her, she would fully support him in anything he wanted to do. Besides, wanting to start a business with his friends showed he was ambitious.

But just as quickly, Xander's face fell again.

Elsa immediately asked, "Honey, are you running into problems with the startup?"

Xander nodded. "We're still short about 400,000 dollars in seed money… We were going to get a loan, but there's a small issue with my credit right now, so I can't get one. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want my parents to worry, so…"

Before he could finish, Elsa interrupted, "I can get the loan for you!"

Xander's eyes lit up, but then he shook his head. "No, honey, I can't let you take on that much debt!"

"We're married! That means we stick together, for better or for worse!" Elsa insisted. "Honey, I believe in you. I know you'll be a success. And even if it doesn't work out, don't feel burdened. As long as we're together, that's all that matters."

If anyone else had asked her to take out a 400,000-dollar loan, Elsa would have been hesitant. But this was Xander. Her loving, devoted Xander. He would never try to take advantage of her.

A calculating look flashed in Xander's eyes. Just as he expected, she was an idiot.

He put on a deeply moved expression and pulled Elsa into a tight hug. "Honey, thank you! Marrying a wonderful woman like you is the luckiest thing that's ever happened to me."

"Mom, Dad," Elsa greeted them cheerfully, unfazed by their cold stares. She figured this was all part of the surprise. Any second now, they would pull out a carefully chosen gift.

Just then, Xander emerged from the bedroom, pushing a large suitcase.

"Elsa."

"Honey!" Elsa looked up at Xander, her face beaming. The gift he had prepared for her must be in that suitcase. Her mind raced, trying to guess what it could be.

As she watched with eager eyes, Xander met her gaze and said, enunciating each word clearly, "I want a divorce. I've packed your things. This house was mine before the wedding, so it has nothing to do with you. Get out of my house. Also, we've been married less than two months, so you'll be returning all the money my family spent on the wedding."