After Dumping the CEO, I Went Back to Being the Billionaire

"Don't forget, I'm the one holding the divorce certificate." His voice was low and deliberately casual.

"You tore up the agreement yourself, remember? You're the only one without a copy. Do you really think that's enough to finalize the divorce?"

Alexander Sterling gave her a devilishly handsome but utterly smug smile.

He radiated that signature shameless confidence, as if he could convince gravity to reverse itself.

Stella Dawson shot him a sharp glance, the corner of her mouth twitching. She pushed him away, her face showing clear irritation. "Step back and speak properly. You're invading my personal space."

Alexander paused, caught off guard by her reaction.

This wasn't unfolding as he'd anticipated.

Wasn't she supposed to panic and beg him not to make trouble?

"Mr. Sterling, have you ever heard of integrity? You were the one who wanted the divorce," her tone was deceptively polite, but the words cut deep. "Now you're withholding the certificate? Do you take me for a fool?"

"So what if I am?" he retorted, his skin apparently thicker than the car's armor plating.

He raised an eyebrow, fully committed to his plan of using the divorce certificate as leverage.

Stella stared directly at him, her expression unreadable. Her eyes were calm and dark, like still water.

But let's be honest-mentally, she'd already cursed him out a hundred times over, roasting eight generations of his ancestors.

She was one step away from punching him straight into the ICU.

Alexander seemed to sense her hidden fury, but instead of backing down, he looked even more self-satisfied.

Hands casually tucked into his pockets, he loomed before her, as if he had all the time in the world to observe this thoroughly annoyed woman.

He used to find her irritating-too clingy, too naive.

But now?

She was sharp, fiery, nothing like the fragile doll he remembered.

So what did all her past efforts mean? Was marrying him just a strategic move? A setup for her escape?

A means to flee a marriage she never wanted from the beginning?

A brief flicker of confusion crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

No. Impossible.

He was Alexander Sterling-CEO of Sterling Group, heir to the Sterling dynasty, objectively handsome by any standard.

Sure, maybe not in his early twenties anymore, but he hadn't even hit thirty.

He frowned. "Wait, you're only twenty?"

"Are you mentally alright?" Stella fired back instantly. "Getting forgetful in your old age, grandpa?"

She had just turned twenty, the legal age to marry him.

Then, just three months later? Divorce, full speed ahead.

Either being CEO for too long had fried his brain, or he was developing early-onset dementia.

"Get in the car," Alexander snapped, not wanting to prolong this debate.

"Not happening-hey!"

He yanked her forward before she could finish, shoving her into the back seat like a piece of luggage.

Jerk.

"Hands off!" she yelled, thoroughly fed up.

His hand was still resting on her waist, uncomfortably close. The contact sent an involuntary jolt through her, and she immediately swatted him away.

For a split second, Alexander thought she was going to knock him flat on his back.

The force with which she shoved him screamed one message: do not touch me.

He disliked using force, so he released her, shut the door, and climbed into the passenger seat.

Jack Holden sat silently in the driver's seat, trying to become one with the upholstery.

He wasn't paid enough to get involved in their domestic disputes, so he simply focused on driving toward the Sterling estate.

Stella glared out the window, taking a deep breath to recompose herself. The tension in her face gradually eased, and she turned her head slightly. Her tone was icy. "I accompany you, and then you'll give me the certificate?"

"That depends on my mood."

"Then the answer is no," she stated flatly.

Alexander let out a cold laugh. "At least coming with me gives you a chance. Refuse, and you can forget about it entirely."

She narrowed her eyes. "So what, are you planning to keep me as your pet for life?"

"I'll toss you 250 bucks a month, keep you around for fifty years. Sounds reasonable, doesn't it?" His sarcasm was cutting. "Of course, you'll need to live that long, so I can 'waste' more money on you."

He wasn't one for prolonged arguments, but that didn't mean he couldn't deliver a sharp retort when needed.

Stella rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't get stuck, then turned toward the front. "Jack, take me back to the university. I need to pick up a gift for Mr. Sterling."

Jack sneaked a glance at Alexander Sterling, only daring to change lanes after receiving a subtle nod of permission.

Meanwhile, Stella Dawson had already slumped against the seat, eyes closed, feigning sleep.

Alexander let out a soft, almost imperceptible chuckle.

Yeah, maybe to keep up with her sharp tongue, he really did need to hone his own comebacks.

The car pulled up in front of City University shortly after. Stella threw open the door and took off at a brisk pace.

Alexander reacted instantly, following closely behind.

"Why are you tailing me?" she shot him a look dripping with disdain.

"If I don't, what's to stop you from making a run for it?" he replied lazily, not missing a beat.

Left with no choice, she slowed her pace, visibly annoyed, but unable to shake him off.

On their way in, several students attempted to approach Alexander, only to be met with his signature icy glare.

Such a poser.

Stella rolled her eyes internally.

When they reached the dormitory entrance, Samantha Tate happened to be walking out with a group of friends, deeply engrossed in conversation about the eligible sons of the city's top families.

"Have you all heard of the Sterling heir? We're actually quite close," Samantha declared, showing off.

Still simmering with irritation, Stella couldn't resist scoffing, "Oh, you know Alexander Sterling?"

The sharp, skeptical tone made Samantha freeze immediately and turn to look.

She glared at Stella with utter disgust. "Don't you dare soil his name with your filthy mouth."

"What, is Alexander Sterling some kind of deity now? Can't even speak his name aloud?" Stella muttered, rolling her eyes again.

Alexander raised an eyebrow at her muttered commentary but remained silent.

"You're utterly despicable!" Samantha snapped. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell him what you said?"

"So what if I insult him? You think he'd believe you? What, is he your boyfriend or something?" Stella retorted coolly, clearly deriving amusement from the situation.

Samantha's face flushed red. She quickly switched tactics. "So... you've already heard he's interested in me?"

That gave Stella pause. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second before a smirk played on her lips.

"My apologies, Mrs. Sterling," she said with heavy sarcasm, emphasizing each word while struggling to contain a broader smile.

"Scared now, are you?" Samantha looked immensely pleased with herself. "I thought you had more backbone."

One of the girls beside Samantha tugged at her sleeve. "Sam, is it really true? He's pursuing you?"

"Of course it is," Samantha lied without a hint of hesitation.

Who would dare verify such a claim directly with Alexander Sterling himself? It was the perfect lie to bolster her social status.

"Wow! How did you two meet?"

"My family has connections with the Sterlings. I met him during a visit. We hit it off immediately," Samantha gushed, clearly basking in the attention. "He's not just incredibly handsome, he's also super considerate and sweet..."

The girls surrounding her were practically drooling with envy.

"Sam, you must feel so blessed."

"I'm seriously jealous!"

"I mean, Sam is from the Tate family-a perfect match for Alexander."

While they were lost in her fabricated fairy tale, Alexander looked as though he wished the ground would swallow him whole.

Sure, he could admit he was decent-looking, but he had absolutely zero recollection of this girl.

And considerate? Sweet? According to whom?

Jack, who had arrived a moment later, caught only the tail end of their conversation.

He stared at the group, utterly baffled. "Wait, are you all talking about Mr. Sterling?"

He seriously doubted it. Knowing the boss's generally irritable disposition, the fact that he didn't routinely send women running for the hills was a miracle in itself.

"Obviously, we're talking about the Sterling heir and CEO," Samantha scoffed. "Who else? Evan or Liam Sterling? Please, as if I'd even glance in their direction."

Jack's mouth twitched at the corner, but he held his tongue.

"Look, he's so hot..."

"Wait, did he just arrive with Stella? Are they together?"

Just like that, the girls' attention snapped back to Alexander.

Samantha Tate instinctively turned her head-and froze completely on the spot.