Divorce my prentened poor Billionaire husband

Annika Price didn’t expect to end up sitting right on Zeke Lee’s lap.

Everest Kennedy’s eyes darkened to a stormy gray, and the whole room seemed to drop straight to arctic temperatures. His long, nimble fingers tapped once, sharp and light, against the private room door. The loud, lively chatter inside died instantly.

When Everest stepped in, half a dozen wealthy heirs scrambled to greet him—only for him to cut them off with one sharp, icy glance.

"Lad and gents, Mr. Kennedy sent me to bring Selena in for a little fun," Everest announced.

Zeke and the rest were used to following Everest’s lead, so they caught on right away and played their parts perfectly.

"Selena, why don’t you join us? Lots of good times to go around."

Annika huffed a cold laugh, already skeptical of this whole little charade. Was Everest just addicted to playing these games? Either way, as far as she was concerned, his little act of pretending to be poor was already over.

The steady thud of footsteps drew closer.

Even with her back to the door, Annika felt Everest bearing down on her. Whether it was from her own provocation, her stupid boldness, or just Everest’s overwhelming, commanding aura, her heart hammered so hard it felt like it would suffocate her.

A shadow fell over her, and a jolt of tension rippled straight down her spine. Suddenly, Everest’s warm hand curled around her delicate throat.

His grip was so tight she feared he’d hurt her.

Annika winced at the sharp pain, and the drink in her hand sloshed straight all over Zeke’s shirt.

"Let go," she snapped, putting on a whole act of not knowing who he really was, and scolded him sharp as a knife.

The other heirs exchanged loaded glances, amusement glinting bright in their eyes.

[Does this girl not get it? We’re just messing with her, and she’s out here provoking Mr. Kennedy. She’s gotta have a death wish.]

While they sat back waiting for the drama to unfold, Everest half-dragged, half-carried Annika out of the room like she was some defiant stray he’d rounded up.

"What is your problem? You’re hurting me!"

Annika fought like a wildcat, but she couldn’t break free of his hold. Ignoring every one of her protests, he hauled her into a nearby empty room, slammed the door so hard the frame shook, and cut off all the laughter from outside completely.

Seconds later, Annika found herself pinned flat against the cold wall.

Everest leaned in, his features sharper and more striking than any A-list movie star. "Annika, do you even realize what you’re doing, sitting on another man’s lap? When did you get so reckless?"

Annika buried her irritation behind fluttering lashes. "Everest Kennedy. This is my life. We broke up. None of this is any of your business."

"Broke up? Did I ever agree to that?"

Everest’s deep blue eyes narrowed dangerously, anger flickering hot in their depths. "Our contract runs for four years. We still have a full year left. Annika, are you really that much in a rush to shake off your ‘poor’ little assistant?"

Annika met his piercing gaze, unflinching in her defiance. "That’s right. I’m ending the contract early. I’ll pay the five million penalty."

A mocking smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Don’t tell me you can’t stand to let me go… or did you never think I’d be the one to walk away first?"

Their whole revenge plan had counted on him dumping her, leaving her broken and devastated. But she’d flipped the script entirely. Now he was the one who didn’t want to let go, wasn’t he?

Annika’s lips twisted into a sardonic grin. "So what now? Is Mr. Kennedy gonna throw a little tantrum, threaten to hurt himself ‘cause he can’t let me go? You don’t actually love me, do you?"

Everest had been playing the role of her devoted assistant so carefully, fawning over her like a naive, starry-eyed employee. Now that he’d blown his cover, she needed to use every edge she could get to escape these spoiled, dangerous rich brats. Getting out of this den of wolves unscathed was all that mattered.

With that thought in mind, Annika decided to push him even further.

"Everest, those heirs are making me serve drinks at this PR event like some 1950s waitress. I can’t leave until I’m done. As my assistant, you’re way out of line here."

With that, Annika made to push past him, heading back to go ‘serve her drinks’.

Everest caught her by her slender arm and wrenched her right back, fast as lightning.

He leaned down, his tall broad frame caging her against the wall, and challenged her coolly from above. "Annika, is your disdain really just about me being an assistant?"

Her fingers curled tight into fists, her nails digging sharp into her palm. Of all the people to play poor and helpless—him?

"I’ve moved on. I’ve got a new patron now."

Annika knew better than to mess with these people. The best outcome was to get them turning on each other. She raised her voice, sharp and cutting, as she snapped at Everest: "Everest, I’m running the event inside. Tonight I have to serve drinks to another VIP to get him to sign my project proposal. That’s the only way I can finish my job and leave."

She repeated "serving drinks" on purpose, stoking the fire of his possessiveness.

"Everest, do you get it now?"

Everest’s jaw tightened until it looked like it might crack. "Don’t try to justify what you’re doing, Annika. No one’s forcing you to stay. You could walk away any time you want. Is schmoozing with the elite really that worth it to you?"

"How am I supposed to walk away? Their bodyguards are posted right by the door. Do you have any idea how these spoiled brats get off on their excess?"

After her outburst, Annika slammed her heel straight down hard on Everest’s foot.

Caught off guard by the sudden pain, Everest let go of her.

"We’re done. Stay out of my life and I’ll stay out of yours. If you hate that I fell out of favor, that’s your problem, not mine."

Annika darted back toward the private room, desperate to get back to safety.

Left standing there, reeling from both rejection and public embarrassment, Everest refused to accept that she’d replaced him, that she’d dishonored him like this. He made up his mind to make sure none of those heirs messed with her anymore—especially not after Zeke already signed off on her project.

Annika had definitely won this round.

But Everest’s possessive streak blazed to life, and he followed her back into the room, strolling lazy and unhurried to take the spot at the center of the group. He crossed his long legs, and said coolly, "I’m here officially representing Mr. Kennedy. Relax, everyone."

In one sharp, swift movement, he hauled Annika straight down onto his lap. The speed, the force of it, left Annika too stunned to even react for a second.

Everest wrapped an arm tight around her waist, holding her firmly in place, and drawled lazy as anything, "As for projects and drinks, you can leave all that to me—"