Too Late For Regret: The Ruthless Wife

Cora pushed open the glass doors of the marketing department. Her expensive heels stopped dead on the polished concrete floor.

A massive wall of congratulatory floral arrangements blocked her path. The overpowering stench of lilies and imported orchids hit her nose, making her stomach churn.

Ms. Perkins, the receptionist, rushed forward. Her face was stretched into a tight, desperate smile. She held out a crystal flute of expensive champagne.

"Congratulations on the acquisition, Ms. Sawyer!" Ms. Perkins chirped, her voice trembling slightly.

Cora stared at the glass. She didn't take it. Her fingers twitched at her sides. She shoved past the receptionist without a word.

The open-plan office was dead silent. Dozens of employees stared at her. Their eyes were wide, filled with a sickening mixture of awe and fear. They shrank back against their cubicles as she walked past.

A cold knot formed in the pit of Cora's stomach. Her pulse accelerated, hammering against her ribs.

She didn't stop at her desk. She marched straight down the hallway toward the CEO's office. Her heels slammed into the carpet like hammer strikes.

She grabbed the heavy oak handle and shoved the double doors open. They hit the walls with a loud crack.

Mr. Sterling sat behind his massive mahogany desk. He was in the middle of a video conference. When the doors crashed open, his entire body jerked. He scrambled for the mouse and slammed the laptop shut.

Cora walked up to his desk. She grabbed the thick, cream-colored folder sitting right in front of him. The bold letters read: Notice of Appointment: Chief Executive Officer.

She slammed the folder back down onto the desk. The sound echoed in the large room.

"Who did this?" Cora demanded. Her voice was low, but it cut through the air like a razor.

Sterling wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead with a shaking hand. He couldn't meet her eyes.

"Ms. Sawyer," Sterling stammered, his throat clicking as he swallowed. "The company... we were acquired late last night. A full buyout. Phoenix Capital owns everything now."

The blood drained from Cora's face. The name hit her like a physical blow to the chest. Her lungs tightened.

Phoenix Capital.

Claudia.

Cora snatched the keys to the company car off Sterling's desk. She turned on her heel and headed for the door.

"Ms. Sawyer, wait! We have transition meetings-" Sterling called out, his voice panicky.

Cora stopped in the doorway. She looked over her shoulder. Her eyes were dead, completely devoid of emotion. Sterling froze, his mouth snapping shut.

She walked out of the building and hit the Manhattan pavement.

The sky had broken open. Heavy, freezing rain poured down. Cora ripped the collar of her trench coat open, desperate for air. Her chest heaved.

She didn't bother looking for an umbrella. She stepped right into the flooded street and threw her hand up. A yellow taxi swerved and slammed on its brakes, splashing dirty water against her shins.

Cora yanked the door open