Chapter 7 I stood at my floor - to - ceiling windows , gazing over the city skyline , feeling lighter than I had in months . Josh walked into my office clutching a fresh report , barely containing his excitement . " Ms. Sullivan , another thirty Hampton Industries core staff submitted applications today , " he announced with barely suppressed glee . " That brings our total to one hundred key technical personnel poached from Hampton . " " Hampton's stock hit the limit down again this morning - fifth consecutive trading day of maximum losses . " " Plus , they've had to suspend multiple flagship projects due to the talent exodus . Market rumors are already circulating that Hampton Industries is on the verge of bankruptcy . " I nodded slightly . Everything was unfolding exactly as I'd anticipated . Without Sullivan Enterprises ' backing and without their core technical teams , Hampton Industries was like a fish out of water - floundering helplessly while waiting for death . " Oh , and Mrs. Sullivan , here's something juicy , " Josh added , unable to suppress a smirk . " Apparently Brianna went full Dunning - Kruger at a Hampton executive meeting , proposing the company pivot to tech development . " " The initiative crashed and burned spectacularly within days . Hampton's internal structure is absolute chaos now . " I let out a cold laugh . " An arts graduate trying to dictate technical strategy ? The audacity is almost impressive . " This outcome was inevitable . Brianna was nothing but a shiny , empty shell - zero technical knowledge , zero business acumen . Ryker had been so blinded he'd entrusted critical company decisions to someone like her . My phone screen lit up - Ryker calling again . 15.10 Gave My Office to His intern ? Divorce It al 60 Chapter 7 This marked his fifteenth missed call today alone . I added him to my blocklist without hesitation . I had zero interest in his explanations or apologies , and even less in how he was faring . Word had it that after Hampton's stock continued to plummet and multiple projects collapsed , he'd finally snapped out of his delusion and fired Brianna . Too little , too late . Hampton Industries was already critically wounded , with nearly half its market value evaporated . That afternoon , security called : " Ms. Sullivan , Mr. Hampton is in the lobby , demanding to see you . " " Denied . " " He says he won't leave until he sees you , " the guard replied uncomfortably . " Then let him stand there . Have someone watch him to make sure he doesn't cause a scene . " I hung up and refocused on my work . Didn't he understand ? It was over . Later that night , Josh texted that Ryker had stood in the lobby for two hours before security forcibly removed him . The next day , security called again . This time , it was Ryker's father requesting to see me . After a moment's reflection , I nodded , instructing my assistant to escort him up . Despite everything , Ryker's parents had always treated me well over the years . The elder Mr. Hampton looked haggard , his eyes bloodshot from what I assumed were sleepless nights . He got straight to the point the moment he entered . " Mila , I know Ryker fucked up - badly . But he's finally realized his mistake . Couldn't you give him- one more chance ? " His voice carried a plea , his eyes filled with desperate hope . His Intern ? Divort Chapter " Mr. Hampton , I respect you deeply , but this situation is beyond repair . " " I understand Ryker made mistakes , but he genuinely recognizes his error . For the sake of your five years together- " I cut him off : " Mr. Hampton , you know as well as I do that some lines , once crossed , can never be uncrossed . " " He's fired Brianna . He deeply regrets everything , " the older man persisted . " This goes far beyond firing Brianna . " " Ryker didn't just disrespect me - he betrayed the very foundation of our relationship . " " I cannot - will not - tolerate even the slightest betrayal . There's no going back for us . " " If he continues refusing to sign the divorce papers , I'll keep dismantling Hampton Industries until there's nothing left . " The elder Mr. Hampton's face fell dramatically . " I understand . I'll convince him to sign . " " I'll raise our son , and the Hampton family is welcome to visit him anytime . " Though I felt for the older man , my principles wouldn't waver . I wanted nothing more to do with Ryker . The elder Mr. Hampton sighed deeply , nodded , and walked toward the door , his shoulders slumped . Three days later , the fully signed divorce papers landed on my desk . 1211