Chapter 20 Soraya- When Soraya returned to Amanda's private room , Calum was already gone . Sage chatted with Philip and Emily in the sitting area while she and Calum's parents had a talk Amanda had told her the divorce was settled , and Soraya should hear from Calum's lawyers next week . " I have also decided to give you my shares of the Montclair Group ." Amanda revealed . " That's the five percent left under my name . As you know , I gave ten percent to Calum last year . " . " Mom , no . I can't possibly take that , " Soraya said . " I want you to have it , and you can't change my mind yourself , don't want to keep it , sell it . " Amanda firmly said . "Use the money for Soraya turned helplessly to Philip and Emily , seeking their silent guidance . However , they said nothing They agreed with the Montclairs . " Take it , Soraya . We wholeheartedly want you to have it Cedric said . There was determination in his eyes that convinced Soraya they would not have it any other way . Cedric had expanded the Montclair empire with blood , sweat , and sacrifice , adding two subsidiaries under his leadership . He had once been the company's heart until health issues forced him to step down . He now sat as Chairman of the Board , a title that carried power but not the same daily control . It was already Calum's turn . There was no way Soraya could sell the shares . Not after everything the Montclairs had poured into the company . The shares were worth a lot , but they would remain financial assets - not usable funds - unless Soraya sold them . " Alright ," she whispered . " If you insist . When the time comes … I'll pass them down to Sage . She is a Montclair and will always be ." At the end of their visit , Sage had agreed to go out for dinner with Philip and Emily . Soraya was reluctant , but she understood her uncle and aunt also missed Sage . So , they walked out of the hospital room with the intention of asking Calum's permission . They did not find Calum in the lobby , but they spotted Rose , Claire , and Roger . Claire and Roger were siblings . Calum's cousins . They were engrossed in a serious discussion . Jacob wasn't there . He had probably left . As soon as the group spotted her , Soraya felt it - the tension in the air , the judgment in their eyes , Claire and Roger looked at her as if she were din beneath their shoes . Soraya could only assume they were talking about her . " Auni Rose ! " Sage called , her voice filled with excitement . Sage easily let go of Soraya's hand and ran in Rose's direction . Rose hugged Sage and whispered something into the little girl's ear . In the next second , Sage turned to Soraya , Philip , and Emily , saying , " I want to go with Aunt Rose . " Of course she does : Soraya muttered in her head . Her uncle wanted to object , but Soraya said , " It's fine . We can't force Sage ." Soraya walked ahead , forcing Emily and Philip to follow her lead . As their party walked past Rose and her er group . Soraya overheard their conversation . " So what if she's getting five percent of the Montclair Group ? The dollars in your fashion line , Row ? Claire muttered . " Yes . Calum dotes on you , Rose Roger said That's only worth $ 1 billion . Didn't Calum promise to invest ten billion " And let's not forget , he bought you that penthouse worth a hundred million dollars . He takes care of all your expenses , including your clothes and jewelry . He even gifted your parents a vacation home in Bay Island Calum gives you more than what Aunt Amanda could ever give her " Claire added , making her vone loud and cleaE Rose did not react , but her silence sad enough . She was quietly rejoicing in Soraya's defeat . Chapter 20 Soraya ignored them , but of course , each word landed like a punch . Although Calum gave Soraya a regular allowance , they were mainly used to maintain their marital home and its associated expenses . plus Sage . Most of the time , Soraya relied on her own money to cover personal necessities . Calum showered Rose with luxurious gifts , but the only present her husband had ever given her were insi wasn't even personalized . It felt more like a payment for taking care of Sage . re insignificant fund transfers . It Calum invested in Rose's fashion line and even gave her parents a vacation home , but in contrast , her husband pulled out his investment in Philip's company , leaving the Azars to downsize their business . It was such a slap in Soraya's face . " It's such a shame . Calum must truly be smitten over by this … Rose , " Emily remarked bitterly . Soraya did not say anything . They were already at the hospital driveway when Calum's car pulled over in front of them . Calum got out of the vehicle , his gaze looking past Soraya , her uncle , and aunt He looked effortlessly handsome - clean - shaven , every strand of hair perfectly in place , and those striking blue eyes always captivated the people around him . Calum appeared aloof , but his expression softened when Rose and Sage walked up to him . He guided them into the car and drove away . once did he look at Soraya . He did not even acknowledge Emily and Philip . As for Sage ! She also forgot about Soraya . She was too happy to be around Rose . She didn't even say goodbye . Watching as the car sped away , Soraya felt a warm hand on her shoulder . Philip said , " You don't lose someone who never saw your worth . You free yourself from someone who never deserved you ." Turning to her uncle . Soraya said , " Thank you , Uncle " " Let's just go home and play the piano , " Philip suggested . It will help you feel good . " ) In the days that followed , Soraya busied herself . She completed her transfer to the new apartment in Cedar Heights on Wednesday . Between moving , she actively traded on the stock exchange and in forex while researching the best business venture . She still had clothes and personal items in the villa she had shared with Calum , but Soraya was not ready to fetch them now . Instead , she went shopping with her friend Lyra on a Thursday afternoon . Silas Ward joined them , taking half a day off . In one high - fashion boutique , Lyra and Silas selected clothes for Soraya " The problem with you , Soraya , is that you're too conservative , " Silas remarked . " You gotta show some skin - not too much , just enough to flaunt your flawless ivory skin and , perhaps , your long and sexy legs ." " Which I love , by the way " Silas winked at Soraya , and she frowned . Lyra giggled . " I agree And after shopping , let's go to a salon . You need this , girl , " " Why settle for a salon ? Let's go to a spa ! " Silas declared . " My treat . Then , after the spa , let's go out for drinks . the Velvet Hour " " Still on your " Lyra asked . " Syll on me " Silas said with a big smile . " I haven't seen you both in years , so why not ? Besides , this is to celebrate Suraya's freedom . Technically , we're still in the process of divorce , " Soraya corrected . " Butat's final , right ? Is it non - negotiable ? " Sdas asked . When Soraya suuled , he added . " Then let's celebrate in advance ! I'll invite some of our old team members from Argis Gore Systems and some of my batchmates who know you , buraya " " Yes ! Let's celebrate and get drunk ! " | yra exclaimed Chapter 20 Soraya laughed . " I don't know about getting drunk . Plus , I was planning to trade tonight . " " Let go , Soraya , Everybody needs to loosen up . Let go ! " Lyra encouraged . " Have fun ! " Soraya was holding a maroon dress . She bit her lip , thinking . The last time she had too much to drink . Sage happened . She would never want history to repeat itself . She said , " Okay - but promise me , one of you will be watching me . The last thing I want is to end up being arranged into another marriage . You know I can't hold my liquor . " Silas winked at her , his blue eyes captivating . " Il take care of you , Soraya . And if you sleep with me by accident , I'm willing to marry you over and over and over again . " " Hahaha ! " Lyra laughed her heart out , and Soraya also couldn't help but be amused . Silas was always a tease , but if there was one thing Soraya was certain of , it was this : If she had ended up sleeping Calum seven years ago , her dear friend would have treated her fairly . g with Silas instead of Later that night at the Velvet Hour , it was more than just a night out , it was a shift . For the first time , Soraya wasn't just the quiet Montclair ex - wife . She was like a woman reborn ! Soraya was suddenly the center of everyone's attention . And those who once looked down on her finally caught a glimpse of what she was truly capable of 1343