Shortly after Harper left , I grabbed my purse to get some fresh air . The moment I opened the door , several bodyguards in black suits were standing there waiting . " Miss , Mr. Sterling requests your presence . " Looking at this setup , I knew I didn't have a choice in the matter . The coffee shop had been cleared out completely . Marcus sat alone by the window , sunlight softening his sharp features just slightly . He pushed a latte across the table toward me , his tone casually familiar . " Your favorite . Three sugars . " I didn't touch it , just watched him quietly . " You didn't ask me here for a family reunion . " After all , he despised me . Otherwise , why would he have stabbed me in the back ? My mind drifted back to that day years ago . When he'd ruthlessly cut me out of everything . I'd demanded to know why , practically screaming at him . Even though we weren't blood relatives , I'd treated him like my little brother for years . When Dad first brought him home and the other family members bullied and mocked him , I was the one who stood between him and them , every single time . I couldn't understand it . He'd stood in what used to be Dad's office , silhouetted against the floor - to - ceiling windows . " There's no deep reason . Winners and losers , that's all . " " Sage , just focus on being Mrs. Ashworth . Don't worry - every penny of the dowry Dad promised you will be honored . But the Sterling Industries shares ... those stay here . " His expression had been so indifferent . I couldn't read him at all . I just felt completely frozen inside . " The Sterling family raised a real ungrateful bastard ! " I'd thrown those words at him and never looked back . 10.20 Who Needs a Divorce Lawyer When You OWN the Company ? Honey , You Are FIRED ! 12.7 % Chapter 10 Later , when I married Camden , I used every connection I had - even threw in my own dowry - to help him succeed . I wanted to build the Ashworth empire up , to prove to Marcus that Sage Sterling could thrive anywhere . Marcus smiled softly . " Sister's still as sharp as ever . " My expression went cold . I grabbed my purse and started to leave . His next words stopped me in my tracks . " Camden doesn't seem to treat you very well . " He took a sip of his coffee . " Sister , your taste in men leaves something to be desired . " " If Dad knew about this , he'd probably be heartbroken . Especially since if you'd just listened to him back then ... " I spun around and grabbed the latte , throwing it right in his face . " Don't you dare mention my Marcus looked stunned . father ! " Coffee dripped down his face and onto his expensive suit . He looked completely disheveled . His bodyguards started forward to restrain me , but he waved them off . He let out a low laugh and stood up . " Let's discuss a business proposition , sister . " I stared at him coldly . He smiled back , his beautiful eyes meeting mine directly . That's exactly when Camden arrived , having gotten word of our meeting . He walked in just in time to see me glaring at Marcus with my hand raised to strike . His face changed instantly as he rushed over and yanked me away . " Sage , stop acting crazy ! " He positioned himself protectively in front of Marcus , glaring at me furiously . I didn't even bother rolling my eyes at him . I just turned and walked out . Behind me , I could hear Camden's voice - apologizing profusely to Marcus in the most servile tone , then cursing me out . I kept my eyes down . From what I knew , Ashworth Holdings had been having problems with several key projects lately . They desperately needed an injection of capital to stay afloat . And Sterling Industries was returning to the domestic market , planning to break into medical equipment manufacturing . Diverse I suver When You OWN the Company ? Honey , You Are FIRED ! 12.9 % Chapter 10 It was the perfect opportunity for Ashworth Holdings . I glanced back . Camden , who was always so arrogant with me , was practically bowing and scraping , more obsequious than I'd ever seen him . Across from him sat that young , aristocratic man , chin slightly raised , maintaining his usual cool distance . As if sensing my gaze , Marcus suddenly looked over at me . He blinked once and smiled . I looked away . The car window rolled up . Cutting off the view completely .