Chapter 37 The "Goat-CEO" & The Great Divorce-Versary
?The Maldives sun was shining, the water was blue, and Lucian Cross was currently trying to explain to a goat why he couldn't share his pillow.
?"Sir Butts-A-Lot, listen to me," Lucian whispered, huddled in the corner of the outdoor gazebo.
"I am a billionaire. I have a penthouse in Shanghai.
You are a ruminant. One of us deserves the high-thread-count cotton, and it's the one who doesn't eat tin cans.
"
?The goat let out a loud, unimpressed bleat and proceeded to chew on Lucian's silk eye mask.
?Inside the villa, Arielle was living her best life.
She was sitting at a glass desk overlooking the ocean, while Lin Yue and AJ (Mochi) stood on either side of her like high-stakes advisors.
?"The takeover is 100% complete, Boss," Lin Yue reported, her eyes gleaming.
"We own the buildings, the patents, and the coffee machines.
Lucian's access badge currently only opens the communal bike rack.
"
?"Excellent," Arielle said, sipping a chilled juice.
"And what about the 'Grandmother' problem?
"
?AJ tapped her tablet. "Great-Grandmother Beatrice has officially entered 'Retirement Mode' in Vegas.
I've restricted her credit card to only work at bingo halls and buffets.
She tried to buy a tiger this morning, but I declined the transaction.
She's currently very busy being angry at a slot machine. "
?As the family gathered for their final "Reality Show" dinner, the Director tried to stir up one last bit of drama.
?"Arielle!" the Director shouted. "We have a fan question!
They want to know... since you and Lucian are 'reconnecting,' are there going to be more little Crosses?
Or is the factory closed for repairs?"
?Lucian, who had finally escaped the goat, puffed out his chest. "Well, as the patriarch, I think-"
?"The factory isn't just closed, Lucian," Arielle interrupted, not even looking up from her lobster.
"It's been demolished and turned into a luxury park.
Besides, according to the medical records I found in the 'Secret Daughter' file, you're lucky we even have five.
"
?The four giant sons leaned in.
?"Wait, what does that mean?
" Rhett asked, his fork halfway to his mouth.
?"It means," AJ whispered, "that Father's 'vitality levels' were so low back then that the doctors were surprised he could even walk straight.
Statistically speaking, the fact that you four are so tall is a biological miracle.
Father is basically... genetically lazy.
"
?"I am NOT lazy!" Lucian defended. "I am.
.. refined!"
?"You're a miracle of science, Dad," Emrys patted his arm.
"Like a talking dog or a square watermelon. "
?Suddenly, the "Prunes" (the fired Board members) appeared on the beach.
They had flown to the Maldives in a desperate, last-ditch effort to beg for their jobs back.
?"Arielle!" Mr. Henderson shouted, sweating through his polyester suit.
"You can't do this! We built this company!
You're just a... a housewife who got lucky!
"
?Arielle stood up. The wind caught her kaftan, making her look like a vengeful sea goddess.
?"I'm a housewife?" Arielle laughed.
"Boys? AJ? Show them what the 'Housewife' taught you.
"
?Zayden: "I've already shorted your personal stocks.
You're currently worth three coconuts and a used flip-flop.
"
Rhett: "I've told the security team that if you step on this sand again, they have permission to let the goat loose.
"
AJ: "And I've sent a gift basket to your wives.
It contains the evidence of your 'business trips' to Macau.
Happy divorce, Mr. Henderson."
?The Board members turned pale and scrambled back to their boat so fast Henderson lost a shoe in the tide.
?That night, as the cameras finally stopped rolling and the "Reality Show" wrapped its final season, Arielle felt a strange sense of peace.
She had fixed the family, humbled the ex-husband, and secured the future of her five chaotic children.
?She sat on the edge of the bed, looking at an old, antique jade pendant she had found in the "Grandmother's Secret Warehouse.
" It looked ancient-something from a different era entirely.
?"You're coming to bed?" Lucian asked, standing at the door.
He looked hopeful. "The goat is asleep. I checked.
"
?"In a minute, Lucian," Arielle said, rubbing the jade.
"I just feel... like I've finished this chapter.
Like there's somewhere else I'm supposed to be.
"
?As her thumb brushed the center of the jade, the room began to glow with a soft, golden light.
?"Arielle?" Lucian's voice sounded far away.
"Why are you glowing? Arielle! Put down the jewelry!
"
?The last thing Arielle heard was the sound of a goat bleating and her sons arguing over a pizza.
?And then... silence.
?Arielle opened her eyes.
?She wasn't on a beach.
She was sitting on a hard, wooden throne-chair in a room that smelled of incense and old paper.
She was wearing heavy, silk robes that weighed about fifty pounds.
Her hands were wrinkled, but her grip felt like iron.
?"Grandmother! Please! Don't let them take me back!
"
?A young girl, barely eighteen, was sobbing at her feet.
Her face was bruised, her dress torn.
?Behind her, a group of arrogant-looking servants in high-collared uniforms were sneering.
"The Young Master says his wife is 'useless' and 'barren.
' She is a disgrace to the family. She must be punished for her 'failings'!
"
?Arielle blinked. The memories flooded in.
She was Princess Arielle of the Great Yan Empire.
Her husband, the legendary General, had died in battle.
Her son had died beside him. She was the "Widowed Princess" whom everyone thought was a pushover.
?Arielle looked at the sobbing girl.
Her first granddaughter.
?The "Modern CEO" inside her didn't just wake up; she went into Combat Mode.
?Arielle stood up, grabbed a heavy, dragon-headed staff leaning against the wall, and walked toward the arrogant servants.
?"Barren?" Arielle's voice echoed through the hall, cold and sharp.
"Disgrace? You're talking to the sister of the Late Emperor.
You're talking to the woman who birthed a General.
"
?WHACK!
?She slammed the staff into the lead servant's shins.
?"OW! You... you're an old woman! You can't-"
?"I'm an old woman with a very long memory and a very heavy stick," Arielle smirked.
"And today, we're going to find out whose 'seeds' are actually the problem.
Get the doctors. Get the town crier. We're having a public audit of your Master's 'vitality'.
"
?The "New Plot" had officially begun.
?WE HAVE TRANSMIGRATED! ????
Goodbye Maldives, hello Ancient China! Arielle is now a Gilded-Age Badass with a staff and zero patience for "Barren" accusations! ??
?In this new arc:
?The Pity Card: Watch Arielle fake a "fainting spell" after beating a corrupt official. ??
?The Modern Skincare: Ancient China isn't ready for "Hyaluronic Acid" and "Sunscreen Mud"! ???
?The Audit: The ultimate comedy of proving a sexist husband is the one who can't "produce"! ????
?I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS NEW PLOT! ??
? VOTE if you love the "Vengeful Grandmother" vibe!
? COMMENT "AUDIT THE HUSBAND" to see the first face-slap of the Empire!
? FOLLOW me for Chapter 38-it's going to be a riot!