HEIRS OF THE HIDDEN FLAME

SUDDEN DIVORCE

Nathan wasn’t too shocked at how she responded to him because he had been used to people talking to him in this manner ever since he got married to Karina, but he didn’t care about what she had to say to him; he just wanted to see Karina.

“Look, I am not here to sign any divorce papers; I just want to see Karina,” Nathan said bluntly.

Diane replied to him rudely. “Didn’t I tell you that she’s not around? Just follow me." She came out of her desk and started walking upstairs, as Nathan followed her. They arrived in Karina’s office, which was empty. Diane walked over to Karina’s desk that was at the end of the office as she opened a blue file on the desk. She switched the pages over as she picked up a pen and pointed it at Nathan.

“Come and sign the pages; boss Karina is favorable towards you. The compensation on the divorce papers is a house and three million dollars in cash. These are too much for a man with no class like you,” she fired at Nathan.

Nathan didn’t attempt to take the pen from her. As he looked at the paper and saw that Karina had truly filed for divorce, he also noticed the compensation on it. He fought to keep his composure, but it was becoming increasingly challenging.

Diane noticed that Nathan looked unhappy with the papers. "You're getting quite the deal, you know. I'd say you should be thanking your stars that Karina is being this generous."

Nathan's patience was reducing, and the heat of anger coursed through his veins. He had endured her insults for far too long. He looked Diane straight in the eye, his voice cold and unyielding. "I'm not interested in the money. I only want to speak with Karina."

Diane’s mocking laughter filled the room. She couldn't hide her amusement at Nathan's apparent naivety. "You can't seriously believe she cares about you anymore, can you? If you continue to annoy Karina, you won't even see a dime of the compensation, and she might not even give you the time of day. Just sign the papers if you know what’s good for you." She urged.

Nathan's resolve hardened. He dismissed her provocations with a wave of his hand, his voice dripping with cold indifference. "I couldn't care less about the compensation. Money is meaningless to me. I just need to speak with her."

“Just sign the papers; you are not useful to Karina; don’t get your hopes up; you are just dilutional,” she said sarcastically.

As Nathan was about to respond to her, the door to the office swung open, and Karina entered. Karina Blackwood is the CEO of NEWLIFE Pharmaceutical Group. She had a slim, thick figure, blonde hair, and blue eyes. She was in her late 20s. Her expression was steely, her eyes distant. She picked up the divorce papers and stretched them out to Nathan. Diane interjected, her tone triumphant, "See, Karina agrees with me. Sign the papers, Nathan. It's time to move on."

Diane added. "Nathan, let me enlighten you. Alex Atwood, the heir to the fifth-largest company in Belloberg City, is actively pursuing Karina. Compared to him, you're nothing."

Nathan's heart sank at the revelation, the name 'Alex Atwood' echoing in his mind like a death knell. He felt a sharp pain of jealousy and insecurity, emotions he had never experienced before.

Nathan couldn't help but feel a pang of desperation. He asked Karina, "Is this all because of Alex? After three years together, are we really ending it all for him? Does my presence truly hinder the company's growth?"

Karina's anger flared as she responded, "Stop asking silly questions, Nathan. Just sign the papers." It was like she was avoiding telling him the main reason for the divorce.

“Tell me, Karina, I am not signing any papers till you tell me the reason you want a divorce from me; is it really because of Alex?” Nathan wanted to get answers before he could know what he would do next.

“No, if you must know, it’s my choice; whether I am leaving you because of Alex or because of myself, it doesn’t really matter; just sign the divorce papers, or isn’t the compensation favorable enough to you?” Karina was avoiding telling him the main reason for the divorce.

Nathan's heart ached as he realized that the woman he loved had indeed moved on, and the realization that he had lost her to someone else was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite Diane’s persistent sarcasm, his heartache was real, and he knew that he had to accept the painful truth and move on with his life.

“Why on earth would you want to throw away the three years that we have spent together? Does it really hinder the development of the company? And do you think the development is worth getting together with Alex?” Nathan's heart was aching as he had deeply loved Karina over the years, even though he had not been treated as he had always wanted.

Karina’s eyebrows pressed tightly together. “Stop asking me these questions and just sign the goddamn papers!” She yelled at him, her patience wearing thin.

Nathan walked closer to her, gazing into her angry eyes that looked like flames could come out of them at any moment. “Before I consider signing those papers, tell me this: is the development of the company more important than our relationship?” He asked coldly.

Karina answered bluntly. "The company is more important." Heaving a heavy sigh, Nathan relented. He collected the papers from her and the pen from Diane. “I will sign the papers now, but I don’t want any of your silly compensations.” He signed the papers, his signature a testament to the end of a chapter in his life.

He gave the papers to Karina, and as he was about to leave, he remembered the Tinder he gave to Karina. Tinder represents the highest authority. It is a black and reddish-brown jade ring pendant.

When Nathan's parents died in the internal struggle of the Amber family over who was to become the heir, Nathan was secretly trained and reached the world's top level in business, medical skills, combat, firearms, martial arts, and many other aspects. At the same time, Nathan learned special spells from the master of the hermitage, but to avoid being killed by other competitors over who would become the heir to the Amber family, he faked his own death.

There are five major consortiums under the Amber family; among the five, the Al Carson Consortium is the most financially powerful. Nathan completely controls the Al Carson Consortium through his subordinates. Nathan's personal armed force is marked by burning ashes and is called the Ash Force. There are seven core members called the Seven Flames. Each of the Seven Flames has numerous subordinate organizations and groups. The mark that represents the highest authority is called the Tinder, which was what he gave to Karina, who had no idea what the Tinder represents; he only told her that it’s his family heirloom. He has kept all his family struggles and secrets away from her; he has been hiding under his marriage with Karina and commanding his subordinates, about which other heirs don’t care; that has reduced his risk of getting attacked by other heirs and protected him.