My CEO HUSBAND sign the divorce novel Chapter 264

Chapter 264: Farm inspection

Third Person POV

‎

‎Alexander Blackwood wanted to personally inspect some of the larger cotton farms and assess the extent of the pest damage for himself.

‎So the following morning, Herbert, Alicia, and Evan accompanied him, along with several executives from both companies.

‎The convoy of vehicles left the company shortly after breakfast and headed toward the outskirts of Rosewood Town.

‎The farther they traveled, the more the scenery changed.

‎Tall buildings gradually gave way to open fields, rolling hills, and endless stretches of farmland.

‎Rows upon rows of cotton plants spread across the landscape like a white blanket beneath the bright morning sun.

‎The air carried the scent of soil, grass, and the nearby ocean.

‎Several farmers paused their work to watch the convoy pass by.

‎News of Blackwood Dominion’s arrival had already spread throughout the town.

‎Inside one of the vehicles, Herbert enthusiastically explained the history of Rosewood’s cotton industry.

‎"Our town has relied on cotton harvesting for generations," he said proudly. "Most families here have been doing this work long before Whitemore Industries was established."

‎Alexander listened quietly.

‎His gaze occasionally drifted toward the passing fields outside the window.

‎In the front seat of the car, sat Alicia.

‎Neither of them had spoken much since the previous day.

‎Whenever their eyes accidentally met, both would quickly look away.

‎The atmosphere remained polite.

‎Professional.

‎Yet everyone could sense an invisible tension lingering beneath the surface.

‎Soon the vehicles came to a stop beside one of the largest farms in the region.

‎The group stepped out.

‎Several farmers immediately approached Herbert to greet him.

‎After exchanging a few words, they began walking through the fields.

‎"This section suffered the most damage," one of the senior farmers explained.

‎Alexander crouched slightly to inspect several damaged plants.

‎The leaves showed clear signs of infestation.

‎Nearby, a few agricultural specialists from Blackwood Dominion took photographs and notes.

‎After a few minutes, Alexander stood up.

‎"The damage is serious," he said.

‎The farmer’s face immediately fell.

‎"But it isn’t irreversible."

‎Hope returned to the man’s expression.

‎Alexander continued calmly.

‎"The infestation was discovered late, but the affected area is still manageable. If treatment begins immediately, most of the remaining crops can be saved."

‎The farmers exchanged relieved glances.

‎For months, many of them had feared losing an entire season’s worth of work.

‎Evan folded his arms.

‎"Can Blackwood Dominion provide the necessary treatment supplies?"

‎"Yes."

‎Alexander nodded.

‎"We already have suppliers capable of delivering everything needed."

‎A visible wave of relief spread through the group.

‎Even Herbert seemed pleased.

‎As discussions continued, Alicia quietly observed from the side.

‎She couldn’t deny it.

‎Alexander was good at what he did.

‎Confident.

‎Decisive.

‎The moment work was involved, he seemed to become a completely different person.

‎Several farmers began asking questions.

‎Alexander answered each one patiently.

‎Even the older farmers who initially seemed intimidated gradually relaxed.

The entire time, Karen walked closely beside Alexander.

Her fitted skirt hugged her figure while the neckline of her blouse revealed just enough to draw attention.

As usual, she had spent extra time choosing the outfit that morning.

Not because it was professional.

But because she knew it suited her.

Yet Alexander never seemed to notice.

He never looked twice.

Never lingered.

Never reacted.

It was as if all her efforts were completely invisible to him.

And that irritated her more than she cared to admit.

The more indifferent he remained, the more determined she became to get his attention.

Yet no matter what she did, she always seemed to fail.

Then suddenly, Alexander turned his head.

Karen’s heart skipped slightly.

Just like it always did when she was around him.

She thought he was going to talk to her,

But his gaze passed right by her.

Straight toward Alicia.

The faint spark of hope in Karen’s eyes instantly disappeared, replaced by a bitterness she struggled to hide.

Alexanders gaze landed on Alicia.

‎"Director Alicia."

‎She looked up.

‎"Yes?"

‎"The proposal mentioned introducing a new pest prevention system before next season."

‎Alicia nodded.

‎"That’s right."

‎"What made you choose that approach?"

At first, Karen had convinced herself she was imagining things.

After all, Alexander Blackwood was known for his indifference.

No woman had ever managed to catch his attention.

But then it kept happening.

Again.

And again.

Until she could no longer ignore it.

Even on the day they arrived in Rosewood, she had seen the moment Alexander’s expression faltered after seeing Alicia.

For a split second, genuine emotion had appeared on his face.

The memory still bothered her.

At one point she had even wondered if Alicia was the wife Alexander had spent the last two years searching for.

But the thought made no sense.

The two of them behaved like complete strangers.

They addressed each other formally.

They kept their distance.

There was nothing between them.

At least on the surface.

And somehow that only confused her more.

Karen had spent months trying to gain Alexander’s attention.

She had been wearing reaveling clothes.

Improved the way she spoke.

The way she carried herself.

Yet it was as though she didn’t exist in his eyes.

So why did it feel like this woman had captured his attention without even trying?

A woman who already had a child.

A woman who was older than her.

A woman who supposedly had no connection to him whatsoever.

The inspection continued afterward, but something had subtly changed.

Karen found herself paying close attention to every interaction between Alexander and Alicia.

The two rarely spoke unless it concerned work.

Yet every brief exchange seemed charged with something she couldn’t quite understand.

And Karen wasn’t the only one who noticed.

Walking a short distance away, Evan quietly observed the situation as well.

His gaze occasionally shifted between Alexander and Alicia.

Several times, his eyes met Alexander’s.

Neither man said a word.

Yet something passed between them each time their gazes locked.

A silent understanding.

Or perhaps a silent challenge.

Whatever it was, neither seemed willing to look away first.