My CEO HUSBAND sign the divorce novel Chapter 271

Chapter 271: Finalized agreement

Ever since Chairman Blackwood arrived in Rosewood Town, Herbert had noticed the subtle changes.

The way Alexander’s attention unconsciously followed Alicia.

The way Alicia became noticeably uneasy whenever he was around.

At first, he had dismissed it as coincidence.

Until the previous night.

When Alicia had finally told them everything.

"Alicia and Aimy..." Herbert said quietly as he sat down.

"They’ve become a part of this family."

"A part that can never be replaced."

Silence settled between them.

Finally, Alexander broke it.

"Why are you telling me all this, Herbert?"

Herbert drew in a slow breath.

"Because by now..."

"I believe you’ve already figured out who Alicia really is to us."

Alexander’s pupils shrank.

"Alicia told us everything already."

The words caught Alexander completely off guard.

His brows knitted together.

"She... told you?"

Herbert nodded.

"She told us about the Blackwood family."

"About your marriage."

"And about how she left."

Alexander’s fingers slowly tightened.

He had never imagined Alicia would choose to tell them herself.

"She didn’t do it because you came here," Herbert continued calmly.

"She did it because she was tired of carrying everything alone."

The office fell silent.

After several moments, Herbert looked directly into Alexander’s eyes.

"I don’t know everything that happened between you and Alicia."

"And frankly..."

"That is between the two of you."

"I won’t interfere in your marriage."

He paused.

"But there is one thing I need you to understand."

His voice remained calm.

Yet every word carried weight.

"When Alicia arrived in Rosewood Town..."

"She had no one."

"So this family became her home."

"We watched her rebuild her life."

"We watched her become a mother."

"We watched her slowly learn how to smile again."

His gaze never left Alexander.

"So if you’re here to take that away from her..."

"I’m afraid I can’t allow it."

Alexander’s breathing grew heavier.

"Herbert..."

"I never came here to hurt her."

"I’ve spent the last two years looking for her."

"I searched every city."

"Every province."

"I never stopped."

Herbert studied him quietly.

"I believe you."

Alexander looked up in surprise.

"I can see that you regret many things."

"But regret alone isn’t enough."

He leaned forward slightly.

"If you truly want Alicia back..."

"You’ll have to earn her trust again."

"And if you want Aimy to accept you as her father..."

"You’ll have to earn that too."

"No one in this family will stop you from trying."

He paused before adding firmly,

"But neither will we allow anyone..."

"...to force Alicia into making a decision she’s not ready to make."

Alexander remained silent.

Because he knew...

Herbert wasn’t threatening him.

He was simply protecting the two people Alexander should have protected from the very beginning.

Alexander took a slow breath.

"Then... why did you choose to tell me all this before signing the agreement?" he finally asked, voicing the question that had been on his mind from the beginning.

Herbert leaned back in his chair, his expression calm.

"As I said, Chairman Blackwood, I won’t stop you from trying to win Alicia back."

He paused before continuing.

"But neither will I tolerate anyone forcing her into a decision she isn’t ready to make."

Their eyes met.

"I know you’re a professional. I have no reason to doubt your integrity."

He signed his name without hesitation before sliding the document toward me.

I glanced at the signature for a brief moment before writing mine beneath it.

The moment my signature was completed, the room erupted into applause.

"Congratulations, Chairman Blackwood."

"Congratulations, CEO Herbert."

The two of us stood and exchanged a firm handshake.

"I look forward to working with you," Herbert said with a smile.

"As do I," I replied.

Just like that...

The partnership between Blackwood Dominion and Whitemore Industries was officially established.

Yet somehow...

The agreement I cared about most...

Wasn’t the one lying on the conference table.

At first, I didn’t know what to expect from Herbert.

I had assumed he would despise me for everything that had happened between Alicia and me.

I even thought he would tell me to leave Rosewood Town and never come near her again.

But his reaction was nothing like I had imagined.

He had already made one thing clear.

He wouldn’t stop me from trying to win Alicia back.

But neither could he guarantee what Alicia’s decision would be.

As painful as that reality was...

I was still grateful.

At the very least, I now knew there was nothing standing in my way except Alicia’s own choice.

And that...

...was a consequence I deserved to face.

The conference room gradually emptied as representatives from both companies exchanged farewells.

Herbert and I walked out together.

When we reached the elevators, he stopped.

"I believe we have no further matters to discuss for now," he said with a smile. "I assume Chairman Blackwood will be returning to Velaridge City."

I looked at him calmly before replying,

"I’ll return to Velaridge City..."

"...once my family is ready to return with me."

For a brief moment, Herbert simply studied me.

Then, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"My home will always be open to you whenever you need it."

A small smile tugged at my lips.

"Thank you."

The elevator doors slid open.

Karen followed me inside without saying a word.

I left the building feeling both relieved and somewhat afraid of what was coming.