Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 430

Blake's POV

The crowd buzzed with speculation below the stage. | caught fragments of whispered theories.

So Blake Parker faked his death because he’s afraid of marriage...”

“His wife died of cancer after only three years. The guy’s probably traumatized...”

‘Never thought someone that cold could be so messed up over his dead wife...”

| turned to Rebecca with a cold smile. “Who told you I'm afraid of marriage because of Audrey?”

Rebecca blinked, clearly surprised by my challenge. After a moment, she frowned. “Blake.” Just my name, but

her tone made it clear she was warningto back down.

| studied her with growing contempt. All these years, she'd played the authority figure, and I'd let her. Whatever

she demanded, | provided. | thought | was being a good son to a woman trapped in a loveless marriage.

But now, watching her fake maternal concern when | knew the truth about our relationship madewant to

laugh. She wasn’t even trying to hide her fakeness anymore.

Rebecca sensed my coldness. She frowned, then attacked: “If it weren't for that bitch Audrey, why would you

fake your death? Why would you rather let everyone think you were dead than marry Rachel?”

“Exactly!” Thalia jumped in, emboldened by the murmurs of agreement from the audience. “That woman

screwed him up!”

“She trapped my brother into marriage while he was unconscious, just for the Parker name. Then she bullied

everyone, blocked him from people he actually cared about...”

“Then she divorced him publicly and died in his villa. Any guy would be messed up after that.”

Thalia turned towith a practiced smile. “Don’t worry. Rachel's been fully vetted by Mom and me. She won't

cause any of the problems Audrey did.”

She grabbed Rachel's hand and placed it in mine. “Everyone, ignore what just happened! My brother's just got

cold feet because of that crazy woman. Let's move on with the wedding!”

Her announcement was met with stunned silence before conversation erupted again.

“Blake... Rachel bit her lip and looked up at me. “Let’s finish the ceremony first. Afterward, I'll explain everything,

okay?”

| frowned as she continued, ‘If we cancel now, people will really believe Audrey made you afraid of marriage. We

need to finish this to clear her name.”

She squeezed my hand. “You wouldn't want Audrey smeared even after she’s gone, right? She always cared

about her image - *

| yanked my hand away so hard that Rachel stumbled backward. If Thalia hadn't caught her, she would have

fallen flat in her wedding dress.

‘What the hell?’ Thalia steadied Rachel, glaring at me, “Why'd you push her away?”

| took the tissue Jett handedand deliberately wiped my hand, as if touching Rachel had left something

disgusting on my skin. Rachel's face fell as she

watched.

| tossed the tissue and grabbed the microphone. “Rebecca, Thalia- you're helping Rachel because she promised

you half my inheritance yesterday, right?”

The crowd gasped as all three women paled.

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Chapter 430

Rebecca glared at me. “What are you talking about?!”

‘I'm close to Rachel because she’s about to be family! Is it wrong to treat your future wife as well as | treat you?”

| laughed coldly. When have you ever treatedwell? None time.”

Rebecca stared, blinking rapidly as she searched for examples. Finding none, she clenched her fists. “I gave birth

to you!”

“If 1 didn’t care, would | have brought you into this world and raised you? Don’t forget your roots. I'm your

mother and you'll listen to me!”

| felt the anger I'd suppressed for years rising to the surface. This woman had never cared for me, yet I'd spent

my life trying to win her approval. I'd even hurt Audrey because of her.

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Without thinking, | glanced toward Audrey in the audience. She was watching us with concern, her eyes fixed on

my legs. She was worried | couldn’t stand much longer.

The medication Harrison had givenwas time-limited. If it wore off while | was still on stage, I'd collapse in

front of everyone. Not just embarrassingpersonally, but potentially tanking Parker Group's stock price.

Nobody invests in a company whose CEO might drop dead at any moment.

Audrey caught my eye and subtly pointed at her watch, remindingto hurry. The simple gesture touched

something in me. Even now, after everything, she still cared enough to worry.

| turned back to Rebecca. “Still can’t think of anything?”

She lowered her voice. “Blake Parker, don’t forget | gave birth to you!”

| leaned in, speaking just loud enough for her alone. “Are you really my mother? Was | really born from you?”

The color drained from her face. Her eyes widened in shock as she instinctively looked toward Thalia..

“I found out from someone,” | said quietly. “You and | have no blood relation. But Thalia and | share a father,

don’t we?”

Rebecca went even paler. She stepped back, clearly rattled, and stared at Thalia, who was whispering something

to Rachel.

Suddenly, Rebecca lunged forward and grabbed Thalia’s arm. “You told him, didn’t you?!”

Thalia winced in pain. “Mom, what are you doing?”

“What am | doing?!” Rebecca tightened her grip. “I only told you about this yesterday, and today he knows! Who

else could have told him?”

Thalia looked bewildered. Her eyes darted fromto Rebecca before widening in realization, “You mean... that

Blake isn’t your biological son?”

She raised her voice, seemingly trying to prove her innocence. “I swear | didn't tell anyone! | didn’t say

anything!”

Her words weren't loud enough for the entire venue to hear, but the front row including several reporters -

caught every word. Within minutes, the news spread throughout the room.

“What?! Blake Parker isn’t Rebecca's biological son?!”

‘No wonder they're never seen together...”

‘Holy shit, did he just find out? Today of all days?”

*#But | thought Rebecca got pregnant and stole Leo from his girlfriend...”

‘Rich people is something else. Maybe she faked the pregnancy, then swapped someone else’s kid...”

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Chapter 430

‘But Blake looks exactly like his father. That means...”

William's POV

| leaned back in my wheelchair, oxygen mask on my face, watching the screen with wide eyes. My hands

trembled as | clutched my chest.

Impossible...

Blake is a Parker. | made damn sure of that!

When Rebecca gave birth, | personally sent the baby’s DNA to over a dozen labs. Every single one confirmed a

99.9% probabChapter 431

William's POV

| closed my eyes, memories flooding back from decades past. That confrontation with Leonora Sterling came

rushing back with startling clarity.

“A woman from your background, I'd told her coldly, the only way you'll get into the Parker family is through

pregnancy.”

| remembered her face composed, but her eyes flashed with anger.

“If you were actually pregnant with Leo’s child, you would've told him immediately. But you didn’t.”

‘Before | suggested Leo marry Rebecca, you showed no signs of pregnancy. Then suddenly you ask what if you

were carrying Leo’s child too?”

‘Don’t think a fake pregnancy will fool us. Let go now it’s better for everyone.”

Leonora stayed silent, then laughed - a jarring sound I'd never heard from her. Her laughter held such contempt

it madeuncomfortable.

She went cold. “Remember, this is your choice. Don’t regret it.”

She picked up her handbag and walked away. | never saw her again. Later, | heard she had a breakdown and was

institutionalized. Eventually, she took her own life there.

My eyes snapped back to the screen showing Blake's wedding. Comments scrolled across the bottom about

Leonora possibly being Blake's real mother.

My breathing grew ragged. Leo my son had only been with two women: Leonora and Rebecca If Blake wasn’t

Rebecca's son, then who....

| stared at Blake on the screen. Certain features were remarkably similar to Leonora

Charles rushed to my side as my condition worsened. “Doctor! he shouted

Blake's POV

The whispers grew louder. Rebecca's face had lost all color as she tried desperately to regain control

“Everyone, don’t misunderstand, Blake and I...” she stammered.

| cut her off, grabbing the microphone. “We have no biological mother-son relationship.”

| stared her down. “Things have gone this far - still want to keep pretending?”

The doors burst open with a bang! Michael rushed in, disheveled and breathing hard, clutching several

documents. He sprinted to the stage and handedthe papers.

Got the DNA results,” he said, catching his breath. “Five different testing centers. All identical.”

He took the microphone. “These documents clearly show that Blake Parker and Rebecca Parker have no blood

relation.”

The screen switched to the DNA results. The venue erupted.

The venue erupted.

Rebecca's face drained completely. Fury replaced shock as she glared at me.

“Even if I'm not your biological mother,” she spat, “I still raised you for all these years!”

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Chapter 431

She jabbed her finger toward me. Making this public? Is this how you repay me?”

| stared at her impassively. On the screen, the DNA results continued to scroll. The hall descended into chaos-

cameras pointed at us, whispers everywhere.

Rebecca's face turned purple. “Even a dog would feel gratitude toward its owner. | raised you all these years,

and this is how you treat me?”

| looked at her coldly. “Did you really raise me?”

| sat in the chair Jett had brought over, my legs trembling beneath me.

‘l always wondered why you only cared about Thalia. Dad said it was because she’s a girl. He toldnot to

overthink it.”

| thought about my efforts to please them. After Dad died, | wanted to take his place, protecting both of you.”

My voice hardened. But you two never once considered my perspective.”

| fixed my gaze on Rebecca and Thalia. “You always claimed Audrey was only withfor my money.”

A bitter smile crossed my lips. “Yet Audrey remembered my birthday every year with gifts and meals.”

1 gestured toward them. “Did either of you ever remember my birthday or givegifts?”

The silence was telling.

For your birthdays, you'd giveshopping lists two weeks in advance.

| let the truth sink in. “You only contactedwhen you needed money.”

I laughed coldly. ‘Between you and Audrey, whose eyes only saw my money?

Audrey's POV

From the audience, | watched Blake confront his family. When he mentioned my name, Henry besideraised

his wineglass.

“Hearing Blake talk about you like that, how does it feel?” he asked.

I didn't answer. My eyes stayed fixed on Blake, concerned. To others, his sitting might look like arrogance a king

controlling everything from his throne. But | could see the truth: his legs were trembling.

Harrison's medication is wearing off, I thought anxiously. It had been less than ten minutes since he'd thrown

aside his crutch, and already his legs couldn't support him.

“Mrs. Knox?’ Henry prompted.

| blinked. “What?”

‘l asked what you thought about Blake's words.”

| looked at Henry, expression blank. “Nothing in particular.”

| shrugged. “This is their family business.”

Henry raised an eyebrow. “But he mentioned you.”

I gave him a small, empty smile. Audrey Sinclair is dead. I'm Evelyn Knox.”

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Chapter 431

The Audrey who loved Blake died long ago, | thought. There will never again be a woman named Audrey Sinclair

who makes birthday dinners for Blake Parker.

Henry frowned. ‘I think you two obviously love each other, but misunderstandings got in the way. If everything

could be cleared up...”

My voice turned cold. “Nothing will be cleared up. Even if Adrian and | divorce someday, | won't ever go back.”

This was my promise to the Parkers in Sydney and my sister. My sister had givena second chance at life, and

| wouldn't repeat the smistakes.

On stage, Thalia erupted with anger. She positioned herself in front of Rebecca.

“Blake!” she shouted. “Have you even thought about what this will do? Grandfather is already so sick!”

Her voice rose. “This wedding was supposed to give him one last happy moment!”

She jabbed her finger at him. “Do you want to kill him with anger?”

She stepped closer. “Couldn’t you have waited until after the ceremony? Did you have to humiliate us in front of

everyone?”

Elizabeth stepped forward from the audience and climbed onto the stage.

“That's enough!” Her voice was sharp. “Stop making excuses.”

She turned to face the crowd. “You claim this wedding was for your grandfather? Aren’t you ashamed?”

Elizabeth's face showed years of resentment. “This morning, Mayo Clinic called saying he was critical and

needed emergency surgery. What did you say then?”

She pointed accusingly. “You said, ‘He doesn’t have many days left anyway. No need for everyone to be there.””

Gasps rippled through the audience. Rebecca's face turned ashen.

“Elizabeth...” Thalia stared in disbelief.

“This morning, only Olivia and | went to his bedside. Only | worried about him.”

Her voice cracked. ‘While you two were busy trying to please Rachel, the future head of Parker Group.”

She looked directly at Thalia, “If you knew this wedding was meant to comfort William, then why choose to stay

here rather than going to the hospital when he needed surgery?”

‘Is this really about fulfilling William's dream, or is it about using Rachel to secure more benefits for yourselves?”

The audience sided with Elizabeth now. Thalia’s face darkened with shame, while Rebecca looked as white as the

papers in Michael's hands.

DivorceBefore Death Takes Me, CEO

My mind drifted back decades to when | forced Leonora Sterling and Leo to break up.

That day, the usually gentle Leonora lookeddead in the eye and said: “William, if | told you | was carrying

Leo’s child too, what would your choice be?”

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