Edward handed the new agreement to Ariel.

She knew the legal process was strict and bureaucratic, so she didn’t say much. Instead, she lowered her head and began reading.

The division of assets was largely the same as last time, but this time he added something new. He was giving her 20% equity in Nexura Solutions.

Equity, not just shares, which meant she now held actual management rights in the company.

Ariel read carefully. In the separate equity transfer contract it stated that Katie would be the nominee shareholder.

Ariel herself would be the true managing party behind the scenes.

She looked up at Jayson. “Does this mean that my ownership in Nexura Solutions will be kept hidden, and my grandma will appear as the shareholder on paper?”

Jayson raised his eyes. His tone was calm and distant as he asked, “Is that a problem?”

“Are you doing this to hide the fact that I was your wife?” Ariel immediately understood.

After all, with that much equity involved, the company would definitely know who the shareholder is.

Jayson used Katie as a proxy. No one inside the company would recognize her name.

To put it plainly, it was all for Nancy, so no one would start speculating or stirring up rumors.

Jayson’s expression stayed cold, and his tone detached. “If there’s no issue, sign it.”

Ariel stared at him. “If you’re so worried about Nexura’s board finding out I hold equity, why give me the equity at all?”

Wasn’t that a bit unnecessary?

And the fact that he was giving her even more equity now was totally unexpected.

“I’m not going to harm you,” he said simply, not offering any more explanations.

Ariel wasn’t about to complain about more money, especially when it came to Nexura Solutions. It was a stable company with long–term growth potential, and she stood to gain a lot.

Still, she couldn’t quite understand why Jayson had done it this way.

She glanced over the rest of the terms in the agreement once more.

The two conditions Jayson had previously brought up were also included. Last time, he asked her to keep their divorce a secret from Betty for a year and not to disclose their marital status or the timing of the divorce.

And now, there was a new clause. She wasn’t allowed to enter into any new engagement or marriage within a year.

If she violated any of these terms, she would owe him reasonable compensation.

Her gaze paused at that new clause before looking up. “Why?”

Jayson sat with his usual reserved poise. His expression was detached. “Keeping the divorce from Grandma for a year would be much more secure with that clause in place.

Ariel understood that. She didn’t dwell on it and instead zeroed in on the real issue. “So I’m free to date, then?”

Jayson’s eyes flicked up, but they were unreadable. After a moment, he said lazily, “Interpret it however you want.

11

Ariel gave a soft hum and read on.

This time, the agreement spelled out what reasonable compensation meant.

If she broke the terms, any compensation he offered would be void. Plus, in any company where she held shares or equity, she would have to transfer half to him for free.

And she would also be subject to any form of mental compensation Jayson requested, though what that would entail wasn’t specified.

Ariel frowned. “What’s this supposed to mean?”

She was pretty sure Jayson had no idea she had shares in Faye Technologies.

Jayson didn’t explain. Instead, he pulled a pen from his pocket. With his right arm injured and his palm bandaged, he used his left hand to sign all three copies of the divorce agreement.

Though clearly not left–handed, he didn’t show any impatience.

Once he was done, he handed Ariel the pen. “Sign it, and you’ll have the divorce certificate in hand.”

Ariel stared at the new agreement.

She knew for certain that she had no intention of ever revealing her past with Jayson. So even if Jayson included a compensation clause, it wouldn’t affect her much. There was no way he would get his hands on her shares in Faye Technologies.

After careful consideration, Ariel knew she didn’t have the time to drag things out with Jayson. She needed to get the divorce certificate as soon as possible.

After a few seconds of deliberation, she took the pen and signed her name.

The pen ran out of ink while she was signing the equity transfer contract for Nexura Solutions. Edward handed her his own pen so she could finish signing it.

Jayson stood up then, expression cold and indifferent. “Let’s go.”

When Ariel rose, she swayed slightly from dizziness. She clenched her fist to steady herself and walked beside him toward the clerk’s office.

The clerk reviewed their documents. Everything was filled out and signed properly.

Then she handed them each a copy of the final divorce consent form. “Please sign here, and then place your finger on the scanner to confirm your identity.”

Ariel stared at the final step. Her chest rose and fell with heavy breath. Without glancing at Jayson, she did as she was told.

As the clerk was about to stamp the finalized divorce certificate, she suddenly paused, then looked up and asked carefully, “Just to confirm, are you both voluntarily agreeing to this divorce?”