All Chapters of Too late, ex wife. From Janitor to Tycoon: Chapter 1
- Chapter 10
12 chapters
Chapter One
12-12-25 Today marked Sam’s second wedding anniversary with Vanessa. She was carrying his child. He had discovered it weeks ago when he saw the results, though Vanessa had yet to tell him. He hadn’t pressed—he wanted the moment to come from her. And today, he planned a surprise for her, something worthy of the love that had defined him for years. It had been days since he last saw her. Though they worked in the same building and lived under the same roof, their worlds rarely collided. She was the managing director, her days ruled by schedules and power meetings; so she did not come home very often. He was the janitor, navigating the building’s corridors like a ghost. He didn’t resent it—he understood her life demanded all her attention. What mattered was the connection they could steal in the quiet moments. He imagined her reaction when she saw his gift: the warmth in her eyes, that fleeting smile that always made his chest tighten. He longed for it, for the sound of her laugh,
Chapter Two
Sam stormed out of the office, his uniform still damp from hastily wiping his hands on them. His chest heaved, each breath sharp and ragged, a pounding reminder of the chaos threatening to swallow him whole. He needed to get changed, to escape, to vanish before it crushed him completely. But fate—or misfortune—had other plans. Turning the corner toward the changing room, he nearly collided with Vanessa’s mother and sister, their eyes icy, slicing through him like knives. Every instinct screamed at him to run, but his feet rooted to the floor. “Mom? Sis? What are you doing here?” Sam asked, forcing a polite smile that felt like paper over fire, a fragile mask over the turmoil churning inside him. They didn’t respond. Their gaze was a wall of scorn, lips tight, eyes narrowing with silent accusation. Sam felt heat spike through his chest, a hot, angry panic clawing at his stomach. He forced himself to stay calm, though every nerve screamed. “Vanessa is in there,” he said firmly
Chapter Three
The commotion had drawn Vanessa’s attention instantly. She was still sitting with Lisa outside her office, scrolling through her phone, when a familiar voice—strained, frantic—cut through the hum of the building’s background chatter. “Isn’t that… your mum’s voice?” Lisa asked, her brows knitting together in concern. Vanessa froze, her fingers hovering over her keyboard. “Yeah… but what would she be doing here?” she murmured, a flicker of unease crossing her face. Her heart gave an involuntary lurch. Her mother didn’t just show up unannounced, not here, not in her professional space. Before she could voice another thought, Veronica emerged into view, groaning, her body sagging as though she’d been crushed under some invisible weight. She moved slowly, each step heavy, her hands clutching at her chest as if to hold herself together. The sound of her lamenting cut sharply through the hallway, twisting Vanessa’s stomach into knots. Vanessa sprang to her feet, her patience fraying alm
Chapter Four
“Mr. Blackwood, a minute, please. Let me properly introduce myself,” the sophisticated woman said, her voice smooth and measured. Security flanked her, their silent presence like shadows at her side, subtle yet imposing. “I am Susan Devanchi, head of operations of the Devanchi dynasty. I need your help.” Sam froze mid-step, suspicion snapping into place like a switch. The Devanchi dynasty—he knew the name. A city powerhouse, cutting-edge tech, untouchable influence. And here she was, looking straight at him. A janitor. “My help?” he asked, incredulous. “What could a janitor possibly do for you?” Susan didn’t flinch. She held his gaze with the calm of someone who didn’t expect to be questioned. A faint crease at the corner of her mouth suggested impatience, but her voice was smooth, almost rehearsed. “If you would indulge me, can we talk in my office? My car is parked just outside—it’s a better way, I think.” Sam’s mind raced. Kidnappers? Unlikely. Who would even want to kidnap m
Chapter Five
The car rolled smoothly into the Devanchi Corporation’s driveway just as Sam’s phone started buzzing insistently in his pocket. He glanced down and saw Vanessa’s name flashing on the screen—his now ex-wife. What could she possibly want from me now? he thought, a frown knitting his brow. His stomach tightened, a mix of irritation and dread settling in. “Your phone is ringing,” Susan said calmly, her sharp eyes following the motion of his hand toward the device. There was a quiet authority in her voice, the kind that made it clear she noticed everything. “I’ll get it later. Let’s talk about what you want first,” Sam replied, keeping his tone even. He hated that his pulse was quickening, hated that Vanessa still had this effect on him, even after everything. “Be patient, Mr. Blackwood,” Susan said smoothly, gesturing toward the building ahead. “My office is right there. We can talk about everything once we get in.” There was no trace of impatience in her voice, only calm confiden
Chapter Six
Moments later, they arrived in front of a massive black door. Polished silver letters were engraved across it, gleaming under the soft overhead lights. Sam’s eyes lingered on the words: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER– Yonda Holdings. The letters seemed to radiate authority and power. For a moment, Sam felt a strange tightness in his chest. He had cleaned office doors countless times in his life, but none had ever carried such weight, such undeniable command. The contrast between the humble janitor who walked beside polished walls all day and the world that lay behind this door made him feel unnervingly small. The secretary, whom Sam later learned was called Zoya, stepped forward and knocked gently on the door. “Come in,” a confident female voice called from inside. Zoya pushed the door open and stepped aside, gesturing for Sam to enter. He hesitated slightly before stepping forward, the familiar clack of his shoes on the marble floor echoing in the silence. His mind spun as he tried t
Chapter seven
Aiden exhaled slowly, a tightness in his chest he could barely hide. “Someone hacked one of our systems,” he said, his voice calm but carrying a subtle edge of tension. Sam frowned, confusion and skepticism mingling with a flicker of unease. He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the chair, feeling a chill run up his spine. The office was almost too quiet, save for the hum of the air-conditioning and the faint click of the monitor. “Then call your cybersecurity team,” he suggested, attempting a casual tone, though a hint of doubt crept into his voice. “It’s not that simple,” Aiden replied, leaning closer to the camera. His eyes held a weight of urgency, measuring Sam’s reaction as if trying to read the very thoughts racing through his head. “Do you remember the program we built together during our final year?” Aiden asked, his tone low and serious. Sam’s eyes narrowed. Memories of late nights hunched over computers, takeout boxes piling up, and coffee cups teetering on
Chapter Eight
“Why don’t we talk about what you are offering first?” Sam asked, his voice steady, but threaded with curiosity and a spark of mischief. He leaned back slightly in his chair, his gaze sweeping over the sleek office, the polished desk, and the sunlight reflecting off the glass skyline. A tight knot of anticipation settled in his chest. “Ohhhh,” Susan said, leaning forward, her expression calm yet authoritative. Her eyes met his steadily, commanding attention without force. “If you can fix this glitch,” she continued, deliberate and measured, “we’ll give you five percent of the company.” Sam felt the floor drop beneath him. Five percent of Yonda Holdings? The thought made his head spin, a dizzy mix of disbelief, exhilaration, and fear. The offer was intoxicating and terrifying all at once. He had started the day cleaning floors, and now he was being offered a stake in one of the most powerful companies in the city. He leaned back, trying to process it all. His mind raced with emotio
Chapter Nine
Vanessa stormed back to her office, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. Her chest heaved with anger, a tight, unrelenting pressure that made her fingers tremble slightly as she gripped the edge of her desk. She couldn’t believe it—Sam had the audacity to end the call on her, especially after everything, after hurting her mother.Lisa tried to calm her, but she wouldn’t have it. With a sharp inhale of frustration, she slammed the door behind her and collapsed into the nearest chair, her body sagging as the weight of anger and exhaustion hit her all at once. Her fists clenched in her lap, and she let out a long, shaky breath, trying—and failing—to steady her racing thoughts. Anger bubbled inside her, fierce and consuming. He’s damn lucky I’m not pressing charges already, she thought, her knuckles whitening as she clenched them. I’ll deal with him. He can’t just walk over me like this. Even as thoughts of revenge swirled through her mind, another idea crept in, q
Chapter Ten
“What’s more,” Aiden said, his voice low and serious, eyes darkening with an urgency that made Sam’s stomach tighten, “they’re not just stealing our money—they’re taking our information too. Information that we absolutely cannot let get into the public. It would ruin a lot of people if it leaked.” Sam’s brow furrowed, unease settling deep and gnawing in his chest. His pulse quickened, a bead of tension crawling up his neck. “Hold on… what kind of information are we talking about?” His voice remained controlled, but the underlying sharpness hinted at the storm brewing inside him. Suspicion laced every syllable. Aiden stayed silent, his gaze dropping, lingering just long enough to make Sam’s unease twist into impatience. The pause stretched uncomfortably. Sam’s jaw tightened, frustration flaring like a spark to dry kindling. He pushed back from the chair, standing fully, his posture rigid with conviction, the weight of his principles anchoring him. “I don’t do illegal shit, Aiden,”