Chapter 7 - The Collapse of an Empire
“No, no, no!” Grant shouted, the veneer of his charm completely shattering as panic consumed him. He lunged forward, grabbing the edges of Evelyn’s blazer. “Evelyn, you can't do this! You’ll destroy everything I've built! The company will go under in forty-eight hours! The investors will sue me into oblivion! Please—we’re husband and wife! Talk to me!”
“We were husband and wife, Grant,” Evelyn corrected, gently but firmly peeling his hands off her clothes as if touching a diseased object. “As for your company going under... well, you should have thought about that before you brought your mistress into our anniversary suite.”
The New York investors stood up in unison, gathering their portfolios and briefcases with cold, calculating efficiency. The lead partner walked past Grant without even glancing at him, stopping in front of Evelyn and extending a hand.
“Mrs. Whitmore,” the investor said respectfully. “We apologize for wasting your time with this presentation. Our legal team will be auditing Whitmore Renewal’s preliminary claims by this afternoon. If there’s any corporate malfeasance, we will pursue full recovery.”
“Thank you,” Evelyn shook his hand firmly. “My legal counsel at Sterling & Vance will send over the forensic audit files shortly.”
Hearing the name Sterling & Vance made Grant physically stagger backward. He knew that firm—they were the corporate executioners of the financial world.
May you like
Patricia Whitmore let out a choked sob and slumped back into her seat, completely broken, realizing that the high-society life she had lorded over others was entirely built on sand. Mallory stood frozen, staring at the floor, unable to meet anyone's eyes.
Sienna Blake had already slipped out through the side exit, abandoning ship before the legal fallout even began.
