Chapter 6
413words
He stood before the projector screen in his bespoke suit, radiating confidence and authority.
"Our projected growth for next quarter centers around..."
The boardroom door flew open with a bang.
A disheveled middle-aged woman stormed in, trailed by reporters with cameras already rolling.
"Victor Thompson! You heartless bastard!"
The woman jabbed a finger at him, tears streaming down her face. "My sister is twenty-three! She's already had two abortions for you! Now she's pregnant again, and you're abandoning her?"
The boardroom erupted into chaos.
Victor's face drained of color. "Security! Remove this woman immediately!"
The woman wrenched free from the security guard's grip and yanked a manila envelope from her purse, flinging its contents across the polished conference table.
"Take a good look, gentlemen! This is who you're giving your millions to!"
Photos scattered like playing cards—Victor pressing Chloe against a hotel wall, his hand up her skirt in a car backseat, and most damning of all, a hospital ultrasound with both their names clearly visible.
From my office, I watched the scene unfold on multiple surveillance feeds, sipping my coffee.
These "exhibits" had been meticulously curated by Mr. Pierce—damaging enough to draw blood, but still keeping our most devastating ammunition in reserve.
Victor, darling, this is just the opening move.
That evening, he burst into the luxury apartment he shared with Chloe.
"Did you put your sister up to this?" He shoved Chloe hard onto the sofa. "If you want a bigger payout, just name your price! Why this public ambush?"
Chloe's eyes widened in panic. "I didn't! My sister hasn't spoken to me in years!"
"Then explain these!" He hurled the photos at her face like weapons.
His phone rang. The caller ID showed his lead investor.
"Victor," the voice was ice-cold, "today's spectacle was... disappointing. We'll need to reconsider our position."
The line went dead.
Victor hurled his phone against the wall with such force that fragments of glass and metal exploded across the room.
"You worthless bitch!" He loomed over Chloe, eyes glacial. "Get rid of it. Tomorrow."
Chloe's hands flew protectively to her belly. "No! This is our baby!"
"I don't need a child that destroys my future."
I watched their savage exchange on my tablet, swirling aged scotch in a crystal tumbler.
Poor Victor. Already at your breaking point?
When you forced that divorce agreement on me, when you threatened my dying father—you were far more ruthless than this.
