Chapter 2 - The Fall of the First Card
"Get out," my father said.
Derek stared at him, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "Charles, you can't be serious. We have three shipping contracts closing tomorrow. The entire supply chain of Callahan Logistics relies on my personal relationships!"
"The supply chain of Callahan Logistics relies on Langford credit lines," I said, my voice shaking but clear. I stepped out from behind my father, holding his overcoat tightly around me. "The trucks you boast about? Leased through Langford Capital. The warehouse in Richmond? Owned by Langford Real Estate. Even the very clothes you are wearing right now were purchased on a corporate card linked to my family's accounts."
Sloane finally stood up, her red dress rustling. She tried to maintain her elegant composure, but her hands were trembling. "Derek, do something. Tell them they can't do this."
"He can't do anything, Miss Avery," Arthur Pendelton said smoothly. "And as for you, the red dress you are wearing was charged to the Callahan Logistics corporate marketing account exactly three days ago. That constitutes unauthorized use of corporate funds. We will be filing a formal police report for embezzlement first thing in the morning."
Sloane’s jaw dropped. She looked at Derek, her eyes wide with sudden panic. "Derek! You said that card was yours!"
"It is mine!" Derek yelled, his temper finally exploding. He glared at me, his eyes filled with hatred. "You think you can just throw me out? I'll sue you! I'll take half of everything in the divorce!"
"You are welcome to try," Arthur replied. "However, the prenuptial agreement you signed states that in the event of marital infidelity—of which we have extensive photographic and digital evidence—you forfeit any claim to alimony, joint property, or trust distributions. Furthermore, your physical assault on Mrs. Callahan tonight has been recorded by the security cameras my firm installed in the foyer and living room last month."
Derek looked up at the ceiling, spotting the tiny, blinking red light of a camera hidden in the crown molding. His knees visibly buckled.
"You set me up," he whispered.
"No, Derek," I said, looking at him with pity. "You set yourself up the moment you forgot who built the ground you were standing on."
My father nodded to his security guards. "Escort them off the property. They may take only the clothes they are wearing and their personal identification. Everything else remains here."
"Charles, please!" Derek pleaded as a towering security guard grabbed him by the elbow. "Vivian, talk to him! We can work this out! I was stressed! I love you!"
"Get your hands off me!" Sloane shrieked as the second guard escorted her toward the door. "This is assault!"
"No, Miss Avery," the guard said calmly. "This is an eviction."
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The front door slammed shut behind them, leaving the house in a heavy, ringing silence. I let out a long breath, my knees finally giving out. My father caught me, pulling me into a tight, protective embrace.
"It's over, Vivian," he whispered into my hair. "I've got you."
