Chapter 5 - The Unraveling Web
Chloe’s perfectly manicured facade cracked instantly.
"That is a lie!" she shrieked, looking wildly around the boardroom.
"She’s a jealous, bitter ex-wife trying to frame me!"
Elena didn't raise her voice; she simply slid a thumb drive across the table to the chief financial officer.
"Take a look, David," Elena instructed calmly.
"You'll find three shell companies registered in the Cayman Islands under Chloe's maiden name."
"You will also find the matching wire transfers authorized from Julian's private corporate account."
Julian turned slowly to look at his new bride, his eyes wide with horror and confusion.
"Chloe?" he croaked, his voice cracking.
"Tell me she’s making this up."
Chloe backed away from the table, her breathing shallow and erratic.
"Julian, you have to believe me, I only set those up for our future!" she stammered, tears welling in her eyes.
"To protect us from her!"
"You stole fourteen million dollars from my father's company?" Julian shouted, the reality finally sinking in.
Elena watched the spectacle with absolute detachment.
She felt no pity for the man who had thrown her away, nor the woman who had orchestrated her downfall.
"The board has a decision to make," Elena announced, cutting through the marital dispute.
"You can either terminate Chloe Mercer and cooperate with the federal investigation I initiated an hour ago."
"Or I will liquidate the trust's assets and bankrupt this entire corporation by Friday."
The executives didn't even need to vote.
The CFO picked up his phone and dialed the authorities.
Chloe let out a sobbing wail, realizing her reign as the queen of New York high society was over before it had truly begun.
Julian sank into his leather chair, burying his face in his hands.
May you like
He had lost his company, his money, and his pride in less than fifteen minutes.
And the architect of his destruction was the woman he had called weak.
