CHAPTER 3: THE EMPIRE COLLAPSES
The ballroom doors suddenly opened.
An elderly man entered.
Everyone recognized him immediately.
Richard Harrington.
Founder of Harrington International.
Daniel's employer.
And one of the wealthiest men in the country.
The room instantly fell silent.
Richard walked slowly toward the stage.
Then stopped beside the pregnant woman.
"What she has in that envelope concerns my company."
Daniel's knees nearly gave way.
The guests looked confused.
The old billionaire continued.
"Six months ago, company funds disappeared from one of our development projects."
Shock spread across the room.
Richard's eyes settled on Daniel.
"We found evidence of financial fraud."
Daniel immediately shook his head.
"That's not true."
But his voice lacked conviction.
The pregnant wife quietly handed Richard several documents.
Bank transfers.
Hidden accounts.
Fake contracts.
Evidence she had accidentally discovered while organizing household files.
Daniel had not only betrayed his wife.
He had been stealing from the company.
The mistress's face turned white.
She suddenly realized the expensive gifts, vacations, and jewelry she received had been funded with stolen money.
Richard looked at Daniel with disappointment.
"You could have had everything."
Security guards stepped forward.
The guests watched in stunned silence as Daniel's world collapsed.
His reputation.
His career.
His future.
All gone in a single night.
As security escorted him away, he turned toward his wife.
For the first time, tears filled his eyes.
"I made a mistake."
She looked at him calmly.
"No."
Her voice was steady.
"You made choices."
May you like
Then she turned away.
And never looked back.
