Chapter 2 – The Woman Who Thought She Had Won

Brittany spent six hours answering questions.

Every luxury handbag.

Every vacation.

Every expensive dinner.

Every transfer.

Every hotel reservation.

The investigators had everything.

She tried to smile.

"It wasn't illegal."

One attorney slid another document across the table.

"No."

"But failing to disclose a relationship with your direct supervisor while accepting promotions and gifts..."

"...is."

By late afternoon, Brittany's employment was terminated.

Michael's executive access was suspended pending investigation.

The media somehow learned the story before sunset.

CEO Faces Internal Investigation After Affair Allegations.

News vans surrounded Carter Global.

Investors panicked.

The company's stock opened lower the next morning.

Michael called Claire twenty-three times.

She answered on the twenty-fourth.

"What do you want?"

"I made a mistake."

"No."

"You made hundreds."

"You simply got caught after the last one."

He lowered his voice.

"I still love you."

Claire looked out over Central Park.

"I believe you loved having someone who cleaned up your messes."

"That isn't love."

Silence.

Then she spoke one final sentence.

"My divorce attorney will contact yours."

She ended the call forever.

Two weeks later, Claire learned something unexpected.

Ryan visited her office carrying another folder.

"You'll want to see this."

Inside were financial records.

Michael hadn't merely funded Brittany's lifestyle.

He had secretly diverted company money through fake consulting invoices.

Claire looked up slowly.

"Does the Board know?"

Ryan smiled.

"They do now."

The criminal investigation began three days later.