Chapter 2

Embarrassing herself.

Ellie stared at the phone, then at David on stage, soaking in the applause with Sophia at his side.

He was a Senior Vice President. She was the Chairwoman of Vance Legacy Holdings. He owed his entire career to her family, to her.

She felt a cold rage, sharp and clear.

She typed a quick message, her fingers steady.

To: Marcus Thorne, Chief Legal Officer, VLH.

To: Helen Ramirez, Head of HR, VLH.

Prepare termination papers for David Miller, SVP. Investigate Sophia Hayes, Marketing. Grounds: Gross misconduct, to be detailed. Effective immediately.

She hit send.

On stage, the Q&A was over. Chloe, confused and upset, suddenly shouted, her small voice surprisingly loud.

"That' s my Daddy! You' re a liar! She' s the mistress!" Chloe pointed a trembling finger at Sophia.

The crowd, which had been admiring David, now turned with amusement and disdain towards Chloe. Laughter rippled through the room.

"Oh, listen to the little actress," someone sneered.

Ethan, Sophia' s son, puffed up his chest and stepped towards Chloe. "My mom isn't a mistress! Your dad loves my mom!" He shoved Chloe hard.

Chloe stumbled back, tears streaming down her face. "Daddy!"

Ellie stepped forward. "David, tell them. Tell them who we are."

This was his last chance.

David looked from Ellie to Chloe, his face a mask of contempt.

"I don't know these people," he announced to the crowd, his voice firm. "They seem to be disturbed. If they continue to harass me and my family, VLH will be forced to take legal action."

He turned his back on them. He actually shoved Chloe slightly as she reached for him, a small, dismissive push.

Chloe stared at his retreating back, her small face crumpled in devastation.

Sophia smirked at Ellie, a look of pure triumph.

Ellie knelt beside her daughter. "Chloe, listen to me." She wiped Chloe's tears. "From now on, you don' t have a father."

Chloe sobbed, burying her face in Ellie' s shoulder.

Ellie' s phone buzzed again. David.

This is all your fault. You and your brat. Go home before you make things worse.

Ellie didn't reply. She held Chloe tight. The game was on.