Chapter 3

Chapter 3

In the preoperative holding area, my mother was drenched in cold sweat from the pain, yet she clamped her hand onto my wrist with surprising strength.

"Janelle… Justin is dirty."

"When I rushed out to look for you, I caught your boss, Vincent, slipping him a bank card worth three hundred thousand dollars right outside our gate."

"Vincent told him to plant fake evidence of kickbacks in your work bag so the company could call the police and ruin you."

"I tried to run over to stop them, but I slipped on the wet steps and tumbled down."

My head spun with a deafening roar.

Five years of marriage, and my husband sold me out for three hundred grand?

"Mom, I have got this," I whispered, forcing down the violent rage threatening to tear out of my chest as I tucked her blanket in.

"Focus on your surgery. Keep this between us. Do not say a single word to Justin."

The moment I stepped out of the surgical unit, Justin hurried forward, wearing an expression of deep concern.

"How is Mom? Is the surgery…"

I swung my arm and slapped him across the face with everything I had.

"Where were you planning to hide the fake evidence of my kickbacks, Justin?"

Justin staggered back in shock, clutching his burning cheek.

Within seconds, the mild-mannered mask he had worn for five years dissolved into a cold sneer.

"So you know. Then do not blame me for looking out for myself."

He rubbed his jaw, completely unrepentant.

"Do not act like a victim. I played the dutiful housemaid for five years while you bathed in the limelight, and I am sick of it!"

"Vincent promised me three hundred grand and a position as Head of Logistics if I forced you to hand over the contract."

"Our son needs a father who actually amounts to something, not a loser who just cooks fish all day!"

Looking at this greedy stranger before me, I let out a sharp, incredulous laugh.

"Vincent is an old fox who would frame his top earner just to avoid paying a bonus. You really think he will keep his promise to you?"

"And you think framing me for embezzlement is going to be that easy?"

Justin smirked with smug confidence, lowering his voice.

"The ten grand in cash from your home safe and those blank expense forms you misplaced are already in my hands."

"Be smart, Janelle. Hand the contract over to Megan, or Vincent calls the police, and you go to prison."

"How do you think Toby will hold his head up at school with a convict for a mother?"

Using our son to blackmail me was the absolute final straw.

"Get the hell out of my sight!"

I pointed at the elevator, screaming with raw fury.

Justin adjusted his collar and waved dismissively.

"See you at nine tomorrow morning at the office. Do not let me down, honey."

He lingered on the word "honey" before turning on his heel and walking away.

I sank against the wall, sliding down to the cold floor as silent tears spilled over.

My phone vibrated with a voice memo Vincent had posted in the company-wide announcement channel.

"All-hands meeting tomorrow at 9:00 AM sharp to address severe ethical violations by senior management. We have zero tolerance for corruption!"

Staring at the screen, and remembering Justin's callous betrayal, I typed a message to Dominic Ross.

"Mr. Ross, regarding the subcontractors assigned to your fifty-million-dollar project, there is something critical you need to see."

"Please join us at our headquarters tomorrow morning at nine for a show."

"After all, your money did not come from thin air."