Oliver even pompously said, "I'm the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company. You think I need to fake credit card transactions to steal money from you?"
Honestly? That's exactly what I wanted to ask him.
So I asked back.
I crossed my arms. "So, what's your explanation, Mr. Jefferson? You're telling me you didn't do it, but then whose name is on the card and the charges?"
His jaw tightened. His hand went to his tie, loosening it like he couldn't breathe.
Then he turned toward my coworkers, his voice sharp and self-righteous.
"I didn't want to air our private issues in public, but some people clearly have no shame."
Right in front of everyone, Oliver gestured at me like I was some exhibit.
"I need you all to be my witnesses!"
He turned fully to face them.
"You all know Therese and I were engaged through a family arrangement. After her graduation, I honored that promise. I threw her an extravagant engagement party. I gave her a supplementary card out of love. She wouldn't use a dime at first, and I begged her. And this is what I get in return?"
Oliver stood there, shaking the stack of statements in one hand.
"Everyone, take a good look," he said coldly, waving the papers like a flag in front of the room. "Therese blew through half a million dollars in just three days, all on luxury goods. I don't care if I had money pouring out of my ears, no one can keep up with spending like that."
And just like that, the darling CEO act kicked in.
Oliver had always been the golden boy, wealthy, charismatic, and polished to perfection. So, when this drama went public, everyone instantly rallied behind him, no questions asked.
Just minutes ago, my co-workers were practically tripping over themselves to flatter me, because I was his fiancée.
But now? They stared at me with open contempt.
One of them muttered under their breath, but loud enough for me to hear, "Therese's been playing both sides this whole time. Acting all humble so Sir Oliver would beg her to spend his money, and now she flips it to make him look like the bad guy."
"Exactly," another added, practically sneering. "The whole thing was probably her plan from the start."
"I haven't spent that much in the last three years," someone scoffed. "And Therese blew through it in three days? She's not even married to him yet, so imagine if she were. She'd drain the whole company dry."