I never told my husband I owned a five-billion-dollar empire. To him, I was still “the useless housewife.” At his promotion party, he forced me to wear a maid’s uniform and serve drinks, while his mistress sat in the place of honor, wearing my jewelry. I kept my head down and served quietly—until his boss saw me and stopped cold.

UNAUTHORIZED EXPENDITURES – M. VANCE
Tiffany & Co. – $12,000 (Necklace)
The Ritz-Carlton – $4,500 (Suite 402)
Flight to Cabo – $3,200 (Passenger: Jessica Miller)

“You embezzled one hundred and forty thousand dollars from my company in six months, Mark,” Elena said. “You used my money to buy gifts for your mistress. You used my money to book this hotel.”

She pointed to Jessica.

“And you gave her my grandmother’s necklace.”

Jessica’s hand flew to her throat. She looked like she wanted to vomit. She clawed at the clasp, trying to take it off, but her hands were shaking too hard.

“Elena, wait,” Mark pleaded, stepping forward, hands raised. “Babe, honey, listen. It’s not what it looks like. I was… I was testing the security systems! It was a stress test! And Jessica… she’s just a colleague helping me with the roleplay! I love you! You know I love you!”

Elena laughed. It was a dry, hollow sound.

“You love yourself, Mark. You fell in love with the reflection I polished for you.”

She turned back to the microphone.

“As the Chairman of NovaStream, I am invoking Article 42 of the company bylaws. Mark Vance, you are terminated immediately for gross misconduct, embezzlement, and corporate theft.”

Mark’s knees gave out. He collapsed to the floor.

“And,” Elena continued, reaching into her purse and pulling out a thick envelope, “as your wife…”

She threw the envelope at him. It struck him in the chest, papers scattering everywhere.

“I am serving you with divorce papers. My forensic accountants have already frozen your assets to recover the stolen funds. You are leaving this marriage with exactly what you brought into it: Nothing.”

Jessica tried to sneak off the stage.

“Ms. Miller,” Elena called out without turning around.

Jessica froze.

“The necklace,” Elena said. “Leave it. Or I add ‘Possession of Stolen Property’ to the police report being filed as we speak.”

Jessica ripped the necklace off, threw it on the floor, and ran.

Mark crawled toward Elena, grabbing the hem of her dress. He was crying now, ugly, snotty tears. “Please. Elena. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m a nobody without you.”

Elena looked down at him. She pulled her dress from his grip with a sharp tug.

“You were always a nobody, Mark. I just gave you a costume.”

She looked at Sterling. “Get him out of my sight.”