Chapter 6 - The Ultimate BetrayalAs the marshals led a sobbing, broken Graham out through the front doors, flashbulbs suddenly began popping outside. Local news vans and paparazzi had already swarmed the perimeter, tipped off by Vale International’s public relations department within the hour.
BREAKING NEWS: HARRINGTON LUXE EXECUTIVE ARRESTED IN MASSIVE EMBEZZLEMENT SCANDAL. PARENT COMPANY LIQUIDATES ASSETS.
Vivian collapsed onto the bottom step of the grand staircase, her manicured hands clawing uselessly at her silk robe. All her haughtiness, all her cruel arrogance, had completely evaporated, leaving behind a pathetic, desperate old woman.
She looked up at me, tears streaming down her powdered face, her voice cracking with pure venom mixed with terror.
“You ruthless bitch,” Vivian hissed, her eyes bloodshot. “You planned all of this. You trapped him. You let him marry you just to destroy our family from the inside out.”
I slowly walked down the remaining steps, stopping right in front of her. I crouched down so we were eye-to-eye, looking into the face of the monster who had tormented me for years behind closed doors.
“No, Vivian,” I said softly, my voice cold as glacial ice. “I gave your son everything. I gave him love, I gave him loyalty, I gave him a seat at the table of a multi-billion-dollar empire, and I gave him two healthy, beautiful sons. All he had to do was be a decent human being.”
I stood back up, adjusting my coat.
“You taught him to look down on people based on what they wore, what they drove, and how much money they had in their bank accounts,” I continued, looking down at her with absolute pity. “You called me a charity case. A temporary embarrassment. Well, congratulations, Vivian. You finally got your wish. I’m completely removing myself from your life. But as for your mansion, your cars, your bank accounts, and your social standing? I'm taking back every single dime I ever allowed you to touch.”
“What... what are we supposed to do?” Vivian whispered, her voice trembling violently. “We have nothing. The bank accounts are frozen. The house is seized.”
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“Try applying for a job,” I said with a slight smile. “I hear entry-level sewing positions pay quite well if you work hard enough.”
Without waiting for her response, I turned on my heel and walked out the front door, leaving her alone in an empty mansion that no longer belonged to her.
