CHAPTER 2 — THE WOMAN THEY TRIED TO DROWN WAS THE OWNER OF EVERYTHING
The helicopter wasn't searching randomly.
It came directly toward me.
A rescue diver jumped into the ocean before the aircraft had fully stabilized.
Within seconds, I was lifted safely into the cabin.
Nathan watched from the yacht.
Confused.
His mother whispered,
"Who called them?"
No one answered.
Inside the helicopter, the pilot looked at me with concern.
"Miss Carter..."
"Are you injured?"
I nodded slowly.
"My shoulder."
"And my trust."
He understood.
The helicopter immediately changed direction.
Not toward the hospital.
Toward the private marina.
As we landed, twenty black SUVs were already waiting.
Men and women in tailored suits stepped forward.
Some carried tablets.
Others wore security badges.
Every single one addressed me the same way.
"Welcome back, Miss Carter."
Nathan's father's face turned pale.
"What is this?"
His mother frowned.
"Who are these people?"
Then one elderly gentleman stepped forward.
He was known throughout the financial world.
William Hayes.
Chairman of Carter Global Holdings.
A corporation worth over forty billion dollars.
He bowed slightly.
"The board has been waiting for you."
Nathan's mother laughed nervously.
"There must be some mistake."
William turned toward her.
"There is."
"You believed Miss Carter was poor."
"She is the majority owner of the company that financed your husband's shipping business."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Nathan's father nearly dropped his drink.
His shipping empire...
Existed because of investments approved by my grandfather years ago.
Without Carter Global...
His company would never have survived.
Nathan stared at me.
"You never told me."
"I wanted someone to love me..."
"Before loving my last name."
His face turned white.
His mother suddenly smiled again.
"Oh sweetheart..."
"This has all been a misunderstanding."
"You know we were joking."
I looked directly into her eyes.
"Were you joking..."
"When you pushed me into the ocean?"
Security officers quietly approached.
A yacht employee finally stepped forward.
His hands trembled.
"I recorded everything."
He held up his phone.
"The cameras on board captured the push."
Nathan's mother froze.
His father looked ready to collapse.
Nathan whispered,
"Please..."
"We can fix this."
I slowly removed my engagement ring.
"No."
"You had every opportunity to protect me."
"You chose silence."
The ring landed on the dock.
The sound echoed louder than any scream.
Then my attorney walked forward.
"Miss Carter..."
"The acquisition documents are ready."
Nathan frowned.
"What acquisition?"
I smiled.
"The company your father thinks he owns..."
May you like
"Belongs to me now."
And that was only the beginning.
