Chapter 4 - The Poisoned Alliance
The door to Gregory Vance’s executive office slammed shut with a deafening thud.
The managing partner stood behind his massive desk, his face dark with uncontrollable rage.
"Are you two completely out of your minds?" Gregory shouted, throwing the subpoena onto his blotter.
"We are in the middle of closing a forty-million-dollar institutional investment deal!"
"Gregory, please, this is a private family matter that my wife is blowing out of proportion," Daniel pleaded, sweating profusely.
"A private matter?" Gregory scoffed, pointing a furious finger at Claire.
"The subpoena states that corporate credit cards and client entertainment funds were used to book five-star hotels in Miami and New York!"
"It states that company funds were used to buy personal jewelry for our marketing director!"
Claire stood near the window, her arms crossed defensively, realizing her entire career was hanging by a thread.
She looked at Daniel, and for the first time, there was no affection or warmth in her blue eyes.
There was only pure, venomous calculation.
"I was not aware that company funds were being misused, Gregory," Claire said smoothly, her voice ice cold.
Daniel’s head snapped toward her in absolute disbelief.
"Claire, what are you saying?" Daniel gasped. "You were there with me! You picked the hotel!"
"Daniel told me that the trips were approved business development travel," Claire lied without blinking an eye.
"He told me that his wife had already signed separation agreements and that everything was completely above board."
"You liar!" Daniel screamed, stepping toward her with wild eyes.
"You told me that if I took Rachel to dinner on our anniversary, you would never speak to me again!"
Claire let out a mocking, disgusted laugh that sliced through Daniel’s remaining dignity like a razor blade.
"Because I thought you were an honest man with actual wealth, Daniel," Claire spat back at him.
"I didn't know you were just a pathetic freeloader stealing money from your wife’s accounts."
Gregory Vance raised his hands, cutting off the vicious shouting match between the two lovers.
"Both of you are placed on immediate, unpaid administrative leave pending a complete internal forensic audit," Gregory commanded.
"Security will escort you both to your desks to collect your personal belongings."
"Get out of my sight."
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Daniel stumbled out of the executive office, feeling like the ground had just opened up beneath his feet.
In less than three hours, he had lost his money, his job, his reputation, and the mistress he had traded his marriage for.
