Chapter 2

Apollo recovered from his shock in a fraction of a second. His dark eyebrows pulled together, and a flash of pure disgust crossed his face.

"Where the hell is security?" Apollo's voice was a low, dangerous growl. "How did a woman without a membership get in here?"

Erna didn't blink. She didn't slow down. She walked right past the staring heirs and socialites, straight to the massive glass coffee table in front of him.

Brynlee shrank back against the sofa cushions, pressing her shoulder into Apollo's arm. She crossed her hands over her chest, her eyes wide like a frightened deer.

Erna stopped. She looked down at Apollo. There was no warmth left in her gaze, no pleading, no tears.

She raised the stack of papers in her hand and slammed them down onto the tempered glass.

Smack.

The sound echoed like a gunshot in the silent room. The crystal whiskey glasses on the table rattled against each other.

Several people in the room gasped. Brynlee let out a tiny, dramatic shriek.

Apollo stared at the bold word DIVORCE printed at the top of the document. The muscles in his jaw ticked. His pupils contracted.

Then, he leaned back against the leather sofa and let out a dark, mocking laugh.

"What's the number this time, Erna?" Apollo sneered, crossing his arms. "Ten million? The penthouse in Manhattan? What's the price for your exit?"

"Flip to the last page," Erna said. Her voice was completely flat. "Look at the asset division clause."

Apollo's eyes narrowed. He grabbed the papers with a look of utter contempt and flipped to the back.

His eyes scanned the text. Then, his mocking smile froze.

The clause clearly stated she was taking nothing. She will waive all division of jointly owned property between spouses and leave with nothing.

He looked up at her, his expression twisting into suspicion. He was searching her face for the trick, convinced this was just a new psychological game.

Erna ignored him. She shifted her gaze to Brynlee, who was still clinging to Apollo's side.

"I didn't say anything bad about you, Erna, I swear-" Brynlee started, her voice trembling.

"Save the pathetic acting for someone who buys it," Erna cut her off. Her voice was like crushed glass. "It makes me sick to look at you."

Apollo shot up from the sofa. He stepped in front of Brynlee, shielding her with his broad body.

"Watch your mouth," Apollo roared, his chest heaving. "Don't act like a rabid dog just because your scam failed."

Erna looked at his protective stance. A year ago, that would have shattered her. Now, it just felt ridiculous.

She reached into her coat pocket, pulled out her phone, and lit up the screen. She held it up for the entire room to see. It was an electronic NYPD police report receipt.

"I filed an official police report two hours ago regarding the drugged drinks and the leaked private photos from last night," Erna announced, her voice ringing clear across the room.

The temperature in the suite plummeted. The faces of the people who had been at the party turned stark white.

Apollo's face darkened into a storm of fury. "Are you threatening the Cherry family with the police?" he hissed through clenched teeth.

"The police will find out exactly who put the drugs in that glass," Erna said calmly, putting her phone away.

She looked at Apollo one last time. She looked at him like he was a stranger on the subway.

Erna turned on her heel. The hem of her cheap trench coat flared out behind her.

She didn't say another word. She walked out of the suite, her footsteps steady and echoing down the hall.

Apollo stood frozen in the center of the room. He stared at the divorce papers that asked for absolutely nothing, a sudden, inexplicable panic clawing at the inside of his throat.