Chapter 4

My father was on the next private jet from New York.

Richard Miller didn't do subtle. When he arrived, it was with his top legal team and a firm of private investigators he kept on retainer.

He found me a wreck, barely functioning. He held me, for the first time in years, really held me, and just let me cry.

"He'll pay for this, Sarah," Dad said, his voice a low growl. "They both will."

The fury in his eyes was terrifying, but for me, it was a lifeline.

He moved me out of the Hamptons house, the scene of my humiliation, and into a secure suite he owned in the city. Doctors were called. I was exhausted, physically and emotionally drained. I slept for nearly two days, waking only to my father's quiet presence and the hushed efficiency of his staff.

While I recovered, his team went to work.

Olivia was a rock, constantly by my side when Dad had to attend to business, bringing me food, gossip, and a much-needed sense of normalcy.

"He's a fool, Sarah," Olivia said, fiercely loyal. "A weak, arrogant fool. And she's a viper."

A few days later, Dad sat down with me. His face was grim.

"The investigators found something," he said. "Chloe Washington isn't just a gold-digger. She's a thief."

He laid out documents. Bank statements, transfers.

"She's been embezzling funds from that charitable foundation Innovatech set up. The one you helped establish for underprivileged youth."

The irony was sickening. The program that brought Chloe into our lives, she was now looting it.

"Hundreds of thousands of dollars," Dad continued. "Siphoned into offshore accounts."

Just then, my phone rang. Ethan.

I looked at Dad. He nodded. "Put him on speaker."

"Sarah? Are you there?" Ethan's voice was strained, almost pleading. "Where are you? I've been worried."

Worried. The nerve.

"What do you want, Ethan?" I asked, my voice cold, unfamiliar even to myself.

"I... I miss you," he stammered. "This whole thing with Chloe... it's gotten out of hand. Maybe we rushed into things. Maybe we can talk?"

I almost laughed. He thought he could still manipulate me.

"There's nothing to talk about, Ethan," I said. "Except perhaps Chloe's creative accounting."

Silence on the other end.

Then, "What are you talking about?"

"My father's investigators are very thorough, Ethan. They found Chloe's little side hustle. Embezzling from the Innovatech foundation."

A choked sound. "That's... that's impossible."

"Is it?" I asked. "Or did you just not care enough to look?"

I could almost hear his mind racing, the panic setting in.

"Sarah, I can fix this," he said quickly. "I'll handle Chloe. Just... don't do anything drastic. Please."

"It's a bit late for that, Ethan," I said, and hung up.

A small, grim smile touched my father's lips. "That's my girl."

The old Sarah was gone. This new one was just getting started.