Chapter 3

"Alex, dear," Jessica said, her voice dripping with mock sympathy, yet her eyes glinted with malice. "You look surprised."

Marcus smirked. "He probably doesn't even understand what's happening, do you, old friend?"

He walked over to me, leaning down, his breath smelling of expensive cologne and something sour.

"It's over, Alex. Your reign is done."

Jessica glided to his side, her hand tracing the lapel of his suit. "We're in charge now. Innovatech needs strong leadership, not a... cripple."

The word hung in the air, ugly and sharp.

David Miller, his face flushed with anger, stepped forward. "This is an outrage! You can't just steal a man's company, his legacy!"

Two large men, clearly Marcus's new security detail, moved to block David.

"Stay out of this, Miller," Marcus snapped. "Or you'll regret it."

David didn't flinch. "Alex built this company from nothing! He trusted you, Marcus! And you, Jessica!"

Jessica laughed again. "Trust? Oh, please. Alex was always so easy to fool."

She turned to me, her expression one of pure contempt.

"Remember those Aspen chalet documents, darling?" she purred, bending close so only I could hear the venom.

"So eager to sign, weren't you? So desperate for a little mountain getaway with your loving wife."

Her voice rose, addressing the room now. "He signed over his controlling shares, thinking he was buying a vacation home! How pathetic is that?"

She tilted her head, displaying the fresh, red marks of Marcus's kisses on her neck. "He never satisfied me, not in any way. Marcus, on the other hand..."

She looked at Marcus with adoration. "Marcus knows what a real woman needs. He knows what this company needs."

The allies of Marcus and Jessica snickered, their mockery echoing in the tense silence.

I felt a simulated wave of humiliation wash over me, playing my part.

The pain of her words, even expected, was a dull ache. She was truly vile.