Chapter 5 - Turning the Tables
The magnitude of Richard’s betrayal felt like a physical blow to my chest, but the fog of sadness in my mind suddenly evaporated.
He hadn't just cheated on me; he had set me up as the sacrificial lamb to take the fall when Victor Romano’s enforcers came knocking.
If Victor had been an impulsive monster, his men would have raided my quiet home and buried me in an unmarked forest grave.
"He was planning to let me take the prison sentence," I said, cold fury replacing every ounce of my former fear.
"He purchased two one-way tickets to Zurich for tomorrow evening," Victor confirmed, tapping the file with his gold pen.
"Elena was supposed to meet him at O'Hare Airport after securing the final digital transfer codes from his laptop tonight."
"And what happens to you if that money stays gone?" I asked, watching him carefully.
"My board members ask questions, my logistics network faces unnecessary scrutiny, and my authority is challenged," Victor replied evenly.
"I don't like being challenged, Martha."
He leaned his forearms against the desk, fixing me with a gaze that could have stripped paint off iron.
"Here is my proposal. You sign the asset recovery release tonight, allowing my accountants to reclaim ten million of those funds."
"And the remaining two million?" I asked, holding my breath.
May you like
"The remaining two million stays in your personal account as payment for your consulting services and emotional damages."
"Then, tomorrow morning, you help me watch Richard’s grand escape dissolve into total ruin."
