Chapter 2 - The Hallway Confrontation
The rest of the wedding reception was a complete blur of whispered gossip and staring eyes.
Marcus and Chloe spent the next hour avoiding our table like we were carrying a deadly plague.
Julian eventually took Emma to the dessert bar to get a slice of chocolate cake.
I walked toward the elegant marble restrooms to wash my hands in peace.
As I exited the ladies' room, a heavy hand grabbed my arm and pulled me into a secluded hallway.
It was Marcus.
He smelled strongly of cheap whiskey and desperation.
“Evelyn, we need to talk right now.”
I yanked my arm away from his grip and glared at him.
“Do not ever touch me again.”
Marcus held up his hands defensively, trying to put on the fake charming smile that used to fool me.
“I just want to apologize for how things ended between us five years ago.”
I laughed out loud at his pathetic attempt at manipulation.
“You emptied our joint bank accounts and left me to pay the mortgage alone.”
“That wasn't an ending, Marcus, that was an execution.”
He stepped closer, his eyes darting nervously down the empty corridor.
“I was young and stupid, but we have a long history together.”
“You know how hard I worked to build Mercer Innovations from the ground up.”
“You can’t let personal resentment ruin this massive business deal for me.”
I looked at him with absolute disgust.
“My professional decisions are based entirely on compliance and financial integrity.”
“If your company is clean, you have nothing to worry about on Monday.”
I turned to walk away, but Marcus blocked my path.
His charming mask completely melted away, revealing the cruel monster I remembered.
“You think you hold all the cards just because you married a billionaire?”
“I know exactly what you did during our marriage.”
I stopped walking and stared at him.
“What are you talking about?”
May you like
Marcus smirked viciously.
“I wonder how your perfect new husband will react when I tell him you helped me hide three million dollars in illegal offshore accounts.”
