Chapter 6 - The Betrayal
My hands shook violently as I recorded my fiancé kissing the woman who framed me.
“We have to get rid of her tonight, Julian,” Natalie whispered, breaking the kiss.
Julian stroked her hair and kissed her neck.
“Don't panic, the board vote is happening first thing tomorrow morning,” he assured her.
“I convinced them that Avery's mental health is deteriorating, just like her mother’s did.”
“They are voting to remove her as CEO and place me in full control of the company.”
I stopped recording and leaned against the wall, feeling entirely sick to my stomach.
Julian had been planting fake stories about my sanity for months just to steal my company.
I quietly backed away from the coatroom and slipped out a side exit of the hotel.
I needed someone inside the company with the power to stop the board vote.
I dialed the private number of Arthur Vance, my trusted CFO and Julian’s older uncle.
Arthur had been my mentor since my father passed away, and he always protected me.
He answered on the second ring.
“Avery, my dear, where are you?” Arthur asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
“Arthur, Julian is running a counterfeit ring and trying to steal the company,” I rushed out.
I explained the fake dresses, the fire, the offshore accounts, and the board vote.
Arthur sighed heavily into the phone.
“I suspected Julian was up to something, but I had no idea it was this deep,” he said sadly.
“I have a flash drive with all the proof, Arthur.”
“Bring it to the main corporate warehouse right now,” Arthur instructed urgently.
“I have a secure server there where we can verify the data before the board meeting.”
I felt a massive wave of relief wash over me.
“Thank you, Arthur, I am on my way,” I said, hanging up the phone.
I drove recklessly across the city to the industrial district.
The corporate warehouse was massive, completely dark, and silent.
I parked my car and slipped through the side entrance Arthur had told me to use.
I walked into the cavernous building, holding the flash drive tightly in my hand.
The overhead fluorescent lights suddenly clicked on, blinding me for a moment.
When my eyes adjusted, my entire world completely shattered.
Arthur was standing in the middle of the warehouse floor.
May you like
He was smiling coldly, and standing right next to him, holding a gun, was Marcus.
“You always were too trusting, Avery,” Arthur laughed softly.
