Evan’s eyes narrowed. “Misuse?”
I turned one of the documents toward him.
“Hotel suites billed under client entertainment. Private flights recorded as investor travel. Jewelry purchased through a discretionary account.” I looked toward Madison’s bare finger. “Including the ring.”
Madison stared at him. “You bought my ring with company money?”
He did not answer.
That answer was enough.
She laughed then. Not because anything was funny, but because something inside her had snapped.
“You told me Claire controlled everything,” she said. “You said you were trapped.”
“I was,” he hissed.
“No,” I said. “You were comfortable.”
He looked at me with pure hatred.
For years, I had mistaken indifference for strength. Silence for patience. His lack of tenderness for ambition.
Now I saw him clearly.
Evan had never wanted a wife.
He wanted a door.
And I had been born holding the key.
Two security guards entered through the side doors. They did not rush. They did not need to. Their presence alone changed the room.
Evan noticed them immediately.
“You’re having me removed?” he asked.
“You’re being escorted out of a private event,” Daniel said.
“This is my anniversary dinner.”
“No,” I said. “It was mine.”
His eyes cut to me.
For a brief moment, I saw panic beneath the anger.
“Claire,” he said, softer now. “Don’t do this.”
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