CHAPTER 3: THE WOMAN BEHIND EVERYTHING
CHAPTER 3: THE WOMAN BEHIND EVERYTHING
By the time Ethan reached headquarters, fifty million dollars had vanished.
Chloe was missing.
So was the company's backup server.
Federal investigators soon uncovered the truth.
Chloe wasn't an assistant.
Her real name was Natalie Cross.
And she had spent four years infiltrating Ethan's company.
But why?
The answer shocked everyone.
Twenty years earlier, Ethan's father had destroyed a small tech startup through illegal business practices.
That startup belonged to Natalie's father.
He eventually took his own life.
Natalie had spent her entire adult life planning revenge.
Destroy the company.
Destroy the marriage.
Destroy the family.
She almost succeeded.
Almost.
Because Ryan unexpectedly turned himself in and cooperated with investigators.
Using information Ryan provided, authorities tracked Natalie to a private airfield in Nevada.
She was arrested minutes before leaving the country.
Months later, Victoria met Ethan for coffee.
"I owe you an apology," she quietly said.
Ethan smiled sadly.
"You weren't completely wrong. I should've trusted you enough to tell you about Chloe's suspicious behavior."
Victoria laughed softly.
"So what now?"
Ethan looked at her.
"Maybe we start with dinner."
One year later, Ethan and Victoria renewed their vows.
This time, with no secrets.
And Ryan?
May you like
He finally got the family he'd never had.
THE END.
