Chapter 7 - THE FINAL GIFT
Nathaniel signaled his head of security, a towering man named Marcus, who stepped out of the shadows holding a sleek black folder. He handed it to Nathaniel.
“I was going to wait,” Nathaniel said softly, looking at Victoria. “I was going to handle this privately on Monday. Because unlike you, I do not enjoy publicly humiliating people. But you crossed a line tonight that you will never return from.”
Victoria took a step back, her face draining of color. “What is that?”
“This,” Nathaniel said, holding up the folder, “is a comprehensive audit of the Hale family trust. Or rather, the lack thereof. It details the thirty-five million dollars your father embezzled from his clients, the three shell companies you manage to hide the debt, and the specific emails where you orchestrated this entire engagement to secure my capital before the FBI kicks your family’s door down next week.”
The gasps in the room were deafening. Victoria’s trio of friends physically stepped away from her.
“You’re lying!” Victoria shrieked, her poise entirely destroyed. “You can’t do this!”
“I already have,” Nathaniel replied coldly. “The documents were sent to the authorities an hour ago. The only reason I considered marrying you, Victoria, was because I thought a loveless, strategic partnership was all I deserved. I thought I was dead inside. But this little girl and her mother reminded me that I am still alive.”
He looked at the security guard. “Marcus. Escort Ms. Hale off my property. She is no longer welcome here.”
“You can’t do this to me! Nathaniel!” Victoria screamed as two security guards flanked her. She frantically pulled the massive diamond ring off her finger and threw it at him. It bounced off his chest and clattered onto the marble. “You’ll regret this!”
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“The only thing I regret,” Nathaniel said, turning his back on her, “is not doing it sooner.”
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