The King’s Fall: How I Destroyed My Husband’s Empire in One Night

"If the seller willfully misrepresents the ownership of core assets," I read aloud, "the buyer is entitled to seize the seller's personal offshore accounts, private trusts, and physical properties to recoup the purchase amount."

I looked up at Mercer, my heart pounding. "If he signs this, and Marcus finds out on Monday that the land is mine..."

"Marcus Sterling will personally bankrupt Dominic," Mercer finished. "Not just the company. Everything. His penthouses, his cars, his hidden accounts in the Caymans. Dominic will be left with absolute zero."

"It's a trap," I whispered.

"It's a poison pill," Mercer corrected. "But for it to work, Dominic has to sign it tonight. And he has to believe he outsmarted us."

Suddenly, a shadow fell over our table.

Vanessa stood there. Without Dominic.

She had clearly visited the powder room to compose herself. Her makeup was flawless again, her posture defiant. She rested her hands on the table, leaning in close.

"You think you're very clever, don't you?" she hissed, her voice low enough that only Mercer and I could hear.

"Hello, Vanessa," I said evenly. "Nice dress. Is it Vera Wang? Or did you just buy it off the rack in a panic?"

Her eyes flashed. "Dominic told me everything. About your little stunt with the fake deed. He's over there right now securing a deal that will make us billions. While you're sitting here with a washed-up mobster."

Mercer didn't even blink. He just smiled politely.

"He's going to crush you, Evelyn," Vanessa continued, venom dripping from every word. "He never loved you. You were a chore. A boring, pathetic chore he had to endure. He told me he used to stare at the ceiling when you were together, just wishing you were me."

The words were designed to gut me. And a day ago, they would have.

But looking at her now—desperate, clutching at a man who was using her just as he had used me—I felt nothing but pity.

"Vanessa," I said softly, closing the dossier. "Do you know why Dominic promoted you to VP of Public Relations?"

She sneered. "Because I'm brilliant at it."

"No," I said. "Because your father is Senator Quinn. The head of the zoning committee. Dominic needed the zoning permits for the new Tech Center expedited. He didn't sleep with you because you're special, Vanessa. He slept with you because it was cheaper than bribing a federal official."

Vanessa froze. The color rushed out of her face.

"That's a lie," she whispered.

"Is it?" I asked. "Check your promotion date. Then check the date the permits were approved. They're exactly three days apart."

She stared at me, her breathing turning shallow.

Before she could speak, my phone buzzed on the table.

I glanced at the screen. It was an alert from my banking app.

Transfer of $50,000 from Joint Account to VANESSA QUINN.

I tapped the screen, turning it so she could see.

"He just paid you off," I said quietly. "A severance package. He's cutting you loose before the ship sinks."

Vanessa let out a choked sob. She turned and looked across the room.

Dominic wasn't looking at her. He was shaking hands with Marcus Sterling.