CHAPTER 4 — The Call That Changed Everything
CHAPTER 4 — The Call That Changed Everything
I unlocked my phone again.
This time I wasn't calling the resort.
I was calling my company's Chief Financial Officer.
He answered immediately.
"Morning, Lydia."
"Good morning, Aaron."
"I assume you're on vacation?"
"That won't be happening."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"I need you to do something."
"Go ahead."
"Please suspend every corporate expense card issued under Caleb Harrison's name."
A long pause.
"Immediately?"
"Immediately."
Caleb's head snapped toward me.
"Lydia!"
Aaron didn't ask questions.
"It'll take less than sixty seconds."
"And revoke his access to the executive parking garage."
"Done."
"Disable his company email."
"Done."
"Cancel his consulting agreement."
Aaron hesitated.
"Are you certain?"
"Completely."
"Then it's effective immediately."
The call ended.
Caleb stared at me in disbelief.
"You can't do that!"
"I already did."
"I helped your company!"
"You attended charity dinners."
"I represented you!"
"You posed for photographs."
"I introduced you to investors!"
I almost smiled.
"Every investor you introduced was already my client."
His mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Graciela stepped forward.
"You're ruining his career!"
I looked at her calmly.
"What career?"
"He doesn't work for my company."
"He never owned shares."
"He was a paid consultant whose contract could be terminated at any time."
His father frowned.
"You mean... he never had an executive position?"
"No."
Caleb closed his eyes.
The carefully crafted image he'd built over years was collapsing in minutes.
His phone buzzed.
Then buzzed again.
He looked at the screen.
The color drained from his face.
Corporate Card Declined.
Another notification.
Company Email Disabled.
Then another.
Access Credentials Revoked.
He looked up at me.
"You planned this."
"No."
"I hoped I'd never have to do it."
"But the moment you stood on this dock and told me to cook and clean while your ex enjoyed the vacation I paid for..."
I took a slow breath.
"...you made the decision for both of us."
He reached for my arm again.
"Lydia, let's talk privately."
"There is nothing left to say privately."
His father stepped between us.
"No."
Caleb froze.
The older man's voice was cold.
"You'll talk right here."
"In front of everyone."
"Because you've been lying to everyone."
For the first time since arriving at the dock, Caleb looked truly afraid.
And he had every reason to be.
Because while he had been focused on losing a vacation...
He still hadn't realized he was about to lose something far more valuable.
His marriage.
May you like
His reputation.
And the luxurious life he had spent years pretending he built himself.
