CHAPTER 7 – THE SECRET THAT DESTROYED DOMINIC'S LAST CHANCE

Three days after Dominic was removed as CEO, rain fell steadily over Manhattan.

Inside Brooks Global Headquarters, the atmosphere was unusually tense.

Charles Brooks sat at the head of the executive conference table while the company's General Counsel, Eleanor Pierce, placed a weathered archive box in front of him.

"I think we've found it."

Charles looked up.

"The investigation?"

Eleanor nodded.

"Our forensic auditors finished tracing every communication between Brooks Global and VanceTech from the last four years."

She carefully removed a thin blue folder.

"It began before the engagement."

Audrey, seated quietly with Leo sleeping beside her in a stroller, frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Eleanor slid a document across the table.

It was an email.

Four years old.

Sent by Dominic.

Addressed to a venture capitalist.

Subject: Brooks Opportunity

Audrey's breathing slowed.

Eleanor continued.

"Please read the second paragraph."

Audrey's eyes moved across the page.

'I've recently begun dating Audrey Brooks. She doesn't advertise her family connections, but I'm confident the relationship will provide access to Brooks Global's network. Once we're married, fundraising should become considerably easier.'

Her fingers froze.

Charles closed his eyes.

He had hoped they would never find something like this.

Audrey kept reading.

Every sentence hurt more than the one before.

Dominic had described their relationship...

Not as love.

As leverage.

Another email followed.

This one sent to his college roommate.

'She's sweet. Quiet. Trusts people too easily. Honestly, I hit the jackpot.'

Another.

'Her father doesn't know me yet, but once he does, doors will open everywhere.'

Audrey gently placed the papers back onto the table.

No tears came.

There were none left.

The room remained silent until Charles finally spoke.

"So..."

"Before he ever asked you to marry him..."

"He had already calculated your value."

Audrey stared out the window.

"I spent years wondering when he changed."

She smiled sadly.

"He never did."

"I simply didn't know who he was."

That same afternoon...

Dominic stood outside a modest apartment building in Queens.

His luxury condominium had already been listed for sale.

Most of his personal accounts had been frozen pending legal disputes.

The only person willing to answer his calls was his mother.

Victoria opened the apartment door.

"There you are."

She frowned immediately.

"You look awful."

Dominic looked exhausted.

"I need help."

Victoria folded her arms.

"I told you not to marry that girl."

Dominic stared.

"What?"

"I always said rich families are dangerous."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"You were the one who kept calling Audrey a burden."

Victoria shrugged.

"So?"

"You should've controlled her better."

Something inside Dominic finally broke.

"You think this is her fault?"

Victoria scoffed.

"If she'd been a proper wife, none of this would've happened."

Dominic slowly shook his head.

"No."

"For the first time in my life..."

"I think this is entirely my fault."

Victoria rolled her eyes.

"Oh, stop being dramatic."

Before Dominic could answer, someone knocked on the apartment door.

A process server stood outside.

"Mrs. Victoria Vance?"

"Yes?"

"You've been served."

Another envelope.

Another lawsuit.

Brooks Global had begun legal action to recover company assets, unauthorized vehicle use, and several fraudulent reimbursement claims Victoria herself had submitted while using the corporate SUV.

Victoria's face turned white.

"I didn't know..."

The process server replied calmly.

"According to the documentation..."

"...you signed every receipt."

He walked away.

Victoria stared at the papers.

For the first time, there was no one left to blame.

That evening...

Audrey received one final request.

Dominic wanted to see Leo.

Charles immediately objected.