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My husband slapped me in front of the whole charity gala, then wrapped his arm around his mistress and sneered, “Apologize to her, or get out.” I touched my burning cheek and smiled through the tears, because the three men standing silently behind him weren’t guests. They were my brothers—the judge, the billionaire, and the police captain—and none of them had moved yet. / Chapter 5 / 10

Chapter 5 - Dismantling an Empire

Adrian Vale sat in his glass-walled corner office, his tie loosened, screaming into his phone.

"What do you mean my credit line is suspended?! I'm Adrian Vale! I have thirty million dollars in liquidity with your bank!"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Vale," the bank manager’s voice trembled on the other end. "But your accounts have been flagged for suspicious offshore activity. And... well, Julian Vance called our CEO directly. Nobody wants to do business with you today, sir."

Adrian threw his phone against the wall, shattering the screen.

The door opened and Vanessa rushed in, looking frantic. She wasn't wearing her usual immaculate designer clothes; she looked disheveled. "Adrian, the board of the Foundation just called an emergency meeting. Major donors are pulling out! They saw the video. They're demanding you step down immediately."

"It's those brothers!" Adrian paced furiously. "They're orchestrating this. They're trying to ruin me!"

"They are ruining you!" Vanessa shrieked. "My brand deals have dropped me! The society pages are calling me a home-wrecker. You said she didn't have anyone! You said she was isolated!"

"Shut up, Vanessa!" Adrian roared, raising his hand instinctively.

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Vanessa flinched violently, stepping back. In that moment, looking at Adrian's raised hand, the reality of the monster she had allied herself with finally pierced through her greed. Adrian lowered his hand, panting, but the damage was done.

Down in the lobby of Adrian's building, Marcus Vance walked out of the elevator. He had just finished a meeting with the building's management—whom he secretly bought out that morning. He pulled out his phone. "Julian? The commercial lease is voided. Give him his eviction notice."

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Chapter 6 - The Ugly Truth Behind the Mask
Chapter 7 - Rats on a Sinking Ship
Chapter 8 - The Desperate Monster
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