Chapter 3 - The Eviction of the Mistress
The private dining room erupted into absolute, unhinged chaos.
"You can't do this!" Eleanor shrieked, slamming her hands on the mahogany table, knocking over a crystal water pitcher. "He is a senior partner! He built that firm!"
"He built a house of cards using my family's money, Eleanor," I snapped, my voice hardening into the icy, uncompromising authority I had suppressed for eleven years. "And as for the house he currently lives in—my house, the estate you all thought belonged to him—the locks were changed at noon today."
I turned my attention to Savannah. The smug, victorious smirk had been completely wiped from her face. She looked at Harrison, waiting for him to furiously deny my claims, to stand up, assert his power, and put me in my place. But Harrison couldn't even speak. He had buried his face in his hands, hyperventilating.
"Savannah," I said, stepping closer to her. She flinched, shrinking back into my chair. "You told me I should start getting used to you sitting in my place. But I think you need to get used to updating your resume. Because I am the new majority owner of Vanguard & Vance, and my very first act as CEO was to formally terminate your employment for corporate fraud."
Savannah’s jaw dropped. "You can't fire me! I have a contract!"
"Your contract was voided the second you accepted stolen corporate funds to pay your rent," I smiled. "Speaking of rent, Harrison’s credit cards were shut off four hours ago. The Mercedes you drove here tonight is a company car. The repo men are towing it from the valet lot as we speak."
"Harrison, tell me she's lying!" Savannah demanded, her voice shrill and panicked. She shook his arm violently. "Tell me you still have the money! Tell me we still have the condo!"
Harrison couldn't even look at her. He looked up at me, a pathetic, shattered shell of the arrogant man who had kissed his mistress outside the Waldorf. "Evelyn, please," he sobbed, actual tears streaming down his face. "I have nothing. You took everything. I'm sorry. I was stupid. Please."
"I only took back what was legally mine," I corrected him. "You wanted a new life with her. You wanted to humiliate me in front of your entire family. Well, congratulations, Harrison. You are completely free. You have no job, no money, no car, and no wife. The rest of your life starts right now."
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I turned to the maître d', who was standing frozen near the swinging kitchen doors. "The bill for tonight’s anniversary dinner goes to the gentleman crying in the center chair. Have a wonderful evening, everyone."
I walked out of the dining room without looking back. Behind me, the sound of Eleanor’s hysterical screaming and Savannah’s furious shouting echoed down the hallway.
