CHAPTER 3 — THE EMPIRE COLLAPSES
"You planned this."
Harrison's voice shook with rage.
Ethan nodded calmly.
"No."
"I documented it."
He pressed a button on a remote.
The giant projection screen behind the altar came to life.
Security footage.
Private emails.
Audio recordings.
Hidden financial agreements.
The affair had only been the beginning.
The real betrayal was worth billions.
For years, Harrison had been secretly diverting company funds through shell corporations.
Olivia hadn't fallen in love with him.
She had been helping him move money.
The fake engagement to Ethan gave them unrestricted access to family trusts and confidential financial records.
Every transaction now appeared on the screen.
Every forged signature.
Every hidden account.
Every illegal payment.
Guests who had once admired Harrison now stared at him in disbelief.
Board members quietly stood.
One by one.
They walked away from the front row.
Their phones rang almost simultaneously.
The company's stock was crashing.
Banks had frozen corporate accounts.
Federal investigators had already executed search warrants at Sterling headquarters.
Outside the chapel...
Black SUVs surrounded the building.
Agents entered through the front doors.
"Harrison Sterling."
The lead investigator held up a warrant.
"You are under arrest."
Olivia reached for Harrison's hand.
He pulled away.
May you like
Neither of them spoke.
Because there was nothing left to deny.
