Chapter 6 - Shaking Foundations

Gavin looked up at me, his eyes wide with a mixture of terror and disbelief. "Your new CEO? Who? Some corporate stooge your father hires?"
"No," I replied, standing up and looking down at him. "Me. I have an MBA from Duke, Gavin. I stepped back to let you play the big-shot executive because I loved you and wanted you to feel confident. But while you were busy taking photos for business podcasts and taking Brielle out to expensive dinners, I was the one reviewing the quarterly financial statements and approving the logistics routes from my laptop in this house. I know every client, every manager, and every driver. You were just the face. I was the brain."
Brielle turned to Gavin, her face contorted with panic and disgust. "Gavin! Do something! Tell them they can't do this! Where are we supposed to go? What about the vacation to Paris next week? What about my jewelry?"
"The jewelry purchased on corporate cards?" Arthur Vance asked, raising an eyebrow. "Those assets have been frozen. Forensics accountants are currently auditing every single transaction you made, Ms. Knox. If you leave this house wearing anything bought with Rourke Logistics funds, it will be considered grand larceny."
Brielle let out a horrified cry and threw her champagne glass against the wall. It shattered, staining the wallpaper.
"Exquisite," my father said coldly. "Add property damage to the lawsuit, Arthur."
Two security guards stepped forward, standing over Gavin and Brielle. "Mr. Rourke, Ms. Knox. You have ten minutes to pack one suitcase of personal clothing each. Anything else left in this house will be impounded. Move."
Gavin looked at me, tears finally filling his eyes. The arrogant, untouchable tycoon was gone. In his place was the small-time logistics manager with two broken trucks from eight years ago.
"Vivian... please," he begged, reaching out toward me. "We can talk about this. I made a mistake. Brielle seduced me, she manipulated me! I still love you. We can fix this!"
Brielle gasped, slapping his shoulder. "What?! You told me you hated her! You told me she was a parasite!"
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"Shut up, Brielle!" Gavin yelled at her, desperate to save himself. "Vivian, please! Don't do this to me!"
I turned my back on him. "Your ten minutes are ticking, Gavin."