Part 2 — The Woman They Thought Was Powerless
Grant's smile faltered.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
I looked at every face around the table before answering.
"I just realized..." I said calmly, "...this is the last dinner any of you will ever enjoy at my expense."
Richard laughed first.
"Your expense?" he scoffed. "The only expense you've ever had is buying maternity clothes."
More laughter followed.
Even the servants lowered their heads, afraid to make eye contact.
I simply nodded.
"Thank you," I said.
Diane frowned.
"For what?"
"For making tonight unforgettable."
I opened the front door and stepped into the cool evening air.
Behind me Grant called out.
"Elena! Don't expect me to come after you."
"I wasn't."
The door closed between us.
...
A black luxury sedan rolled quietly to the curb.
The driver hurried out with an umbrella.
"Good evening, Ms. Lawson."
I smiled warmly.
"Evening, Daniel."
He looked horrified when he saw my soaked clothes.
"They actually did it."
"They did."
"Should I inform the board?"
I looked back at the mansion glowing behind us.
"Tomorrow morning."
"Yes, ma'am."
As soon as I entered the car, another woman handed me a towel and a warm blanket.
"Your blood pressure?" my physician asked.
"Normal."
"The baby?"
Right on cue, my son kicked again.
I rested a hand on my stomach.
"We're both fine."
The convoy drove away.
None of the Whitmores noticed the three security vehicles following behind us.
...
At 7:00 the next morning.
The executive boardroom on the fiftieth floor overlooked the entire city.
Every director stood when I entered.
"Good morning, Chairwoman."
"Morning."
I took my seat at the head of the table.
My assistant projected several video clips onto the enormous screen.
Diane laughing.
Grant insulting me.
Richard encouraging them.
Vanessa mocking my pregnancy.
Every second had been recorded.
Silence filled the room.
"Our largest strategic partner," one director finally whispered, "has been treating the owner like this?"
I nodded once.
"They never knew."
Another executive looked furious.
"Mrs. Whitmore Industries depends on sixty-three percent of its annual revenue from our contracts."
"Correct."
"And Grant Whitmore works in our executive investment division."
"Correct."
"What are your instructions?"
I folded my hands.
"We don't destroy companies because people are cruel."
The room relaxed slightly.
"We hold people accountable."
Several directors nodded.
"My marriage is over," I continued. "File the divorce today."
My legal counsel slid a folder across the table.
"It has already been prepared."
"Excellent."
"Second," I continued, "launch a full internal audit on every Whitmore executive connected to our contracts."
"And if misconduct is discovered?"
"It won't be hidden."
The general counsel smiled slightly.
"It won't."
...
Meanwhile...
Grant walked confidently into Whitmore Global headquarters.
Employees whispered as he passed.
He assumed they admired him.
Instead, they were reading breaking news.
Whitmore Global's primary investment partner had announced an emergency review of all executive relationships.
Grant shrugged.
"My family's handled audits before."
He stepped into the elevator.
When the doors opened on his floor, two security officers waited.
"Mr. Whitmore?"
"Yes?"
"We need you to come with us."
He laughed.
"Do you know who I am?"
"Yes."
"Then move."
"I'm afraid your building access has been suspended."
Grant stared.
"What?"
His employee badge flashed red.
Again.
And again.
His office door refused to unlock.
Across the room every coworker watched.
None spoke.
His phone rang.
It was his mother.
"Grant!" Diane shouted. "Richard's access card stopped working!"
"My badge too."
"What is happening?"
Before Grant could answer, another call appeared.
It was the chairman.
He answered immediately.
"Sir?"
The chairman's voice was unusually tense.
"Grant... who exactly is your wife?"
Grant frowned.
"My ex-wife."
A long silence followed.
Then came the sentence that changed everything.
"No..."
May you like
the chairman whispered.
"She's our owner."
