Chapter 5

Early the next morning, Ethan arrived to pick me up.

He wore a tailored charcoal-gray suit, his platinum cufflinks catching the morning sun.

As I sat in the passenger seat, he reached into the back and handed me a thick manila folder.

"What’s this?"

"Everything Miller compiled overnight. A complete paper trail of Chad’s eight-million-dollar embezzlement. Every single wire transfer stamped with timestamps, receiving accounts, and declared purposes."

I flipped through it. Right on top was a summary sheet: the eight million had been broken down into thirty-seven separate transactions, routed across nine shell accounts.

The largest single chunk—$1.2 million—had been wired into a company called "Apex Supplies."

"Apex is a dummy LLC registered under Chad’s cousin," Ethan said, accelerating smoothly. "On paper, it was procurement of commercial supplies. In reality, the moment the money hit the account, it was split and funneled straight into Chad’s parents' accounts and his ex-girlfriend’s pocket."

"His ex?" I paused. "Which ex?"

"The one before you. Rachel Dawson. She’s currently living in Australia," Ethan said, taking a curve. "This transfer went through last November. You two hadn't even broken up yet."

My fingers tightened around the folder.

"So while he was sleeping next to me, he was wiring funds to his ex overseas?"

"Fifty thousand a month, consistently for eight months," Ethan said. "The wire description was labeled 'Alimony & Child Support.'"

A cold, incredulous laugh escaped my lips.

"Child support? He was paying child support to an ex?"

"Yes. Miller confirmed that Rachel gave birth to a baby boy in Sydney late last year. The father’s name on the birth certificate was left blank."

I leaned back against the leather seat, watching the city skyline blur past the window.

Chad, just how many filthy secrets were you keeping from me?

The driveway of the Grand Plaza Hotel was packed with luxury vehicles.

Even though the Sterlings postponed the wedding, they had repurposed the venue into a "Corporate Appreciation Luncheon" for all the business partners who had flown in.

On the surface, it was an apology to their elite associates; in reality, it was Gia’s family offering Chad one final, dignified exit.

Ethan and I walked up to the grand ballroom doors. The concierge checked our invitations and bowed respectfully, ushering us inside.

The ballroom was massive, set with over twenty banquet tables.

Most of the guests had already arrived—men in bespoke tuxedos and women dripping in diamonds, mingling in hushed, curious circles.

Chad stood near the head table in a crisp white tuxedo, his face pale and taut.

Next to him stood Gia in a striking red dress, holding a champagne flute, her social smile stiff as porcelain.

The second Chad saw me walk in, his expression contorted into sheer venom.

Composing himself quickly, he grabbed a glass and marched straight toward us.

"Chloe," he hissed under his breath. "You actually dared to show up."

"You texted me yesterday to see you today," I smiled faintly. "I couldn't possibly be rude."

"You—"

"Chad," Ethan interrupted, casually tapping the manila envelope against his palm. "Don't cause a scene here. Either step outside with us, or I take this straight up to the stage microphone."

Chad’s eyes darted to the folder, his pupils constricting sharply.

"What is that?"

"The complete records of the $50,000 monthly wires you've been sending to Rachel Dawson in Australia since last November," Ethan said smoothly. "Along with every bank account and transfer trail linked to your cousin’s dummy firm, Apex Supplies."