Chapter 4

At ten o'clock, right after my shower, Fred called.

The background on his end was loud, some kind of drinking party.

"Celeste, what exactly are you trying to do?" His voice was strained around a huge amount of anger.

"Separate accounting? What gives you the right to take the core team? Do you even know the company's cash flow is about to snap?"

I toweled my dripping hair, put him on speaker, and set the phone on the table.

"What gives me the right is the risk-isolation clause in the performance agreement," I answered calmly.

There was a beat of silence, then Fred's disbelieving laugh.

"You've been guarding against me all along?"

There was actually a note of betrayed self-pity in his voice.

"I thought you were just throwing a tantrum. I never imagined you were plotting against me. Celeste, five years of marriage, and you're really going to be this ruthless?"

Listening to him twist it around on me, I didn't even have the strength to be angry.

"Fred, you're the one who crossed the line first."

"I told you, that was an accident!" His volume shot up, trying to overpower me with sheer noise. "As long as you cancel the separate accounting now and bring the team back, I can make Paige resign immediately."

He paused, and his tone softened into a kind of condescending tenderness.

"Celeste, the company can't do without you. Let's turn this page and live our lives properly, all right?"

I looked at myself in the mirror.

No tears in my eyes. Just clarity.

"There's no turning this page," I said quietly.

"What do you mean?" Fred's breathing quickened.

"If you insist on submitting the separate accounting report to the board tomorrow, I'll use my veto as chairman."

He finally tore off the warm mask.

"Celeste, don't push me. Even if you take the team, as long as I don't sign, you won't walk away with a single cent."

I listened to his threat and let a mocking curve pull at my mouth.

"Fred, do you still remember those ninety-nine loyalty tests?"

The line went blank, like he couldn't keep up with me.

"You thought those screenshots were hilarious, didn't you? Thought I was some fool you two were toying with in the palm of your hand."

"Those bedroom photos Paige sent you? I've already packaged them and forwarded them to Everline's compliance department."

On the other end, Fred's breath caught.

"Everline's investment terms have a clear moral-risk veto clause."

"Fred, take your true love and go bankrupt together."

There was the sound of a glass shattering on his end.

"Celeste! You've lost your mind."

I pressed end and dropped his number into the blocked list on my way out.