Chapter 5

The Grand Opening of the V-Tech Manhattan Headquarters was the event of the season. Every titan of industry, every politician, and every socialite was there—including those who were only invited so they could watch their own downfall.

Clara stood at the top of the glass staircase, her presence commanding the room. She wore a gown of midnight blue silk that shimmered like a galaxy. On her wrist was a watch worth more than Julian’s first startup.

"You look breathtaking," Logan whispered, leaning in to hand her a glass of sparkling water. He never left her side.

"I look like a woman who is about to settle a debt," Clara replied, her eyes scanning the crowd until they landed on a familiar, frantic figure.

Sarah had arrived.

She was dressed in a pale pink lace dress that screamed "innocence," looking wildly out of place among the sharp suits and power dresses. Behind her, looking exhausted and grim, was Julian.

The room went silent as Sarah pushed through the crowd, heading straight for Clara. Julian tried to grab her arm, but she shook him off.

"Clara!" Sarah’s voice shrilled, cutting through the classical music. "You think you’re so smart, don’t you? Playing these games, trying to bankrupt Julian just because he chose love over you?"

Clara didn't move. she didn't even blink. She slowly descended the stairs, each click of her heels sounding like a countdown.

"Sarah," Clara said calmly. "I see your heart condition is doing well enough to allow for a public tantrum. That’s a miracle."

A few people in the crowd snickered. Sarah’s face flushed a deep, angry red.

"Julian is a good man!" Sarah cried, her eyes welling with practiced tears. "He gave you everything when you were nothing! How can you be so heartless? You’re pregnant with his child, and you’re using that baby as a weapon!"

The gasps from the crowd were audible. The secret was out.

Julian stepped forward, his face pale. "Sarah, stop. This isn't the place."

"No, Julian! Everyone needs to know!" Sarah turned to the cameras. "She’s a cold-blooded snake! She hid her money from her husband for years! That’s fraud! She lied to the man she swore to love!"

Clara reached the bottom step and stood directly in front of Sarah. She was a head taller in her heels, looking down at the other woman with nothing but pity.

"Let’s talk about lies, Sarah," Clara said, her voice amplified by the silent room.

She pulled a small remote from her clutch and clicked it. The giant LED screen behind her, which had been displaying the V-Tech logo, flickered and changed.

It showed a medical report.

"This is Sarah’s 'fragile' heart report from the St. Jude Clinic," Clara announced. "Dated three months ago. According to this, Sarah has the cardiovascular health of a marathon runner. There is no heart condition. There never was."

The silence in the room became suffocating. Julian froze, his gaze locked on the screen. He had spent years skipping board meetings, flying across the country, and eventually divorcing his wife—all because of a condition that didn't exist.

"Julian..." Sarah stammered, her voice small. "I... I can explain. It was a mistake, the doctors—"

"And this," Clara clicked the remote again, "is a transcript of Sarah’s bank statements. It seems she’s been receiving a monthly 'consultation f*e' from your rival, the Miller Group, for the last two years. She wasn't just faking an illness, Julian. She was selling your trade secrets while she was 'recovering' in your guest house."

Julian felt like the world was tilting on its axis. He looked at Sarah—really looked at her—and saw not a fragile flower, but a calculating parasite. Then he looked at Clara, the woman who had protected him, loved him, and handled his life with silent grace while he ignored her.

"Clara," Julian choked out, taking a step toward her. "I... I didn't know. I’m so sorry."

Clara looked at him, and for a fleeting second, the coldness flickered. But then she saw the sonogram in his hand—the one he was still carrying like a shield—and her heart hardened again.

"Being sorry doesn't pay for the three years I wasted, Julian," she said. "And it doesn't pay for the fact that you believed her over me every single time."

She turned to her security. "Please escort Ms. Sarah and Mr. Thorne out. They aren't on the guest list."

"Clara, wait!" Julian yelled as security moved in. "Please! Just let me talk to you about the baby!"

"Logan," Clara said, not even looking back. "Make sure they’re gone. I have a company to run."

As Julian was led out of the building, he watched Sarah being shoved toward a taxi, her mask of innocence completely shattered. But he didn't care about Sarah anymore. He didn't care about his company.

He watched the glass doors close on Clara. She was surrounded by light, power, and a man who actually deserved to stand beside her.

He stood on the sidewalk, a billionaire who suddenly realized he was the poorest man in New York.