Chapter 3

"I need to cook the company's books. I need fake documents showing a cash-flow crisis and an 80-million-dollar loss due to a breach in contract. Make them as convincing as possible."

Beau paused for a moment before saying, "Tyson, that's a pretty big game you're playing. Can Lauren handle this?"

"Just do it."

I hung up and drove home. Then, I gathered up everything valuable in the house—watches, gold bars, and anything worth money—and locked them away in a safe before moving them to Beau's place.

…

The next evening, I sat in the living room with my hair disheveled and my tie loosened. On the coffee table were several forged collection notices and legal notices.

The front door opened. Lauren walked in carrying shopping bags, with Jasper right behind her.

The moment Lauren saw me, she froze. "Honey, what's wrong?"

I looked up, my eyes bloodshot.

"The company's in trouble." I pushed one of the legal notices across the table and continued, "That project we signed last month blew up. The partner company vanished. As a guarantor, I'm held liable."

"How much?" Jasper asked first.

"80 million dollars."

The shopping bags dropped from Lauren's hands.

"80 million dollars? Are you crazy? Where are we supposed to get that kind of money?"

I buried my face in my hands. "The house, the cars, and every account under my name will all be frozen by court order tomorrow. Lauren, I'm sorry. I've dragged you into this."

Lauren's face turned deathly pale. Instinctively, she stepped backward. Jasper quickly steadied her by the shoulders, his eyes flickering.

"Tyson, this isn't a small problem. Lauren's pregnant. She can't handle this kind of stress."

I looked at them. "I know. That's why I'm planning to sell the house to raise whatever money I can."

"No!" Lauren shrieked. "Honey, this is our home. If you sell it, where are we supposed to live? Where will our baby live?"

I sighed. "If I don't sell it, the court will seize it anyway. Then, we'll have nowhere to go at all."

Jasper spoke up, "Tyson, I have an idea."

I looked up at him.

"You two should get divorced first," he said confidently. "Transfer the house and whatever money is left into Lauren's name. That's called asset protection. After the debt is settled, you can get remarried. This way, you'll save the house and the baby."

Lauren nodded furiously. "Yes, yes! Exactly. Honey, Jasper is right. We can get a sham divorce first."

She walked over, crouched down, and grabbed my hand. "I'm not doing this for myself. I'm doing it for you and our child. I can't let our baby be born into debt."

Looking at her face full of calculation, I could feel my heart turn cold.

"But there's a cooling-off period."

Jasper smiled. "Don't worry about that. My uncle works at the courthouse. I can have him pull some strings for us. We can have the paperwork done tomorrow."

I lowered my head, concealing the look in my eyes. "Fine. Let's do it your way."

The next day, we went to the courthouse. Apparently, Jasper's uncle really did have connections. In less than an hour, the divorce certificate was in our hands.

Lauren slipped the document into her purse and let out a long breath of relief. "Honey, I'm sorry you'll have to put up with this for a while. Don't worry. I'll take good care of myself and the baby."

I looked at her calmly. "You get the house, while I get the debt. Take care of yourself from now on."

Lauren's eyes immediately reddened. "Don't say that. This is only temporary. Once you're back on your feet, I'll bring our child back to you."

Beside her, Jasper urged, "Lauren, we should go. We're going to be late for your checkup."

Lauren turned to me and said, "Honey, I'll head to my appointment first. Make sure you take care of yourself."

Then, she climbed into Jasper's car.

I stood by the roadside, watching the car drive away. Then, I took out my phone and sent Beau a message. "I got the certificate. Restore the company's books."

His reply came quickly. "Tyson, congratulations on escaping the nightmare! Drinks tonight?"

"Another time. I need to move out first."