Chapter 12

Kane's pov

“Albert.” I sprang into action the moment we walked into my private office. “I want your team’s surveillance on Adrian starting today.”

Albert sat up straight. “I’m already on it. What specific parameters do you need?”

"I want Adrian's movements for the last fourteen months. Every meeting he attended, everyone he's been in contact with, his call records, and both his personal and corporate account statements.” My eyes still scanning the file Mr. Hargrove had distributed earlier. "And I want a complete background check on Vertex Industries.”

“My team will have it ready in twelve hours,” Albert said, typing on his phone to message his security team.

That bastard! I slammed the file down onto the desk.

From the chair across my desk, Jayson said nothing. He simply looked at me, his eyes filled with ....pity. I had been ignoring it since the night I caught Claudia, and I intended to keep ignoring it now.

Jayson shifted in his seat. "You know what bothers me most?"

"What?"

He leaned forward slightly. "The forged signature and his audacity. He’s definitely up to something.”

"Something bigger than just changing suppliers.” Albert agreed softly.

A heavy silence filled the room as that realization settled in.

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Jayson's phone ringtone sliced through the quiet. He glanced at the screen and sighed.

“It's Ethan. He’s been trying to reach me since before the board meeting,” Jayson explained. “I told him to call later.”

“Ethan…”

Jayson accepted the video call and placed the phone in the center of the coffee table. Ethan's face filled the screen. He was still in his scrubs, looking exhausted.

"Finally." Ethan's eyes scanned the three of us. "I've been trying to reach you guys for hours. How bad was it?”

Jayson filled him in on the details of the meeting. Ethan's eyes widened in shock. “You're joking, right?”

“That's not even the worst of it. The idiot left a voicemail that played in front of the entire board,” Jayson added.

"He told us to 'have fun,'" I spat in disgust.

Ethan pressed two fingers to his forehead. “We need to figure out why Adrian did this and what his motive is. I’d start by investigating the sales department directly and pulling his call records.”

Nothing made sense. Adrian loved money, women, and the soft life. Replacing a billion-dollar supplier was a risk, far too calculated for someone as lazy as him.

“We’re on it,” I finally replied.

For a second, I thought the conversation was over. It wasn't.

"There's something else," Ethan said, his tone shifting. "It’s the main reason I’ve been calling all morning." He paused. "It's about Claudia.”

I really can't catch a break from those two lovers, can I? I thought bitterly.

Jayson's eyes snapped up. He shot me a quick look, then turned back to the screen, keeping his mouth shut.

“What about her?” I managed to keep my voice flat and completely devoid of emotion.

Ethan cleared his throat. "She’s been calling our wives, Kane. Elizabeth and Lisa both. She’s been calling them for the past two days." Another pause. "Crying.”

I remained silent.

“She told them you've changed completely. That you forgot your anniversary, that you haven't been coming home." He looked at me through the screen. "That you moved into a separate bedroom and even threatened her with divorce."

I kept my expression completely stoic.

Albert leaned forward, his tone measured. "Kane... is it true? You haven't been going home?"

"I've been working late," I said simply.

"Working late doesn't justify neglecting your wife to the point where she's crying to your friends' wives," Albert countered gently.

"And you, Jayson…” Ethan turned his focus on the screen toward Jayson, who pointed at his own chest in disbelief.

“Me?” Jayson spluttered.

“She said you’ve been encouraging Kane to look outside his marriage and chase other women,” Ethan reported calmly. “Our wives are concerned about your playboy influence on him.”

“So I'm the villain now? She's blaming me, too?” Jayson looked equal parts amused and offended.

"Jayson…" I began.

"No, let’s be honest, you all know she can't stand me,” Jayson cut in, shaking his head. “Just saying.”

“Claudia is distraught and clearly desperate,” Ethan continued. “She called me again at five o'clock this morning.”

Five in the morning. I was almost impressed by her commitment to the act.

I could vividly picture her playing the role of the devoted, heartbroken wife dealing with a cold, neglectful husband and his bad-influence best friend. She had Adrian; I couldn't fathom why she was suddenly acting so lonely. Unless, of course, with Adrian out of the country, she was missing his replacement.

Me.

Claudia, you will regret the day you ever thought you could make a fool of me.

But not just yet.

"Claudia," I said, keeping my voice low, "tends to get dramatic when she wants my attention.” Her name felt like poison on my tongue, but I forced the words out anyway. “I forgot our anniversary because I’ve been dealing with ensuring the company doesn't fall apart. That was my mistake.”

"And the separate bedroom?" Albert inquired.

"I needed space to process company files without waking her."

"And the divorce talk?"

"She brought it up during a heated argument. I never took it seriously.”

Ethan pressed his lips together, searching my face through the camera. "Kane."

"Ethan?"

"Are you sure nothing else is going on?" Ethan asked softly, using the gentle tone he usually reserved for his patients. “Because this isn't like you. Claudia used to be your world…you were never this nonchalant or detached when it came to her.”

Jayson, to his absolute credit, said nothing. He stared down at his hands, his jaw clenched tight.

"Nothing is going on," I said, meeting Ethan's eyes steadily.

Albert chimed in."You're positive?"

I gave a single, tight nod.

Ethan leaned closer to his camera. "Kane, whatever is happening, leave your work at the office and go home tonight. That's all I'm asking." He gestured openly. "Women need reassurance. They need to feel loved and to know that even when everything else is demanding your time, they are still your priority. Show her she matters."

I wondered what he’d say if he knew the woman he was defending defiled our home and mocked my lack of fertility while lying in bed with my stepbrother.

“I’d hate for you to lose a good woman,” Ethan added. “A good wife.”

A good wife? A good woman?Hmmn

A humorless laugh almost escaped me. If only they knew….

“Noted,” I said calmly. “I'll go home tonight and remind my wife that she is a priority." I looked between the two of them. "Is there anything else?"

They both shook their heads, no.

Pushing aside the raw disgust in my chest, I leaned forward and pressed the intercom button on my desk.

"Mrs. Hawkins."

"Yes, Mr. Ravello?"

"Get Cartier on the line. Tell them I want their most exclusive high-jewelry set delivered to my wife within the hour.”

If Claudia wants to play games, I’m going to make sure I win.

There was a brief pause on the line. "Right away, sir."

I released the button.

On the screen, Ethan’s tired face broke into a broad, relieved smile. He pointed directly at the camera. "Now, that is what I’m talking about. That right there is an intentional husband.”

"Exactly," Albert added, nodding approvingly. "Good man. That’s the Kane we know."

"Yeah," I murmured.

Jayson held my gaze for a long second and unlike Albert and Ethan, he didn't smile.