Chapter 2

I wrenched my hand free from Leo's grip and slapped him across the face.

Smack!

The sharp sound echoed through the living room.

Leo clutched his cheek, stunned.

"How dare you hit me?!"

"This is my house."

I pulled out a wet wipe and cleaned my hand slowly, deliberately. "If you don't want to get out, then shut up. And since you keep calling her a maid, let's settle the math properly. Sophia lives here on my dime. She eats my food, uses my things, and I never charged rent. Starting today, the cleaning in this house is her responsibility."

"You're insane!" Sophia shrieked. "I'm pregnant!"

"Then get out." I tossed the wipe into the trash. "You have two options. Choose now."

Leo raised his hand, about to strike me back.

"Touch me and see what happens." I met his eyes, my voice calm. "You should think carefully. Over the past five years, how many weapons have you skimmed from the Orlen Family's external deals? Do you really think an audit wouldn't uncover it?"

Leo's hand froze midair.

Disbelief flickered across his face. He clearly never imagined I would know any of that. His jaw tightened. Slowly, he lowered his hand.

"Fine, Anna. You think you're clever. Wait right there. I'll get to the bottom of this. If I find out you're bluffing, you'll regret it!"

With that, he grabbed Sophia and dragged her toward the bedroom.

"Come on, Sophia. Let's go inside. Don't waste time on this crazy woman."

Sophia followed unwillingly. Just before the door closed, she shot me a vicious glare.

I stared at the shut door, then pulled out my phone and sent a message to my father.

[The fish has taken the bait. It's time to pull in the net.]

-

Early the next morning, I was jolted awake by someone pounding on my door.

The moment I opened it, a black card flew at my face.

Leo stood in the doorway. He was dressed in a tailored suit, his expression hard and vicious.

"Go buy breakfast. Sophia wants the caviar crepes from that place in the city. And coffee. Hand-ground. If you don't bring it back, don't bother eating."

The card hit the floor with a sharp clatter.

I glanced down. It was my secondary card, the one loaded with two thousand euros a month for living expenses.

I didn't pick it up. I leaned against the doorframe and looked at him calmly. "Mr. Lovera, are you still half asleep? Or did you not understand a word I said yesterday?"

Leo let out a cold laugh and straightened his tie. "Anna, I thought about it all night. I don't care who you hired to put on that little show. As long as we're not divorced, you answer to me. If you don't go, I'll freeze every card you have. I know you don't have money of your own. Without me, you won't even be able to eat."

From inside the room came Sophia's sugary voice. "Leo, don't waste time arguing with her. I'm starving. And the baby is kicking me again."

Leo immediately called back, "Coming, sweetheart. I'll make her go right now."

Then he turned back to me, his face dark again. "You heard her. Move."

I nudged the card on the floor with my foot and kicked it out the door.

"If she wants to eat, she can buy it herself. And since we're being clear, I've frozen your cards too."

Leo scoffed in disbelief.

"You froze my cards? Have you lost your mind? That's my company and money. Who do you think you are?"

"Your company?" I smiled. "Did you forget whose name was listed as the legal owner when the company was registered?"

He froze.

Five years ago, he had a criminal record. I was the one who used my identity to register the company for him.

"So what if it's in your name?" Leo snapped, his voice rising. "I run the company. I make the money."

"Do you?" I pulled out my phone and held up the screen.

"Ten minutes ago, as the legal owner, I froze all liquid funds in the company accounts. The reason given was suspicion of embezzlement and money laundering by the CEO."

The color drained from Leo's face.

"What?!"