Richmond POV
I stood outside the mansion on Maplewood Street, adjusting my simple blue work shirt and dark pants. I had deliberately chosen the most ordinary clothes I could find in my closet because I needed to blend in, to not overwhelm this woman with my wealth and status. If she really was the girl who had saved me fifteen years ago, I wanted her to like me for who I was as a person, not what I owned.Taking a deep breath, I pressed the doorbell and waited. Through the large windows, I could see people moving around inside, and I could hear shouting and what sounded like arguing. Something was definitely wrong in there.When the door opened, I was greeted by the sight of complete chaos. The beautiful woman from the real estate office stood there looking absolutely stunning, but behind her I could see people covered in what looked like cake frosting. There were party decorations everywhere, balloons on the floor, and at least twenty people standing aroBernard POVI sat in my office after Vanya left, staring at the contracts spread across my desk and feeling like my entire world had collapsed. The woman I had divorced because I thought she was worthless now owned my company. The woman I had called stupid and useless was now my boss. The woman I had tried to destroy was now controlling my professional fate.This couldn't be real. This had to be some kind of nightmare that I would wake up from soon.But the contracts were real. My signature was real. The two million dollars in my bank account was real. And the fact that Vanya Reed now owned fifty-one percent of Fredrick Construction was terrifyingly, impossibly real.I picked up my phone and called the first lawyer I could find online."Law Offices of Mitchell and Associates," a receptionist answered."I need to speak with a lawyer immediately," I said desperately. "It's about a business contract that I think might be fraudulent.""Mr. Mitchell can see you this afternoon," she said. "
Richmond POVI was sitting in my penthouse office, watching the live security feed from Fredrick Construction's conference room on my computer screen, and I had never been more attracted to a woman in my entire life. Vanya was absolutely magnificent - calm, professional, and completely in control as she systematically dismantled Bernard's sense of power and authority."Incredible," I whispered to myself, watching her deliver each piece of devastating news with perfect composure. "She's absolutely incredible."I had been watching the meeting from the beginning, using the high-resolution security cameras I had installed throughout the building as part of the "upgraded security system." Bernard had no idea that every word of their conversation was being recorded, or that I was witnessing his humiliation in real time.When Vanya had first walked into that conference room, she looked like a CEO who owned the world. Her posture was perfect, her voice was steady, and her eyes held the kind o
Vanya POVI arrived at the Fredrick Construction building at exactly 9:45 AM, fifteen minutes early for my scheduled meeting with Bernard. I wanted time to settle into the conference room and let him come to me, rather than walking into his office as a visitor. Today, I was the majority owner arriving to meet with my employee.I wore my most powerful business suit - a charcoal gray Armani with a crisp white blouse and my favorite diamond earrings. My hair was pulled back in a sleek bun, and I carried a leather briefcase containing all the documents I would need to establish my authority over this company."Good morning, Ms. Reed," said Patricia Torres, the new Office Manager I had hired specifically for this transition. "Everything is prepared for your meeting. Mr. Fredrick is waiting in Conference Room A.""Perfect," I said, walking through the office and noticing how different it felt to be here as the owner rather than the ex-wife who had once been unwelcome in this building.I ent
Bernard POVI walked into my office building on Monday morning after three weeks in Italy, still feeling like I was living in a dream. The honeymoon had been everything Tracy and I had hoped for - luxury hotels, expensive restaurants, designer shopping in Rome and Florence. We had spent money like we were millionaires, and for the first time in months, I felt like a successful businessman again.But as I rode the elevator up to my office, I noticed something different. There was a new security system that required me to scan an ID card, and the receptionist was someone I had never seen before."Good morning, Mr. Fredrick," the new receptionist said when I approached her desk. "Welcome back. I'm Lisa Chen, the new administrative coordinator.""Administrative coordinator?" I repeated. "What happened to Jennifer?""Ms. Rodriguez is still here, but she's been promoted to Office Manager," Lisa explained. "I was hired to handle the front desk and visitor management."I walked toward my offi
Tracy POVI stood in the bridal suite at the Ritz-Carlton, wearing the most expensive wedding dress money could buy, and I felt absolutely perfect. The dress had cost twelve thousand dollars, my jewelry was worth eight thousand, and my hair and makeup artist had charged three thousand for the day. But it was all worth it because today was the day that Bernard and I would show everyone in Sacramento that we were the real success story."You look absolutely stunning," said my wedding planner, adjusting the train of my dress. "This is going to be the most photographed wedding of the year."That was exactly what I wanted to hear. I had hired the best wedding photographer in Northern California and paid extra for a social media specialist who would post professional photos throughout the entire event. By tonight, everyone on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter would see that Tracy Martinez had married into wealth and luxury."Make sure you get pictures of the flower arrangements," I told the
Vanya POVI walked into Bernard's office wearing my most powerful business suit - a navy blue Armani that made me feel like I could conquer the world. James Davidson, Richmond's business manager, had briefed me on exactly how to handle this moment, but nothing could have prepared me for the look of absolute shock and horror on Bernard's face when he saw me."Hello, Bernard," I said calmly, sitting down in the chair across from his desk like I was attending any other business meeting. "I believe we need to discuss the future of your company."Bernard's mouth was opening and closing like a fish out of water. His face had gone completely pale, and I could see his hands trembling as he gripped the edge of his desk."This... this can't be real," he stammered. "You can't be the investor. You don't have that kind of money.""Actually, I do," I said, pulling out the signed contracts and placing them on his desk. "As of yesterday, I own fifty-one percent of Fredrick Construction through my hol