Cleaning House

                     POV: Vivienne Ashford

I didn't say another word to Damon. I didn't cry or argue. I simply turned and walked upstairs.

Loretta shouted after me, while Kayla and Brianna continued complaining about breakfast. I ignored them and went into the master suite.

I stood before the bathroom mirror. The slap had left a red mark on my cheek. The hickey at the base of my throat was harder to ignore.

A broken vessel.

That was what Damon had called me.

I showered, then dressed in a charcoal-gray suit. I applied my makeup and covered the mark on my neck before leaving the room.

When I came downstairs, Damon was speaking to his mother in the foyer.

"Vivienne, wait—"

I walked past him and left for headquarters.

---

At 8:45 a.m., I arrived at Ashford Technologies.

The receptionists greeted me as I crossed the lobby.

"Good morning, Ms. Ashford."

"Good morning."

I took the executive elevator to the thirtieth floor and went straight to my office.

I pressed the intercom.

"Camille. Come to my office."

A few seconds later, she walked in with her notebook and a Louis Vuitton bag.

"Good morning, Ms. Ashford. I brought your schedule—"

"Save it."

I pushed an envelope across the desk.

Camille looked at it. "What's this?"

"Your termination notice. Your employment ends today. HR will handle the rest. You have ten minutes to collect your belongings under security supervision."

Her expression changed.

"You can't fire me, Vivienne. Damon is the Vice President. He gave me this job."

"Damon has no authority over my decision to terminate you. I am the CEO of this company. I own thirty percent, and my father owns twenty-five."

Camille gave a bitter laugh.

"You think this will make a difference? Damon told me everything. You couldn't keep your husband satisfied, and you couldn't give him a child in two years. I'm carrying his heir. When my baby is born, Damon will take your empire, and my child will own everything you built."

I stood up.

"You were hired to do your job, Camille. Instead, you chose to get involved with my husband. You're no longer welcome here."

I picked up the phone and called security.

"Please escort Miss Rowe out of the building."

Camille glared at me.

"Damon will destroy you for this!"

Two security guards came in and escorted her out.

---

After she left, I called my father.

He answered immediately.

"Vivienne, darling. How are you feeling? Did the hospital give you any news about your fertility tests?"

"Dad, Damon has been cheating on me with my secretary. She's one month pregnant."

There was silence on the other end.

"What?" he finally asked. "That ungrateful man! After everything we've done for him? I pushed you to marry him, Vivienne. This is my fault."

"It's not your fault, Dad. I loved him, and I was wrong to trust him. But I won't let him destroy what Mom left us. I'm calling an emergency board meeting for two o'clock. I intend to suspend Damon as Vice President. I need your support."

"You have it. I'm coming to the office."

---

At one o'clock, Genevieve arrived with a young woman.

"Vivienne, this is Rosalie Huxley. I've found you a new assistant."

"Welcome to Ashford Technologies, Rosalie."

"Thank you, Ms. Ashford."

Genevieve waited until Rosalie had stepped outside before opening the folder she had brought.

"Damon's five percent shares are covered by the agreement you signed when you gifted them to him," she explained. "The condition was that he must not cheat or divorce you. His affair gives us grounds to recover the shares."

"Then we'll proceed."

"And his sisters?"

"They're both employed by this company, but neither has been doing the work expected of her. I want their employment terminated."

Genevieve nodded. "I'll handle the necessary arrangements."

At two o'clock, the emergency board meeting began. My father attended and supported my decision.

By the end of the meeting, Damon had been suspended from his position as Vice President. His executive access was withdrawn, and he was barred from entering headquarters while the matter was being handled.

---

At six o'clock, I returned to Ashford Manor.

Damon had already heard about the suspension. Three suitcases stood beside the front door. He was waiting with his mother.

"You're crazy, Vivienne!" he shouted when I entered. "You suspended me? You threw me out of my own office?"

"You don't own that office, Damon. And you don't own this house. Take your things and leave. You can stay with Camille at the house I bought for your parents in Sterling Heights."

He grabbed his suitcases.

"You think you've won? My lawyer will deal with you!"

He stormed out.

Kayla and Brianna were in the living room, watching television.

Kayla stood when she saw me.

"You think you can treat our brother like this? You'd better apologize before he takes you to court."

I looked at both of them.

"You're both dismissed from Ashford Technologies. Your employment ends today. You also have thirty minutes to pack your belongings and leave my house."

Kayla stared at me.

"You can't be serious."

"Thirty minutes."

I turned and walked upstairs.

---

Late that night, I sat alone in my study.

My phone rang. The number was unfamiliar.

I answered.

"You cleaned house quickly, little rabbit."

"Who is this?" I asked.

"Roman Cavendish."

I sat up.

"How did you get my number?"

A quiet laugh came through the phone.

"I have my ways, little rabbit. I had my secretary and right-hand man look into you after you left Obsidian. They've already found out who you are."

I tightened my grip on the phone.

"I told you to forget about last night."

"I don't forget what belongs to me, little rabbit."

I said nothing.

"Get ready," he continued. "It's time we met properly."