Chapter 3: The Real Betrayal
"What are these?" I asked.
Maverick's face lost all color.
"They're... nothing."
I picked up the first document.
It wasn't nothing.
Every page transferred ownership of my family's company shares into a newly formed corporation.
The corporation belonged to Maverick.
The witness signature?
Penelope.
My stomach twisted.
"You weren't stealing my husband," I whispered.
"You were helping him steal my life."
Penelope burst into tears.
"No!"
"You don't understand!"
"I found out three days ago."
She reached into her purse with trembling hands.
Instead of another contract...
She pulled out a small voice recorder.
"I asked him to meet me here because I needed proof."
She pressed play.
Maverick's voice filled the room.
"Amy signs whatever I put in front of her."
"After the wedding, every asset becomes mine."
"If she refuses..."
"I'll make sure everyone thinks she's mentally unstable."
The room fell silent.
Then another voice entered the recording.
His father's.
"Once the company is yours, file for divorce."
"Leave her with nothing."
I stared at Penelope.
"You... recorded this?"
She nodded through tears.
"I tried calling you."
"You never answered."
"I came here to confront him before the ceremony."
My knees nearly gave out.
Everything I believed had been wrong.
She hadn't been helping him.
She had been trying to stop him.
At that exact moment, hotel security stepped into the room.
Behind them...
Two detectives.
"My name is Detective Harris," one of them said.
"We've been investigating financial fraud connected to Mr. Maverick Lawson."
Maverick took one desperate step toward the balcony.
May you like
Then another.
Until he realized there was nowhere left to run.
