Chapter 13: The Mistress’s True Colors

The Gilded Spoon occupied the ground floor of an old financial-district hotel.

Its private booths were separated by heavy velvet curtains, and its lighting was designed to flatter expensive faces while concealing discreet conversations.

At exactly three o’cl

Chapter 14: The Unveiling

Richard turned forty-five on Thursday.

No balloons decorated the kitchen.

No reservation waited at an exclusive restaurant.

No expensive watch sat inside a velvet box.

The house was cold because Richard had reduced the heating to avoid another utility shutoff notice. S

Chapter 15: The Collapse of Vanguard Designs

Vanguard Designs did not collapse with an explosion.

It disappeared through signatures, notices, and locked accounts.

By Friday afternoon, Richard sat alone in his glass-walled office.

The desks outside had been cleared.

Sarah, Liam, and Julian had a